Committee approves ground lease to bring Rust Belt Riders composting to six‑acre city parcel

A city committee approved Order 40‑2025 authorizing the directors of Public Works and Economic Development to enter a ground lease with Rust Belt Riders Compost LLC to consolidate composting operations on a roughly six‑acre city parcel on East 70 Ninth between Bessemer and Kinsman (the order referenced 3270 E. 79 in committee materials). The lease as presented would have a 10‑year initial term and two 10‑year renewal options exercisable by the directors.

The move matters because Rust Belt Riders is asking to consolidate widely distributed operations into one central site and operate a retail soil sales outlet there. Natalie Longa, identified in the meeting as CFO and a worker‑owner at Rust Belt Riders, told the committee the company hauled nearly 3,400 tons of food waste in 2024, incurred $158,000 in tipping expense last year and sold about 3,100 cubic yards of soil. “Our infrastructure is wasteful and expensive. We move material or product 171 miles,” Longa said, adding the consolidation would raise the company’s anticipated gross margin from about 27% to roughly 42% and allow it to haul “more than 30%” more food scraps.

Committee members and staff discussed lease controls and remedies. City staff said the negotiated letter of intent and draft lease would bar subleasing without the city’s written advance approval and that either the Economic Development director or the Public Works director would approve subleases on the city’s behalf. Staff also said the draft would allow the city to terminate the lease and retake possession if the lessee stopped performing, and that site improvements could be reimbursed to the lessee but would become city property on termination.

Councilman Starr expressed support for the project but asked for stronger checks on future subleases, citing a prior neighborhood problem where a lessee’s sublease complicated enforcement. Committee members agreed to discuss adding language that would require Council approval for subleases in this case and to confer with Councilman Starr before the measure goes to the finance committee.

Rust Belt Riders described workforce and compensation details: Longa said the company grew from four full‑time employees to more than 30, offers a starting hourly rate of $20, makes full‑time employees eligible for benefits after 30 hours per week and operates as a worker‑owned workplace democracy.

The order was approved in committee and will advance to the finance committee for further review, with staff saying they will consult Councilman Starr about any added sublease approval language prior to that hearing.

Ending: Committee materials showed site images and maps; staff said the parcel was vacant for decades and previously used as a transfer station by Public Works. Rust Belt Riders will present further details and draft lease language as the item moves to the next committee.