Council approves leaseback with Middleton Urban Renewal Agency to keep farmland in production

The Middleton City Council voted to enter a leaseback agreement with the Middleton Urban Renewal Agency that will allow the city to continue subleasing farmland at the Crane Creek Plaza parcel (parcel ID 339001450) to the current farmer.

Council discussed that the urban renewal agency holds title to the property and the arrangement will let the farmer continue operations under the existing lease. Staff said the underlying lease carries no rent payment to the city; the farmer retains crop revenue as part of the farming arrangement and the city retains enforcement rights to ensure the land remains farmed while the agency owns the parcel.

The motion to enter the leaseback was moved and seconded and approved in a roll-call vote. Roll-call responses recorded in the meeting were: Council President Multipate — yes; Council member Christianson — yes; Council member Anderson — yes; Council member Griner — yes. The council did not report any fiscal transfer from city funds to the Middleton Urban Renewal Agency as part of this agreement.

Staff noted the lease term provisions discussed in the meeting and said the city would provide notice to the farmer if the urban renewal agency decides to sell or otherwise change the use of the parcel. The council approved the action without recorded dissent. The meeting then moved on to other business and later adjourned to an executive session.