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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 17, 1983 (36)City Manager Glaves dated May 12, 1983 lease on the White 1, 1983. presented a letter from W. Al Bechthold rt -questing to renegotiate the existing ,_'Tough property which terminates Novent)er Council was apprised that Mr. Bechthold has been an excellent lessee the past ten (10) years, and has made MMY improvements to the City property, such as nine (9) miles of new fencing and 14 permanent gates. He is been considerably handicapped over the past three (3) winters due to flooding of some 175 acres of the 434 presently le --Red. Mr. Bechthold has assisted City staff menbers in requesting the State of California to cease and desist the arvrual threatening flood waters. The City's major concern is to lease to a party who will be able to work with us in using the plant effluent for irrigation at those times that it must be released. We have an excellent working relationship with Mr. Bechthold, and he has cooperated and worked with us in every way possible. Mr. Bechthold is considered an exceptional lessee. This item is brought to the Council to consider authorizing the City staff to start negotiating for a new lease agreement. It is felt that it is in the City's best interest to negotiate with Mr. Bechthold now in order that a new agreement can be approved prior to November 1983. This would allow Mir. Bechthold to continue to make permanent Inprovements to our property and would assure us of a lessee whom we know can work with us under the terms of the agreement. Following discussion, on motion of Mayor Pro Tenpore Snider, Murphy second Council authorized Staff to commence re-negutiat ions of the lease agreement on the White Slough property with the present lessee, Mr. Bechthold. May 1;2;r 1983 Lodi City Council c/o City Clerk P.O. Box 320 Lodi, CA 95241 Dear Council Members: In regards to the flooding of City property at White Slough, the ground that is in pasture behind the ponds (approximately 175 acres). For the past three years it has flooded. 1950 and 81 were hard years but the winter of 1952 has been disastrous. Every time there is an above normal amount of rain this parcel of land is under grater. Not only is it a total loss as feed goes, but the feeding and health problems of the livestock makes it almost impossible to operate. The weather prediction is that we could be in a wet period that could last for thirty years. At my age, I'm not worried about the thirty, but I am concerned about the next, five. If we have another winter like the last, I know I couldn't take it financially and most importantl,, health wise. It was very hard to sell the cattle that I spent years to build up but I had no choice. It was either sell them for salvage value or buying more hay and watch them suffer in the mud. I decided 4 .to sell and the way this spring turned out, it was the right decision. That is now over, but I would appreciate some consideration.' when I re -negotiate the lease in July for the acreage that was out of production for approximately four months in the years 1980, 81 and 82, through no fault of yours, but the State of California for not maintaining their levees and drainage ditches. Sincerely, l/"`' Al Beehthold 3784 Benjamin Stockton, CA Holt Drive 40 May 10, 1983 Cost and losses due to flooding December 22, 1982 to March 25, 1983 Cost of extra hay fed to cattle 2444 bales at $5.00 per bale $ 12,220.00 Cost of extra labor, 372.5 hours for two men and equipment at $14.50 per hour 5,401.25 Sprayed 90 acres of alfalfa for weed control February 19, 1983 and then flooded. 4,196.34 Estimated loss of alfalfa crop for 1983, $:100.00 per acre for the 52 acres that flooded. 26,000.00 Death of Livestock 2 cattle pairs (cow & calf) $600.00 each 1.,200.00 20 calves at $150.00 each 3,000.00 Forced to sell cattle on March 25, 1983 for a a 4 salvage value. 160 cows and 1 0 calves took a loss of approximately $200.00 per pair. 32,000.00 TOTAL LOSSES S 84,017.59 Sincerely, John Lima 368-6442 Lima Ranch RFC 13416 N. THORNTON ROAD LODI, CALIFORNIA 95240 AUC, '6 TY July 14, 1983 City Manager Henry Glaves P.O. Box 320 Lodi, California 95241 Re: City Property on Thornton Road Mr. Glaves, I am very inte.ested in submitting a bid on the City Property when it comet up for rent. I own Lima Ranch, which is located next to the City land. I also farm 400 acres directly across from the land. Last winter 100 .acres of the land was flooded when the levee broke; so I am aware of the problems that could exist. I am also aware that the land belongs to the city and their needs come first. I would greatly appreciate it if you would contact me regarding this land. Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, John Lima 368-6442