Agenda Item Wording:
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Award a Contract for Farm Management Services - Award a contract to A&K Precision Management for Farm Management Services in the amount not to exceed $1.5 million per year to manage a total of 445 acres of pecan orchards surrounding the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). The initial contract shall be for a twelve (12) month period and shall, at the City's option and upon mutually agreeable terms, be renewable annually thereafter for four (4) consecutive one-year periods.
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Deadline for Action: 3/3/2025
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number: Nick Bartsch 559-713-4428 ; Rehana Cale 559-713-4176
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Council authorize staff to enter into a contract with A&K Precision Management in the amount not to exceed $1.5 million per year to manage a total of 445 acres of pecan orchards surrounding the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) in accordance with RFP-24-25-02. The initial contract shall be for a twelve (12) month period and shall, at the City's option and upon mutually agreeable terms, be renewable annually thereafter for four (4) consecutive one-year periods. Staff also recommends that the City simultaneously put out a request for bids to lease the property in subsequent years to evaluate the viability of an alternative option.
Background Discussion:
Since the 1960's, the City has farmed various areas of City-owned land within and around the City of Visalia. Over time, many of the orchards and row crops have been removed, land sold, or farming has ceased due to various reasons. Per Council's direction, the 138-acre walnut orchard, north of the City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), was recently removed and has been temporarily fallowed under the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency's Pilot Fallowing Program. Additionally, the City has 408 acres leased to Koetsier Dairy for row crops southeast of the WRF. ...
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