Proposed Resolution - 5/4/2023program which provides community garden space to immigrants and resettled refugees to
provide space to grow culturally relevant produce, farming education, and economic opportunity
through farmers markets. WCG and IRC desire to jointly lease all 8 parcels for their collective
operations.
WCG will operate its Job Training Farm, which provides employment and mentorship for
women facing homelessness while also improving ecological function in urban spaces. This
would replace the current location, known as the Green Phoenix Farm. Co-locating these
programs allows for synergies in site layout and public benefits.
Public Lands would like to execute a new lease for all eight parcels jointly to IRC and WCG at a
rate of $1 per year for a 5-year term, with options to renew for 4 additional 5year terms (for a
total term of 25 years).
PUBLIC PROCESS: Public Hearing
Alejandro Sanchez (May 4, 2023 12:11 MDT)
RESOLUTION NO. _____ OF 2023
Authorizing Below Market Rent for Lease of Properties Located at 1300 South
and 800 West for Urban Farming Programs
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands has proposed the
authorization of a lease jointly to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Wasatch
Community Gardens (WCG) (each of which is a nonprofit entity) for eight City-owned parcels
of land, totaling 2.41. acres, for the operation of urban farming programs; and
WHEREAS, IRC currently leases four of the parcels at the rate of one dollar per year for
a five-year period. The lease was renewed for a second five-year period in 2022. IRC plans to
use the site for its New Roots program that provides community garden space to immigrants and
resettled refugees to provide space to grow culturally relevant produce, farming education, and
economic opportunity through farmers markets; and
WHEREAS, WGC and IRC desire to jointly lease from the City all eight parcels for their
collective operations. WGC will operate its Job Training Farm, which provides employment and
mentorship for women facing homelessness while also improving ecological function in urban
spaces. This would replace the current location, known as Green Phoenix Farm. Co-locating
these programs allows for synergies in site layout and public benefits; and
WHEREAS, Utah Code Section 10-8-2(1)(a)(v) allows public entities to provide
nonmonetary assistance and waive fees to and for nonprofit entities after a public hearing; and
WHEREAS, Public Lands would like to execute a new lease for all eight parcels jointly
to IRC and WCG (the “New Lease”) and provide nonmonetary assistance in the form of a below-
market lease rate of one dollar per year for a five-year term, with options to renew for four
additional five-year terms (for a total of 25 years) (the “Lease Fee Waiver”); and
2
WHEREAS, although Utah Code Section 10-8-2 does not require a study for such
nonmonetary assistance and fee waivers, in this case the City Administration voluntarily
performed an analysis (the “Analysis”) of the public benefits of providing the Lease Fee Waiver
to IRC and WCG, which Analysis was included in the transmittal to the City Council before the
public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has, following the giving of not less than 14 days public
notice, conducted a public hearing relating to the foregoing, in satisfaction of the requirements of
Utah Code Section 10-8-2; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Analysis, and has fully considered the
conclusions set forth therein and all comments made during the public hearing;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, as
follows:
1. The City Council hereby adopts the conclusions set forth in the Analysis, and
hereby finds and determines that, for all the reasons set forth in the Analysis, the Lease Fee Waiver
is appropriate under these circumstances.
2. The City Council hereby authorizes the City administration to negotiate the New
Lease and execute the New Lease and any other relevant documents consistent with this Resolution
and incorporating such other terms and agreements as recommended by the City Attorney’s office.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this _____ day of ________ 2023.
SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
By: ______________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
____________________________
CITY RECORDER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
___________________________
Boyd Ferguson, Senior City Attorney
Date: ______________________ 4-19-2023