City plans to lease 305.88 acres to James Cook for $80,227 a year

The city plans to lease about 305.88 acres of city-owned agricultural land in Southwest Fresno to James F. Cook for four years, with two possible one-year extensions. Cook offered $80,227.05 in annual rent, which would bring the city $320,908 over four years or up to $481,362 over six years. The lease is scheduled for City Council consideration on Nov. 15, 2026. The property will be used for non-human-consumption crops and recycled-water irrigation, and the city has determined the lease is exempt from further CEQA review.

Actions pertaining to the lease of city-owned agricultural land at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File #9704) (District 3) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. Approve a Lease Agreement between the City of Fresno and James F. Cook in the amount of $80,227.05 annually for lease of approximately 305.88 acres of City-owned agricultural land at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) for an initial term of four years, plus two optional one-year extensions totaling $481,362 in rent

Nov 12, 2026ID 26-1505: Actions pertaining to the lease of city-owned agricultural land at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File #9704) (District 3) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. Approve a Lease Agreement between the City of Fresno and James F. Cook in the amount of $80,227.05 annually for lease of approximately 305.88 acSource documentPDF 1PDF 2PDF 3PDF 4PDF 5