Item 4DCity of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
M E M O R A N D U M
August 11, 2026
TO: Alison Ortowski, City Manager
FROM: David Miller, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: Approval of a grazing lease agreement between the City of
Southlake and Howard Harris dba Dove Estate Partners, Ltd.,
on approximately 4.5-acres of undeveloped City Park property
located at the southeast corner of Lonesome Dove Road and
Foxfire Lane and referred to as the Coker property, located at
2303 Lonesome Dove Road.
Action Requested: Approval of a grazing lease agreement between the City of
Southlake and Howard Harris dba Dove Estate Partners,
Ltd., on approximately 4.5-acres of undeveloped City Park
property located at the southeast corner of Lonesome Dove
Road and Foxfire Lane and referred to as the Coker
property, located at 2303 Lonesome Dove Road.
Background
Information: The City of Southlake owns approximately four (4.5) acres
of undeveloped park land along the southeast corner of
Lonesome Dove Road and Foxfire Lane typically referred to
as the Coker property. The land is primarily covered in grass
and trees and was purchased for future park access to the
adjoining U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property. Grazing
on the undeveloped land provides a cost-effective method of
maintaining the property without utilizing staff time or City
equipment.
The proposed lease is for a two-year period including 3 one-
year renewal options with the opportunity to terminate at any
time with sixty days written notice. As a condition of the
proposed lease the tenant will be responsible for accepting
the property in its present condition, mowing, and
maintaining the premises in a good, safe condition and
vacating the premises upon termination of the lease. The
property has been leased by Howard Harris Since 2020 and
was previously leased for grazing by Tommy Keeton (2010-
12); William and Peggy Ihnfeldt (2008-10) and to Gary and
Laurette Yates (2006-08).
Item 4D
Alison Ortowski
Meeting Date – August 18, 2026
Page 2 of 2
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Financial
Considerations: Annual Maintenance Costs below $5,000 would be saved on
approximately 12 mowings per year.
Strategic Link: This item is linked to the City’s Strategy Map related to the
focus area of Performance Management and Service
Delivery and meets the corporate objective to Invest to
Provide and Maintain High Quality Public Assets.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Park Board consideration on August 10, 2026 and City
Council consideration on August 18, 2026.
Legal Review: Lease was reviewed by the City Attorney
Alternatives: Any commentary as appropriate.
Supporting
Documents: Supporting Documents Include:
•Proposed Lease Agreement (Exhibit A)
•Property Description and Exhibit (Exhibit B)
Staff
Recommendation: City Council approval of Grazing Lease as presented.
Exhibit A
LEASE BETWEEN CITY OF SOUTHLAKE AND DOVE ESTATES PARTNERS,
LTD
I. Terms and Definitions
Date: September 1, 2026
Landlord: City of Southlake
Landlord's Address: 1400 Main Street
Southlake, Texas 76092
Tenant: Dove Estates Partners, LTD
Tenant's Address: 1671 E. Dove Road, Southlake, TX 76092
Premises: 2303 Lonesome Dove Road. Approximately four and
one -half (4.5) acres, located in Southlake, Tarrant
County, Texas as described in the attached Exhibit
"B ".
Rent: $1. 00 for term of lease
Term (months): Twenty-four (24) months, including three, one-year
renewal options that may be authorized
administratively by the Director of Community
Services.
Commencement Date: September 1, 2026
Termination Date: September 1, 2028, or after sixty days written notice of
intent to terminate from either party, whichever comes
first.
Use: For agricultural purposes only — grazing
of livestock (less than 10 cattle or horses)
II. Lease Clauses and Covenants
1. Tenant Agrees to —
a. Accept the premises in their present condition "as is ", as shown in exhibits "B"
and B" and incorporated herein as a part of this agreement, the premises being
currently suitable for Tenant's intended use. In this regard, Tenant acknowledges that
Tenant has inspected the premises, and has found them free from defect or
dangerous condition as of the date hereof.
b. Obey all laws, ordinances, orders, and rules and regulations applicable to the use,
condition, and occupancy of the premises.
c. Allow Landlord to enter the premises, with reasonable notice.
d. Repair and maintain the premises. This shall include mowing and maintaining the
premises in a good and safe condition.
e. Repair any damage to the premises caused by Tenant.
f. Maintain insurance on Tenant's personal property.
g. Deliver certificates of insurance to Landlord on or before the Commencement Date
and prior to renewal of policy. Tenant will carry Liability and Property Damage
Insurance sufficient to provide adequate protection against damage claims which may
arise from operations under this Contract. Tenant hereby waives subrogation rights
for loss or damage to the extent same are covered by insurance. Insurers shall have
no right of recovery or subrogation against the Landlord, it being the intention that the
insurance policies shall protect all parties to the contract and be primary coverage for
all losses covered by the policies.
h. INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD LANDLORD, ITS AGENTS, OFFICIALS
AND EMPLOYEES HARMLESS FROM ANY LIABILITY LOSS, ATTORNEY'S
FEES, EXPENSES, OR CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF USE OF THE PREMISES.
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT OR WAIVE
ANY GOVERNMENTAL OR SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY OF LANDLORD OR ANY
IMMUNITY APPLICABLE TO ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS OR
EMPLOYEES, NOR SHALL IT BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT OR WAIVE ANY
INSURANCE COVERAGE OR THE LANDLORD'S STATUS AS AN ADDITIONAL
NAMED INSURED AS PROVIDED IN AGREEMENT.
i. Vacate the premises on termination of this lease.
j. Use the premises solely for Tenant's intended uses, which Tenant represents,
acknowledges and agrees is agricultural, specifically, grazing of livestock.
2. Tenant agrees not to —
a. Use the premises for any purpose other than that stated in the basic lease terms
and definitions.
b. Use the premises for any business purpose.
c. i) Create a nuisance, (ii) permit any waste, (iii) install barbed wire fencing or any
other method of fencing that is designed to inflict injury, or (iv) use the premises in
any way that is extra hazardous, would increase insurance premiums, or would void
insurance on the premises.
d. Alter the premises, except as agreed to in writing by the City of Southlake.
e. Assign this lease or sublease any portion of the premises.
3. Landlord and Tenant agree to the following:
a. Alterations. Any physical additions or improvements to the premises made by
Tenant will become the property of Landlord.
b. Default. Tenant shall be in default by failing to comply within ten days after written
notice with any provision of this lease.
c. Landlord's Remedies. Landlord's remedies for Tenant's default are to i) enter and
take the premises on behalf of Tenant; (ii) terminate this Grazing Lease with Howard
Harris lease by written notice and sue for damages. Landlord may enter and take
possession of the premises by self -help, by picking or changing locks if necessary,
and may lock out Tenant or any other person who may be entering the premises
without being liable for damages.
d. Default/ Waiver /Mitigation. It is not a waiver of default if the non-defaulting party
fails to declare immediately a default or delays in taking any action. Pursuit of any
remedies set forth in this lease does not preclude pursuit of other remedies in this
lease or provided by law.
e. Holdover. If Tenant does not vacate the premises following termination of this
lease, Tenant shall be a tenant at will and shall vacate the premises immediately upon
receipt of notice from Landlord. No holding over by Tenant, whether with or without the
consent of Landlord, will extend the term for any period of time whatsoever.
f. Notices. Any notice required by this lease shall be deemed to be delivered
(whether or not actually received) when deposited with the United States Postal
Service, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to
Landlord or Tenant at their addresses.
g. Abandoned Property. Landlord may retain, destroy, or dispose of any property left
on the premises at the end of the term, and Tenant agrees that Landlord shall have no
liability to Tenant regardless of disposition of such property.
Landlord:
________________
Shawn McCaskill, Mayor
City of Southlake
_________________
Date
Attest:
________________
Amy Shelley
Southlake City Secretary
_________________
Date
Tenant
____________________________________________
Dove Estates Partners, LTD (Howard Harris)
1671 E. Dove Road
Southlake, TX 76092
_____________________
Date
Attest:
________________
Approved as to Form and Legality:
___________________
City Attorney
_____________________
Date
Exhibit B