Title
Resolution to Ratify the Emergency Request for Additional Funds from the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on the William Nixon Property and Webster United Church of Christ in Webster Township, JA Bloch Property in Northfield Township and the Edmund and Muriel Pardon, Kelley Newton et al and Merle Kern Estate in Ann Arbor Township
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to ratify the emergency request, authorized by the City Administrator for additional funds from the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the purchase of development rights (PDR) for the Nixon and Webster United Church of Christ Farms in Webster Township, the JA Bloch Property in Northfield Township and the Edmund and Muriel Pardon, Kelley Newton et al and Merle Kern Estate in Ann Arbor Township. The Federal program will grant funds up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the development rights, to a maximum of $5,000 per acre.
The City Administrator under the authority granted in Section 5.1 of City Charter may supply the necessary authority and direct necessary actions to be taken in accordance with the ordinances of the City in the absence of specific authority in the case of an emergency. The City Administrator is required to report in detail to Council both the action taken, the emergency requiring the action, and recommend ratification or other appropriate corrective legislation.
Staff was notified on Monday, April 7, 2008 by the State of Michigan that the 2007 Farm Bill was extended by Congress and as a result, an additional $40,835,265 is available nationwide for the FRPP program for farmland preservation. The State indicated that if the City had requests for these funds, the City was required to submit a request by 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 10, 2008.
The Nixon, Webster Church, JA Bloch, Pardon, Kern and Newton properties are in close proximity with alrea...
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