Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to USDA-NRCS ACEP for the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Ehnis Trust Property
Memorandum
This resolution authorizes a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), to support the purchase of a conservation easement on the Ehnis Trust property in Northfield Township.
ACEP is the Greenbelt's primary source of grant funding for its work: 25 of City-held conservation easements were funded in part by ACEP or its predecessor program. Applications to ACEP are for funds up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. The deadline for FY 2024 ACEP grant applications has been set for November 13, 2023.
The Greenbelt Advisory Commission recommended submission of a grant application for the Ehnis Trust property at its November 2, 2023 meeting.
This resolution also approves a preliminary agreement for purchase of the conservation easement on the property, which is required for the grant application. This preliminary agreement provides that the purchase is contingent on the following:
1. Establishment of a fair market value for the conservation easement to be determined by an appraisal and approved by the City and ACEP,
2. Conveyance of good and marketable title of the conservation easement;
3. Acceptable environmental site assessment of the property, and
4. Acceptance of the conservation easement terms by Ann Arbor City Council and ACEP.
This resolution does not commit City funds. An appraisal will be completed for the property and, if awarded grant funds, a complete budget along with a purchase agreement will be submitted to Council for approval. The City's share of the conservation easement purchase would be from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds.
A brief description of the Ehnis Trust property is as follows:
The farm is approximately ...
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