Title
Resolution Approving Cooperative Agreement Amendment between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and to Accept Additional Grant Funds in the Amount of $141,120.00, for a Total Award Amount of $522,340.00
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a Cooperative Agreement Amendment between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) grant funds for the Greenbelt application detailed below.
On September 21, 2015, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor and to accept grant funds in the amount of $381,220.00 towards the purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on two properties owned by Lloyd and Betty Guenther in Lodi Township (Resolution No. R-15-314).
On January 4, 2016, the City Council approved a grant application for the ACEP Program for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on a property owned by the Donald H. Drake Trust in Lodi Township (Resolution No. R-16-005).
The City recently received notice that the NRCS - ACEP Program has awarded the City of Ann Arbor $141,120.00 towards the purchase of the development rights on the Donald H. Drake Trust property, increasing the total grant amount from the originally awarded $381,220.00 to $522,340.00.
Acceptance of the additional grant funds and approval of a Cooperative Agreement with NRCS-ACEP Program for FY 2016, including the additional funds, is recommended.
Staff
Prepared by: Ruth Thornton, Greenbelt Program Manager, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and the United States have mutual interests in preventing the conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses;
Whereas, On September 21, 2015, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor and acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $381,220.00 towards the purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on two properties owned by Lloyd and Betty Guenther in Lodi Township (Resolution No. R-15-314);
Whereas, On January 4, 2016, City Council approved an application to the USDA Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for grant funds towards the purchase of development rights on property owned by the Donald H. Drake Trust in Lodi Township (Resolution No. R-16-005);
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, acting by and through the Commodity Credit Corporation, is awarding the City of Ann Arbor $141,120.00 in additional match dollars to fund the purchase of development rights on the Donald H. Drake Trust property;
Award Year Owner Cost Share Location Acres
2015 Lloyd and Betty Guenther $381,220.00 Lodi Twp 250
2016 Donald H. Drake Trust $141,120.00 Lodi Twp 72
Total $522,340.00 322
Whereas, Under the terms of the Cooperative Agreement, NRCS will provide technical services in the development of an appropriate conservation plan and funding and the City will acquire and monitor the conservation easement; and
Whereas, In evidence of the City of Ann Arbor’s willingness to agree to combine its resources with the United States to purchase agricultural conservation easements from the landowners for the protection of the identified acreage from conversion to nonagricultural uses, the City is required to approve and execute a Cooperative Agreement for FY 2016;
RESOLVED, That City Council accept the additional grant fund award and approve a Cooperative Agreement Amendment between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for the FY 2016 Agriculture Conservation Easement Program match funds for the acquisition of development rights by conservation easement of the property identified in this Resolution; and
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the Cooperative Agreement Amendment after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and as to form by the City Attorney.