Title
Resolution Approving Cooperative Agreement Between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a Cooperative Agreement between the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) grant funds for the Greenbelt applicant on the William Nixon Trust and Cherie Nixon Trust farm in Webster Township.
On May 18, 2009 (R-09-193) City Council approved a grant application to the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) for the Nixon farm. The City recently received notice that NRCS has awarded $1,030,500.00 toward the purchase of the development rights on the farm.
Staff
Prepared by: The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Colin Smith, Acting Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, 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 May 18, 2009, City Council approved applications to the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the purchase of development rights for properties owned by William Nixon Trust and Cherie Nixon Trust (R-09-193) having identified the property as eligible based on prime, unique or other productive soil; and its proximity to already protected farmland;
Whereas, The City was notified by a letter dated June 24, 2009, that the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program acting by and through the Commodity Credit Corporation, is awarding the City of Ann Arbor $1,030,500.00 in match dollars to fund the purchase of development rights on the Nixon farm;
Whereas, Under the terms of the Cooperative Agreement, the 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 by July 15, 2009 to obligate the funding;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a Cooperative Agreement between the United State of America Commodity Credit Corporation and the City of Ann Arbor for the Farm and Rand Lands Protection 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 are authorized and directed to execute the Cooperative Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and as to form by the City Attorney.