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 and to Accept Grant Funds in the Amount of $312,620.00
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 detailed below.
On February 7, 2011 (R-11-035), the City Council approved grant application to the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on property owned by William Lindemann and Karen Weidmayer. On May 31, 2011 the City received notice that NRCS - FRPP has awarded the City $312,620.00 toward the purchase of the development rights on abovementioned farm. You are now requested to accept this grant and approve the related Cooperative Agreement with the United States of America Commodity Credit Corporation.
Staff
Prepared by: Ginny Trocchio, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area 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 February 7, 2011, City Council approved an application (R-11-035), to the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the purchase of development rights on property owned by William Lindemann and Karen Weidmayer;
Whereas, The City was notified by a letter dated May 31, 2011, 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 $312,620.00 in match dollars to fund the purchase of development rights;
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 non-agricultural uses, the City is required to approve and execute a Cooperative Agreement for the FY 2011;
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 FY 2011 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program match funds for the acquisition of developments 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.