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 $893,780.00
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 applicants.
On June 21, 2010 by resolutions R-10-216; and R-10-218, the City Council approved grant applications to the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) on properties owned by the Nancy Geiger Trust and Rose Geiger Trust in Salem Township and, Lee A. Maulbetsch Trust and Lori M. Maulbetsch Trust in Northfield Township. The City recently received notice that NRCS - FRPP has awarded the City $893,780.00 towards the purchase of the development rights on abovementioned farms.
Staff
Prepared by: Ginny Trocchio, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Roger 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 June 21, 2010, by resolutions R-10-216 and R-10-218 City Council approved applications, to the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the purchase of development rights on properties owned by the Nancy Geiger Trust and Rose Geiger Trust in Salem Township; and Lee A. Maulbetsch Trust and Lori M. Maulbetsch Trust in Northfield Township;
Whereas, The City was notified by a letter dated September 1, 2010, 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 $893,780.00 in match dollars to fund the purchase of development rights for the following FRPP parcels:
Owner Cost Share Location Acres
Geiger $611,030.00 Salem Twp. 212
Maulbetsch $282,750.00 Northfield Twp. 125
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 for the FY 2010;
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 FY2010 Farm and Rand 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 be 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.