Title
Resolution to Accept a $257,250.00 Grant and Approve a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS for a Conservation Easement on the Ehnis Trust Property in Northfield Township (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution accepts federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) grant funds and obligates the City to purchase a conservation easement on this property through execution of a Parcel Contract with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). After execution of the Parcel Contract to secure the grant funds, staff will approach the City's conservation partners for contributions to defray the cost of the purchase. Once the contributions are determined, staff will bring a resolution to City Council for final approval of the purchase subject to the terms of the Parcel Contract.
Background
USDA-NRCS ACEP provides matching federal grant funds for up to 50% of the cost of the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on farmland. The City's Greenbelt Program regularly applies for ACEP grants to leverage purchases made with the City's Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage funds.
On November 6, 2023, the City Council approved a grant application for the purchase of a conservation easement on the Ehnis Trust property in Northfield Township (R-23-407). On May 23, 2024, the City received notice that the ACEP Program awarded the City $257,250.00 to cover up to 49% of the appraised easement purchase price. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission approved a motion recommending acceptance of these grant funds at its June 6, 2024 meeting.
A brief description of the property is as follows:
The farm is approximately 65 acres and located in Northfield Township. It is bordered by three roads for amazing views from the public right-of-way: E Northfield Church Road, Earhart Road, and Pontiac Trail. It's predominantly cropland with a 9-acre patch of woods. The property scored in the 37th percentile of all Greenbel...
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