Title
Resolution to Approve a General Services Agreement with Legacy Land Conservancy for Conservation Easement Services ($500,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a General Services Agreement with Legacy Land Conservancy in the amount of $500,000.00 for conservation easement services. The $500,000 agreement is comprised of $100,000 per year for three years, with an optional two year renewal.
Background: The Open Space and Parkland Preservation (OSPP) 30-year millage and corresponding charter amendment were approved by City of Ann Arbor voters in November 2003 to provide funding for the preservation and protection of open space, natural habitats, sourcewater and working landscapes surrounding the city, and for parkland within the city, via acquisition of land and land rights. Two-thirds of the OSPP millage funds land preservation surrounding the city for the Greenbelt (and Bluebelt) Program.
The Greenbelt Program engages in permanent land preservation predominantly using conservation easements, of which the City currently holds 43. Each conservation easement must have a baseline documentation report recorded with it upon acquisition, which is a detailed collection of maps, photos, descriptions, and property narratives, used as a "baseline" to monitor change on the property. Additionally, every conservation easement must be visited and monitored each calendar year, to ensure the terms of the easement are being met. As conservation easements age or significant changes are made on the properties, it may become prudent to conduct current conditions reports, which are akin to major updates to baseline documentation reports. These documents are critical to the legal strength of conservation easements, and staff wish to ensure they follow the highest standards.
Services Description: The City of Ann Arbor sought proposals for comprehensive conservation easement monitoring services for the City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt's con...
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