Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to USDA-NRCS ACEP for the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Maulbetsch II Property
Memorandum
This resolution authorizes a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), to support the purchase of a conservation easement on the Maulbetsch II property in Northfield Township.
ACEP is the Greenbelt’s primary source of grant funding for its work: 25 of City-held conservation easements were funded in part by ACEP or its predecessor program. Applications to ACEP are for funds up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. The deadline for FY 2026 ACEP grant applications has been set for October 30, 2026. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission recommended submission of an ACEP grant application for the Maulbetsch II property at its October 1, 2026 meeting.
This resolution also approves a preliminary agreement for purchase of the conservation easement on the property, which is required for the grant application. This preliminary agreement provides that the purchase is contingent on the following:
Establishment of a fair market value for the conservation easement to be determined by an appraisal and approved by the City and ACEP,
Conveyance of good and marketable title of the conservation easement;
Acceptable environmental site assessment of the property, and
Acceptance of the conservation easement terms by Ann Arbor City Council and ACEP.
This resolution does not commit City funds. An appraisal will be completed for the property and, if awarded grant funds, a complete budget along with a purchase agreement will be submitted to Council for approval. The City's share of conservation easement purchase would be from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds.
A brief description of the Maulbetsch II property is as follows:
The farm is approximately 48 acres...
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