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 $396,900.00.
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 applications detailed below.
On February 21, 2012 (R-12-054), 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:
· Robbin Alexander Trust (Webster Township)
· Robert Schultz (Superior Township)
The City recently received notice that NRCS - Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) has awarded the City $396,900.00 towards the purchase of the development rights on abovementioned farms. This match is 49% of the purchase price.
Staff
Prepared by: Ginny Trocchio, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, 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 February 21, 2012, City Council approved an application (R-12-054), to the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) for the purchase of development rights on property owned by Donald H. Drake Trust, Carol Schumacher Trust, Robbin Alexander Trust and Robert Schultz;
Whereas, The City was notified by a letter dated June 28, 2012, 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 $396,900.00 in match dollars to fund the purchase of development rights as follows:
Owner Cost Share Location Acres
Robbin Alexander $167,580 Webster Township 90
Robert H. Schultz $229,320 Superior Township 136
Total $396,900 519
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 2012;
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 FY2012 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 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.