Title
Resolution to Approve Pre-Proposal Participation in 2016 Assistance to Upper Huron River Regional Conservation Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, to be submitted by Legacy Land Conservancy
Memorandum
The attached Resolution authorizes the City of Ann Arbor to partner with Legacy Land Conservancy, the grant applicant, in the pre-proposal process for a United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (USDA NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for funding toward the acquisition of conservation easements in the Upper Huron River Watershed area of Michigan. Legacy Land Conservancy is pursuing proposal grant funding for the project in the amount of $2,000,000.
The first stage of the grant process, requires support letter from Legacy Land Conservancy’s partners. The City is being requested to execute a pre-proposal letter of support. The letter would not obligate the City to expend any funds or enter into any agreements at this stage of the process. If Legacy Land Conservancy is invited to submit a full proposal, an additional City Council resolution will be sought to submit a letter that would obligate the City of Ann Arbor to participate in the Partnership with Legacy Land Conservancy.
If Legacy Land Conservancy is ultimately awarded a grant based on its proposal to RCPP, the grant would provide the Greenbelt Program with funding source of support for the purchase of conservation easements; which conservations easement would be presented on a project by project basis to Council for approval in accordance with established City procedures. The City, as a partner, would be obligated to contribute up to $2,000,000 of bonding funds over the five year program period to be matched at 49% by USDA NRCS, leveraging up to $1,960,000 toward the acquisition of conservation easement. The City would commit contributing funds in the amount of $100,000 for staff time ($20,000/yr for 5 years), and $100,000 for due diligence activities (appraisal, survey, title work, environmental assessments, closing costs, etc.) ($20,000/yr for 5 years).
Passage of the attached resolution and participation in the pre-proposal submission for the RCPP is recommended by staff.
Staff
Prepared by: Ruth Thornton, Greenbelt Program Manager, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Sponsored by: CM Grand
Body
Whereas, Chapter 42 of The Ann Arbor City Code establishes the Greenbelt District and enables the City to purchase development rights on property within the district;
Whereas, Limited funds are available through the County Natural Area Preservation Program and Township land preservation funds;
Whereas, The Greenbelt Advisory Commission goal is to leverage the City’s millage funds to protect as much land as possible throughout the 30-year life of the millage;
Whereas, The Greenbelt Advisory Commission strongly recommends a minimum of 25% matching funds on Greenbelt purchases, provided by either grant funds, other local matching funds, or landowner donations; and
Whereas, If Legacy Land Conservancy’s pre-proposal is successful, the City will be invited to submit a letter of support as participating partner, which, if successful, would obligate the City to provide up to $2,000,000.00 of match from bonding funds, and appropriate $200,000.00 in contributing funds ($100,000.00 over 5 years in staff time and $100,000.00 over 5 years in due diligence) to the purchase of conservation easements. In return, the City would receive up to $1,960,000.00 from the USDA NRCS towards the purchase price of conservation easements over 5 years;
Resolved, That City Council approve writing a letter in support of Legacy Land Trust’s Upper Huron River Regional Conservation Partnership Program Pre-Proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and
Resolved, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.