Title
Resolution to Accept a $307,950.00 ACEP Grant and Approve an ACEP Grant Cooperative Agreement for the Acquisition of Lepkowski and Kempf Conservation Easements
Memorandum
On February 20, 2018 (R-18-065), City Council approved a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for three properties in Northfield Township: the Thaddeus and Margaret Lepkowski Farm, Carl and Joan Kempf Farm, and Gail and Patricia Mullreed Farm.
Gail and Patricia Mullreed have since requested that their application be removed from this grant application. Therefore, this resolution pertains to the Thaddeus and Margaret Lepkowski Farm and Carl and Joan Kempf Farm only.
The City recently received notice that the ACEP Program has awarded the City of Ann Arbor $307,950.00 toward the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on the Lepkowski and Kempf Farms.
This resolution accepts the grant funds and authorizes execution of a cooperative agreement with USDA-NRCS on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which is required to receive the grant funds.
Approval of this resolution is recommended by staff.
Staff
Prepared by: Ruth Thornton, Greenbelt Program Manager,
The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Christopher M. Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, On February 20, 2018, City Council approved a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on properties owned by Thaddeus and Margaret Lepkowski and Carl and Joan Kempf in Northfield Township (Resolution No. R-18-065);
Whereas, ACEP has awarded the City of Ann Arbor $307,950.00 in grant funds to match local funds spent for the purchase of these conservation easements; and
Whereas, In order to receive the ACEP grant funds, the City is required to enter into a Cooperative Agreement stating the terms under which the grant funds will be provided;
RESOLVED, That City Council accepts the ACEP grant award of $307,950.00 and approves a Cooperative Agreement with the USDA-NRCS on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation for the purchase of conservation easements on the Lepkowski and Kempf properties;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be 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; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all appropriate action to implement this resolution.