Title
Resolution to Accept a $470,000.00 Grant and Approve a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS for a Conservation Easement on Property in Northfield Township
Memorandum
This resolution accepts federal ACEP grant funds for a conservation easement on this property through execution of a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS. After execution of the Parcel Contract to secure the grant funds, staff will approach the City’s conservation partners for contributions to defray the cost of the purchase. Once the contributions are determined, staff will bring a resolution to City Council for final approval of the purchase.
Background
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides matching federal grant funds for up to 50% of the cost of the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on farmland. The City’s Greenbelt Program regularly applies for ACEP grants to leverage purchases made with the City’s Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage funds.
On December 16, 2019, the City Council approved a grant application to for the purchase of a conservation easement on property in Salem Township (Resolution R-19-555). On July 20, 2020, the City received notice that the ACEP Program awarded the City of Ann Arbor $470,000.00 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the property. The Greenbelt Advisory Commission approved a motion recommending acceptance of these grant funds at its August 6, 2020 meeting.
A brief description of the property is as follows:
The farm is approximately 100 acres and is located along Sutton Road in Northfield Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland and agricultural preservation activities. It is adjacent to an existing Greenbelt project. The property scored in the top 90% of all Greenbelt applications in the scoring system developed and approved by the Greenbelt Advisory Commission. The protection of this property is a priority for the Greenbelt Program due to the size and quality of the farmland, proximity to other protected properties, and possibility to leverage funds from federal and other local sources of funding. The property also meets the priorities for both the Greenbelt Program and ACEP Program.
The purpose of the acquisition of a conservation easement on this property is for open space and agricultural land preservation, consistent with the purposes of Chapter 42 of City Code.
Approval of this resolution is recommended by staff.
Staff
Prepared by: Remy Long, The Conservation Fund
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Christopher Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Chapter 42 of City Code establishes the Greenbelt District and enables the City to purchase conservation easements on property within the district;
Whereas, Chapter 42 of City Code authorizes the purchase of conservation easements with Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds, of which there are sufficient funds for this purchase;
Whereas, The USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) program has matching grant funds available for up to 50% of the purchase price of a conservation easement on eligible agricultural land, not to exceed $5,000.00 per acre;
Whereas, The Greenbelt Advisory Commission’s goal is to leverage the City’s millage funds to protect as much land as possible throughout the 30-year life of the millage; and
Whereas, ACEP has awarded the City a grant, which requires the City to execute a Parcel Contract stating the terms under which the grant funds will be provided;
RESOLVED, That City Council accepts the ACEP grant award of $470,000.00 and approves a Parcel Contract with the USDA-NRCS for the purchase of a conservation easement on the Northfield Township property;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the Parcel Contract after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.