Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the USDA-NRCS Lake Erie Conservation RCPP for Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Hamilton Property
Memorandum
This resolution authorizes a grant application to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Lake Erie Conservation Partnership Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for the purchase of a conservation easement on the Hamilton property located in Salem Township.
Applications to the USDA-NRCS RCPP program are for funds up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. 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:
1. Establishment of a fair market price for the conservation easement to be determined by an appraisal and approved by the City and the RCPP Program,
2. Conveyance of good and marketable title of the conservation easement;
3. Acceptable environmental site assessment of the property, and
4. Acceptance of the conservation easement by Ann Arbor City Council and the RCPP Program.
An appraisal will be completed for each property and, if awarded grant funds, a complete budget along with a purchase agreement will be submitted to Council for approval.
Matching grant funds are through the USDA-NRCS's RCPP Program, awarded through the FY21 Lake Erie Conservation Partnership RCPP, which is led by the City of Ann Arbor. The City's share is from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage proceeds.
A brief description of the Hamilton Property for this grant application is as follows:
The farm is approximately 108 acres and is located along Five Mile Road in Salem Township. The property is considered large enough to sustain agricultural production and is in a location that will encourage additional farmland and agricultural preservation act...
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