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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBocc Packet 01222014 GOCO Grant Glassier RanchAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY REGULAR MEETING DATE: January 22, 2014 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND. STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Dale Will SUMMARY OF ISSUE: Approval of this resolution will authorize an agreement accepting a $1,000,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to partially reimburse Pitkin and Eagle Counties for the Glassier Ranch purchase. BACKGROUND: The Glassier property lies in Emma just beyond the Pitkin County boundary and is visible from the state highway and the Rio Grande Trail. The 137-acre property includes roughly 100 acres of productive irrigated pastures, and 9 acres along the Roaring Fork River with approximately 500' of river frontage. The property is immediately adjacent the Red Ridge Ranch Open Space which was acquired in January of 2013. Together these lands provide superior scenic, agricultural, ecological and recreational resources. On August 14, 2013, the BOCC approved Ordinance 020-2013 authorizing the $5.9 million acquisition of the Glassier Ranch jointly with Eagle County. Pitkin County will own the property pursuant to a conservation easement held by Eagle, and the purchase price will be divided equally. This Ordinance also provides that the two Counties would seek GOCO assistance and would split any savings. Our resulting grant scored the second best in the State, and GOCO awarded $1,000,000. Due to the timing under the contract, the two Counties will close with their own funds, and be reimbursed later by GOCO. We expect that reimbursement by late spring. The eventual purchase price funding will be as follows: Eagle County $2,450,000 Pitkin County $2,450,000 GOCO $1,000,000 To receive GOCO grant funds, Pitkin County must enter into a formal grant agreement. This agreement obligates the County to perform due diligence requirements and ongoing stewardship of the property. GOCO's requirements are consistent with the purposes and practices of the Open Space and Trails program. LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN: This acquisition meets the County's goal to preserve habitat, recreational resources, and scenery important to the citizens of Pitkin County. This project fulfills our Strategic Plan value of collaboration with other government agencies in fulfilling the public's goals in a fiscally prudent manner KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS: The grant agreement obligates the County to perform GOCO's required standard due diligence review of the project in order to qualify for funding, including a qualified appraisal, and environmental and mineral assessment. GOCO also requires the conveyance of a conservation easement to a non -governmental third party. Eagle County will hold this conservation easement. We further are gearing up for a long range management planning process which will guide the resource management and public access on the combination of Glassier and Red Ridge Ranch. BUDGETARY IMPACT: This agreement secures 1 million toward the Glassier Ranch acquisition, reducing Pitkin and Eagle Counties' costs by $500,000 ea. RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Approve the Resolution at public hearing on January 22, 2014. ATTACHMENTS: Map and Resolution ,30 State Opened Lands BLM Owned Lands RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND. RESOLUTION NO. -2014 WHEREAS, the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Open Space and Trails Board desired to acquire approximately 37 acres located in the Eagle County portion of Emma known as the Glassier property (aka Glassier Ranch) for the purpose of protecting the wildlife, agricultural, scenic, open space and recreational values of the property; and WHEREAS, the BOCC duly authorized the acquisition of the Glassier property through the approval of Ordinance 020-2013 on August 14, 2013; and WHEREAS, Pitkin County submitted a Grant application to GOCO for $1,000,000 for the purchase of Glassier Ranch, and was awarded this request on December 10, 2013, subject to a Grant Agreement with GOCO; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado that: 1.) Upon approval of the form by the Open Space Director and County Attorney, the Chair is authorized to execute the Glassier Ranch Grant Agreement with Great Outdoors Colorado. 2.) The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners hereby authorizes the expenditure of funds necessary to meet the terms and obligations of the grant agreement. 3.) This resolution is to be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DAY OF 2014. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY OF THE RESOLUTION PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON , 2014. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL PITKIN COUNTY WEBSITE ( www.aspenpitkin com ) ON THE DAY OF 2014. ADOPTED AFTER FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DAY OF 2014. PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER ADOPTION, IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY POSTED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY ON THE OFFICIAL PITKIN COUNTY WEBSITE ( www.aspenpitkin.com) ON THE DAY OF 2014. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS By By: Jeanette Jones Deputy County Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Robert A. Ittner, Jr., Chair Date: MANAGER APPROVAL John Ely, County Attorney Jon Peacock, County Manager Dale Will, Director Open Space and Trails 4