DEPARTMENT: Physical Development Administration
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Information And Direction On Existing Acquisition Option On Vance B. Grannis Jr. Trust Property In Inver Grove Heights
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide information on the County's existing Option Agreement to potentially acquire the fee title to the Vance B Grannis Jr. Trust (Trust) property encumbered by two existing County natural area conservation easements in response to a proposal for the Trust to donate ownership of the Trust property to the Thomas Irvine Dodge Foundation (Dodge).
SUMMARY
County staff began working with the Grannis family in 2008 to protect and restore land that included portions of the Marcott Chain of Lakes in Inver Grove Heights, and to facilitate the creation of an environmental education center. By Resolutions No. 10-282 (May 18, 2010) and No. 11-302 (June 21, 2011), the County board authorized the expenditure of $323,000 of State Metro Greenways and Outdoor Heritage (OH) funds and County matching funds to acquire a 16.8-acre permanent natural area conservation easement (Easement) from the Grannis family. The Easement was acquired on June 29, 2011.
The County and Grannis Family continued to work on protecting additional property and by Resolutions No. 16-148 (March 1, 2016), No. 16-283 (May 17, 2016), No.16-286 (May 17, 2016), No. 16-315 (June 7, 2016), and No.16-316 (June 7, 2016), the County Board conducted several closed sessions to consider proposals and offers and to authorize negotiations to acquire a second Easement. By Resolution No.16-355 (June 21, 2016), the County Board authorized the expenditure of $3,915,000 of State OH and County match funds to acquire a 108.7-acre Easement, authorized entering into an Option Agreement (Option) for potential future County ownership of the Grannis Family property, and authorized entering into an Operating Agreement (Agreement) to define the roles and responsibilities of the Grannis Family ...
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