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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Conceptual Plan to Acquire the C.G. Lee Property for Future Water Well Field and Nutrient Reduction Credit RESOLUTION NO. 23-495 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONCEPTUAL PLAN TO ACQUIRE THE C. G. LEE PROPERTY FOR FUTURE WATER WELL FIELD AND NUTRIENT REDUCTION CREDIT FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Ames Water Plant owns approximately 73 acres for a future "I-35 East Well Field." The FY 2018/19 Capital Improvements Plan included the "South Skunk River Well Field Land Acquisition" project to acquire additional ground at a then undetermined location somewhere between the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex and the I-35 East Well Field. Staff has been working to acquire two adjacent parcels of land southeast of Ames in the South Skunk River flood plain to secure a site for a future well field and to provide source water protection for future wells. Additionally, land retirement on the parcels would generate nutrient reduction credits that can be claimed by the Water Pollution Control Facility; and, WHEREAS,the C. G.Lee property would be acquired in partnership with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). This acquisition would allow a similar restoration of an additional 42 acres immediately adjacent to other ground that is being returned to a native landscape. This area overlies the groundwater that is moving into the I-35 East well field property. Placing this ground into native species preserves the use of the I-35 East property for long-term source water purposes. The acquisition could be completed in early 2024. The INHF will work with the Story County Conservation Board on a plan to seed the land in early spring 2024; and, WHEREAS, the Water Fund contributions will come from carryover($476,278) from the FY 2018/19 CIP well field land acquisition project. The Sewer Fund contribution will come from the FY 2023/24 Watershed-Based Nutrient Reduction project. Of the $1,017,938 in current year adopted and carry-over funds for these watershed projects, $169,714 is currently unobligated; and, WHEREAS, the two property acquisitions would provide approximately 162 acres of restored native landscape for which the City could claim nutrient reduction credits. The action requested at this time is non-binding, and the City could back out if the final terms and cost share arrangements do not meet the City Council's desires. If the City Council does not support the overall concept, it would be important to the other partners to know that now. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the conceptual plan, subject to negotiation of acceptable terms and conditions, to acquire the C. G. Lee property for drinking water source protection and nutrient reduction credit in partnership with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Story County Conservation is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 12th day of September, 2023. e4w- 1;�e i::M Renee Nall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Corrieri Seconded by: Gartin Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 12'h day of September, 2023.