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<br />Johanna Marsh - Conservation Easement <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />The City does not have the authority to convey property for a nominal consideration, unless the <br />conveyance is to another governmental unit. The Attorney General has determined that cities <br />cannot convey land for a nominal consideration to a non-profit organization. <br /> <br />Staff recommends that if the City Council would want to pursue this option, they would want to <br />make sure that Mr. Nimis agrees to pay for the appraisal of the property. <br /> <br />2. The City could put a Conservation Easement on this land. <br /> <br />A conservation easement is a set of restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on his or her <br />property in order to preserve its conservation values. The conservation values of the property <br />and the restrictions created to preserve those values, along with the rights reserved by the <br />landowner, are detailed in a legal document which is filed with the county land records. A <br />conservation easement is conveyed to a government agency or nonprofit conservation <br />organization qualified to hold and enforce easements. Most conservation easements are <br />perpetual. They apply to the current owner and all future landowners, permanently protecting <br />the property. Staffhas included handouts on conservation easements for your information. <br /> <br />3. The City could put a Conservation Easement on this land and then sell the land to Mr. <br />Nimis. <br /> <br />This would be an option the City could choose to ensure that if the land was sold, Mr. Nimis <br />and all future landowners would have restrictions on developing this site. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff has reviewed the options above and feels that the most logical solution is placing a <br />Conservation Easement on this property. Staff is seeking guidance on how to proceed. <br />