ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 24, 2009

Agenda Item No. 4

Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING AN APPROPRIATION TO BE USED FOR

PHASE II OF THE GREENING MID-MICHIGAN PROJECT

RESOLUTION #09-040

WHEREAS, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is currently partnering with Michigan Natural Features Inventory to complete the Greening Mid-Michigan Project (GMMP) to provide detailed maps and information about natural resources and green infrastructure throughout the tri-county area that was previously unavailable; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Parks Department is a partner in the Greening Mid-Michigan Project Steering Committee which was created to identify priorities, seek funding, and create networking opportunities for this project; and

WHEREAS, the GMMP includes three phases of work, including a Potential Conservation Area plan, comprehensive natural resource identification, and a green infrastructure mapping and public engagement component for Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties; and

WHEREAS, the First Phase, the Potential Conservation Area plan, mapped and defined those places in the landscape dominated by native vegetation that have potential for harboring high quality natural areas; and

WHEREAS, the Second Phase will involve the creation of additional parcel and specie-specific data collection for each county which will be housed by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), which will create general GIS layers of high priority areas for public use; and

WHEREAS, Phase Three involves an intense public engagement component with data disseminated to, and input gathered from, a wide group of agencies to be utilized as a development tool to supplement park and recreation, land preservation, and transportation plans and to further the development of a shared vision for growth, development, tourism, and conservation; and

WHEREAS, funding for Phase One was secured through the Michigan Department of Transportation in the amount of $24,000 through the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and Phase Three is entirely funded at this time by a $35,000 People and Land (PAL) grant through Leap, Inc., a group of regional public and private economic development leaders; and

WHEREAS, $17,045 is needed for the completion of Phase Two, partial monies have been secured   through  a  Battle   Creek  Watershed   319  Grant and  the  Greater   Lansing   Regional

ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 24, 2009

Agenda Item No. 4

RESOLUTION #09-040

Committee for Stormwater Management for a total of $3,500, a $4,000 appropriation from the Eaton County Parks Department, and a $4,000 commitment from the Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board; and

WHEREAS, completion of the Greening Mid-Michigan Project will provide a regional framework for priority land conservation that can help guide the growth of the Ingham County Parks and other Mid-Michigan park systems; and

WHEREAS, the GMMP will identify priority conservation corridors that will guide future planning for the Heart of Michigan Trails Partnership; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County Parks staff have identified funds within the existing 2009 Parks Department budget to support a line item budget transfer of an amount not to exceed $8,000 from the 508 Enterprise Fund.

WHEREAS,  the Ingham County Parks & Recreation Commission supports the Michigan Natural Features Inventory funding by requesting a line item budget transfer of up to $8,000 within the 2009 Parks Department Budget to support Phase II of the Greening Mid-Michigan Project.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes entering into an agreement with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in the amount of $8,000 for the completion of Phase II of the Greening Mid-Michigan Project (GMMP) to provide detailed maps and information about natural resources and green infrastructure throughout the tri-county area.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Controller/Administrator is hereby authorized to make any necessary budgetary adjustments.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board Chairperson and County Clerk are authorized to sign any necessary agreements upon approval as to form by the County Attorney.

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Celentino, Koenig, Holman, Copedge, Grebner, Vickers

     Nays:  None            Absent:  None        Approved  2/17/09

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Nolan, Bahar-Cook, Tennis, Davis, Dougan

      Nays:  None           Absent:  None          Approved 2/18/09