DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Janet A. Martin, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Land Acquisition
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes payment for real property acquisition and closing costs on an approximately 41 acre tract of land known as the Bluehill Pass property located in Bexar County, Texas for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, a Proposition 1 Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue funded Project, which was approved by the voters in November 2010, in the amount of $563,060.95 payable to Trinity Title of Texas, LLC, as escrow agent, for title. This ordinance also authorizes the execution of documents to accomplish said acquisition, necessary under the Proposition 1 Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In May of 2000, voters approved the first program, a 1/8-cent sales tax venue up to $45 million, for the acquisition of lands over the Edwards Aquifer, for parks and watershed protection. That program, referred to as Proposition 3, ran from 2000 through 2005, was limited to Bexar County.
The current program, referred to as Proposition 1, is an extension of that initial endeavor, although the scope was narrowed to watershed protection and, due to a change in state legislation, funds could be expended outside of Bexar County. The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is to obtain property rights by fee-simple purchase, conservation easements or donations of land over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer.
The purchase of the Bluehill Pass property is presented for consideration to the City Council under the Proposition 1 Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project, which was approved by the voters in November 2010. The City Council-approved Conservation Advisory Board has reviewed and recommended the acquisition of this property. This property is located entirely over the Contributin...
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