City of San Antonio - File #: 18-6913

• File #: 18-6913
• Type: Real Property Acquisition
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 1/10/2019
• Posting Language: Ordinance approving the acquisition of a conservation easement over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones on a 1,066.72 acre tract of land known as the Pouncy Ranch located in Uvalde County, Texas from Howard and Beverly Pouncy, as trustees of the Howard and Beverly Pouncy 1997 Trust, at a cost of $1,501,006.18. Funding for this ordinance is available from the 2015 Sales Tax Venue Fund included in the FY 2019 Capital Budget. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Xavier D. Urrutia, Director, Parks and Recreation]

DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia, Director


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide


SUBJECT:

Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Conservation Easement Acquisition for Pouncy Ranch


SUMMARY:

Consideration of an Ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $1,501,006.18 to Mission Title Company as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement, due diligence and closing costs on a 1,066.72 acre tract of land known as the Pouncy Ranch located in Uvalde County, Texas. Funding for this ordinance is available from the 2015 Sales Tax Venue Fund included in the FY 2019 Capital Budget.

This action also authorizes the execution of necessary documents to accomplish said acquisition.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

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. This program was initiated in May 2000 when voters approved Proposition 3, 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. Proposition 3 ran from 2000 through 2005 and was limited to Bexar County.

The 2005 Proposition 1 program was an extension of the initial voter-approved Edwards Aquifer protection endeavor and was extended by voters in 2010 and renewed again in 2015. Changes in state legislation allowed watershed protection activities to expand outside of Bexar County.

The proposed purchase of a conservation easement on the Pouncy Ranch is located over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in Uvalde County. The property was initially identified through use of the Scientific Evaluation Team's GIS Spatial Model and subsequent site visits identified favorable recharge features on the properties. The Pouncy Ranch is located within the Dry Frio River and Frio River watersheds which combined with caves, sinkholes and fractures contributes ...