Minutes 09/22/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 22, 1998 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Portsmouth ~requests -the Virginia Department of Transportation to acquire all rights-of-way necessary for the project in the name of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the appropriate time, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager or his designee are hereby authorized to execute all necessary railroad and utiiity agreements and other documents required in conjunction with the acquisition of such rights-of-way." Ayes: Benn, Griffin, Moody, Pitts, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 98 - 230 Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a long term lease of the property known as the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve to the Hoffier Creek Foundation, Inc. for its development and stewardship as a wildlife preserve. Recommendation: Adoption of a resolution .authorizing the City Manager to execute a long term lease of the property known as the Hoffler Creek Wildlife preserve to the Hoffler Creek Foundation, Inc. for its development and stewardship as a wildlife preserve. Purpose and Need: The City accepted ownership from the Virginia Department of Transportation of the 142 acre property on Twin Pines Road now known as the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve for the express purpose of creating a wildlife preserve. · Subsequently, in furtherance of this goal, the City Council rezoned this property to the zoning classification P-1: Preservation District. The City and the non-profit Hoffler Creek Foundation, Inc. executed a one- year lease for the Foundation to achieve certain planning and financial targets associated with the planning and development of the wildlife preserve. The Foundation met the performance targets outlined in'the one year lease and is desirous of continuing to plan, develop, open to the public and safeguard the wildlife preserve for an extended period of time. · The proposed term of the lease is for five years with the presumption that there will be additional leases for five-year terms. Financial Impact: The lease is a 'no-rent' lease. In exchange, the City assumes no financial responsibility under the negotiated lease for the cost of development of the wildlife preserve. The Hoffler Creek Foundation, Inc. is accepting the challenge to raise capital and operating funds through memberships, grants, and other fund-raising activities. The lease includes provisions that require that the Lessee indemnify the City from any liability in the event of damage to property or injury to any person or persons. There are also requirements specifying the minimum levels of insurance that must be carried by the Lessee throughout the lease term.