City Council

Communication:

 

03-087

 

 

Agenda:

 

February 24, 2003

 

 

Subject:

 

Release of Restrictions on Former Fort Des Moines Property from the Federal Government and Authorization of City Manager to Execute Release on Expiration of Restrictions Agreement

 

 

Type:

 

Resolution

Ordinance

Receive/File

 

 

Submitted by:

 

Donald M. Tripp

Park and Recreation

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Council

Communication

03-087

February 24, 2003

Page Two

 

 

 

Item 39

Office of the City Manager

City of Des Moines, Iowa

________________________________________________________

 

Synopsis

 

Release of Federal Government Restrictions and Acceptance of 17.75 acres of former Fort Des Moines property. Execution of such agreement is with the United States Department of Education.

 

 

Fiscal Impact

 

NA

 

 

Recommendation

 

Approval.

 

 

Background

 

On November 6, 1972, the United States of America, acting through the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, conveyed 93.62 unimproved acres, locally known as a portion of Fort Des Moines, to the City by Quitclaim Deed.  The Deed contained certain conditions and restrictions, including a 30- year period whereby the property was required to be used for educational purposes in accordance with the application submitted by the City of Des Moines dated May 17, 1971.  On November 20, 1972, by Roll Call No. 92-5593, Council approved the acceptance of the property and related conditions.

 

By Quitclaim Deed dated August 6, 1979, a 27.9 acre portion was returned to the United States of America.

 

By abrogation and release of restriction dated October 16, 1991, a 38.92 acre portion was abrogated by the City of Des Moines.

 

On April 22, 1996, by Roll Call No. 96-1586, City Council approved the sale of 9.05 acres to Clarke & Clarke LC. On January 20, 1997, by Roll Call No. 97-231, City Council authorized payment of $138,000 to the United States of America for the Abrogation and Release of Restriction on the 9.05 acres. By Abrogation and Release of Restriction dated February 11, 1997, a 9.05 acre portion was abrogated by the City of Des Moines. On March 12, 1997, the City of Des Moines sold the 9.05 acre parcel to Clarke & Clark LC. Pursuant to a development agreement.

 

On November 6, 2002, the 30-year period expired.  Representatives of the United States Department of Education have evaluated the reports submitted by the City of Des Moines over the 30-year period and conducted periodic inspections of the property and have determined substantial compliance with the restrictions outlined in the original agreement.

 

On December 11, 2002, the United States of America executed an agreement releasing nearly all of the restrictions contained in the original agreement.  The agreement has been received by the City Manager’s office with instructions to execute the same, record the same and send copies of the information to the Department of Education.  The restriction remains that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act must be complied with for educational or similar uses of the property.

 

By this action, the restrictions set down as part of the acquisition of the property from the United States of America, except for continued compliance with Title VI, will be released.