Requesting authorization to approve and execute the Easement Agreement for Reciprocal Access submitted to the Hidalgo County Urban County Program (UCP) by the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF).

 In November 2007 the County entered into an agreement with the Rufino Contreras Affordable Housing Corporation, Inc., a certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), through the Edcouch Housing Development, L.P. This agreement allowed the County, through the Urban County Program, to provide an interest bearing loan of $150,000 to the CHDO for the development of a 7.7 million dollar, 76-unit multi-family housing complex utilizing low-income tax credits in Edcouch. Once the terms of the agreement were met and the units were completed, the UCP received $168,000 in payment from the CHDO, with the stipulation of compliance with 24 CFR 252(e) that states the development shall have a 20 year affordability period. Currently, the Casa Messina property is adjacent to a 3 acre tract of land that is to be developed by the CCF, the parent entity of the CHDO. This easement request would allow for access to the land through the Casa Messina property. The UCP requests authorization to approve this easement request and execute the legal document for recording.

The Easement Agreement was reviewed and approved by Steve Crain, Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, L.L.P. on April 24, 2015.