DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2
SUBJECT:
Funding Agreement: Botanical Gardens (2012 Bond Project)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a funding agreement with San Antonio Botanical Garden Society Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00 and authorizing payment, for the Botanical Gardens improvement project, a 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Program project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
On May 12, 2012, San Antonio voters approved the 2012-2017 Bond Program, consisting of five propositions totaling $596 Million. As part of that program, $1,200,000.00 in Parks, Recreation and Open Space Improvements General Obligation Bond funds were approved for park upgrades to be completed within select areas of the Garden, as part of the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society Inc., improvement project.
The City-owned San Antonio Botanical Garden, located at 555 Funston Place, was opened to the public on May 3, 1980. Charted in 1980, the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit support organization specifically established in support of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The mission of this organization is to support the San Antonio Botanical Garden in its role of inspiring people to connect with the world of plants and help them to understand the importance of plants in our lives. In this partnership, the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., has brought major capital improvements to the Botanical Garden such as: the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, the Sullivan Carriage House, the Auld House, acquisition of Funston Properties, Texas Native Trail Revitalization, upgraded children's facilities, extensive landscape lighting, and master planning.
As part of their continuing efforts to support, improve, educate and serve the City's growing community, San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., intends to construct improvements within select areas of the Garden including a new entrance, welcoming area and a learning and event center. The City's 2012-2017 Bond Program will provide $1,200,000 million, through a funding agreement, with $9,101,000 by to be contributed by the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc. The construction of such improvements will begin in June 2015 and will be completed by November 2016.
This funding agreement, between the City and the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., will be executed in compliance with the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program, which requires contracts be reviewed by a Goal Setting Committee to establish a requirement and/or incentive unique to the particular contract in an effort to maximize the amount of small, minority, and women-owned business participation on the contract. The Goal Setting Committee set a 22% Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) subcontracting goal and a 2% African American Business Enterprise (AABE) subcontracting goal. The San Antonio Botanical Garden Society has committed to 22% MWBE and 2% AABE subcontractor participation.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a funding agreement with the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00.
This funding agreement will provide for improvements to select areas of the Garden to include a new facility entrance, welcoming and discovery center, event center and family adventure garden. The City's 2012 - 2017 Bond Program will provide $1,200,000 million with $9,100,001 already raised by San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc. The construction of such improvements will begin in June 2015 and will be completed by November 2016.
Approval of this ordinance will be a continuation of City Council policy to complete previously approved 2012 - 2017 General Obligation Bond funded projects.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this action; however, considering the additional time the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., would need to identify alternative funding, this would adversely affect the timely completion and funding of this project. The City would be unable to move forward with one of the Bond projects approved by the voters in 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00, authorized payable to San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc. Funds are available from 2012-2017 General Obligation Bonds and are included in the FY 2015-2020 Capital Improvement Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance, approving the execution of a funding agreement with the San Antonio Botanical Society, Inc., in the not to exceed amount of $1,200,000.00, payable to the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc., for construction of the Botanical Gardens improvements project.