DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 2
SUBJECT:
Local Park Grant Application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Funding Agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of up to $1,000,000.00 upon award from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant, as part of the Local Park Grant Program. The funds are for the addition of a new baseball field and associated amenities at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club in Martin Luther King Park. This ordinance also authorizes a Funding Agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio and authorizes the Parks and Recreation Director to execute any and all related documents.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) released a special call for applications for the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant with applications due on March 31, 2015, which requires a dollar for dollar match up to $1,000,000.00. The TPWD will be considering grant requests at their annual meeting in August 2015. Funding would become available in the Fall of 2015. If awarded, grant period is three years with optional extensions if requested.
The Eastside Boys & Girls Club has been approached by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to build a new baseball field for use by the public and local little leagues. This project will include a walking loop, a multi-purpose field and other on-site amenities. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has committed $500,000.00 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio for the match required by TPWD for the grant proposal. The remaining funds will be raised by the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio to fulfill the match requirement. The complex will be built on the leased premises of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio and they will assume all associated maintenance and operating costs.
Upon execution of the funding agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program compliance will be followed, which requires contracts to 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.
ISSUE:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grant is consistent with City policy to apply for grants to enhance service delivery by supplementing local funds. Grant funds will be utilized for development of parks and facilities, consistent with the Adopted Parks and Recreation System Strategic Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could choose not to submit the grant application to leverage outside funds from the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to benefit the Eastside Boys & Girls Club. Subsequently, these actions could reduce the scope of the project or require the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio to secure additional funds for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department requires a one-to-one match of $1,000,000.00, which the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio will be responsible for in full. There is no General Fund impact with this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the submission of the grant application and the acceptance of up to $1,000,000.00 upon award from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; and authorization of a funding agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.