DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Janet A. Martin, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 5, 7, 8, 9
SUBJECT:
Grant Acceptance from Texas Parks and Wildlife
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of $1,250,000.00 in Local Park Grant Program funds in support of Rosedale and Hardberger Parks from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and authorizes the Parks and Recreation Director to execute any and all related documents including the identification of required match funds in the amount of $1,250,000.00. This ordinance also authorizes the redirection of $252,000.00 from “Park Improvements in District 5 Project” for a new “Rosedale Park Improvement - TPWD Project” for a total project budget of $502,000.00 and amends the FY 2016-2021 Adopted Capital Improvement Program budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In the 2015 Texas legislative process, State Representatives Trey Martinez Fischer and Justin Rodriguez championed for funds to be included in the TPWD budget for park improvements at Rosedale Park for $250,000.00, Phil Hardberger Park for $1,000,000.00, Woodlawn Lake Park for $1,500,000.00, and Monterrey Park for $250,000.00. These locations and funds are not transferable and matching funds are required for each of these grants before any state funds can be accessed.
Matching funds of $252,000.00 for Rosedale Park have been identified in the Adopted FY 2016 Capital Budget under “Park Improvements in District 5 Project”. The proposed scope of work at Rosedale Park includes: sports field lighting, irrigation improvements, and other miscellaneous improvements and general park improvements. For Phil Hardberger Park the existing capital project included in the Adopted FY 2016 Capital Budget for general park improvements in-line with the park master plan, including the development of a land bridge has been identified as match. This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of the grant from TPWD for these two projects where matching funds have been identified. Should matching funds for the other two projects be identified through the Capital Budget process or the Proposed 2017 Park Bond Program, a separate action item requesting acceptance of the grant will be presented to City Council at that later date.
ISSUE:
The TPWD grant is consistent with City policy to accept grants to enhance service delivery by supplementing local funds. Grant funds will be utilized for development of park amenities at Rosedale and Phil Hardberger Parks consistent with the Parks and Recreation System Strategic Plan and any master plans for the park.
ALTERNATIVES:
TPWD grant funds are awarded on a limited basis and if the City chooses not to accept the grant, the City will lose the opportunity to leverage local funds. The alternative of utilizing only local funds for these park improvement projects is possible however the ability for an enhanced scope of work for these projects utilizing other funds would be lost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
TPWD requires matching funds as part of the grant request. The City will be required to match dollar for dollar with the $1,250,000.00 grant funding provided. Funding of $252,000.00 in the “Park Improvements in District 5 Project” has been identified and will be redirected to a new “Rosedale Park Improvement - TPWD Project” for a total project amount of $502,000.00, which will amend the FY 2016-2021 Capital Improvement Program budget. TPWD grant funds will be added to the adopted Phil Hardberger Park project included in the FY 2016 Capital Budget which is being utilized for match.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the acceptance of grant funds from TPWD in the amount of $1,250,000.00 and the redirection of $252,000.00 from “Park Improvements in District 5 Project” for a new “Rosedale Park Improvement - TPWD Project” for a total project amount of $502,000.00, and the amendment of the FY 2016 -2021 Adopted Capital Improvement Program budget.