DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Homer Garcia III
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 6
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Agreement with Northside Independent School District
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an interlocal agreement with Northside Independent School District for the disposition of 0.47 acres containing Meadowcliff Community Center and the acceptance of 4.231 acres of property located in the floodplain adjacent to Timberwilde Elementary School to serve as part of the Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail located in Council District 6.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City acquired Meadowcliff Community Center from Northside Independent School District (NISD) in 1976 and has met a recreational need in the community by providing structured programming for youth during the summer months. NISD contacted the City in 2017 to request that the community center become integrated into the Anson Jones Campus.
The interlocal agreement contains a property exchange to include the disposal of Meadowcliff Community Center which will allow the NISD to enhance community offerings. The City desires to acquire property behind Timberwilde Elementary for a future Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail. The 4.231 acres behind the school is in the floodplain and will allow the construction of the greenway trail connection from Cathedral Rock Park to the future Tezel Road City Facility, a 2017 voter-approved Bond Project. There will be a trailhead also located at this facility funded by the 2015 Sales Tax Venue funds.
NISD has committed that the school or community center building will continue to be available for the City to utilize for summer programming including camps and the Summer Food Service program. In addition, NISD will offer after school programming and open the school or community center for the annual City Council District 6 backpack giveaway for the community.
The Parks and Recreation Department consistently looks for opportunities to collaborate with potential partners to establish public green space and provide recreational opportunities to meet the needs of the community. This property exchange is consistent with the goals and objectives outlined in the SA Parks System Plan which recommends providing equitable access to parks and recreation activities while also addressing a recreational need in an urban environment. The property is accessible to pedestrians and will provide additional public parkland in an underserved area once the construction of the Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail is complete.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an interlocal agreement with Northside Independent School District for the disposition of 0.47 acres containing Meadowcliff Community Center and the acceptance of 4.231 acres of property located in the floodplain adjacent to Timberwilde Elementary School to serve as part of the Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail located in Council District 6.
The acquisition is consistent with the goals and objectives of the SA Parks System Plan which recommends providing equitable access to parks and recreation activities and is consistent with the master plan for Anson Jones Middle School. The interlocal agreement with the Northside Independent School District was approved by the Planning Commission on August 12, 2020 and NISD Board of Directors on August 25, 2020.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this land exchange not be accepted, the City would have to seek alternatives for the Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail alignment and NISD would have to reevaluate options for growth consistent with the master plan for Anson Jones Middle School.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated market value of the 0.47 acres that includes the community center is $238,000.00. The estimated value of the 4.231 acres is $50,000.00. The City and NISD will share the closing costs on the land transaction, with the City’s portion of the estimated closing costs of $1,055.20 available in the 2015 Sales Tax Venue Fund included in the FY 2020-2025 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the interlocal agreement with the Northside Independent School District for the disposition of 0.47 acres containing Meadowcliff Community Center and the acceptance of 4.231 acres of property located in the floodplain adjacent to Timberwilde Elementary School to serve as part of the Culebra Tributary Greenway Trail.