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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 21 - Conservation and Reinvestment ActITIM 0 --- MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGE VW1 MEETING DATE: JUNE 6, 2000 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT (CARA) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council approve a resolution urging the United States Senate to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) that will provide funding to state and local governments to preserve our historical and natural resources. BACKGROUND: Recently, the United States House of Representatives approved H. R. 701, CARA, by an overwhelming vote of 315 to 108. CARA will provide funds to state and local governments to preserve open spaces, wildlife and historic facilities via the reinvestment of outer continental shelf oil and gas revenues. If approved, the State of Texas will be allocated over $236 million per year for various preservation programs, including two that the City of Grapevine has benefited from in previous years. The first program that Grapevine has received support from is the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF was originally conceived in 1964 as a federal - state partnership program created to expand the nation's park and recreation system via funds received from off shore oil leasing fees. The City of Grapevine was fortunate to have received grants from the State of Texas via the LWCF for the development of Cluck, Heritage and Pickering Parks. The LWCF was the original grants program for park land acquisition and development but no allocations have been made from the fund since 1995. Increased funding for LWCF will allow more grant opportunities for local governments for open space preservation and park land acquisition and development. The second program that Grapevine has benefited from is the Historical Preservation Program, through the Texas Historical Commission's Certified Local Government Program (CLG). The CLG Program, created through the federal government's amendment of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1980, grants funds to local communities for varied preservation activities. The Grapevine Historic Preservation Commission has received a total of seven grants since 1994 for items such as economic June 1, 2000 (8:12AM) impact studies, surveys of historic resources, development of design guidelines for historic districts and training opportunities for the Historic Preservation Commission. \ Increased funding in this area would allow for more of the same opportunities as well as potential bricks and mortar grants to preserve historic buildings. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution urging the United States Senate to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act. The approval - of CARA will provide needed funding to state and local governments to preserve open spaces, wildlife, historic and natural resources for future generations to enjoy. DE June 1, 2000 (8:12AM) RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES SENATE CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT ACT, WHICH INCLUDES OVER $236 MILLION PER YEAR IN FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grapevine, Texas is committed to preserving our historical and natural resources to ensure that all citizens will have the opportunity to enjoy these resources; and, WHEREAS, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) includes programs that will preserve open spaces, wildlife and historic facilities; and WHEREAS, the passage of CARA will provide funds to state and local governments to aid in the preservation of these resources via the reinvestment of Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas revenues; and, WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives passed the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (H. R. 701) by an overwhelming vote of 315 to 102. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That the United States Senate approve the Conservation and Reinvestment Act providing state and local governments with funds to preserve the aforementioned resources. Section 2. That this resolution shall become effective from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 6th day of June, 2000. APPROVED: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: RES. NO.