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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2014-094A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 84TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT AND LARGE COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITY RECREATION AND PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAMS, AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA") and the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Account) and manages 94 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and WHEREAS, TPWD has separate accounts in their general revenue fund referred to as the TRPA and Urban Account for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects, and for outreach grants to introduce new populations to outdoor experiences; and WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the planning, acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA and Urban Account guidelines have funded 1,629 projects of the 3,470 submitted over 30 years delivering over $800 million to the local Texas economy; and WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on grants from TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of parks and recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of sporting goods; and WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are partially funded from federal dollars used for parks, recreation, open space, trails, and tourism from the United States Department of the Interior Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Sport Fish Restoration Boat Access program and the United States Department of Transportation Recreation Trails; and "I WHEREAS, the maintenance and improvements of State park and historic sites at and the addition of new parks is a priority to Texans due to the State's expanding population and extensive tourism industry; and WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health, economic development, job creation, education, corporate relocations, an improved quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and WHEREAS, funds are needed for major repairs at Local and State parks and for the acquisition and development of parks and facilities; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council that a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 84th Texas Legislature; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites for the adoption of this resolution have been met, including but not limited to the Local Government Code and the Open Meetings Act; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby declares that the approval of this resolution is in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That members of the 84th Legislature of Texas seek passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenues from the sporting goods sales tax and federal funds to increase funding for parks and recreation programs for both Local and State parks and that all TBPA and Urban Account funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system. Section 2. That members of the 84th Legislature of Texas restore funding to the TBPA and Urban accounts in the amount of at least $15.5 million per year. Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 2nd day of December, 2014. William Tate Mayor RES. NO. 2014-94 2 ATTEST: J04A. Brown City Secretary John F. Boyle, J r. City Attorney RES. NO. 2014-94 3