HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13 - Resolution Supporting Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant Programir€M r-- 3 ---
MEMO
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGER ,/,1
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 19, 2002
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and staff recommend the City Council approve
a resolution supporting the Texas Parks & Wildlife's grant program for parkland
acquisition and the development of parks and recreation facilities.
BACKGROUND:
Texas Legislators, at the end of the 77th Legislative Session, approved $2.4 million for
local park projects utilizing funds from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account. The
Texas Recreation and Parks Account is the local park matching grant program
administered by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The money allocated directly by
the legislature was approved without going through the process cities are required to go
through for grants. Three of the projects that were funded could and should have gone
through the grant process. The remaining project was for operating costs and is not
authorized according to the guidelines established for the grants program.
Staff at the Parks & Wildlife restructured the local park grant program in 1999. Public
hearings were held around the state and staff listened to comments on how the program
could be administered fairly, and the grant program was changed accordingly. When
legislators tap funds from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account for special projects,
they evade the grant process. Without going through the process, a dangerous
precedent would be set that could destroy the integrity of the grants program as we
know it today.
The City of Grapevine received grants for the development of Parr Park, Bear Creek
Park, Heritage Park, Cluck Park, Pickering Park, Dove Park and the Oak Grove Soccer
and Softball Complex.
The resolution urges the Legislators to let the Texas Parks & Wildlife manage the Texas
Recreation and Parks Account according to the established procedures and to avoid any
further "special project" allocations.
November 13, 2002 (1:11 PM)
0 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF
THE 78TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF
TEXAS SUPPORT THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE
DEPARTMENT IN THEIR EFFORT TO MANAGE A FAIR
AND JUST LOCAL PARKS GRANT PROGRAM
REFERRED TO AS THE TEXAS RECREATION AND
PARKS ACCOUNT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, hereinafter referred to as
"TPWD" has a separate account in their general revenue fund referred to as the Texas
Recreation and Parks Account, hereinafter referred to as "TBPA", for the purpose of
providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation related
activities; and
WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the
planning, acquisition, or development of a park, recreational area, or open space area
to be owned and operated by the political subdivision; and
WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under TRPA guidelines may
not be used for the operation and maintenance of parks, recreational areas, and open
space areas; and
WHEREAS, officials from TPWD hosted public hearings throughout the State of
Texas in 1999 for the purpose of gathering testimony from interested citizens on how to
develop a fair system for scoring and approving grants to political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on
grants from TPWD to assist in the acquisition and development of parks and
recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreational opportunities play an important role in
juvenile crime prevention, public health, economic development, education and quality
of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That members of the 78th Legislature of Texas allow the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department to manage the Texas Recreation and Parks Account in a
� fair manner to preserve the integrity of the grant program.
Section 2, That members of the 78th Legislature of Texas not approve funding
for projects utilizing funds from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account that have not
gone through the grant process established and approved by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department and Commission.
Section 3. That a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be
presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 78th Texas Legislature.
Section 4. That this resolution 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 19th day of November, 2002.
ATTEST:
ORD. NO. 2