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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 - Texas State Park System ITEM # 2-- MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2010 SUBJECT: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARKS ACCOUNT AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM RECOMMENDATION: The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and staff recommend the City Council consider approval of a resolution that supports the Texas. Recreation and Parks. Account (TRPA) and the Texas State Park System. The resolution is attached for review. BACKGROUND: The Texas Recreation and Parks Account is a grant program for parkland acquisition and development and for the development of recreational facilities. The grant program is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and funding for the program comes from a sales tax on certain sporting goods. Funding for the grant program was restored to $15.5 million per year during the 80th Legislative Session but there is a recommendation to decrease this amount due to a shortfall in revenue in the state. The resolution requests members of the 82nd Legislature to seek passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to increase funding for parks and recreation programs for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA funded projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approved the resolution at the October 14, 2010 meeting. DE October 7, 2010(8:28,AM) RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 82nd LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAM 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 manages 93 State parks and historical sites in Texas, and WHEREAS, TPWD has a separate account in their general. revenue fund referred to as the TRPA for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects; 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 guidelines have funded. 1,525 projects of the 3,057 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 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 maintenance and improvements of State park and historic sites 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 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 82nd Texas Legislature. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated in the above preamble are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety. Section 2. That members of the 82nd Legislature of Texas seek passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to increase funding for parks and recreation programs for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system. 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 November, 2010. APPROVED: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: RES. NO. 2