Presenter: Tim Hogsett
Commission Agenda Item No. 12
Action
Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Funding
August 21, 2008
I. Executive Summary: Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are made available to Texas local governments that exceed 500,000 in population for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites. The 80th Legislature, Regular Session, created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062. As of April 1, 2008, TPWD received five eligible applications requesting $4,500,000 in matching fund assistance. Staff is recommending support of four projects in the amount of $4,000,000.
II. Discussion: The Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program (TRPA) was authorized in 1993 to assist local political subdivisions of the state in providing basic public recreation facilities. TRPA revenue is generated from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods.
The 80th Legislature, Regular Session, created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062. Large counties and municipalities are defined as city and county governments having populations of 500,000 or more as of the last federal census. Eligible participants include:
- City of Austin
- City of Dallas
- City of El Paso
- City of Fort Worth
- City of Houston
- City of San Antonio
- Dallas County
- El Paso County
- Harris County
- Hidalgo County
- Tarrant County
- Travis County
Funds available include $4,000,000 from Fiscal Year 2008 Urban Park Account revenue. This review includes applications from five sponsors requesting $4,500,000 in matching funds for all applications submitted by April 1, 2008. Based on site visits and analyses, the projects have been ranked in descending order of priority. Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.
III. Recommendation: Staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"Funding for four projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $4,000,000.00 is approved."
Attachments - 1
- Exhibit A - Priority Listing
Commission Agenda Item No. 12
Exhibit A
Urban Outdoor Grant Program Priority Listing
Descending Order of Priority
(A = Acquisition, D = Development,* Resubmitted Project)
| # | Score> | Applicant and Project | Type | Requested | Recommended | Cumulative |
| 1 | 59 | DALLAS Elm Fork Athletic Complex | A&D | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 |
| 2 | 59 | TRAVIS COUNTY Milton Reimers Ranch Park | A&D | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $2,000,000.00 |
| 3 | 46 | SAN ANTONIO Max and Minnie Voelcker Park | D | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $3,000,000.00 |
| 4 | 29 | HOUSTON Herman Brown Park Improvements | A&D | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $4,000,000.00 |
| 5 | 27 | HIDALGO COUNTY Sunset Park | D | $500,000.00 | $4,000,000.00 | |
| $4,500,000.00 | $4,000,000.00 |