Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution supporting the application to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Local Park Grant Program, Non-Urban Outdoor Grant FY24.
Body
DATE: July 16, 2024
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Jarrod Provost, Interim Executive Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Local Park Grant Program, Non-Urban Outdoor Grant FY24 for Fowler Park Improvements & Long Branch Park Pickleball Courts
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Local Park Grant Program assists local units of government with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities throughout the State of Texas. The Program provides 50% matching grants on a reimbursement basis to eligible applicants. All fund assisted sites must be dedicated as parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public.
Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the State of Texas legally responsible for providing public recreation services to their citizens. This includes cities, counties, river authorities, municipal utility districts, and other special districts.
Funding for the Local Park Grant Program comes from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting good through the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and the Texas Large County & Municipality Recreation & Parks Account. Additional funds come from offshore gas royalties through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. There are many Non-Urban Outdoor and Urban Outdoor Grant awards to be funded by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund administered by the Nation Park Service.
This year Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is offering the Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program. The City of Killeen is eligible for the Local Parks Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Program as our population size is less than 500,000.
The grant would pay for two projects including the following:
Fowler Park - Playground Structure, sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, signage, benches, water fountain, shade trees, and irrigation. The estimated cost is $192,000.
Long Branch Park - Resurface (1) existing tennis court to (4) new pickleball court surfaces, plated pickleball nets, nets posts, sidewalk repair, and curb ramp. The estimated cost is $25,000.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This conforms to the City of Killeen Code Ordinances, Sec. 26-128
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The application is for a 50/50 matching grant. The estimated cost for these projects is $217,000, therefore, City of Killeen would provide $108,500. The City of Killeen would be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
One-time future expenditure
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Yes, $108,500 is available in the 2023 certificates of obligation fund for park development.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approve the memorandum/resolution of the application for funding through Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Local Park Grant Program, Non-Urban Outdoor Grant Program FY24 for Fowler Park Improvements & Long Branch Park Pickleball Courts and that the City Manager or designee is authorized to sign all other documents related to the application of this grant.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Legal
Finance
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Fowler Park Site Plans
Long Branch Park Site Plans
Grant Information
Presentation