R-02-11-26-10C2 - 11/26/2002"OEM \ HORL00 % \0* \WDCX \RESOLVY1 \R21126C2 ."PD /se
RESOLUTION NO. R- 02- 11- 26 -10C2
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( "TPWD ") has a
separate account in their general revenue fund referred to as the Texas
Recreation and Parks Account ( "TRPA "), 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
ATTEST
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 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS,
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.
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.
The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice of
the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this
Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to the
public as required by law at all times during which this Resolution and
the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered and formally acted
upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas
Government Code, as amended.
RESOLVED this 26th day of November,
CHRISTINE R. MARTINEZ, City Secreta
2
NY ,4 r LL, Mayor
Cit - Round Rock, Texas
DATE: November 21, 2002
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting — November 26, 2002
ITEM: * 10.C.2. Consider a resolution supporting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant
Program for parkland acquisition and the development of parks and
recreation facilities.
Resource: Sharon Prete, Parks and Recreation Director
History: Texas Legislators, at the end of the 77 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. This money was approved
without going through the process that cities are required to go
through for grants. Three of the projects that were approved for
funding could have 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.
Funding: N/A
Cost:
Source of funds:
Outside Resources: N/A
Staff at the Parks & Wildlife did an excellent job 1999 in restructuring
the local park grant program. Public hearings were held around the
state, and staff listened to comments on how the program should be
developed to be fair. To have the legislators tap funds from the Texas
Recreation and Parks Account, without going through the process, is
setting a dangerous precedent that could destroy the integrity of the
grant programs as we know it today.
The City of Round Rock has been very fortunate to receive grants for
the development of Clay Madsen Recreation Center and Brushy Creek
Trail East.
Impact/Benefrt: The resolution basically asks the Legislators to let the Texas Parks &
Wildlife manage the Texas Recreation and Parks Account in a fair
manner, and not to approve funding for projects that have not been
through the grant process established by the Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Public Comment: N/A
Sponsor: Parks and Recreation Department