HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3444-12-2006Resolution No 3444-12 2006
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL
REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 80TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF
THE STATE OF TEXAS SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE
TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT
PROGRAM AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the Texas
Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA') and manages 114 State parks and
historical sites m 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,
acqu~srtion, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be owned and
maintained by polrt~cal subdivisions, and
WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA guidelines prior to the
78`" legislature equated to $15 5 million dollars annually 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 recrearional
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, continued cutbacks in appropriations for State park and historic sites have
resulted m a backlog of deferred maintenance issues, park closures, reduced hours and days of
operation, staff layoffs, the conversion of some parks to day use only and elimination of unportant
visitor services, regardless of the growing need for new parks due to the State's expanding
population and extensive tourism industry and
WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health, economic
development, fob creation, education, corporate relocations, and improved quality of life, and
~ uvenile creme prevention, and
WHEREAS, rt 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 80th
Texas Le~islature~~~'*E r. F""'"`~`"l
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Resolution No 3444-12 2006
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
SECTION 1 That members of the 80th Legislature of Texas seek passage of legislation
maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to restore funding levels for parks and
recreation programs fairly for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA funded park projects be
subject to the established TPWD competitive sconng system.
ADOPTED this 19th~rf,, day of December 2006.
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APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
DEC 1 9 2006
City Secretary of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
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COUNCIL ACTION Approved on 12/19/2006 Resolutoon No 3444-12 2006
I E~6
DATE Tuesday December 19 2006
LOG NAME 80TRPA
REFERENCE NO G-15549
SUBJECT
Adoption of a Resolution Supporting the Restoration of Funding for the Texas Recreation Park
Account and the State Parks System
~~
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the restoration of funding
for the Texas Recreation and Park Account and the State Parks System
DISCUSSION
Funding for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) has decreased the past two State Legislative
Sessions. The TRPA is a grant program for parkland acquisition and development of recreational
facilities. Funding for this grant program comes from a portion of the sales tax collected on sporting goods
and the grants are administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in compliance with
established scoring criteria The annual funding in the TRPA prior to the 78th Legislature was $15 5
million The TRPA was reduced to $8 1 million annually during the 78th Legislature and to $5 million by the
79th Legislature
Appropriations for the maintenance and operation of the State Parks and historical sites in Texas has been
reduced over the past two Legislative Sessions resulting in park closures, reduced hours and days of
operation as we11 as layoffs of staff This has come at a time when the population of the state is expanding
and the need for open space is greater than it has ever been
The attached resolution requests members of the 80th Legislature support restoration of funding for the
TRPA, at least to the level the grant program was at prior to the 78th Legislative Session The resolution
also requests members of the 80th Legislature support restoration of funding for the State Parks System
Fort Worth has been the recipient of several TPWD grants over the years. In 2004 the City of Fort Worth
received a $2 million dollar Regional Grant from TPWD for the Gateway Oxbow Project. A $500 000 grant
was received in August 2001 for the development of North Park in far north Fort Worth
Once the resolution is endorsed staff from the Parks and Community Services Department will work
through the legislative committee of the Texas Recreation and Parks Society to support restoration of
funding for both the TRPA and the State Parks System
The Parks and Community Services Advisory Board voted unanimously to endorse this resolution at their
October 25 2006 meeting
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION
Logname 80TRPA Page 1 of 2
The Finance Director certifies that this action will have no material effect on City funds.
TO Fund/AccountlCenters
FROM Fund/Account/Centers
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Libby Watson (6183)
Originating_Department Head. Melody Mitchell (Acting) (5704)
Additional Information Contact: Harold Pitchford (Acting) (5728)
Logname 80TRPA Page 2 of 2