HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9363INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9363
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 1, 2011
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SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE ACQUISITION OF A COMMUNITY PARK IN THE
loll NORTHWEST SECTOR AND APPLICATION FOR A TEXAS PARKS AND
WILDLIFE GRANT
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an update on the planned acquisition of a
community park in the northwest sector of the City of Fort Worth. In addition, this report outlines
the process for application of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Out door Urban Grant in an
amount of up to $1,000,000. The deadline for applications for the August 2011 award cycle is
Tuesday March 1, 2011. Under this grant program, land can serve as a match for state funds
under the Local Park Fund. The Parks and Community Services Department has successfully
utilized this grant match alternative in the past for the development of Arcadia North, Arcadia
South and North Community Parks.
Under the Park Dedication Policy of the City's Sub Division Ordinance developers are required to
provide land or fees for neighborhood parkland, neighborhood parkland development and
community parkland acquisition to serve residential development. On June 9, 2009 (M &C G-
16592) the City Council authorized an amendment to the policy to allow for consolidation of
acquisition funds by Park Planning District (PPD) which is made up of a number of Community
Park Units. This action enabled the pooling of funds to more effectively assemble large tracts of
land for community parkland acquisition. In the case of the proposed Northwest Community Park,
the fees collected for community parkland in PPD 5 (which includes Community Park Units in the
north /northwest sector of the City) will be utilized to acquire the land. The City Council authorized
staff to initiate negotiations for purchase of a 245 acre tract of land in PPD 5 in March 23, 2010.
Should the TPWD grant be awarded to the City, the state funds will be utilized for improvements
on the property and first phase development of the park. As required by the grant guidelines the
City must conduct a public hearing and the governing body approve a resolution authorizing the
application and designating a city official to represent the City. The required resolution is included
on the March 1, 2011 City Council meeting agenda.
Higgins ?p
Interim City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS