HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9337INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9337
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 14, 2010
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SUBJECT: EXPLORATION OF CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FOR THE
fr% FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER AND REFUGE
The purpose of this Informal Report is to outline a proposed course of action by the Parks and
Community Services Department to explore the feasibility of contracting the management of the
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge to a private non -profit entity.
BACKGROUND:
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC &R) comprises 3,621 acres on the north end of
Lake Worth and is the largest park in the City's park system. The land was acquired by the City
between 1914 and 1918 during the construction of the Lake Worth reservoir to serve as
watershed protection for the new drinking water source.
Operation and staffing of the FWNC &R was initially fulfilled by employees of the Fort Worth
Children's Museum (now the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History). In the 1970's the
Parks and Recreation Department took over the FWNC &R's management and staffing. The staff
size has grown from a single employee in the early 1970's to its current level of 11 permanent
,positions and 8 temporary positions.
In 1974 the non -profit support group, Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (Friends)
organized to provide financial and in -kind assistance to the FWNC &R. On November 20, 1984
the City Council (M &C C -8732) authorized a contract with the Friends to operate a gift shop at the
Hardwicke Interpretive Center located within the FWNC &R. On March 11, 2010 an updated
revision was put into place (Contract #39920; no M &C required).
On June 17, 2003 the City Council (M &C G- 13998) adopted a Strategic Master Plan for the
FWNC &R. The Plan recommends $67,353,179 in improvements over a 30 year time period.
In July 2004 the non -profit support group the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Conservancy
(NCC) incorporated with the expressed purpose of supporting the fulfillment of major
recommendations made in the FWNC &R's Strategic Master Plan. On November 29, 2005 the
City Council (M &C G- 15022) authorized a contract with the NCC to collect entrance fees at the
FWNC &R and utilize this revenue to fund entry gate staff and minor capital improvements.
Since the adoption of the Plan in June 2003 very few of the recommendations have been
completed due to funding uncertainties through the City of Fort Worth's (CFW) General Fund
budget. As a result the NCC has stated their desire to enter into a management contract with the
CFW to assist in seeing the Plan through to fulfillment.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9337
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 14, 2010
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• SUBJECT: EXPLORATION OF CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FOR THE
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FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER AND REFUGE
MANAGEMENT TIMELINE AND PROCESS
Initiation of the management review process was identified in the City's FY2011 Business Plan
and initial discussions amongst staff from the Parks and Community Services Department,
Budget and Management Services, Department of Law and the City Manager's Office began in
November. Staff has tentatively scheduled meetings with the Friends and the NCC through
February 2011. Time has also been set aside for meetings with the support groups' general
membership, key stakeholders and the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board. Should
any transition of management occur, it is anticipated that it would take place in the second quarter
of FY2012.
The initial meeting of the Friends, the NCC and CFW staff took place on December 9, 2010. In
attendance were representatives from the Parks and Community Services Department, the
Department of Law, Budget and Management Services, the City Manager's Office, the Friends
and the NCC. The purpose of the meeting was to review the FWNC &R's budget, other sources
of revenue, staffing, identify major issues and review the proposed timeline.
The review process is expected to occur during the second and third quarter of the Fiscal Year.
Should you have any questions in the interim regarding this matter please contact Richard
Zavala, Parks and Community Services Director at 817 - 392 -5704 or Susan Alanis, Assistant City
Manager at 817- 392 -8180.
Dale A. Fisseler, P.E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS