HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8726INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 8726
Date: 11115/05
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: NATURE CENTER GATE FEE, CONTRACT WITH FORT WORTH
NATURE CENTER AND REFUGE CONSERVANCY, AND ACCEPTANCE OF
GIFT OF A GATE HOUSE FROM THE FWNC &R CONSERVANCY
In an October 6t" memo, staff notified Council that a user fee would soon be forthcoming for the
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Conservancy. This informal report is to notify the Mayor
and City Council that the Parks and Community Services Department will be bringing three action
items regarding the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to the City Council at the November
29, 2005 meeting.
The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Strategic Master Plan, adopted by the City Council in
June 2003, indicated the need for development and implementation of a user fee for patrons of
the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Parks and Community Services Department staff has
been working with the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, a long time support
group of the park and the recently formed Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Conservancy to
develop user fees, an entry gate and membership fees. These alliances and establishment of
user fees are critical to the development of broad based support for the park.
The first item will be to request authorization to establish a user fee structure for the Fort Worth
d 'nature Center and Refuge. If approved, implementation of the fees is projected to begin in
Spring 2006.
The second item will be to request authorization for the City Manager to enter into a contract with
the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Conservancy, a tax - exempt corporation established in
2004 to support the Nature Center and Refuge's Strategic Master Plan, to manage funds derived
from the entrance fees.
The third item will be to accept the gift of a gate house from the FWNC &R Conservancy for use at
the entrance to the Nature Center and Refuge.
With City Council's approval, staff will move forward with implementation of user fees and the
continued development of the Nature Center and Refuge Master Plan. Should you have any
questions regarding these proposals, please contact Randle Harwood, Acting Director of Parks
and Community Services at 817 - 871 -5704 or Libby Watson, Assistant City Manager at 817 -392-
6183.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
Attachment
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
0
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
FORTWORTH
MEMORANDUM
October 6, 2005
The Honorable Mayor Moncrief and
Libby Watson, Assistant City
of toe City Council
SUBJECT: Proposal for Fees and Contractual Agreement for the Fort Worth Nature
Center And Refuge
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform the Mayor and City Council of the Parks and
Community Services Department intent to recommend a user fee at the Fort Worth Nature Center
and Refuge (FWNCR) and request to enter into a contract with the Fort Worth Nature Center and
Refuge Conservancy. The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Strategic Master Plan, adopted by
the City Council in June 2003, indicated the need for development and implementation of a user fee
rh
for patrons of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.
Parks and Community Services Department staff has been working with the Friends of the Fort
Worth Nature Center and Refuge, a long time support group of the park and the recently formed
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Conservancy to develop a user fee program, provide an entry
gate structure and coordinate membership fees. These alliances and establishment of user fees are
critical to the development of broad based financial support for the park.
In conjunction with the development of a user fee program, Parks and Community Services
Department staff will also be requesting City Council approval to enter into a contract with the Fort
Worth Nature Center and Refuge Conservancy. The contract will be similar to the one with the Fort
Worth Botanical Society and will address funding for operational costs and capital improvements.
Conservancy board members are: Laura Harrison, Murray James, Marty Leonard, Bill Meadows,
Judy Needham, Elaine Petrus, Elizabeth Ray, and Virginia Richards.
This support group, in conjunction with the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Parks and
Community Services Department staff will lead efforts to implement the Strategic Master Plan and
develop a capital campaign.
Staff will present the proposed contract and fee structure to the Council for consideration in late
November.
cc: Charles Boswell, City Manager
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
TtE Crnv of Farm Worm * 1000 TmtommonoN S-r r * Foxr Woxnr, Texas 761t12
817 -392 -6111 * Fax 817 - 392-6134
0 Printed . ,,-,rW paper