Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter:  Tim Hogsett

Action
Urban Indoor Recreation Grant Funding
January 27, 2011

I.       Executive Summary:  Urban Indoor Recreation Grants are made available to Texas local governments that exceed 500,000 in population for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites.  As of August 1, 2010, TPWD received two eligible applications requesting $1,212,500 in matching fund assistance.  Staff is recommending support of both projects in the amount of $1,212,500.

II.     Discussion:  The Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program (TRPA) was authorized in 1993 to assist local political subdivisions of the state in providing basic public recreation facilities.  TRPA revenue is generated from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods.

The 80th Legislature, Regular Session, created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062.  Large counties and municipalities are defined as city and county governments having populations of 500,000 or more as of the last federal census.  Eligible participants include:

  • City of Austin
  • City of Dallas
  • City of El Paso
  • City of Fort Worth
  • City of Houston
  • City of San Antonio
  • Dallas County
  • El Paso County
  • Harris County
  • Hidalgo County
  • Tarrant County
  • Travis County

Funds available include $1,212,500 from Fiscal Year 2011 Urban Park Account revenue.  This review includes two applications from eligible sponsors requesting $1,212,500 in matching funds for all applications submitted by August 1, 2010.  Based on the scores, the projects have been ranked in descending order of priority.  Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsor and funds recommended by staff. III.    Recommendation:  Staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:       "Funding for two projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $1,212,500 is approved.”

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A — Priority Listing


Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Exhibit A

Urban Indoor Grant Program Priority Listing
January 27, 2011
Descending Order Of Priority
(* Resubmitted Project)
# Score Sponsor Authority Project Name Grant request State Match Cumulative Total Project Cost
1 30 Fort Worth Far Southwest Community Center $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $4,405,242
2 22 San Antonio Jingu House Restoration $212,500 $212,500 $1,212,500 $1,325,000
TOTAL $1,212,500