Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider a resolution authorizing and directing the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department to act on the City’s behalf and work with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in connection with the Boating Access Program and to apply for a Boating Access Grant of up to $250,000, to be partially matched by the City, to partially fund the renovation or replacement of the boat ramp at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. Funding: Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Parks and Recreation Department to meet the City’s matching requirement of $83,333.
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Parks and Recreation Department to meet the City’s matching requirement of $83,333.
For More Information:
Suzanne Piper, Chief Administrative Officer, (512) 974-6753; Liana Kallivoka, Assistant Director, (512) 974-9455; Rachel Morris, Interim Capital Improvement Program Manager, (512) 974-9460; Tim Dombeck, Business Process Specialist, (512) 974-6716.
Additional Backup Information:
The Boating Access Grant Program provides 75% matching fund grant assistance to plan and construct new or renovate existing public boat ramps that provide public access to waters for recreational boating. The State Boating Access Program receives funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) will use this funding in Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park (Park) for the boat ramp and surrounding infrastructure. Water level fluctuation at Decker Lake has led to more frequent closures at the Park’s boat ramp due to more extreme seasonal drought conditions and dam maintenance repair work. An additional $250,000 would allow for extension of the boat ramp for use at a higher range of water levels for resilience to future conditions. This amount would ensure that sufficient funding is available in the case of inflationary, tariff, or cost overrun issues. The City is requesting a grant award of $250,000.
The Boating Access Grant will cover 75% of the expected project costs to construct a new dock and infrastructure or to renovate the existing dock at the Park. The City will provide its grant match of $83,333 through 2018 General Obligation Bond Proposition C funding.
According to guidelines set forth by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in its grant application process, PARD must seek City Council authorization to apply to the Boating Access Program for up to $250,000 in grant funding for the construction or renovation of public boat ramps to provide public access for recreational boating at the Park.
The grant application requires the City to hold a public hearing that complies with the Texas Open Meeting Act before the application can be submitted to TPWD. At this hearing, the governing body must pass the resolution authorizing application submission and authorizing the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department to act for the City in working with TPWD for purposes of the Boating Access program. There must be an opportunity for public comment. This Resolution is therefore posted on the Council’s non-consent agenda to ensure the hearing and the opportunity for public comment. As required by TPWD, PARD will submit an application by February 2, 2025.