SUBJECT
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Authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute a grant awarded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for the amount of $1,312,130.00, with a 50% match of $656,065.00 and amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2024 annual budget for the Environmental Services fund by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $1,144,178.00. Local match is available in 2015 Certificate of Obligation Bond and the Environmental Services Fund. Funds will be used for the Riverbend Trails project.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
Introduced on 12/4/2023, Council approved Resolution 2022-R-126 on 7/18/22 for submittal of the grant.
BACKGROUND
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $9.8 million in local park grants to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. The competitive grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis. Once funded, the sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public. Twenty community parks statewide will gain nature trails, native gardens, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks and sports fields. The commission, which administers the local park grants program for Texas, awarded grants to projects in various categories based on community population and scope. Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for local units of government with populations of more than 500,000. One community received this grant. Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants fund park projects in municipalities under 500,000. The commission approved awards to projects in 10 communities. Small Community Recreation Grants serve towns of less than 20,000 and were awarded to nine communities. The City of Laredo's Riverbend Trail Project was selected for $656,065.00 in funding with a $656,065.00 local match. The City of Laredo will develop the 77-acre Riverbend Trails Project in Laredo, Texas. The grant elements include: constructing approximately 4,250 linear feet of hike and bike trails, grading, clearing and grubbing, debris removal, and hydromulching. The project will also include a gazebo, wildlife observation decks binoculars, benches, and tables.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
NA
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Passage of the Ordinance
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2024
Budgeted Y/N?: Y
Source of Funds: Environmental Fund
Account #: 249-3871
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Appropriation is as follows:
Grant Revenue:
$ 656,065.00 249-0000-324-2029
$488,113.00.249-0000-393-0469
$ 1,144,178.00 Total Revenues
Grant Expense
$1,312,130.00 249-3871-585-9301
- 167,952.00 249-3810-544-99-19
$1,144,178.00 Total expenses