Authorize Application for and, if Awarded, Acceptance of the Governor's Community Achievement Award from Keep Texas Beautiful, in Partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in the Amount of $310,000.00 for Beautification and Landscaping Projects Along Texas Department of Transportation Rights-of-Way Located Near the Interchange of Loop 820 East and U. S. Highway 287 East in Fort Worth, Authorize Execution of Related Grant Agreement, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (COUNCIL DISTRICTS 5 and 8)

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Acknowledge application for, and, as awarded, acceptance of, if awarded, the Governor's Community Achievement Award from Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), in an amount of $310,000.00 for beautification and landscaping project(s) along TXDOT right-of-ways located within Fort Worth.

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all applicable award contracts including renewals and amendments; and

3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in an amount up to $310,000.00 upon receipt of the award.

The City of Fort Worth (City) operates as Keep Fort Worth Beautiful (KFWB), an official affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB).  The mission of KFWB is to educate and engage Fort Worth residents and businesses to take responsibility for improving their community environment.  Keep Texas Beautiful, in collaboration with Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) annually awards Governor's Community Achievement Awards (GCAA) to10 Texas communities with the best grassroots environmental programs in the state.  The City of Fort Worth was selected as an awardee for the 2017 GCAA based on its outstanding performance in the following, as they relate to environmental stewardship:

1. Community leadership and coordination
2. Public awareness
3. Education
4. Beautification and community improvement
5. Litter prevention and cleanup
6. Solid waste management
7. Litter law and illegal dumping enforcement

This award will provide funds through Keep Texas Beautiful and TXDOT.  The Governor's Community Achievement Award will allow collaboration between Fort Worth and regional TXDOT personnel to the design, construct and install landscape/beautification project(s).  The landscape and beautification projects will be accomplished on selected TXDOT rights-of-way within Fort Worth that will conform with Fort Worth's aesthetic expectations and the stringent safety, design and maintenance standards of TXDOT.  City Staff members and TXDOT officials are coordinating efforts for selected areas to be near the interchange of Loop 820 East and U.S. Highway 287 East. All final project locations require TXDOT approval.

Funds awarded through this Keep Texas Beautiful award program can only be used for the design, construction and installation of beautification project(s); long-term maintenance costs are not be covered.  As such, as awarded, the City would utilize award funds to design, construct and install low/no maintenance landscape/beautification projects within the City of Fort Worth with oversight and support from TXDOT engineers and landscape architects.  Project specifics are discussed after the award is formally received, as TXDOT considers all current and future construction projects/plans.  Staff will bring back to council a project list identifying their specific location and council district.  Beautification/landscape projects will not include artwork.  

As awarded, this Governor's Community Achievement Award will allow the City to engage in the following activities:

1. Partner with regional TXDOT personnel for oversight and financial management of the Governor's Community Achievement Award.

2. Design, construct and install beautification project(s) along TXDOT rights-of-way within the City of Fort Worth.

The goals for Keep Fort Worth Beautiful during 2017-2020 include completing beautification project(s) across the City and to continue engaging and educating the Fort Worth community about environmental stewardship.  The Governor's Community Achievement Award, as awarded to the City of Fort Worth, will be for approximately a 24-month period.  There is no official award timeframe.

This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas Department of Transportation and Keep Texas Beautiful.

This project is located in COUNCIL DISTRICTS 5 and 8.