The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) is to take actions to reallocate funds and authorize an Agreement with TRWD for a levee modification and bridge project that will improve walks and trails across the levee while facilitating the levee's continued safe operation, all as a part of the Nature Center Levee Rehabilitation Project. Project Description As further detailed below, the 2004 bond election included funds for walk and trail improvements at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R), while the 2014 bond election included funds for an FWNC&R levee project that provides connectivity improvements. The condition of the levee did not allow for a pedestrian crossing by parkgoers – in particular when the upstream floodgates need to be opened. However, with the lake being closer to capacity than it was during the drought preceding the 2014 bond election, the ability to make direct improvements to the levee has been limited. The solution that was decided upon involves lowering an existing low water crossing on the levee to allow water to more readily be impounded on both sides, reducing erosion issues and allowing for more equalized pressure. In connection with this action a bridge would be added to improve the pedestrian crossing and connectivity without impeding the flow of water at the lowered low water crossing or a previously installed sluice channel. The plan calls for TRWD to manage construction with the City contributing funding. Proposed Funding In the 2004 bond election Proposition Two authorized issuance of $21,615,000.00 in debt obligations for "Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Improvements." The bond booklet distributed prior to the election identified $1,315,000.00 of that amount to be used for "Replacement of Existing Deteriorated Ballfield Lighting" at certain specified parks and $1,429,700.00 for "Walk and Trail Replacement" at identified parks, including two projects at the FWNC&R. The athletic ballfield lighting system improvements in the 2004 Bond Program have all been completed with an excess of $98,156.44 remaining available.
In 2014 voters approved issuance of $31,440,000.00 in obligation for "Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Improvements" with $350,000.00 allocated to the "Nature Center Levee" per the bond booklet. In the booklet the levee project was described as "Reconstruction of existing levee to prevent further deterioration of existing infrastructure and to allow access to 1,000+ acres of Nature Center land, which is currently inaccessible due to levee conditions."
Adoption of the first two recommendations would reallocate excess 2004 bond funds from the completed athletic field lighting to the bridge project as part of the in- process walk and trail improvements of the 2004 Bond Program and also reallocate $101,495.00 in appropriated but unspent 2004 funds in the levee project from use for direct City improvements to the TRWD-led project to lower the low water crossing of the levy and construct the bridge. Adoption of this M&C would also serve as the City Council finding that these uses of funds are consistent with the purpose of each of these series of bonds as approved by the voters.
Funding is summarized in the table below: Source | Remaining Appropriation | Proposed | Total | 34014 - 2014 Bond Program | $43,505.44 | N/A | $43,505.44 | 39801 - 2004 Bond Program | | $101,494.56 | $101,494.56 | Total | $43,505.44 | $101,494.56 | $145,000.00 |
An annual maintenance cost of $1,450.00 is expected for this project. Construction is anticipated to commence in February 2018 and be completed in April 2018.
A portion of this project's funding will include 2014 Bond Funds. Available resources within the General Fund will be used to provide interim financing for these expenses until debt is issued. Once debt associated with this project is sold, bond proceeds will reimburse the General Fund, in accordance with the statement expressing official Intent to Reimburse, that was adopted as part of the ordinance canvassing the bond election (Ordinance No. 21241-05-2014) and the subsequent ordinance authorizing debt issuance in 2016 (Ordinance No. 22216-05-2016). The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 7. This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Tarrant Regional Water District.
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