M&C Review


COUNCIL ACTION:  Approved on 12/12/2017 

DATE: 12/12/2017 REFERENCE NO.: **C-28513 LOG NAME: 80NATURE CENTER & REFUGE SECOND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING: NO
SUBJECT:  

Reallocate and Transfer Excess Funds in the 2004 Park Bond Program from the Completed Athletic Field Lighting Project to an Incomplete Walks and Trails Project, Reallocate Previously Appropriated 2014 Bond Funds Within the Nature Center Levee Rehabilitation Project of the PACS Improvements Fund for a Levee Modification and Pedestrian Bridge Project, and Authorize the Execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Tarrant Regional Water District in the Amount of $145,000.00 for the Levee and Bridge Project at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (COUNCIL DISTRICT 7)


RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Authorize reallocation and transfer of $98,156.44 in excess funds in the 2004 Park Bond Program from the Athletic Field Lighting project, which is complete, to the Walks and Trails Project at the Nature Center, for which additional funding is needed;

2. Authorize the reallocation of $101,495.00 in previously appropriated funds within the Nature Center Levee Rehabilitation Project of the PACS Improvements Fund from direct improvements to a levee modification and bridge project, with no increase to the total appropriation; and

3. Authorize execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) in the amount of $145,000.00 for the levee modification and bridge construction project at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

 
DISCUSSION:

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  AppropriationProposed

Total

34014 - 2014 Bond Program$43,505.44N/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.




 
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:

The Director of Finance certifies that funds are included in the Adopted Budget of the 2014 Bond Program and that upon approval of the above recommendations, funds will be available in the current capital budget as appropriated, of the PACS Improvements Fund.

TO
    Fund Department
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Account Project
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Program Activity Budget
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(Chartfield 2)
Amount

FROM
    Fund Department
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Account Project
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Program Activity Budget
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Reference #
(Chartfield 2)
Amount

Submitted for City Manager's Office by:
Susan Alanis (8180)
Originating Department Head:
Richard Zavala (5704)
Additional Information Contact:
David Creek (5744)

 
 
ATTACHMENTS
  FWNC Second Bridge Location Map rev.pdf