Authorize Acceptance of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant in the Amount of $1,000,000.00 for North Z Boaz Park, Transfer Matching Funds in the Amount of $1,000,000.00 for a Total Grant Project Amount of $2,000,000.00, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (2018 Bond Program) (COUNCIL DISTRICT 3)

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Authorize the acceptance of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant for North Z Boaz Park with State participation in the amount of $1,000,000.00 and City participation in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for a total grant project cost of $2,000,000.00;  

2. Authorize the transfer of $1,000,000.00 from the 2018 Bond Program Fund to the Grants Capital Project Fund as the City's grant matching funds; and

3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing the estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Capital Project State Fund in the amount of $2,000,000.00.

The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to accept a grant in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Local Grant Program and to appropriate the $1,000,000.00 required match. The grant, as awarded by TPWD, includes State participation in the amount of $1,000,000.00. This grant will provide for the development of park improvements at North Z Boaz Park, an approximately 138-acre tract of land located at 3200 Lackland Road, in west Fort Worth.

On September 18, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4981-09-2018 authorizing the Park & Recreation Department (PARD) to apply for an Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant from the TPWD. The application was successful, and on March 20, 2019, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the issuance of $1,000,000.00 in grant funding to the City of Fort Worth for the development of proposed improvements at North Z Boaz Park.

In accordance with the TPWD grant application structure, an in-kind grant match is required. For the in-kind match, the PARD leveraged $1,000,000.00 of 2018 Bond Funds already appropriated for the development of North Z Boaz Park. This follows the City's fiscal policy regarding use of bond funds.

This is a reimbursement grant, and all grant funding is to be used for construction purposes only, no indirect costs are applicable. The City of Fort Worth is solely responsible for any additional costs associated with project administration, design, construction inspection, and materials testing.

This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and does not request approval of a contract with a private business entity.

Potential grant awards are not included in the PARD's Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). Therefore, the action in this M&C is not included in the FY2019-2023 CIP and will amend the FY2019 CIP.

North Z Boaz Park is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.