18 - PARKS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING

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Item No. 18 memorandum TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: John Godwin, City Manager SUBJECT: PARKS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING DATE: August 7, 2017 BACKGROUND: Bond proceeds of $500,000 have been authorized by the voters and are expected to be delivered to the city on or about August 23. It has been our plan to try to multiply this funding by actively seeking grant support from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and by fundraising locally, thereby making a noticeable and significant impact on our parks. We have been working with an internal staff workgroup for many months. This group includes the city engineer, city clerk, public works director, city manager, planning manager, codes supervisor, parks superintendent, and Main Street coordinator. STATUS OF ISSUE: Somewhat like we did with the street bonds projects, we are proposing a two -part program of work. The first phase would cost about $240,000 and would cover the costs of replacing most of the playgrounds at Oak and Wade Parks. We are setting a goal of raising half of that budget through fund- raising. The rest would be paid from bond proceeds ($105,000) and ADA funding ($15,000). This latter amount would enhance our ability to include play facilities for persons with disabilities. The second phase would use the remaining almost $400,000 in bond proceeds, hopefully doubled by a 50 -50 match from the TPWD (and /or other agencies). The nest TPWD grant cycle in which we expect to participate will be October 2018, so we have time to develop specific plans. We have discussed improvements at Culbertson, Dragon, Walker, and Lake Crook parks, plus downtown and the Sport Complex, though all of these locations will not be fundable. BUDGET: Funding will come from a combination of bond proceeds, fund- raising, and grants. RECOMMENDATION: Receive presentation, provide feedback/direction to staff, and authorize the commencement of fund- raising activities for playgrounds at Oak and Wade Parks.