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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2006-21 support increased funding for Texas Recreation and Parks 24 --~_.. --- MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DEBRA B. FEAZELLE, CITY MANAGER SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARKS ACCOUNT AND THE STATE PARK SYSTEM MEETING DATE: SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider approval of a resolution that supports increased funding for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and the State Park System. The resolution is attached for review. BACKGROUND: Also, funding for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) has decreased the past two sessions. The TRPA is a grant program for parkland acquisition and development and for the development of recreational facilities that is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The annual funding in the TRPA prior to the 78th Legislature was $15.5 million. The TRPA was reduced to $8.1 million annually during the 78th Legislature and to $5 million by the 79th Legislature. Appropriations for the maintenance and operation of the State Parks and historical sites in Texas has been reduced over the past two Legislative Sessions resulting in park closures, reduced hours and days of operation as well as layoffs of staff. This has come at a time when the population of the state is expanding and the need for open space is greater that it has ever been. The attached resolution requests members of the 80th Legislature support increased funding for the TRPA, at least to the level the grant program was at prior to the 78th Legislative Session. The resolution also requests members of the 80th Legislature support increased funding for the State Park System. The City of La Porte has received several park development grants from TPWD in the past, and do anticipate submitting grants for bicycle/pedestrian trails and park development in the future. In fact, the development of Little Cedar Bayou, Fairmont Park, Pfeiffer Park, and the Nature Trail were all partially funded with matching grants from TPWD. Staff will be looking at grant opportunities to assist with the development of new parkland and trails for La Porte. September 6,2006 (10:38AM) RESOLUTION NO. M A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 80TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA") and manages 114 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and WHEREAS, TPWD has a separate account in their general revenue fund referred to as the TRPA for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects; and WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the planning, acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA guidelines have funded 1,029 projects of the 2,851 submitted over 25 years delivering over $623 million dollars to the local Texas economy; and WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on grants from TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of parks and recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and WHEREAS, the TRPA and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of sporting goods; and WHEREAS, continued cutbacks in appropriations for State park and historic sites have resulted in a backlog of deferred maintenance issues, park dosures, reduced hours and days of operation, staff layoffs, the conversion of some parks to day use only and elimination of important visitor services, regardless of the growing need for new parks due to the State's expanding population and extensive tourism industry; and WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health, economic development, job creation, education; corporate relocations, an improved quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council that a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 80th Texas Legislature. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS: 1. That members of the 80th Legislature of Texas seek passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to increase funding for parks and recreation programs fairly for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system. PASSED AND APPROVED by the La Porte City Council on this the 11 th day of September 2006. APPR ~ ~ .(~ A ton E. Porter, Mayor ATTEST: ~t!Iffi~/J Ma ha Gille t, ity Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: ~T~ Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney TWS * UI'I'rl'al ion & Ilark Sod I'! ) 2006 - 2007 TRAPS Legislative Platform The Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) four primary objectives in the 80th Session of the Texas Legislature: 1. Achieve restoration of reductions made by the 78th & 79th Legislatures to the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA). TRAPS supports appropriation to the full amount authorized by Chapter 24, Parks and Wildlife Code; including retention of the dedication language in Chapter 24, Parks and Wildlife Code. 2. Support funding for the operations and maintenance of the existing state parks system and provide acquisition and development funds for the future needs of Texas. 3. Support legislation that maximizes the use of revenue from the sales tax gathered from sporting goods to increase funding of Park and Recreation as a system, fairly, for both State and Local parks to address the shortfall of state park operations and local park acquisition and development. 4. Ensure that no legislative appropriation riders are allowed that set aside TRP A money for specific projects or locales. TRAPS maintains that all candidate grant projects should be subject to the established competitive grant process. The following positions are held by TRAPS: A. TRAPS takes the position of support of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRP A) top legislative and advocacy priorities. a. Securing reliable federal investment in the local communities through matching grants, capital investments and appropriations for parks and recreation facilities, including proper funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state side account. b. Promote the benefits of parks and recreation to achieve national goals for healthy lifestyles, particularly the passage Childhood Obesity Reduction Act, the passage of the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act, and passage of the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT) all need to include park and recreation agencies as directly eligible entities. c. Ensure that Federal agency activities, including rulemaking, properly and appropriately advance national priorities for parks and recreation, particularly the for the SAFETEA - LU program. B. TRAPS takes the position of support of the NRPA call to action on the movement for Urban Parks and Recreation in America renewal as thousands of acres of urban park land for millions of people in 100 of the largest urban parks and recreation systems in America to reverse the neglect of our nation's cherished urban parks. a. Matching funds for urban park renewal b. Promote Health and Wellness. c. Stimulate Community and Economic Development. d. Protect the Urban Environment. e. Educate, Enrich, and Protect America's Youth