AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2020-141R, expressing support of the submission of a grant application to the Lyda Hill Lone Star Grant Program by the San Marcos River Foundation in partnership with the City of San Marcos and San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance to fund a trail connecting Purgatory Creek to the Spring Lake Natural Area; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the rights and duties of each party and any other documents necessary to effectuate the project; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: July 7, 2020
Department: Engineering/CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: Click or tap here to enter text.
Funds Available: Click or tap here to enter text.
Account Name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council provided direction on June 18, 2020 to move forward in partnering with SMRF on this project and authorized staff to bring back a Resolution of support for the Lone Star Prize application. Council also authorized staff to draft and negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Sustainability
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Public & Private Sector Partnership to Protect Water Quality & proper development in San Marcos and Blanco Rivers
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☒ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Collection of connected and easily navigated parks and public spaces
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Master Plan
Background Information:
Council provided direction on June 18, 2020 to move forward in partnering with the San Marcos River Foundation on this project and authorized staff to bring back a Resolution of support for the Lone Star Prize application. Council also authorized staff to draft and negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City which is attached for review.
The San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF) is requesting a City partnership in the application for a $10M Lone Star Grant. SMRF will also be partnering with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance (SMGA). The grant would fund the completion of a long-envisioned greenbelt corridor around western San Marcos with a trail connecting Purgatory Park to Spring Lake Natural Area. If awarded the grant SMRF is proposing to:
• Purchase parcels to complete trail connectivity
• Fund construction of 4.4 miles of trails with amenities
• Fund construction of three trail access parking lots with paid parking
• Fund 5-years of City operation and maintenance (O&M) costs
• Fund and provide associated project management, design and permitting costs
The City is not eligible to apply for the grant, but partnerships are encouraged for proposals meeting three key issues: health outcomes, environmental protection, and workforce development. SMRF believes that in partnership with the City and SMGA the proposed project can meet these goals.
The trail is proposed on land currently owned by the City and on two tracts that SMRF is endeavoring to purchase known as the Elisk and Geiger tracts.
As shown on the attached map the purchases and trail project meet the intent of the grant by:
• Improving mental and physical health outcomes via access to trails and nature.
• Conserving property in one of the fastest growing areas of the country for the protection of aquifer recharge and the reduction of impervious cover associated with development.
• Increasing public understanding of the recharge zone, wildlife corridors, and hill country characteristics through educational signage
• Providing job opportunities through the construction proposed and the establishment of City positions for stewardship of the project.
Not all the points of the project have been clearly developed including: ultimate ownership of the purchased parcels; design, permitting and construction requirements; funding of City staff after the grant period and financial responsibilities between the partners.
Applications are due for the grant on July 22nd.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternatives:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends support of the grant application