CC Resolution No. 181279
RESOLUTION NO. 1812
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
REQUESTING MEMBERS OF THE 80Tn 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; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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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 accounting 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 subdivision under the TRPA guidelines have funded 1,027
projects of the 2,851 submitted over 25 years, delivering over SIX HUNDRED TWENTY -THREE MILLION
AND NO /100 DOLLARS ($623,000,000.00) 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, since 1971, the City of Baytown has received 16 TRPA grants totaling THREE MILLION
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY -SIX AND 28/100 DOLLARS
($3,120,136.28) for the acquisition and development of City parks; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting goods and 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 closures 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 the Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Baytown, Texas, and the
City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, that a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be
presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 80`h Texas Legislature; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1: That the Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Baytown, Texas, and the City
Council of the City of Baytown respectfully request that the members of the 80`h Legislature of Texas seek
passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to increase funding for
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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.
Section 2: That the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Governor
of Texas.
Section 3: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by both the
Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Baytown, Texas, and the City Council of the City of Baytown,
Texas.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote of the Parks and Recreation Board of the
City of Baytown, Texas, this the 6`h day of September, 2006.
Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
NACIO RAMIREZ, SR., Cky Attorney
WAYNE G AY, Chairman
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative
Baytown this the 14th day of September, 2006.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ACIO RAMI /RED Z, SR., C' Attorney
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of the City Council of the City of
Mayor