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CC Resolution No. 2214 - ParksSupportRevised2RESOLUTION NO. 2214 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 THE MEMBERS OF THE 83RD LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT AND LARGE COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITY RECREATION AND PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAMS AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ( "TPWD ") administers the Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ( "TRPA ") and the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account ( "Urban Account ") and manages 94 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and WHEREAS, TPWD has a separate account in its general revenue fund referred to as the TRPA and Urban Account for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects, and for outreach grants to introduce new populations to outdoor experiences; 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 and Urban Account guidelines have funded 1,629 projects of the 3,470 submitted over 30 years delivering over EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION AND NO/ 100 DOLLARS ($800,000,000.00) 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, the TRPA, Urban Account 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, the maintenance and improvement of State parks and historic sites and the addition of new parks is a priority to Texans 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, funds are needed for major repairs at State parks and for the acquisition and development of parks and facilities; 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 83rd 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 83rd 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 for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA and Urban Account funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system. Section 2: 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 83rd Legislature of Texas restore funding to the TRPA and Urban Account in the amount of at least FIFTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO /100 DOLLARS ($15,500,000.00) per year. Section 3: That the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Governor of Texas. Section 4: 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 7'h day of November, 2012. 'S' WAYNE GRA ,Chairman AT T: f� TY * • LL Q E ICIA ISept� ��... 5q INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirm Baytown, this the 8h day of November, 2012. pop / RNCaren \Files \City Council \Resolutions\2012Wovember 8\PurksSupportRevised2.dcc of