ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of Grant Application for and acceptance of Grant Funds through the TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT for FY24 Local Park Directed Grant Funds to the Improvements of Tidwell Park Aquatic Facility for City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department; declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to apply for, accept, and expend the Grant Funds if awarded and to apply for, accept, and expend all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant and to extend the budget period - DISTRICT B - JACKSON

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) requests Council approval authorizing the submission of a TPWD Local Parks Grants application for a $5,000,000 appropriation for Tidwell Park’s new aquatic facility secured by State Representative Senfronia Thompson under the 2023-2024 General Appropriations Act enacted by the 88th Texas Legislature. TPWD requires a grant application authorizing the HPARD Director or designee to act as the city’s representative with the authority to accept and expend such grant funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the grant. The total grant award is $5,000,000 and there is no required match. If the funding agreement is approved, the grant will be used for construction of the aquatic facility. The agreement and State of Texas Assurances must be fully executed no later than October 15, 2023, to allow the state sufficient time to encumber the funds by the deadline of December 31, 2023. The anticipated project period is 08/01/2023 through 07/30/2027. It is anticipated that Council will be asked to approve a construction contract in 2025 after the design plan is accepted and construction documents and the bid process are completed. The total grant award is $5,000,000 and there is no required match.

Tidwell Park is located at 9720 Spaulding in the East Little York/Homestead Super Neighborhood. The City of Houston acquired
The 85.23-acre park in 1962. The proposed new aquatic facility will include a heated, leisure pool with swim lanes and water
slide; an enclosure with roll up doors for open-air environment when weather permits; and an HVAC system to supplement
heating and cooling. The aquatic facility will also contain a building with offices, restrooms, showers, mechanical rooms,
chemical room, and storage. The following items will be included in the costs of the new facility: detention, signage, electrical
and plumbing, demolition and tree protection fencing, general site grading, storm drainage/detention, and water line. The new
aquatic facility will be operated by HPARD for families to enjoy year-round.

HPARD also requests City Council to authorize the Director or his designee to act as the City’s representative in this process with the authority to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements, and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.

Fiscal Note: No Fiscal Note required for grant items.

Director's Signature:


_________________________________________
Kenneth Allen, Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Martha Escalante

Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Phone: 832-395-7069