ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of Grant Application for and acceptance of Grant Funds through the TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT for the Selena Quintanilla Perez/Denver Harbor Park Improvements 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 H - CISNEROS

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) requests Council approval authorizing the submission of a TPWD Local Parks Directed Grant application for a $1,000,000.00 appropriation for Selena Quintanilla Perez/Denver Harbor Park improvements secured by State Representative Ana Hernandez 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. If the funding agreement is approved, the grant will be used for sports field and related improvements. 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 for Selena Quintanilla Perez/Denver Harbor Park in 2024 for park improvements related to Ordinance 2022-241 combined with this additional $1,000,000.00 grant award, which there is no required match.

Selena Quintanilla Perez/Denver Harbor Park is located at 6402 Market St. in the Denver Harbor/Port Houston Super Neighborhood. The City of Houston acquired the 17.20-acre park in 1945. The proposed scope of work for phase two includes a new concession, restroom/storage building, with associated utilities, football and baseball field sports field enhancements, new bleachers, walkway connections, grading, landscaping, and site detention.

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

Ph. 832-395-7069

Houston Parks and Recreation Department