Texas Administrative Code › Title 31 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION › Part 2 - TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT › Chapter 61 - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION › Subchapter E - LOCAL PARKS AND RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM › Section 61.136 - Small Community Grant Program

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a)
				  Program purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a mechanism for
				  determining the suitability of project proposals for funding the acquisition of
				  land and the development of public outdoor recreation facilities by small
				  communities.
(b) Scoring Criteria.
(1) Goals and Objectives (Total Range: 0-10
				  points). The project proposal identifies specific, well-defined goals and
				  objectives that both clearly explain the local priorities to be addressed by
				  the proposed project and illustrate how the proposed project, if funded, will
				  support the department's Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation
				  Plan, Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, and Local Park Grant program objectives,
				  as applicable.
(2) Community Need
				  (Total Range: 0-10 points). Applicant:
(A)
				  describes the needs-assessment process used for this project;
(B) explains the influence of community needs
				  on the site design;
(C) provides a
				  detailed description of the public input process (including the timing of
				  public comment opportunity, methods for obtaining and analyzing public comment,
				  and the results/impacts of public comment) (0-5 points); and/or
(D) identifies other methods of needs
				  assessment such as staff recommendations or threat of a lost opportunity. (0-5
				  points)
(3) Timeline and
				  Cost (Total Range: 0-5 points). The project proposal includes a detailed
				  timeline and budget that identify, on a step-by-step basis, the waypoints along
				  the continuum of the project's progress from start to finish and all expected
				  project costs associated with the proposed project, correlated chronologically
				  to the timeline and site plan. The department will evaluate proposed projects
				  with respect to this criterion based on the feasibility of the project in the
				  context of the department's understanding of similar projects and the
				  consistency of the submitted budget with that understanding, particularly with
				  respect to acquisition and/or construction costs.
(4) Site Design (Total Range: 0-10 points).
				  An application must include a site plan/boundary map that is clear,
				  easy-to-read, and contains all information required by and identified in the
				  funding application. Acquisition-only projects must include plans depicting
				  anticipated future development.
(A) Site
				  design takes into consideration the character and special features (including
				  features of natural, cultural, or historical importance) of the site and
				  clearly identifies street names, total acreage, true north arrow, utilities,
				  easements, special features, boundaries of existing parkland, and boundaries of
				  acquisition tracts. (0-5 points)
(B) Project maximizes the use of funds for
				  acquisition, recreation and conservation opportunities, determined by dividing
				  the direct acquisition, recreational, and conservation costs by the total
				  construction costs and multiplying the result by 5. (0-5 points)
(5) Organizational capacity (Total
				  Range: 0-5 points).
(A) The applicant
				  demonstrates to the department's satisfaction that qualified staff and
				  resources are in place to manage the grant from inception to completion, or,
				  alternatively, evidence that the applicant is partnered with an entity to
				  provide staff and/or resources necessary to manage the grant from inception to
				  completion.
(B) The applicant
				  demonstrates to the department's satisfaction that resources are in place to
				  properly operate and maintain facilities supported by the grant following
				  completion, or, alternatively, a feasible plan and timeline for obtaining
				  resources to properly operate and maintain the facilities supported by the
				  grant following completion.
(6) Geographic Distribution (Total Range: 0-5
				  points). The project will improve the geographic distribution of park and
				  recreation lands and facilities in the project's service area or within the
				  applicant's jurisdiction.
(A) Project
				  provides the first public park in the applicant's jurisdiction or intended
				  service area (5 points); or
(B)
				  Project fills a critical parks and recreation gap as identified through
				  research, public input, or other means. (0-3 points).
(C) Project is safely accessible to the
				  public via multiple modes of transportation (e.g., walking, biking, public
				  transportation system). (0-2 points).
(7) Under-served Populations (Total Range:
				  0-10 points). The proposed project increases opportunity and improves access to
				  parks and recreation facilities for under-served populations.
(A) Project improves opportunities for
				  low-income citizens, defined as the percent of households making less than
				  $35,000 per year, based on economic and demographic data for the service area
				  from the most recent federal census data; or
(B) Project improves opportunities for ethnic
				  minority citizens, defined as the percent of a population that does not select
				  "white alone" on the U.S. Census, based on economic and demographic data for
				  the service area from the most recent census data; determined by multiplying
				  the sum of percentage of population qualifying as low-income and percentage of
				  population qualifying as minority by 5.
(8) Accessibility (Total Range: 0-5 points).
				  The proposed project provides park and recreation opportunities for
				  physically/mentally challenged citizens that exceed federal and state required
				  accessibility standards.
(9)
				  Conservation (Total Range: 0-10 points). The proposed project actively protects
				  or restores sensitive ecosystems and incorporates elements that cultivate
				  support for and awareness of natural and cultural resources.
(10) Sustainable Park Design (Total Range:
				  0-10 points). The applicant demonstrates that the proposed project incorporates
				  sustainable design features and practices.
(11) Coordination with Subject Matter Experts
				  (Total Range: 0-5 points).
(A) The applicant
				  demonstrates meaningful input to the proposed project by subject matter experts
				  in natural and cultural resource protection, acquisition, planning, design, and
				  construction.
(B) The proposed
				  project reflects consideration and inclusion of best practices in all phases of
				  project development.
(12)
				  Outside Partnerships (Total Range: 0-5 points). The extent to which the
				  proposed project involves the contribution of resources from sources other than
				  the applicant to serve as all or part of the applicant's matching share of
				  funds.
(A) Current, signed letters of
				  commitment providing detailed descriptions of the nature and value of
				  contributions, including methodologies employed to determine those values.
				  Points shall be awarded on a percentage basis, determined by dividing the total
				  outside contribution value by the total match and multiplying the result by 3.
				  (0-3 points); and/or
(B) Applicant
				  demonstrates and documents external support greater than the required match,
				  including overmatch and/or community mobilization. (0-2
				  points).
(13) Past
				  Performance (Total Range: 0-10 points).
(A)
				  Applicant is a first-time applicant. (10 points); or
(B) Applicant is in full compliance with the
				  conditions of previously-funded and active recreation grants awarded by the
				  department under this subchapter. (10 points); or
(C) Applicant is not in compliance with the
				  conditions of previously-funded and active recreation grants awarded by the
				  department under this subchapter but provides credible and feasible action plan
				  and timeline for achieving compliance. (0-10
				  points).