31 Tex. Admin. Code § 61.136 - Small Community Grant Program
(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).
Notes
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