(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 US 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).
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