Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

08/23/2022

BACKGROUND

City staff has actively been working toward trail development in the city based on citizen input in the 2016 and 2018 Citizen Satisfaction Surveys and the 2014 Parks Master Plan listing hike and bike trails as a priority. City staff has been communicating the trail plans for the different trail systems over the last two years and those systems are: the Great Northern Trail, the Cibolo Creek Trail, the Dry Comal Creek Trail, the Woman Hollering Creek Trail, and the Dietz Creek Trail (east and west.) City staff has also engaged with a non-profit organization - the Great Springs Project - whose mission is to create a trail network from the Alamo to the Capital (San Antonio to Austin) and conserving land along the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone along the way.

The Great Springs Project approached the city about a 10.5-acre property along the Dry Comal Creek Trail in the historic Comal Settlement area, that they are under contract to acquire and hold (like a land trust) until an operator can be determined. The city's Trails Master Plan (in the Master Thoroughfare Plan) overlaps the Great Springs Trail Plan and so our interests are overlapping in this area.

City staff is recommending acquisition of this property at a future date to be determined, under the following conditions. For the purchase price of $375,000 (if the appraisal confirms that value.) If the appraisal confirms a lower value, the Great Springs Project and the City may agree to accept the Appraised Value as the sales price. Funds must be approved specifically for this acquisition. City staff has asked the Great Springs Project to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the Property prior to acquisition. City staff has asked the Great Springs Project to negotiate with the HOA to get a variance granted as per the current deed restrictions or get the restrictions removed under the HOA bylaws. City staff has also asked the Great Springs Project to hold the property through June 1, 2023 so that city staff can apply for a Recreational Trails Grant and use the funds for property accusation as a match for the grant program.

The attached resolution does not authorize the acquisition of the property. It conveys to the Great Springs Project the intent of the City to acquire the property if the above conditions or met, but makes clear that direct Council approval is still required for that to occur.

GOAL

Approve Resolution 22-R-78 indicating the intent of the City to purchase of a 10.5-acre tract on Dry Comal Creek generally at FM 482 and Bunker Street if the conditions outlined in the staff report have been met and if future approval from the City Council is obtained to do so. The property is a strategic trailhead location for the City of Schertz' Dry Comal Creek Trail and the regional Great Springs Trail. The Great Springs Project is under contract to purchase the property and will hold the property while working through some conditions of the sale to the City of Schertz. The Great Springs Project will hold the property through June 1, 2023 so that city staff can apply for a Recreational Trails Grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife, but can use the funds expended for the property acquisition as a grant match for the development of the park. Pre-award costs are not reimbursed as part of this grant, so the city is waiting to hold title to the property to leverage our available funds to the greatest extent possible. Funds will be earmarked for this purchase, but closing on the property will not take place until 2023. City staff will continue to work with the Great Springs Project to develop the Park Master Plan and a Maintenance & Operations Plan.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The property will be a future trailhead to the City of Schertz' Dry Comal Creek Trail and the regional Great Springs Trail. There is the possibility of a future trail connection to the Great Northern Trail along Schwab Road, either on-street, or off-street through an adjacent drainage corridor. The property is unique as well because of its location in the historic Comal Settlement area and its location on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Immediately adjacent to the property is a state designated historic cemetery and across the street is the historic St. Joseph's Chapel, both of which are also designated as a Schertz Historic Site by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee. Also, across the street is the historic Comal Blacksmith & Mechanical Shop and the additional historic General Store building. The park property will not only serve as a trailhead for a regional trail system, but will include interpretive signage regarding the history of the area, and potentially serve as a catalyst for development of the area into a cultural heritage and nature tourism destination. The loop trail within the 10.5-acre park property will also provide a natural experience similar to what we have in southern Schertz at Crescent Bend Nature Park.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Resolution 22-R-78 indicating the intent to acquire a 10.5-acre property on Dry Comal Creek generally at FM 482 and Bunker Street if the conditions in the staff report and resolution have been met and pending direct future Council approval through a separate resolution to make the purchase.

FISCAL IMPACT

$375,000 is the purchase price pending confirmation from an appraisal. The purchase would be funded through the Park Fund and a loan from the General Fund Reserves which would be paid back over time from revenues from the Park Fund ($496,000 projected revenues to the Park Fund in 2024) or other funding provided for trail development.

$188,000 - Reserve Loan
$150,000 - CIP Funds (One-time investment Parks & Trails Infrastructure FY21-22)
$37,000 - Park Fund
$375,000 - TOTAL

RECOMMENDATION

Approve Resolution 22-R-78 indicating the intent to purchase a 10.5-acre tract on Dry Comal Creek generally at FM 482 and Bunker Street if the conditions in the staff report and resolution have been met and direct council approval via a separate resolution has been obtained..

Attachments
Res 22 R 78 Dry Comal Property
Exhibit A to Resolution
Trails Presentation