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9.
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| City Council Regular Meeting |
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| 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 for the purchase price of $375,000. City Council previously passed Resolution 22-R-78 indicating the intent to acquire the property once some due diligence was completed. The appraisal of the property shows the value to be $390,000 but the Great Springs Project has agreed to sell the property to the city at the same price they are purchasing it at.
The Environmental Site Assessment of the property has also been completed, and no adverse conditions were found on the site. 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 designated for property accusation as a match for the grant program to fund future trail construction. |
| GOAL |
| Approve Resolution 22-R-137 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. 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 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-137 to acquire a 10.5-acre property on Dry Comal Creek generally at FM 482 and Bunker Street for a public park and trailhead.
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| FISCAL IMPACT |
$375,000 is the purchase price of the property. The appraisal showed the land valued at $390,000 but The Great Springs Project has agreed to sell the property at the price they are under contract at, which is $375,000. Additional costs included the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment at $5,000 and the appraisal costs of $1,624 for a total of $381,624.00. The purchase would be funded through the Park Fund and one-time CIP Park & Trail Funds from FY21-22. Originally, a loan from the General Fund Reserves was discussed, (which would be paid back over time from revenues from the Park Fund,) because some of the funds in the Park Fund were earmarked as a cash match for a future grant application. It was decided that we would use the Park Fund monies first since this acquisition would occur before the grant and ask for a loan against projected future Park Fund revenues for the grant match instead. A budget amendment will be needed to utilize the Park Fund monies and staff will bring the amendment back to council when we are ready to close on the property in the spring.
Funding Sources Breakdown:
$150,000.00 - CIP Funds (One-time investment Parks & Trails Infrastructure FY21-22)
$231,624.00 - Park Fund
$381,624.00 - TOTAL |
| RECOMMENDATION |
| Approve Resolution 22-R-137 to acquire a 10.5-acre property on Dry Comal Creek generally at FM 482 and Bunker Street for a public park and trailhead. |
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