Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

01/24/2023

BACKGROUND

City staff has been working with The Great Springs Project to acquire a 10.5-acre property along the Dry Comal Creek in the historic Comal Settlement area for the planned Dry Comal Creek Trail. Council approved the purchase of that property on Dec. 13, 2022 (Resolution 22-R-137). City staff is now working on applying for a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trails Grant Program for development of the initial trailhead area. The Recreational Trails Grant Program is an 80/20 matching grant program with a maximum award of $300,000. The funds to be expended by the City to purchase the land can serve as the city's 20% match.

GOAL

The goal is to submit a grant application to be able to receive funding for development of the trailhead area of the Dry Comal Creek Trail on the 10.5-acre property generally located at FM 482 and Bunker Street that the city is going to acquire from The Great Springs Project. Anytime city staff can leverage existing funds with grant funds or federal funds, it is being good stewards of our residents' tax dollars.

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 a 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 hertiage 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 23-R-07.

FISCAL IMPACT

The funds expended to purchase the property can serve as the City's 20% match for the grant. The maximum grant amount is $300,000 for a project total of $375,000 ($300,000 - 80% federal match, $75,000 - minimum 20% city match). The city is going to acquire the 10.5-acre property from The Great Springs Project for $381,624.00 and staff is anticipating utilizing $150,000 of one-time CIP Funds (One-time investment Parks & Trails Infrastructure FY20-21) and $231,624.00 from the Park Fund. This $381,624.00 will cover our required 20% match of $75,000, and also provide an over-match of $306,624 which is favorable in this competitive grant field.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve Resolution 23-R-07.

Attachments
Res 23 R 07
Dry Comal Creek Conceptual Plan
Dry Comal Creek Trail