Sunday, May 19, 2024
Differing opinions were presented by Gatesville city staff on whether the city should proceed with plans for a new park near the Gatesville Fitness Center, leading the Gatesville City Council to delay taking action on the proposal at its July 11 meeting.
Rene Ochoa, director of planning and community development for the city, and Seth Phillips, director of parks and recreation, both recommended the city proceed with plans for the park. Meanwhile, City Manager Scott Albert expressed reservations about the park plan and said he is concerned the park would be an extra financial liability for the city.
In October 2018 severe flooding significantly damaged Faunt Le Roy Park, drenching the area with 9 inches of rain and causing substantial erosion. The city issued a disaster declaration and sought help from the Texas Department of Emergency Management in assessing the damage, and then from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding to repair damage.
In 2020, LJA Engineering did an in-depth damage assessment, determining the cost to repair the eroded Leon Riverbank at Faunt Le Roy Park would be more than $1.3 million. The city chose not to accept FEMA's fixed cost offer to repair Faunt Le Roy Park, and instead chose to designate the funds to a park project elsewhere in the city.
After six sites were studied, the city in 2022 decided to move forward with plans for a 4.9-acre park across from the fitness center. The federal government would provide just over $1 million for the park, with the city providing a local 25% match of $340,181.
Delays in final approval from FEMA for the project have stalled development of the park, leading former city manager Bill Parry to ask U.S. Rep. John Carter to solicit a response from FEMA on Gatesville's behalf. Carter said he learned from FEMA that the city park project remains under "technical review."
Phillips said if the park is built it will be "in a very visible location that is a highly trafficked area adjacent to a neighborhood." He said trees at the location will create a barrier between the park and the neighborhood.
The play surface would be covered by rubberized mulch that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and playground equipment would be geared toward children of all physical abilities, Phillips said.
Councilwoman Barbara Burrow asked why there has been a delay and asked if park plans had been approved.
"Yes - I have no idea why it is taking so long," Ochoa said. "It's already gone on five years.
"A little political capital was used to get a response - I worry about that," Burrow said. She also expressed concerns that costs to build the park would increase because of the delay.
"If the cost goes above $1.3 million, we'll have to look at cutting amenities," Phillips said.
Councilman John Westbrook asked about the future considerations for Faunt Le Roy Park, "do we just take care of it as we can?"
Phillips said he has a "big concern about it. It's a big part of our history. If we don't do anything, it will erode away. I do believe we need a mitigation plan."
Mayor Pro Tem Meredith Rainer asked about grant opportunities.
"There are no TPWD (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) funds available for a parks master plan, but a parks master plan is required before we're eligible for their grants," Phillips said.
Asked about staff recommendations for the proposed new park, Ochoa said "there are a couple differences of opinion."
While Ochoa and Phillips supported moving forward with park plans, Albert said he has concerns about the costs involved.
"I'm looking from the outside," Albert said. "I know Rene and Seth have put a lot of time into it. I look at it more as a financial burden. It's an extra burden for parks and rec to maintain when we have a laundry list of other things we need to maintain.
"But I support staff - there's nothing wrong with me having a different opinion. It's part of being a healthy organization, being able to have a dialogue on differences of opinion.
"If this is a project the council wants to approve, you'll get my support 110%."
Burrow asked if the city was "locked in" to the park plan, and what would happen to the FEMA grant money if the city chose to pursue a different course.
"You have spent some money on the design," Albert said.
Ochoa noted that $49,550 had been spent on engineering and design.
"Do y'all have a ballpark idea (on the cost) of a parks master plan?" asked Councilman Westbrook.
Albert said the typical cost would range from $100,000 to $200,000, and Ochoa said LJA had expressed a willingness to do a parks master plan for less.
"If you want to move forward on a parks master plan, we need to determine a firm," Albert said.
"Am I being an optimist? Can we build a new park and move forward with a parks plan?" Rainer asked.
Asked what the $1.3 million would have done at Faunt Le Roy Park, Phillips said it would have repaired erosion to the state of the riverbank before flooding occurred.
"I think we need to reach out and ask (FEMA) what if we did change course. What would the impact be?" Albert said.
The council decided to table the item for further consideration and revisit the issue at the July 25 council meeting.
