1. (a) Program purpose and priorities. All grant applications submitted to the department for indoor recreation programs are evaluated for program eligibility and prioritized according to the Project Priority Scoring System set forth in this section. Scored applications are presented to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for approval. The priority ranking of a project depends on its score in relation to the scores of other projects under consideration. Funding of projects will depend on the availability of TRPA funds. In general, recommended priorities for indoor recreation projects are:

   1. (1) to ensure sponsor performance on active grants and compliance at previously assisted grant sites;
   2. (2) to recognize and reward local planning;
   3. (3) to provide indoor recreational diversity;
   4. (4) to provide a better geographic distribution of indoor recreation facilities;
   5. (5) to provide indoor recreation facilities to greater numbers of citizens;
   6. (6) to improve recreation opportunities for youth-at-risk;
   7. (7) to reward cooperative efforts between project sponsors and other governmental or educational entities;
   8. (8) to reward partnerships between local government sponsors and the private sector;
   9. (9) to provide for the renovation of existing, obsolete indoor recreation facilities;
   10. (10) to improve indoor recreation opportunities for low income, minority and elderly citizens; and
   11. (11) to promote the conservation of natural resources and environmental values.

2. (b) Local master plan standard requirements. Minimum master plan standards must be met to qualify for priority points. Local sponsors may submit applications without having a department- approved master plan; however, only those proposals that address priority needs identified in approved plans will receive priority points under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. Master plans must have been received in an approvable format at least 60 days prior to the application submission deadline at which time credit is sought. The following are minimum master plan standards:

   1. (1) Proof of adoption. The plan must be formally endorsed by the applicable governing body of the sponsor, and the endorsement must be included with the document.
   2. (2) Jurisdiction-wide scope. The plan must be comprehensive and assess the entire jurisdiction area of the project sponsor. County plans must cover the entire county, and city or district plans must cover the entire city or district. For large urban areas, plans should cover the entire jurisdiction, and then break the jurisdiction down into regions, sectors, precincts, districts, etc., as appropriate.
   3. (3) Plan duration. Plans must specifically identify the time period within which the goals and objectives of the plan are to be carried out. The plan should cover a minimum five-year period. If a plan is more than two years old, a brief summary of plan accomplishments to date must be provided. Plans older than 5 years will be considered obsolete and new plans will be required.

   4. (4) Plan content. The following information should be included in the document:

      1. (A) introduction;
      2. (B) stated goals and objectives;
      3. (C) plan development process (discuss when the planning process began, plan phases, public input received, survey/studies conducted, committees and/or personnel involved, etc.);

      4. (D) area/facility concepts and standards, including:

         1. (i) population/area service and acreage goals;
         2. (ii) "typical" park and facility standards; and
         3. (iii) applicable local codes, ordinances, and other requirements for community or neighborhood development;
      5. (E) inventory of existing park, recreation and open space areas and facilities (including schools);
      6. (F) needs assessment and identification. Information under this subparagraph shall be area/facility specific, and may include basic support facilities/infrastructure which are critical to the recreational experience. A discussion and identification of open space needs in the master plan, or a separate open space plan, shall be included.

      7. (G) prioritization of needs. Applicant shall include:

         1. (i) a priority list in which all outdoor and indoor needs are ranked ; and
         2. (ii) plan implementation recommendations, including a timeline and discussion of resources for meeting priorities (must identify and prioritize which needs are to be met, where and when). Any revision of priorities other than an update of accomplishments must present a new priority listing justified by additional public input.
      8. (H) illustrations, maps, charts, surveys, etc.

3. (c) Indoor recreation project priority scoring system. If the sponsor is in full compliance at previously assisted grant project sites and is progressing on schedule with all active grant projects in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, an application will be scored and presented for award consideration. If the sponsor does not meet the requirements of this paragraph, the application will not be scored or considered further. A project proposal meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall be evaluated according to:

   1. (1) the extent to which the project will satisfy the priority indoor recreation needs (PIRN) identified in the master plan required by this section, up to a total of 20 points.

      1. (A) for satisfying PIRN 1 only: 10 points.

      2. (B) for satisfying PIRN in the order listed in the master plan:

         1. (i) PIRN 1 and 2: 15 points;
         2. (ii) PIRN 1 through 3: 16 points;
         3. (iii) PIRN 1 through 4: 17 points;
         4. (iv) PIRN 1 through 5: 18 points;
         5. (v) PIRN 1 through 6: 19 points; or
         6. (vi) PIRN 1 through 7: 20 points.
      3. (C) for satisfying PIRN 1 and 2, but satisfying remaining PIRN in other than the order listed in the master plan, 1 point will be awarded for three satisfied PIRN lower than any unsatisfied PIRN, up to the maximum point total allowed.
      4. (D) for satisfying PIRN 2 only: 5 points.
      5. (E) for satisfying PIRN 2, but satisfying remaining PIRN lower than 2 in other than the order listed in the master plan, 1 point will be awarded for three satisfied PIRN up to the maximum point total allowed.
      6. (F) for satisfying PIRN 3 only: 1 point.
      7. (G) for satisfying PIRN 3, but satisfying remaining PIRN lower than 3 in other than the order listed in the master plan, 1 point will be awarded for three satisfied PIRN up to the maximum point total allowed.
   2. (2) the extent to which the project will provide diversity of public indoor recreation facilities. Points shall be awarded based on the number of indoor recreation facilities provided. Five points will be awarded for each type of facility, up to a maximum of 30 points. Points may be deducted for projects which propose support facilities which do not support recreational activities.
   3. (3) the extent to which the project provides facilities that enhance outdoor education or conservation (such as nature centers or facilities for environmental education programs or exhibits): 1-5 points.

   4. (4) the extent to which the project will improve geographic distribution of public indoor recreation facilities. Maximum of 20 points.

      1. (A) project provides the first public indoor recreation facility in the sponsor's jurisdiction or intended service area: 20 points; or
      2. (B) project provides new and different public indoor recreation facilities (other than school facilities) in the sponsor's jurisdiction or intended service area, determined by dividing new and different facility costs by the total construction costs, multiplied by 11. Maximum point total: 15 points.
   5. (5) the extent to which the project provides public indoor recreation opportunities to significant segments of the population within the sponsor's jurisdiction area, determined by dividing the estimated number of individuals to be served by the total population of the sponsor's jurisdiction area, and multiplying the result by five. Maximum of 5 points.
   6. (6) the extent to which the project provides improved recreation opportunities for at-risk youth, where a demonstrated need for such action exists. Points are awarded for projects that demonstrate and define the existence of at-risk youth within the intended service area, and which propose specific grant-assisted facilities for at-risk youth. One point shall be awarded for each proposed activity, up to a total of 10 points.

   7. (7) the extent to which the project involves cooperation between the sponsor and other governmental or educational institutions to provide public indoor recreation facilities at the project site. Maximum of 15 points.

      1. (A) project involves the contribution of resources (other than land) from other governmental or educational institutions which serves as all or part of the sponsor's matching share of funds. Up to 10 points may be awarded for this item. Points shall be awarded on a percentage basis, dependent on the amount of matching funds provided by the other governmental/educational institution, determined by dividing the total contribution value by the total match and multiplying the result by 10.
      2. (B) project area is owned by another governmental or educational institution and will be permanently dedicated for public park and recreation use through a land donation, or permanent non-revocable lease or easement: 5 points.

   8. (8) the extent to which the project involves donations of land, cash, labor, equipment and/or materials from the private sector as part or all of the sponsor's matching share of the project. Priority points shall be awarded on a percentage basis, dependent on the amount of matching share funds to be received through donations. Maximum of 10 points.

      1. (A) project provides private land and/or cash donations from the private sector as part or all of the sponsor's matching share of the project, determined by dividing the contribution value by the total match and multiplying the result by 10. Maximum of 10 points.
      2. (B) project provides donated labor, equipment and/or materials from the private sector as part or all of the sponsor's matching share of the project, determined by dividing the value of the donations by the total match and multiplying the result by five. Maximum of 5 points.
   9. (9) the extent to which the project provides for the renovation of an existing obsolete public indoor recreation facility, determined by dividing the renovation cost by the total construction cost and multiplying the result by 10. Maximum of 10 points.

   10. (10) the extent to which the project improves public indoor recreation opportunities for low income, minority, or elderly citizens, up to a total of 6 points.

       1. (A) project improves opportunities for low income citizens in areas where such action is needed: determined by multiplying the percentage of population qualifying as low income by 2. Maximum of 2 points.
       2. (B) project improves opportunities for minority citizens in areas where such action is needed: determined by multiplying the percentage of population qualifying as minority by 2. Maximum of 2 points.
       3. (C) project improves opportunities for the elderly in areas where such action is needed. Points for this item shall be awarded on the basis of recreational facility type and service. Maximum of 2 points.
   11. (11) The extent to which the project promotes the conservation of natural resources and environmental values. Projects that propose energy efficient design, construction techniques, or materials will receive points for this criteria. Maximum of 5 points.

Source Note:The provisions of this §61.134 adopted to be effective August 31, 2000, 25 TexReg 8409.