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Home My WebLink AboutPR 24794: JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM GRANT FOR "BEACH/PARK ON WATERWAY" PLEASURE ISLAND www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: February 9, 2026 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager From: George Davis, Director of Pleasure Island RE: P.R. 24794—Jefferson County Tourism Grant for `Beach/Park on Waterway" - Pleasure Island Introduction: The intent of this Agenda Item is to request the City Council's approval of P.R. No. 24794, authorizing the City Manager to apply for the Jefferson County Tourism Grant for`Beach/Park on Waterway" - Pleasure Island Background: Pleasure Island serves as a significant recreational and tourism asset for the City. The area provides free, safe public access for boating, sailing, fishing, birding, and other waterfront activities, drawing both residents and visitors from throughout the region. The Department of Pleasure Island seeks to apply for funding through the Jefferson County Tourism Grant Program to support the `Beach/Park on Waterway" project at Lakefront Park. The proposed improvements include the installation of a pickleball court and additional seating benches. These enhancements are designed to increase park usage, improve visitor amenities, and strengthen the site's attractiveness as a tourism destination. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R. No. 24794 authorizing the City Manager to apply for the Jefferson County Tourism Grant for "Beach/Park on Waterway" - Pleasure Island "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O. Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8182 X FAX 409.983.8294 P. R. #24794 02/09/26 gd - tnr RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING UNDER THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE "BEACH/PARK ON WATERWAY" PROJECT AT PLEASURE ISLAND (LAKEFRONT PARK) WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur is committed to enhancing recreational amenities and quality-of-life opportunities for its residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, Pleasure Island serves as a significant regional destination, providing free and safe public access to boating, sailing, fishing, birding, and other outdoor recreational activities; and WHEREAS, the City desires to further enhance Lakefront Park on Pleasure Island through targeted improvements designed to increase tourism, promote recreational use, and encourage visitor engagement; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Tourism Grant Program provides financial assistance for projects that promote tourism and enhance public amenities within Jefferson County; and WHEREAS, the proposed `Beach/Park on Waterway" project contemplates improvements to Lakefront Park, including the installation of a pickleball court and additional seating benches, which improvements are intended to enhance the visitor experience and attract additional tourism activity to the area; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that submission of an application, as more particularly described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto, for such grant funding is in the best interests of the City and will further the public purpose of promoting tourism, recreation, and economic vitality. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to prepare, execute, and submit all necessary documents to apply for funding under the Jefferson County Tourism Grant Program for the `Beach/Park on Waterway" project at Pleasure Island (Lakefront Park), attached hereto as Exhibit A. Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of , A.D., 2026, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, by the following vote: AYES: (Mayor) Councilmembers: NOES: P. R. #24794 02/09/26 gd Charlotte M. Moses Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: r • Sherri Bellard Roxann Pais Cotroneo City Secretary City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Amti Ronald B y� I717•1 Vey' George Da is, MA, CPM City Manager Director of Pleasure Island APPROVED AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: 406danC )ln ( 0) Lynda(Lyn) Boswell, MA, ICMA-CM Clifton E. Williams, Jr., Director of Finance Purchasing Manager EXHIBIT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kathi Hughes January 21, 2026 409-842-0500 Cell 409-679-2808 DEADLINE: Friday, March 6, 2026 5:00 pm .ik,SON C�G TEXA`� GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COMMITTEE Beaumont: The Jefferson County Tourism Committee is now accepting applications for grants awarded to tourism related projects and events benefiting Jefferson County. Applica- tions are due Friday, March 6, 2026 by 5:00pm and are to be turned in to Kathi Hughes, Director of the Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitors Center. Applications may be obtained by calling 1-866-432-8951 or online at www.ExploreJeffersonCountyTX.com. The application is listed under the "Economic Development" tab. After you click this tab, you will see the "Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds Letter and List of Applications". Please note: New applications (rev. 12-6-24) are now online.. Older versions of applications will not be accepted. All applications must be completed and typed by applicant. Update: Upon award of grant, a signed contract with Jefferson County will be a requirement to receive funds. With the addition of the 2% Jefferson County Hotel Occupancy Tax implemented in October 2001, the county is able to offer grants utilizing these funds. The usage of these funds is limited to use for tourism and other guidelines set forth by the Office of the Attorney General. These grants are awarded bi-annually. The mailing address and other contact information can be found on page 4 of the appli- cation. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for the review process. The person filing the application may be asked to appear before the Tourism Commit- tee. Jefferson County is excited to be able to offer this opportunity to the tourism community and its many partners. Tourism is vital to the ongoing success of our area. Revised 12-6-2024 APPLICATION FOR USE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDS FOR BEACH/PARK ON WATERWAY FUNDING Thank you for your interest in promoting tourism and the hotel industry in Jefferson County through the utilization of county Hotel Occupancy Tax(HOT)funds. The use of HOT funds is regulated by law(Tax Code 352.1033),which limits the use of those funds for the direct enhancement and promotion of tourism AND the convention and hotel industry. In addition,the project must fit into one of the categories listed under section I, subsection B. The following information will be used to determine eligibility I. CRITERIA A. General Information 1. Name of Organization 2. Total Amount of Funds Requested by this Grant 3. Year and months in which funds will be used: 4. Completion date of project B. Categories: (Choose one that best describes project) 1. Clean public beaches 2. Acquire, furnish or maintain facilities, including parks,which enhance public access to beaches. 3. Provide and maintain public restrooms on or adjacent to beach and beach access facilities. 4. Create,renovate,promote, and maintain parks adjacent to bays,rivers, and other navigable waterways if the county does not operate a public beach on the Gulf of Mexico Revised 12-6-2024 Initial Here 1 Revised 12-6-2024 C. Include a Detailed Description of the Project: II. FUNDING RECAP 1. Total current operating budget for beach/park on a waterway meeting the above criteria: 2. Other sources being applied to for funding this beach/park on a water- way including amounts: Revised 12-6-2024 Initial Here 2 Revised 12-6-2024 3. Provide a specific line item description and amount of exact use of funds being requested. Total should match amount being requested. Back up documentation such as bids must be attached. (If more space is needed,please use attachments.) Amount Line Item TOTAL (Must match amount requested on front page) III. MARKETING PLANS A. What type of events/activities is held at the beach/park on a waterway in question which attracts visitors from outside 75 miles of Jefferson County? B. Are there current or planned marketing efforts in place to promote the beach/park on the waterway in question to visitors from outside 75 miles of Jefferson County? Please explain in detail. 3 Revised 12-6-2024 Initial Here Revised 12-6-2024 By signing this application, I, individually and on behalf of my organization, represent and agree that: 1. I have full authority to execute this application on behalf of myself, group, and organization; 2. Any funds allocated out of Hotel Occupancy Tax monies will be used solely in the manner set forth in the award letter; 3. I as a representative and my organization will, within 60 days following the date of my/our project/event,provide a complete and detailed accounting to the Jefferson County Tourism Commission, c/o Kathi Hughes, in such form as may be provided/requested; 4. Failure to provide the report within 60 days and/or to use the allocated monies solely for the purposes for which such funds were awarded shall render me and my group/organization liable for reimbursement to Jefferson County of all such funds,plus reasonable court costs and attorney fees. 5. Please submit a W-9 form with application. Date Name of Organization Representative Completing Form Signature Title Phone Number Federal Tax ID Address E-mail W-9 Attached Name of Second Organization Representative Completing Form Signature Title Phone Number Address E-mail Revised 12-6-2024 Initial Here 4 Revised 12-6-2024 Return Form to: Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitors Center Attn: Kathi Weathington Hughes 5055 IH-10 South Beaumont, Texas 77705 Should you have any application questions or problems with the online forms,please contact Kathi Hughes for assistance at 409-842-0500 or 1-866-432-8951. SPECIAL NOTE: Grants of hotel occupancy tax revenues may statutorily be used only for the promotion of tourism. Expenditure of funds for unauthorized purposes may result in recapture and/or enter into funding decisions in future funding cycles. Revised 12-6-2024 5