It is recommended that the City Council:
  
1. Conduct a public hearing under the guidelines set forth by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, Protection of Public Parks and Recreational Lands to allow for the subsurface drilling and extraction of natural gas under Handley Park from an off-site location;
  
2. Find that no feasible or prudent alternatives exist for the subsurface use of Handley Park as proposed;
  
3. Find that the proposed use includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the parkland and that the proposed use will have no impact of the surface of parkland as specified on the attached Exhibit map and as noted in the discussion below; and
  
4. Close the public hearing and authorize approval of the use of the subsurface of parkland for the drilling and the extraction of natural gas at:

• Handley Park - located at 6201 Beaty Street, Mapsco 79H and 80E, south of Greenlee Street, west of Haynie Street and north of Beaty Street and east of East Loop 820.

The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to authorize the use of the subsurface area of Handley Park for the drilling and extraction of natural gas from an off-site location in accordance with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26. No surface of the park property will be disturbed. The City will not abandon the use of or fail to maintain the park. An Exhibit map of the park is attached.

In accordance with State law, the public notice was advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on June 19, 2012, June 26, 2012 and July 3, 2012. An Exhibit map of the property was available for public review for 30 days at the Parks and Community Services Department Administrative offices located at 4200 South Freeway, Suite 2200.

On June 18, 2012, a letter announcing the proposed use was sent to the president of the Handley Neighborhood Association. Signage was posted at the site which noted the proposal, provided instructions and directed comments to the Parks and Community Services Department. Staff will note any public comment received during the Report of City Staff at the Public Hearing.

Handley Park is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.