CHAPTER 210
BEAUTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM
567—210.1(455E) Beautification grant program. A beautification grant program is established in the department, with funds provided pursuant to 2009 Iowa Code Supplement section 455E.11(2)“a”(1) as amended by 2010 Iowa Acts, House File 2525, section 24. Each fiscal year for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2014, not more than $200,000 will be awarded to one entity that meets the eligibility criteria pursuant to rule 567—210.5(455E).
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.2(455E) Purpose. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to a single eligible entity for the development and implementation of a public education and awareness initiative designed to reduce littering and illegal dumping. In addition, the successful applicant must use the moneys to establish a community partnership grant program designed to support community beautification projects, including the deconstruction, renovation, or removal of derelict buildings.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.3(455E) Role of the department. The department is responsible for administering the program and for determining how the funds will be disbursed.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.4(455E) Applications; submission deadlines. Applications shall be submitted on a form provided by the department. With the exception of the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2010, applications shall be submitted no later than the April 1 that precedes the beginning of the fiscal year for which the funding is requested. For the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2010, applications shall be submitted no earlier than May 19, 2010, and not later than June 30, 2010.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.5(455E) Eligibility.
	210.5(1) To be eligible for the beautification grant program, an applicant must have done all of the following:
	a. 	Assisted communities and organizations in cleanup and beautification projects;
	b. 	Conducted research to assist in the understanding of reasons for littering and illegal dumping;
	c. 	Administered antilittering and beautification education programs; and
	d. 	Increased public awareness of the costs of littering and illegal dumping.
	210.5(2) To demonstrate that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, the application must include documentation that shows how the applicant has conducted activities through past or current initiatives for each listed criterion.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.6(455E) Evaluation of applications. The department will evaluate all eligible grant applications submitted in the manner prescribed in the application. In the selection of an applicant for funding, emphasis will be placed on the success and impact of the initiatives set forth in rule 567—210.5(455E) as documented in the application. Eligible applicants must be in compliance with all applicable state and federal statutes and rules.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.7(455E) Rejection of applications. The department may reject an application for reasons that include, but are not limited to:
	1.	The applicant does not meet eligibility requirements pursuant to rule 567—210.5(455E).
	2.	The applicant does not provide sufficient information requested in the application.
	3.	The activities proposed in the application are not consistent with the goals of the program.
	4.	Funds are insufficient to award the grant.
	5.	The applicant has not met the contractual obligations of previous department grant awards.
	6.	The department received the application after the deadline set forth in rule 567—210.4(455E).
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.8(455E) Reduced award. The department reserves the right to offer a grant in an amount less than the amount requested by the applicant if it is determined that the applicant could implement the eligible project at a reduced level of funding and achieve the eligible project objectives and purpose of this program.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.9(455E) Fund disbursement limitations.
	210.9(1) Prerequisites. No funds shall be disbursed until the department has:
	a. 	Determined the total estimated cost of the eligible project;
	b. 	Received confirmation that all required permits or permit amendments have been obtained by the grant recipient as appropriate;
	c. 	Received a commitment from the grant recipient to implement the eligible project; and
	d. 	Executed a written agreement with the grant recipient.
	210.9(2) Public education and awareness initiative limit. Not more than 50 percent of the moneys awarded shall be used for the public education and awareness initiative described in rule 567—210.2(455E).
	210.9(3) Community partnership program limit. Not more than 50 percent of the moneys awarded shall be used for the community partnership program described in rule 567—210.2(455E). The only eligible community partners under this program are cities of 5,000 or fewer in population.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.10(455E) Eligible costs.
	210.10(1) Applicants may request financial assistance in the implementation and operation of eligible projects, which includes, but is not limited to, funds for the purpose of:
	a. 	Development, printing and distribution of educational materials;
	b. 	Planning and implementation of educational forums including, but not limited to, workshops;
	c. 	Expenses directly related to the development, implementation and operation of eligible projects, including administration; and
	d. 	Research and laboratory analysis costs and engineering or consulting fees.
	210.10(2) Additional eligible costs for community partnership programs. For the community partnership program described in rule 567—210.2(455E), eligible costs may also include, but are not limited to:
	a. 	Asbestos abatement and removal.
	b. 	The recovery and processing of recyclable or reusable material from derelict buildings.
	c. 	Reimbursement for purchased recycled content materials used in the renovation of buildings.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.11(455E) Ineligible costs. Grant funds shall not be provided or used for costs including, but not limited to, the following:
	1.	Taxes.
	2.	Vehicle registration.
	3.	Legal costs.
	4.	Contingency funds.
	5.	Proposal preparation.
	6.	Contractual project administration.
	7.	Land acquisition.
	8.	Office furniture, office computers, fax machines and other office furnishings and equipment.
	9.	Costs for which payment has been or will be received under another federal, state or private financial assistance program.
	10.	Costs incurred before a written agreement between the applicant and the department has been executed.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
567—210.12(455E) Written agreement and reporting.
	210.12(1) Written agreement. The grant recipient shall enter into an agreement with the department for the purposes of implementing the eligible projects and activities for which financial assistance has been awarded. The agreement shall be signed by an authorized representative of the department and the authorized officer of the grant recipient.
	210.12(2) Report. As a condition of the grant award, the grant recipient shall submit a written report to the department by July 31 following the end of the fiscal year for which the financial assistance was awarded. In addition to any other information required by the agreement, the report shall include information detailing the expenditure of all moneys received by the organization under this agreement and the results achieved through the expenditure of the moneys. Final reports are considered part of the public record.
	210.12(3) Termination. The department may terminate the agreement and seek the return of any funds released under the agreement for failure of the grant recipient to perform pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreement.
	210.12(4) Amendments. Amendments to the agreement may be adopted by mutual written consent by the department and the grant recipient.
These rules are intended to implement 2009 Iowa Code Supplement section 455E.11(2)“a”(1) as amended by 2010 Iowa Acts, House File 2525, section 24.
[ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]
[Filed Emergency ARC 8844B, IAB 6/16/10, effective 5/19/10]