2022 Grant Application

1Basic Information

2Project Description

3Letter of Commitment

4Plans and Public Input

5Needs and Inventories

6Detail Cost Estimates

7Maintenance and Operations

8Timeline

9Government Partnerships/Contributions

10Previous Grants

11ADA Benefits

Thank you for applying for the FY 2022-2023 Grant Application Round #23.

It's our mission to provide grants to improve, restore and expand local parks and recreation programs in St. Louis County municipalities.

Please submit your application no later than FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 at 4:00 PM.

The Commission reserves the right to (1) modify its procedures, standards, and policies without prior notice and without the consent of applicants or others, (2) reject any and all applications as the Commission may determine to be appropriate and (3) reject projects that do not demonstrate a reasonable cost/benefit to St. Louis County citizens.

Before you apply, please carefully read the following notes to save yourself time and streamline the application process.
- Pass your city council resolution no more than 6 months prior to the application deadline (8/26/22)
- Changes or material additions to your submitted application are not allowed after the due date
- You may submit the application at least one week early and request an unofficial preliminary review
- Attendance at a pre-application workshop is worth 1 or 2 points
- Estimates must reflect bids, quotes, or vender sheets dated within 180 days and MUST BE submitted with application. The work papers or bids used to complete the cost estimate sheet must be included.
- In-kind funding is an estimate of hours and labor rates as well as equipment charges (no administrative time allowed).
- If you have a dedicated funding source for park maintenance, it must be described in the application. If you do not have a dedicated source, then provide a copy of the park maintenance budget
- Items installed using Municipal Park Grants on school property must be listed on inventory list.
- A land appraisal completed within 9 months prior to application deadline is required if purchasing land. A signed purchase agreement must be submitted with the application for grant approval.
- Label attachments: upload attachments to the application to insure they are scored properly. All application documents must be submitted together at one time as a PDF
- Reimbursement for professional fees shown near the bottom of the cost estimate sheet is limited to 9% of the project costs (not the grant amount) for bidding and 6% for supervision.
- Cost estimates are most accurate if you seek bids, including those that may be informal. It is very important to research the costs. If your estimates are inadequate, you will either have to pay the difference or may have to forfeit the grant later on. You may not be able to fund all items you request so list the most important items first. Be specific when listing items. We need sizes and quantities along with their prices so we can check them when the project is complete
CHECKLIST

Please be sure to have the following required documents or details prepared before you begin the application:
- Recent pictures of previously funded projects. Applications are incomplete without clear, labeled, COLOR pictures, ideally with a recent date imprinted on the pictures
- Project Description with detailed drawing of the park
- Park Master Plan, Meeting Minutes and other documentation of public input showing support for the project. Highlight proof of public input so it can be easily identified
- Inventory Spreadsheet.(Include Inventory an Inventory Spreadsheet for each city if submitting joint application)
- Detailed Cost Estimates prepared within 180 days of the application deadline with an outlined scope of work
- Project/Program Timeline without page breaks
- City Resolution of Support from Governing Body passed within the 6-month period prior to the grant application deadline
- Detailed plan for future care (both budget line item and staff assignments)
- Each attachment must be labeled to show the items in the application which they relate to
- If buying, leasing, or sharing land owned by another party, a written agreement or purchase agreement signed by the owner must be included. Please contact the Commission staff if anticipating a land purchase
- If your project is dependent on buying, leasing or sharing land owned by another party (e.g., a school district), you must submit a written agreement or purchase agreement signed by the owner proving that the city may use the land, the length of time for use, any limits on its use, and responsibilities for maintenance
- If this is a joint application with another city, 5% cash or in-kind support must be pledged, and each city must include a letter committing to sign an intergovernmental agreement to support the betterment of the project. Attach the letter if this is a joint project
NOTES ON PAYMENT

Municipalities are to pay contractors and will be reimbursed. You must enter into an agreement with the Commission before beginning any work on your grant project. The agreement scope will list the only items from your application that the Commission will fund. THESE ITEMS CANNOT CHANGE AFTER A GRANT IS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION, AND POSSIBLE RE-BIDDING. After completion of the project Grantees are expected to pay the project invoices, and then seek reimbursement. In hardship circumstances rare exceptions may be made to make two reimbursements in one round for a municipality. This should be requested in writing when the grant is submitted.

MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN THE SAME ROUND

A request for funding for multiple projects that are very similar (for example, replacing two playgrounds in two different parks) may be submitted using one application. A separate cost sheet should be submitted for each project. Clarify with us prior to completing application. Whenever multiple cost sheets or multiple applications are submitted, you must indicate the priority of each in the application it the event that only one is funded. The application with the higher score may yield less funding than your application with a lower score, depending on the amounts requested in each. No more than the population cap maximum will be awarded to any one municipality during any grant round.

GRANT CRITERIA

The Commission considers the following criteria when awarding grant funds:
- The population of municipalities within the county
- The level of intergovernmental cooperation on grant requests
- The amount of grant funds provided to specific municipalities in prior years
- The park and recreation needs in the municipality requesting the grant.
QUESTIONS?

An applicant may seek information by contacting: Municipal League of Metro St. Louis 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 410 Richmond Heights, MO. 63117 Phone: (314) 726-4747 Fax: (314) 726-1520 E-mail Address: staff@stlmuni.org www.muniparkgrants.org

Important Note: You must complete the entire first page and continue to the second page before clicking Saving to receive your link to continue working on the saved application.
Municipality*
County Council District
Contact*

Person to contact for Application questions.
Phone*
Phone number of person to call about Application questions
Email*

Email of person to send questions about application.
Fax
Fax number of person to contact about Application
Address

Address of primary contact to forward application information
Project Manager
Phone
Project Manager phone number
Email

Project manager email
Fax
Project manager fax number
Park Name
Park Address
Estimated project cost
Grant funding requested
Municipality population
- 0 – 2,000 (cap grant - $300,000)
- 2,001 – 5,000 (cap - $350,000)
- 5,001 – 9,000 (cap - $410,000)
- 9,001 – 16,000 (cap - $465,000)
- 16,001 – 27,000 (cap - $525,000)
- 27,001 & up (cap - $575,000)
Project Type
- Property Acquisition
- Construction/Development

Save and Continue Later

Project Title and Description
Provide a title for the project followed by a description of the project. Describe the project as if writing a news release. Be specific. Describe the proposed project or program in as much detail as known and explain your community’s need for this project/program. Include projects that:
- Are new and do not already have complete financial support or pledge of support. Grant funds must support something not likely to have funding now or in the near future from another source
- Have real community support
- Have accurate bids or estimates
- Can be done in 18 months from date of approval
- May have public partners, or private or city match
If only partial funding is approved, will your community be able to carry this project/program forward?
- Yes
- No
If yes above, describe how you will proceed with partial funding
In limited circumstances where a hardship is shown, an alternative reimbursement schedule may be approved. Does the City have appropriate funds to pay all project cost prior to reimbursement?
- Yes
- No
If no above, describe the financial hardship
If no above, please attach Current and Last Year’s City Budget
Max. file size: 256 MB.
If you have previously provided a copy of a Master Plan or are attaching a new Master Plan, list the master plan title, year adopted and pages referencing the project. If you have an updated Site Plan attach the document below.
Master Plan Title
Year Master was adopted
Page Number
Attach Master Plan or Site Plan
Accepted file types: pdf, ppt, docx, pptx, doc, jpg, png, jpeg, Max. file size: 500 MB.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step in order for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.
Describe any upgrade request.
Pre-Application Workshop 0 - 2 points.
- Workshop 1: Wednesday, June 8th - Brentwood Community Center
- Workshop 2: Thursday, June 9th - Ferguson Community Center
- Workshop 3: Wednesday, June 15th - Maryland Heights Recreation Center
If an elected municipal official or staff person attends, 2 points will be awarded. If a consultant attends on behalf of an applicant, 1 point will be awarded.
Person who attended and location of workshop

*Professional Consultants retained by the city qualify for attendance points provided consultants identify the cities they represent at the workshop

Save and Continue Later

If your municipality or any non-public partner (Kiwanis Club, sports league) will be providing in-kind donations or a monetary contribution of at least 5% of the costs of items in Parts 1 and 3 of Cost Estimate Sheet:
- 0 points - No meaningful match
- 1 point - 5% cash or in-kind match
Match items must be associated with Cost Estimate Sheet. If match is from a donor a letter of commitment must be submitted with the application.

If utilizing in-kind labor as part of a match, include listing of hours, labor rates, and equipment charges if applicable (administrative time is not an eligible match item, nor is existing city land).
Attach Letter of Commitment from non-public partner
Max. file size: 256 MB.
Include a letter of commitment from the donor. If utilizing in-kind labor as part of a match, include a listing of hours and labor rates, as well as equipment charges if applicable. This figure must be included on the Cost Estimate Spreadsheet. Your administrative time is not an eligible match item, nor is existing city land.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.
Describe Match

The matching funds or in-kind contribution may come from the city, private individuals, community groups, etc. Other governmental agencies should be listed as a PUBLIC PARTNER (under a Governmental Partnerships section - see ahead). Other government funds (ex: federal funds, state, county, school district, GRG) will be considered for points under governmental partner contributions on the Cost Estimate Sheet. If contributions are listed on the Cost Estimate Sheet, the improvements must be installed prior to reimbursement.

Save and Continue Later

This section covers public support for the project.
New Project
- 0 points – No plan and limited discussion by city beyond resolution authorizing submittal of grant application.
- 1 point – Documentation (minutes, survey results, etc.)
- 2 points –Documentation of involved public discussion on project details AND Professional Plan outlining project details.
- 2 points –Projects for new facilities, change in use, etc. require substantial public input for 2 points.
Rehab Project
- Repair/replacement projects will be awarded 1 point; an additional 1 point may be awarded if applicant can demonstrate need/support though public input, or documentation in Master Plan.
In order to receive these points, relevant documents must be included with the application. If public input was noted in a formal plan, attach copies of relevant pages of Master Plan with this application.
Master Plan Title
Year Completed
Page Number
Upload Master Plan
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, tif, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.
Describe plan/public input

Please provide a concise and focused description that demonstrates public support for your plan. (ex: meeting minutes). (Minor meetings or limited discussion or contacts with few users are not likely to generate points).
Attach plans / public input documentation
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png, tiff, gif, Max. file size: 1,000 MB.

Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.
Additional plans / public input documentation
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png, tiff, gif, Max. file size: 256 MB.
If you have additional plans or documentation, please attach them here.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.

Save and Continue Later

(Administrator Only: 1 to 4 points will be assigned based on the information and needs on the Directions Page.)
Directions: Once you have added the inventory for a park or facility, click the (+) symbol submit the data. Multiple facilities and parks can be entered.
Recreational Facilities Inventory
Name of Facilities and Park Acreage Athletic Fields Outdoor Courts Play/Spray Grounds Picnic Shelters Trails (in miles) Aquatic Facilities Rec Centers Golf Courses Ice Rinks

Needs are determined by evaluating the existing facilities per capita.
Don't forget:
- Did you count all County Parks in your municipality?
- Did you count all State Parks and State Properties in your municipality?
- Did you count schools with previous commission-funded amenities?
- Did you take into consideration changes from Previous Inventories?
Acreage Total
Athletic Fields Total
Outdoor Courts Total
Play/Spray Grounds Total
Picnic Shelters Total
Trails Total
Aquatic Facilities Total
Rec Centers Total
Golf Courses Total
Ice Rinks Total
CHECKLIST
- Did you count all County Parks in your municipality?
- Did you count all State Parks and State Properties in your municipality?
- Did you count schools with previous commission-funded amenities?
Changes from Previous Inventories
Did you explain any number of changes from previous inventories submitted to the Commission compared to current application?

Save and Continue Later

The Cost Estimate sheet is essential to a successful project. Please be sure that the correct box is used for each source of funding and that the numbers add up correctly. Complete a detailed cost estimate of the project/program describing the number and dimensions of items to be purchased, built or rehabilitated.
If seeking 5% In-Kind match for 1 point, please include specific breakdown of hourly labor rate, number of hours, equipment charges, or other pertinent figures. Please list below the source(s) used to complete the Cost Estimate sheet. Attach vendor sheet, quotes, or bids to the Cost Estimate sheet dated no more than 180 days prior to the application deadline. If property is being acquired, list the current owner(s) and provide a signed agreement to purchase it (possibly contingent on the receipt of this grant). Check with city attorney, if necessary, before proceeding.
- 0 points - Blank, incomplete, or inconsistent
- 1 point - Demonstrates background information for estimates or informal proposals that agree with project in a reasonable way.
- 2 points - Written proposals with itemized costs prepared within 180 days of the application due date and that agree with estimates completed by contractors, architects, or engineers. If planning or design firm completed application, data used to produce estimates must be included and attributed to the source indicate if updating previous documents or master plans.
Part 1: Grant Items
May be funded up to 100%
Grant Items ($)
Grant Item Grant Request City/Private Match Monetary City/Private Match In-Kind Public Partner Monetary Public Partner In-Kind

Please enter dollar amounts in each field. Do not include the currency ($) symbol.
Grant Request Total
City/Private Match Monetary Total
City/Private Match In-Kind Total
Public Partner Monetary Total
Public Partner In-Kind Total
Part 2: Aesthetic Items
Aesthetics (fancy signs, extensive landscaping, elaborate masonry work, decorative fencing, ornamental lighting, etc.) may be funded at 50% (only 50% of costs should be listed on Cost Estimate Spreadsheet).
Aesthetic Items ($)
Aesthetic Item Grant Request City/Private Match Monetary City/Private Match In-Kind Public Partner Monetary Public Partner In-Kind

Please enter dollar amounts in each field. Do not include the currency ($) symbol.
Grant Request Total
City/Private Match Monetary Total
City/Private Match In-Kind Total
Public Partner Monetary Total
Public Partner In-Kind Total
Part 3: Professional Fees
Professional fees apply to 15% of the total project cost, NOT the grant amount. May be funded up to 9% for architect design (services needed to secure bids including planning, preparation of drawings, construction & bid documents, MSD and soil testing). May be funded up to 6% for post-bid award construction management - ie: architectural and engineering services to ensure the integrity of a project and provide project management, including oversight and implementation, when those tasks are not done with city personnel. Costs for simple project oversight will not be approved. Make sure the consultant is appropriate for the project.
Professional Fees Architect
Architect Items ($)
Architect Item Grant Request City/Private Match Monetary City/Private Match In-Kind Public Partner Monetary Public Partner In-Kind

Please enter dollar amounts in each field. Do not include the currency ($) symbol.
Grant Request Total
City/Private Match Monetary Total
City/Private Match In-Kind Total
Public Partner Monetary Total
Public Partner In-Kind Total
Professional Fees Site Management
Management Items ($)
Management Item Grant Request City/Private Match Monetary City/Private Match In-Kind Public Partner Monetary Public Partner In-Kind

Please enter dollar amounts in each field. Do not include the currency ($) symbol.
Grant Request Total
City/Private Match Monetary Total
City/Private Match In-Kind Total
Public Partner Monetary Total
Public Partner In-Kind Total
Grand Totals
Total Grant Request
City/Private Match Monetary Grand Total
City/Private Match In-Kind Grand Total
Public Partner Monetary Grand Total
Public Partner In-Kind Grand Total
Total Project Cost
Upload Bids and Supporting Documents
Be sure to clearly label and date each document. Do not forget to figure in materials, delivery, site preparation, utility relocation or installation, labor (if to be done by contractors), capital costs and other necessary costs to successfully complete the work. You will be best served by securing bids.
When estimating costs, contractors responding to your requests for bids may be a good source of expertise. Please remember that costs may not be actually incurred for a year or more, and you will need to consider some inflationary percentage in your estimate. If your estimates are lower than the final costs, the Commission will not provide additional funds but will expect the grantee to complete the project with municipal or other funds without reducing the scope of the project.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step in order for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, tiff, png, jpg, Max. file size: 256 MB.

Save and Continue Later

Provide copy of the park maintenance budget. If project is on another property, submit agreement that describes BOTH maintenance and commitment to for public use for life of project.
- 0 points - No plan
- 1 point - Detailed operational plan OR budget with line item dedicated to park and recreation services. Line item demonstrates allocation for maintenance and operations.
- 2 points - BOTH an operational plan (budget spreadsheet) and revenue spending plan as described above. (2/17)
B. If this is a NEW PROGRAM, how will the program be funded in future years?
- 0 points - No plan
- 1 point - Hope to use city staff to continue program
- 2 points - Plan with identified city revenue to continue program
Describe funding source maintenance / operations:
Include information on who will maintain the project, i.e., city staff, outside contract, estimated annual cost of maintenance, etc.
If you have a dedicated funding source, please describe. Provide documentation of sales tax revenue and a maintenance budget. If you do not have a dedicated source, then provide a copy of the park maintenance budget. If this project is on another property, submit agreement that describes BOTH maintenance and commitment to keep it open for public use for life of project. For example, a park built on school property should contain provisions for who is responsible for maintenance, hours/days it will be open to the public, parking policy (if applicable), etc.
Upload Any Financial and Supporting Operational Documents
Accepted file types: jpeg, pdf, doc, docx, tif, tiff, gif, jpg, png, Max. file size: 2 GB.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step in order for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.

Save and Continue Later

Submit an expected project/program timeline. (If the project cannot be done within one year of award, explain here.)
Think this through! Many projects have been months behind schedule due to poor planning. If you will try to purchase specialized equipment, signs or building material, check on availability before you fill this out. If your plan is conceptual and still needs approval of the Parks Commission and City Council, allow more than a few months for the total project timeline.
You have one year to complete your project! Grant awards are made in the winter with the intent of completing the construction by late fall. It is intended that you finish your grant project within one year of an award or within 18 months if grants from another source or land purchases are involved and cause a longer timeline. Planning now will help you meet this deadline. Grants will not be awarded if applicant has not closed out past grants that are two years old or more unless extraordinary circumstances can be explained and accepted by the Commission. Please keep descriptions less than 200 words.
- 0 points - Incomplete Timeline and Description
- 1 point - Completed Timeline and Description
Finalize Scope & Sign Agreement with Commission
Description
Finalize Bid Documents
Description
Seek Bids
Description
Select Contractor
Description
Begin Work
Description
Monitor Contractor & Enforce Timeline
Description
Pay Contractor
Description
Seek Reimbursement
Description

Save and Continue Later

Resolution
Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, gif, jpg, tif, jpeg, png, tiff, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Attach a copy of the adopted resolution documenting support of the governing body for the Grant application.
Important Note: You must click the Next button at the bottom of this step in order for your upload to process. If you click Save and Continue Later without clicking Next, your document upload will not be processed.

Assistance from governmental partners will help add points for application. The partner's contribution may come from any public source. See the instructions for new scoring provisions for municipal partnerships. The governmental partner(s) funds or in-kind contributions will generate points as follows.

0 points	1-5.99% of the overall project cost
1 point	6-10.99% of the overall project cost
2 points	11-20.99% of the overall project cost
3 points	21-30.99% of the overall project cost
4 points	31-40.99% of the overall project cost
5 points	41-50.99% of the overall project cost
6 points	61-51% or more of the overall project cost

Explain Governmental Contribution

Save and Continue Later

How will this project or program benefit individuals with disabilities? Directions on improvements that meet ADA goals.
- 0 points - Complies with minimum ADA requirements; no special barrier is addressed.
- 1 point - if 50% - 99 % of the project features are ADA compliant
- 2 points - if the project has 100% ADA compliance
Description
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Save and Continue Later

ALWAYS move to the Next Step before clicking “Save and Continue Later” in order to save all of your entries and uploads.

Name of Facilities and Park	Acreage	Athletic Fields	Outdoor Courts	Play/Spray Grounds	Picnic Shelters	Trails (in miles)	Aquatic Facilities	Rec Centers	Golf Courses	Ice Rinks

Grant Item	Grant Request	City/Private Match Monetary	City/Private Match In-Kind	Public Partner Monetary	Public Partner In-Kind

Aesthetic Item	Grant Request	City/Private Match Monetary	City/Private Match In-Kind	Public Partner Monetary	Public Partner In-Kind

Architect Item	Grant Request	City/Private Match Monetary	City/Private Match In-Kind	Public Partner Monetary	Public Partner In-Kind

Management Item	Grant Request	City/Private Match Monetary	City/Private Match In-Kind	Public Partner Monetary	Public Partner In-Kind

Important Note: You must complete the entire first page and continue to the second page before clicking Saving to receive your link to continue working on the saved application.

Part 1: Grant Items

Part 2: Aesthetic Items

Part 3: Professional Fees

Professional Fees Architect

Professional Fees Site Management

Grand Totals