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Lee Wagner, DNR Tracy Scebold, IFA...Tracy Scebold, IFA November 2019. Workshop Goal ... Competitive...
Transcript of Lee Wagner, DNR Tracy Scebold, IFA...Tracy Scebold, IFA November 2019. Workshop Goal ... Competitive...
Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Projects
Introduction
• Lee Wagner, DNR• Tracy Scebold, IFA
November 2019
Workshop Goal• To help you have a successful project!
Workshop Topics
• Program & Application Requirements• Technical Tools Update• P&D and Project Milestone Checklists• Other Funding Programs• Establishment and Maintenance Planning• Success Stories• Q&A Panel Discussion
Background• 2009 Iowa legislation authorized
wastewater utilities to fund Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Projects.
• Funding is achieved by the wastewater utility borrowing from the Clean Water SRF for an infrastructure project + a nonpoint source watershed project.
• The overall interest rate is reduced, allowing the utility to finance two projects for the cost of one.
Background• Watershed Approach – what are
the problems and issues
• Protecting Water Resources –what water bodies are important to the local area
• What Can be Done – what practices can have an effect
Background• Project must address
nonpoint source pollution on a watershed basis:
– Starts with watershed assessment
– Ends with identifying possible practices to address water quality problems in watershed
Background• Qualified applicants – wastewater
utility/city with SRF project in the planning phase
• Wastewater utility/city must work with a watershed organization:– Iowa Department of Agriculture and
Land Stewardship (IDALS)– Soil and Water Conservation District– County Conservation Board– Watershed Management Authority– Others
Application Process• Competitive application process
• Applications accepted twice each year– March 1 and September 1
• Application materials are online at: http://www.iowasrf.com/about_srf/sponsored_projects_home_page.cfm
• READ the materials carefully
• Cover all the requirements– Only complete applications will be considered
Application Requirements• Pre-application conference call
– Must be conducted by December 20, 2019 for March applications – Contact Lee Wagner at #515-725-0992 or [email protected]
• Watershed Assessment
• Consultation with technical advisors– Project development, planning and design– Site visit
• Engagement with other partners– Urban Conservationists
Application Review• Only complete applications reviewed
• Involve technical advisors
• Ranked and scored, if necessary– Iowa Admin Code 567-91.8 Project Priority
Rating System
Project Awards• Applicants notified if funded and at what level
– Request > $1M capped at $1M until all applications for the fiscal year have been considered.
• Quarterly Intended Use Plan (IUP) update– Public comment
• Recommendations presented to Environmental Protection Commission (EPC)– September deadline – December EPC approval– March deadline – June EPC approval
Recommended vs FinalMaximum amount allowed for sponsored project = whichever is less:
A. 10% of the amount of the wastewater loan request at the time of the sponsored project application
B. 10% of the FINAL amount drawn on the wastewater loan
C. The calculated amount determined by the reduction of the interest rate by up to 1%.
Recommended vs FinalEXAMPLE 1:
–At time of sponsored project application, the wastewater loan request amount is $2,000,000–Final amount drawn on wastewater loan is $1,800,000
–How much is available for the sponsored project?
$180,000
Recommended vs FinalEXAMPLE 2:
–At time of sponsored project application, the wastewater loan request amount is $2,000,000–Wastewater loan amount increases to $2,200,000, which is all drawn
–How much is available for the sponsored project?
$200,000
Recommended vs FinalEXAMPLE 3:
–$200,000 is recommended amount and city draws full amount of wastewater loan–City makes first principal payment on the wastewater loan before executing a sponsored project amendment
–How much is available for the sponsored project?
Amount is reduced each year – check with IFA!
Project Initiation MeetingThe DNR project manager will schedule a project initiation meeting with all the parties involved. The participants will discuss:
• Technical requirements and standards for the project• Schedules for the wastewater and sponsored projects• SRF requirements• Any permitting requirements (e.g. flood plain, Corps)• 28E agreements (as needed) • Budgets and financing arrangements• Any other project issues
Project Milestone Checklist• THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT! – Your
project roadmap
Project Initiation Packet• Frequently Asked Questions• Design checklists• Information on maintenance requirements• Flood Plain permit determination• SRF front-end documents• Bid document checklist• Loan amendment application
Final Plans and Specs• After approval of 60% plans and specs
• SRF Front-End Specifications– Must be included in the plans and specifications– The packet includes several forms that must be filled out by
the bidders and returned with the bids
• Approved by DNR and Technical Advisor
Bidding and Construction• Applicant identifies the lowest responsive bidder
• Submits bid document packet to SRF– The packet materials are identified in the “Bid Checklist for
Applicants.”
• DNR Project Manager reviews docs for eligibility and compliance with federal requirements
• Concurrence with the bid award
Pre-Construction Meeting
• Held with the contractor
• Invite the technical advisor assigned to your project
Construction - Inspections• The technical advisor may
conduct interim inspections during construction
• A final inspection by the technical advisor and DNR project manager is required
Construction Financing• After bids are approved, the wastewater utility must
submit a loan amendment application to include the sponsored project costs
• The applicant works with bond counsel to schedule and hold a public hearing and pass a bond resolution
• IFA will provide a debt service schedule
Construction Financing• All SRF loan proceeds are disbursed
after the borrower incurs costs– Disbursements are made weekly
• Sponsored project costs and invoices must be submitted separately from the wastewater project and clearly labeled
• All change orders must be submitted for approval
Eligible Costs• Construction costs• Legal and Bond Counsel Fees• Design Fees
IF IN DOUBT:• Review the sponsored projects manual:
http://www.iowasrf.com/about_srf/sponsored-project-manual/
• Talk to your SRF sponsored projects manager• Call Lee or Tracy!
Project Completion• Celebrate!
– Ribbon-cutting– Demonstrations– News releases– DNR’s Facebook page
• Videos of installations and finished demonstrations have reached millions of users!
Thanks for participating in SRF Sponsored Projects!
Questions?