HomeMy WebLinkAboutA013 - Resolution approving entering into an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for REAP Grant for the Moore Memorial Park Pedestrian Bridge Project in the amount of $200,000ITEM #:16
DATE:11-25-25
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES REAP GRANT FOR THE
MOORE MEMORIAL PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE PROJECT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In 1987, the Moore Family donated 90 acres of land to the City for a community park, known
today as Moore Memorial Park. Ever since the park opened, there has been no direct access
for users to the 40 acres of land west of Ioway Creek. In fact, the 40 acres had been leased to
Iowa State University for farming until 2023. At that time the land was converted from row
crops to prairie that is filled with species that benefit pollinators as well as other native
wildlife.
In an effort to provide access to those 40 acres, staff budgeted funds for a bridge as part of
the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). The City Council approved $75,000 in year one (FY
2025/26) of the current CIP for engineering and design of a bridge to be constructed over
Ioway Creek. Year two (FY 2026/27) of the CIP has $300,000 earmarked for the bridge
construction.
In August, staff submitted a grant application to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program for $200,000 for the
construction of a pedestrian bridge over Ioway Creek. Council approved submittal of the grant
application at its August 12 meeting.
In late October, staff received notification that the City is being awarded the $200,000
grant towards the construction of the bridge. The requested action by Council is to
approve entering into a REAP Grant Agreement with the Iowa DNR.
Based on the topography of Moore Memorial Park and the lack of a suitable crossing over
Ioway Creek on park property, staff has had several meetings with representatives from Iowa
State University to construct the bridge on University property, just south of Moore Memorial
Park on Veenker Golf Course. The University is supportive of providing an easement to City
for this project, pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a resolution to enter into the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP)
grant agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in the amount of
$200,000 towards the installation of a pedestrian bridge over Ioway Creek for the Moore
Memorial Park Pedestrian Bridge Project.
2. Do not enter into a grant agreement at this time.
3. Refer back to staff.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Having access to the entire 90 acres of Moore Memorial Park has long been a goal of
the City. Constructing a bridge is a critical step in making that goal a reality. The REAP
program is made available for projects like this, and the City has been fortunate to
receive multiple grants through this program. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the
City Manager that the City approve Alternative #1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
REAP Development Grant # 26-R4-NT.pdf
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6200 PARK AVE STE 200, DES MOINES IA 50321
Phone: 515-725-8200 www.IowaDNR.gov Fax: 515-725-8201
November 12, 2025
CITY OF AMES
KEITH ABRAHAM
515 CLARK AVENUE
AMES, IA 50010
Re: REAP Grant #: 26-R4-NT, MOORE MEMORIAL PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Dear KEITH ABRAHAM:
Congratulations! Attached please find your organizations Grant Agreement for your Resource
Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant awarded by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Please carefully review the grant agreement, including the Fiscal Year Financial Grant Reporting Section
of your Grant Agreement. Sign and email the Agreement to my attention. A fully executed copy will be
returned to you.
Please start a folder to place all grant and expense documention in. As a reminder, REAP Funds are not
authorized to be used on the construction, maintenance, or associated purchase of equipment for
organized recreational facilities, including, but not limited to, athletic fields (single or multipurpose),
baseball or softball diamonds, tennis courts, golf courses, frisbee golf courses, playgrounds, dog parks,
swimming pools, or splash pads. This exclusion also prohibits the purchase of specialized equipment for
such projects, including, but not limited to, playground equipment, nature playscape equipment, and
bleachers intended for use in these areas.
If you have questions, please contact me at 515-720-2006, kathleen.moench@dnr.iowa.gov.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Moench
Budget and Finance Bureau
Enclosures
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REAP Grant # 26-R4-NT
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
6200 PARK AVE STE 200, DES MOINES, IA 50319
RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT AND PROTECTION FUND
GRANT AGREEMENT-DEVELOPMENT
GRANTEE: CITY OF AMES
PROJECT TITLE: MOORE MEMORIAL PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
CONTACT PERSON/PHONE #: KEITH ABRAHAM 515-239-5349
GRANT AWARD: $200,000.00
DNR CONTACT/PHONE #: Kathleen Moench
kathleen.moench@dnr.iowa.gov
515-720-2006
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this REAP Development Grant Agreement is to enable the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), acting for the State of Iowa, to assist the CITY OF AMES (Grantee) in the
development of land for the enhancement and protection of open space areas.
2. PARTIES/AUTHORITY. The parties to this Grant Agreement are the DNR, an agency of the State of Iowa, and
the CITY OF AMES. The parties make this Grant Agreement pursuant to 1989 Iowa Code Supplement Section
455A.19(1)(a), which authorizes the Natural Resource Commission to spend certain state funds appropriated
for projects to enhance and protect open spaces.
3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LANDS. This Grant Agreement is for your project described as:
CONSTRUCTION OF A 120' BRIDGE OVER IOWAY CREEK TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO WESTERN
SEGMENT OF MOORE MEMORIAL PARK. BRIDGE IS SOUTH OF PARK ON VEENKER GOLF
COURSE. MOORE MEMORIAL PARK IS LOCATED OFF OF NORTHRIDGE PARKWAY AND
RIDGETOP ROAD, CITY OF AMES, STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
4. GRANT AWARD AND REIMBURSEMENTS. The DNR will provide 100 percent of development costs up to a
maximum amount of $200,000.00.
A. An advance reimbursement totaling 90 percent of the grant award may be requested by emailing a
letter of request to the DNR Contact above.
B. Final reimbursement will be processed when the project is completed and the grantee submits a letter
of request along with the following documents to the DNR Contact above:
• proof showing an order for a REAP sign through Iowa Prison Industries to post at the site;
https://www.iaprisonind.com/ipig104-funded-by-reap-w-logo-12x12.aspx
• a legal description of the property for the required Notice of Use Restriction;
• pictures of the completed project;
• copies of billings and canceled checks for 100 percent of the grant award;
• contracted development work requires; a copy of the signed contract, pay estimates, and
contractor’s reimbursement Refund of Sales Tax;
• final report, to include a a couple of paragraphs or description of the completed project and efforts
made to procure goods and services from Targeted Small Businesses (TSBs).
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REAP Grant # 26-R4-NT
5. FISCAL YEAR FINANCIAL GRANT REPORTING. Fiscal Year reporting required by the State. Grantees are required to
send an annual email to the DNR Contact by July 30, providing the total grant expenses for the fiscal year
(July 1 – June 30), and cumulative from the start of the project. The email should include the following
language:
1. REAP Program; Grant #: ____________, Project Title: ______________________________
2. Total Grant Expenditures for the current Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30): $_______________
3. Cumulative Years Grant Expenditures through FY June 30: $________________
“I certify that the above grant expenditures are accurate and have been incurred as of June 30, 20__,
in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement.”
6. RESPONSIBILITIES. The grantee is solely responsible for the project completion as outlined in the project
proposal. The grantee will make a concerted effort to procure goods and services from Targeted Small
Businesses (TSBs) during the performance of this Grant Agreement. The DNR may provide assistance at the
request of the grantee, or at the Director's recommendation.
7. AMENDMENTS. This Grant Agreement may be amended only by written ADDENDA signed and dated by the
DNR Director or the DNR REAP coordinator. Requests for amendments shall be directed to the DNR REAP
coordinator.
8. EFFECTIVE DATE/TERMINATION. This Grant Agreement shall become effective upon approval of the annual
awards by the Director. All work specified in the project proposal will be completed by 12/31/2027.
9. REAP SIGNS. REAP signs are required to be posted at all properties funded by REAP. Signs can be purchased
through Iowa Prison Industries. https://www.iaprisonind.com/ipig104-funded-by-reap-w-logo-12x12.aspx.
10. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: If funds anticipated for the continued fulfillment of this agreement are at any time not
forthcoming or insufficient, either through the failure of the State of Iowa to appropriate funds, or
discontinuance or material alteration of the program under which funds were provided, then the
Department shall have the right to terminate the agreement without penalty.
11. BY signing this Grant Agreement, the grantee agrees to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement
and all documents listed below:
• the REAP “General Provisions” (State Administrative Rules from your application)
Date Alex Moon, Deputy Director
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
KEITH.ABRAHAM@CITYOFAMES.ORG
Email Address Grantee Signature; Mayor or County Board Director
Print Name; Mayor or County Board Director
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REAP Grant # 26-R4-NT
Shaded area for DNR use only
Accounting Department Return Paid Copy to: Kathleen Moench _________________________________________________
Doc #: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
CITY OF AMES
515 CLARK AVENUE
AMES, IA 50010
State ID #: 1st Pymt: ________________________________________________________
Fund/Ag/Org/SubOrg/$: ____________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
REAP PROJECT BILLING – DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Project billings must be accompanied by all required documentation (invoices, canceled checks, deeds, etc.) covering
expenditures included in the billing.
Grant Recipient: CITY OF AMES Project #: 26-R4-NT
Project Title: MOORE MEMORIAL PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Final Billing: Y or N
Use the table below to list your budget items and the expenditures for each item. You should follow the budget items provided with your grant proposal as closely
as possible.
Budget Item Budget
Amount
Expenditures
This Billing
“To Date” Item
Expenditures
Totals
Less Expenditures In Excess of Total Authorized Project Budget:
Total “To Date” Expenditures:
CLAIM REQUEST (__% OF “TO DATE” EXPENDITURES):
LESS PREVIOUS PAYMENTS OF:
TOTAL CLAIM TO BE PAID:
I certify that this billing is correct and just based upon actual payment(s) of record by the grant recipient, and that the
work and services are in accord with the approved grant.
Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Print Name: __________________________________________
Title: ______________________________________________ Email or Phone: __________________
Email signed Billing Form and back up documents to the DNR Contact on the Grant Agreement.
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