Pass-Through Grants Journal


DNR Grant Unit Journal for Pass-Through Appropriation Recipients

April 2015

In this Issue

* Grant Fiscal Monitoring

* Fiscal Year 2016 Grant Agreements

* Project Close-out Reminders

Grant Fiscal Monitoring

The DNR Pass-Through Grants Unit is required to conduct grant monitoring in accordance with the Office of Grants Management (OGM) per Policy 08-10. The policy requires all grantees who have projects over $250,000 to be visited on an annual basis. Grantees who have projects between $50,000 and $250,000 will be monitored at least once during the grant period. If your organization has multiple projects, we will do our best to monitor them at the same time.

Monitoring is performed by your Grants Specialist and is done either over the phone (desk review) or by a site visit in person.Topics generally discussed include the reimbursement process, conflict of interest, organization fiscal controls, capital equipment, land purchases and any feedback for the DNR Grants Unit team.

If your Grants Specialist hasn't contacted you yet, they will be soon to let you know what specific documentation they will be reviewing. This will include subcontracting paperwork, bid tabulations, and proof of payment. This will be reviewed prior to the actual monitoring visit (phone or site). These meetings will be done as required before the end of the state's fiscal year, June 30, 2015. 

Fiscal Year 2016 Grant Agreements

The Grants Unit has started to prepare the grant agreement template for fiscal year 2016 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and Outdoor Heritage Fund pass-through appropriation recipients. The agreements will be sent out as soon as possible once the Work and Accomplishment Plans are approved from the respective council and commission. Please know that contract and attachment templates must be reviewed and finalized by multiple parties, and funds encumbered prior to us sending. We thank you in advance for your patience and will send them out as soon as possible.

While we like to minimize changes, there will likely be some necessary updates due to decisions made during session and other updates over the course of the last year. Prior to your contract being sent to you via email, any changes will be highlighted in an overview email. We are here to help!

One change for the FY16 you have already been notified of if you have a restoration/enhancement project is pollinator best management practices developed by the DNR: Habitat restorations and enhancements conducted on DNR lands and prairie restorations on state lands or on any lands using state funds are subject to pollinator best management practices and habitat restoration guidelines pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.973. Practices and guidelines ensure an appropriate diversity of native species to provide habitat for pollinators through the growing season. Current specific practices and guidelines to be followed for contract and grant work can be found here: Link to December 2014 version

Project Close-Out Reminders

There will be several ENRTF and OHF projects that will expire this June 30, 2015. As you prepare to close out your project, here are a few friendly reminders:

Final reimbursement requests cannot be paid until your final report has been approved either from the LSOHC or the LCCMR staff. Please submit these as soon as possible.

All expenses must be incurred on or prior to June 30, 2015 to be eligible for reimbursement. Requests for reimbursement should be submitted within 30 days of the expiration of the grant per the contract.

Thank you for your help in this process!

Grants Unit Contact Information


Amanda Graeber

Grants Manager

651-259-5533

amanda.graeber@state.mn.us

 

Pat Donnell

Grants Specialist Coordinator

651-259-5543

patrick.donnell@state.mn.us

 

Karen Mueller

Grants Specialist Senior

651-259-5559

karen.cibuzar-mueller@state.mn.us

 

Jason Tidemann

Grants Specialist Senior

651-259-5534

jason.tidemann@state.mn.us

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