14-40.020. Beautification Grant Applicationand Award Process

(1) Purpose. The Department may provide grant assistance for beautification projects in accordance with section 339.2405, F.S., to a local governmental entity or a local beautification council.

(2) Definitions.

(a) “Agreement” means the contract between the Applicant and the Department setting forth the terms of the grant.

(b) “Applicant” means a local governmental entity, as defined in section 11.45(1), F.S., or a local beautification council as established in accordance with section 339.2405(9), F.S.

(c) “Department” means the Florida Department of Transportation.

(d) “Grant” means funds provided by the Department to Applicants, pursuant to this rule chapter.

(e) “Grant Application” means the Beautification Grant Application, Form 650-050-10, Part I and Part II, Rev. 7/17, incorporated herein by reference at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09523 and available on the Department’s website at https://fdot.gov.

(f) “Grant Coordinator” means the Department District employee responsible for the Beautification grant program.

(g) “Beautification Project” means landscapes intended to enhance the attractiveness of facilities on the State Transportation System. Landscapes are installed on state highway right-of-way and may include property owned by a local governmental entity that abuts Department right-of-way, if the property is visible to the state highway system.

(3) Grant Application.

(a) Applicants must submit a grant application to the Grant Coordinator having jurisdiction over the state transportation right-of-way on which the beautification project is proposed.

(b) The grant application deadline is October 1 for each fiscal year. When preparing a grant application, applicants should meet and work with the Grant coordinator beginning three months or more in advance of the deadline, to give adequate time for review and revisions. Any incomplete or late filed applications will not be accepted. Because addendums, corrections, and edits will not be accepted after the application deadline, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a draft application to the Grant Coordinator by September 1.

(c) Applications are to submit applications online. Applicants must contact the Grant Coordinator at least a week before the October 1 deadline for submission to gain access to the online system.

(d) Applicants may submit an unlimited number of grant applications, for any number of project sites.

(e) The applicant’s governing body must have passed a resolution approving the grant application and authorizing the individual who signs the grant application for the applicant to execute agreements and documents associated with the grant. A copy of such fully executed resolution or resolutions must be included with the application.

(f) Applicants are encouraged to either identify themselves as supporting a Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) community under section 288.0656, F.S. or indicate that the project is supported with matching funds or in kind contributions from other sources.

(g) For a beautification grant application to be eligible, the application must be accompanied by a letter of authorization from the appropriate Department District verifying that the proposed landscape project will not be in conflict with the Department’s five year work program or other Department program or activity. To request a letter of authorization, contact the appropriate Department District Landscape Architect on or before August 1 and provide precise location and written conceptual description of the proposed project.

(h) The Department will evaluate grant applications based on the following attributes: aesthetic value, cost effectiveness, feasibility of installation and maintenance, compliance with state and federal regulations, litter prevention, level of local support, context appropriateness, low maintenance, level of impact, and plant palette.

(i) The Department Landscape Architect with input from the Districts, will provide the Department Secretary with a list of prioritized grant applications, with recommended funding levels, and conditions for grant awards.

Rulemaking Authority 339.2405 FS. Law Implemented 339.24, 339.2405 FS. History–New 1-19-99, Amended 11-22-01, 3-20-03, 8-10-03, 12-23-03, 2-8-06, 12-24-08, 12-2-15, 6-21-18.