Will Board vote to reject $6,000.00 in Grant money?

[Sky Pilot]

Disc Golfers,

My mistake, this meeting of the SDGA Board was not confirmed for 6-21 at 8pm.




Sky Pilot

[BakederThinU]

WoW I don't understand I thought the Club and Board voted on this, and came to the conclusion that the club go forward with this project if the club received the grant.
I thought by submitting the grant application the club was committing to this project I didn't think that we(the Club) had the option to Back Out or reject something that We Asked For as a Club
What was the point of even turning in the application?
what about all the time spent discussing the grant at the club meetings as well as Justin's time composing the grant app.
This would be Very Disappointing

[Sean Johnson]

I sure hope that the board decides to make the right decision here. After all, what possible reason could they have for turning down such an amazing opportunity? Axing this would screw Spokane disc golf over in many ways besides possibly losing $6,000, it would make us look flaky, unreliable, and disingenuous in the eyes of the organization that pretty much has total control over disc golf in the area.

This would be more than disappointing, it would be downright suspicious.

[Parks]

Looks like the meeting isn't tonight. Probably at a later date.

[Sky Pilot]

....Miscommunications....

I got this from Gordy yesterday so I figured the Board was going to meet.

"I will commit to meeting with the board this coming Tuesday at 8:00 in a quiet place with good lighting. The dining room table at my house comes to mind. All of you are welcome."
Gordy

In the past this type of statement has set up a meeting.

Apparently there will be no meeting tonight at 8pm. I found out inadvertently through an e-mail forwarded from Lyle our Secretary. Bob said, "Lyle, all I said in my email was that we need to address this proposal. No one has agreed to meet anywhere or anytime that I'm aware of.

Communications can be difficult.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Sky Pilot

[psychodwarf]

Communications can be difficult

speaking on communication .... I am still waiting on an answer from THE BOARD if its ok to paint over the graffiti on the benchs at downriver but i guess thats gonna take awhile ....:pullhair::waaah:

[Wobbly Bob]

To those of you that saw Jeff's original post on this thread!!

In the process of trying to set up a Board meeting to go over the SPF "Funds Receipt and Management Agreement" a legal document that enters the SDGA into an agreement with the SPF concerning management of non-profit donations made to the SDGA, Jeff made an assumption that the Board was going to reject the agreement.

Jeff suggested we study the document and be prepared to vote on it at the next Board Meeting.

After going over the agreement there are some questions that need to be answered by SPF before I will agree to approve this agreement.

We were using emails trying to organize a Board Meeting, and talking about the few minor issues that are raised by the document and talking about where the club is headed and where it came from and then out of the blue, Jeff THOUGHT that the Board was going to reject the agreement between the SDGA and the SPF.

Nothing in any of the emails going around said anything about rejecting the agreement. The phrase "Will Board vote to reject $6,000.00 in Grant money?" comes from Jeff's own post (that has been conveniently deleted) because he was "sure the Board was going to reject the agreement because of what Gordy wrote in his email."

I believe that this was a blatant attempt to stir the pot and create a problem that was never there. For what reason I do not know!

We will try to set up a Board meeting to address the agreement once again so that we may go forward with the projects at hand.

[LJ Jubner]

Sounds reasonable

[Gordy #21004]

On may 12th 2011, the Parks Foundation presented the SDGA with the grant we applied for. The conditions to be met were presented to the SDGA Board and the Board accepted the conditions with no objections. To complete our acceptance of the terms Jeff signed and returned a 'Grant Award Confirmation Form' on May 15th, 2011. The Foundations promise upon receiving this form was, " when we receive the attached confirmation form that indicates you accept the terms of this grant, we will process the check. ($4,815.00)
We jumped all the hurdles. Now all we need is just 260 hours of volunteer digging. Call Jon and let him know when your blocks of available hours are. Happy Summer. Gordy:chug:

[Dadio!]

Where is said # to 'call Jon'? Want to do my bit to contribute. :-)

[Wobbly Bob]

Where is said # to 'call Jon'? Want to do my bit to contribute. :-)

You may find Jon's number here (http://www.sdga.us/about/).

[Dadio!]

Thanks Bob! Appreciate the help.

[jshrack]

On may 12th 2011, the Parks Foundation presented the SDGA with the grant we applied for. The conditions to be met were presented to the SDGA Board and the Board accepted the conditions with no objections. To complete our acceptance of the terms Jeff signed and returned a 'Grant Award Confirmation Form' on May 15th, 2011. The Foundations promise upon receiving this form was, " when we receive the attached confirmation form that indicates you accept the terms of this grant, we will process the check. ($4,815.00)
We jumped all the hurdles. Now all we need is just 260 hours of volunteer digging. Call Jon and let him know when your blocks of available hours are. Happy Summer. Gordy:chug:

I believe the club still need to submit specific plans to Bressler, unless this has already been done.
He signed off on the grant but insisted that plans be drawn up for each project and reviewed by him prior to breaking ground.

Sorry if this bursts anyone's bubble.

[Wobbly Bob]

The SDGA has agreed to the terms of the Spokane Parks Foundation Grant Fiscal Agreement and the Grant money can now be used for the accessibility project at Highbridge Park Disc Golf Course.

Through this agreement the SDGA has also retained a qualified fiscal agent (The Spokane Parks Foundation) for the acceptance of tax deductible donations from companies, corporations and private parties.

Thanks to all who had a hand in seeing this project through.

[Stimpi]

The SDGA has agreed to the terms of the Spokane Parks Foundation Grant Fiscal Agreement and the Grant money can now be used for the accessibility project at Highbridge Park Disc Golf Course.

Through this agreement the SDGA has also retained a qualified fiscal agent (The Spokane Parks Foundation) for the acceptance of tax deductible donations from companies, corporations and private parties.

Thanks to all who had a hand in seeing this project through.

Whew! I'm glad that finally happened. Now if the money really comes through, that will be great.

[General Scales]

The SDGA has agreed to the terms of the Spokane Parks Foundation Grant Fiscal Agreement and the Grant money can now be used for the accessibility project at Highbridge Park Disc Golf Course.

Through this agreement the SDGA has also retained a qualified fiscal agent (The Spokane Parks Foundation) for the acceptance of tax deductible donations from companies, corporations and private parties.

Thanks to all who had a hand in seeing this project through.

I thought the stipulation to receiving this Grant money was that it had to be used before the end of the year. Am I incorrect in this belief?

[Wobbly Bob]

I'm not exactly sure, but I believe that it is one year from the date of accepting the money.

[jshrack]

The time period for the grant was included in the proposal.
As far as I know it started in June, just after the project was approved.

[BakederThinU]

Originally Posted by Gordy #21004
On may 12th 2011, the Parks Foundation presented the SD GA with the grant we applied for. The conditions to be met were presented to the SDGA Board and the Board accepted the conditions with no objections. To complete our acceptance of the terms Jeff signed and returned a 'Grant Award Confirmation Form' on May 15th, 2011. The Foundations promise upon receiving this form was, " when we receive the attached confirmation form that indicates you accept the terms of this grant, we will process the check. ($4,815.00)
We jumped all the hurdles. Now all we need is just 260 hours of volunteer digging. Call Jon and let him know when your blocks of available hours are. Happy Summer. Gordy

I don't get it gordy posted that June 24th
then Oct.12 Bob post The SDGA has agreed to the terms of the Spokane Parks Foundation Grant Fiscal Agreement and the Grant money can now be used for the accessibility project at Highbridge Park Disc Golf Course.

Through this agreement the SDGA has also retained a qualified fiscal agent (The Spokane Parks Foundation) for the acceptance of tax deductible donations from companies, corporations and private parties.

:confused:didn't The Board already agree to the terms almost four months ago?

if these are not the same thing, why did it take four months for The Board to agree to the next set of terms from the city?

Maybe I have no clue what I'm talking about but this Project should have been Finished in september at the latest.
at least thats what I invisioned
I guess I had higher hopes of SDGA and what could be accomplished I Wish I could have thrown some of my free Labor towards this project.
But it is what... October its going to be snowing in probably a month and it probably wont be nice till maybe late May next year, even in May the ground is still very wet & heavy and not very plesent to dig up:bricks:
Even in june, july and August Tourny season is here.
I hate to say it but I don't see it Happening I truley hope that I'm Proven Wrong.

Hopefully I haven't hurt anyones Feelers(feelings) for what I have said.
But It Is What It Is

[Gordy #21004]

Well for starters their was everyone's vacation they had to take all at different times. Also there was a 1300 word legal document we reviewed that we would have to sign in order to have the grant money disbursed. That prompted a lot of questions the answers to which came in sporadically and in no particular order. Then there was us wrangling over who would be the Club's representative to access the funds. Then there was the Foundation itself informing us they they had to have an internal review concerning how they themselves needed to legally word their own documents .(that cost us about three weeks)
I asked the Foundation for some consideration in the form of an extension to get the project done to which they were agreeable since a great deal of the delay was beyond our control.
But there is an upside: with this qualified fiscal agency now in place, all are encouraged to make tax-deductable donations to the Spokane Parks Foundation in the name of the SDGA. This is a new instrument for us and will live beyond the life of the grant project.With that in mind I'm glad that everyone took the time to make sure that this fiscal agency contract was going to be the right instrument for us.
One potential downside to the grant project itself came out at the meeting with the Park's Manager last nite: The railroad ties that we propose to install at HB Park are not an environmentally suitable material and our options for substitute material are unknown at this time.. My first guess is that it will be alot more expensive, and that our math for doing the project won't pencil out. Perhaps the scope of the project could be scaled down with the Foundation's approval and we would again be good to go. Gordy

[coryreu]

I hate to say it but I don't see it Happening I truley hope that I'm Proven Wrong.



It'll happen.

[tomw]

""It'll happen."":confused: Is this a shovel ready project!!:slapface:
A new coarse in Spokane(valley) would be awesome, imo:drool:

[jshrack]

With all the time and effort our 'club' has recently put into Sekani, why haven't we seen any move forward with our $5000 grant at High Bridge?

Jeff stated that he, Jon, and Jeremy have put in hundreds of hours between them... we could have finished High Bridge by now and we could be applying for a brand new Camp Sekani Grant.

Instead, members of our Club Board decided that approved and planned projects come second to their own personal accomplishments. I don't see High Bridge ever getting done so long as we have a board who pigeon holes it's plans with every new development.

The club has received multiple thousands of dollars but doesn't have the organizational leadership to put it to use.
With the Board circumventing club decisions, undermining club appointed committees, alienating its members, stockpiling cash reserves without any accounting or accountability, and refusing to hold regular meetings... we need a new and reliable way to keep up our courses.

[jshrack]

With all the time and effort our 'club' has recently put into Sekani, why haven't we seen any move forward with our $5000 grant at High Bridge?

Jeff stated that he, Jon, and Jeremy have put in hundreds of hours between them... we could have finished High Bridge by now and we could be applying for a brand new Camp Sekani Grant.

Instead, members of our Club Board decided that approved and planned projects come second to their own personal accomplishments. I don't see High Bridge ever getting done so long as we have a board who pigeon holes it's plans with every new development.

The club has received multiple thousands of dollars but doesn't have the organizational leadership to put it to use.
With the Board circumventing club decisions, undermining club appointed committees, alienating its members, stockpiling cash reserves without any accounting or accountability, and refusing to hold regular meetings... we need a new and reliable way to keep up our courses.

I see a problem but no solution in my post... sorry for that.

Possible Solution: Assign a groundskeeper to each of the sites or courses.

Rather than the Facilities coordinator being responsible for everything in 3 very different settings, one person could help develop each course in a different way.
This would provide an opening to make the three courses into completely different golf experiences.
It would also make sure that the addition and development of Sekani doesn't leave Downriver and High Bridge lacking attention over the next year.

You already have an AM and a PRO working on Sekani... with the possible addition of Tom Schott that site could really turn into something special.
Let PRO/AM teams submit annual course development plans to the Board, vote on the best concept and assign a team to each course, they could be responsible for a variety of tasks. They could also report directly to their fellow golfers to find special skills, assimilate ideas, get input, plan work parties, etc.

[Gordy #21004]

Justin, You can always start with what you have control over. Giving us an accounting of the various weeklies since April would be a good way to go. Also when you find the time could you settle up with the Club about the $1000 we fronted you to start up the Global. I'm sure with your intention to use the start up funds to create benefits for the players and to add to the Club's merchandise inventory that anytime would be a good time to clear the ledger.
I would be happy to discuss any of your questions with you and share any knowledge I have about them with you.
Your Friend and Treasurer, Gordy

[jshrack]

:headbang: Sounds like some people prefer dodging the issue addressed in this thread...

[psychodwarf]

well justin you and jeff wrote the grant .. wheres jeff now ? oh thats right HE WALKED AWAY from it just like most things he starts .. why dont you ask JEFF CRUM WHY we are not working on high bridge .. oh thats right he dont care no more about high bridge OR the SDGA ... IT IS ALL ABOUT JEFF...and yes justin WHERE is the money from the global throwdown or are you going dodge THE ISSUE AS WELL ?:shocked:

[coryreu]

stockpiling cash reserves without any accounting or accountability,

In regards to the Global Throwdown, it seems that some action on your own part should be taken before you should talk any further about the club's accountability or use of it's funds.

[jshrack]

First of all, I wrote the grant with Jon, Jeff, and Derrin... with most of that help coming from Jon.

Second point, Jon was supposed to take on the project once the grant was approved, a major reason for letting him develop the project schedule.

Third note, since the project was officially in the Boards hands, I am asking ALL the members of the board to comment upon this issue, since they are alll involved in the decision, not just Jeff.

Lastly, I am asking Joe not to respond to this thread anymore since he is not apprised of the details in either of the situations he has so rudely commented upon.

Side Bar:
As for the money that Gordy announced was 'donated' to the Global Tourney... I am not really sure what any of the details are. I was not involved in the process of asking the club for this money. I made a very succinct proposal to the board and my proposal was shot down by Gordy and Jaymie before the board approved or denied it (circumventing the charter.) They changed the wording on my proposal and I told them I wasn't soliciting input or alterations; they continued to reword my proposal so I walked out of the meeting.

As a result, I have gotten 4 different stories (from 3 different board members) about what the expectations are for paying back the funds. Until I see the written proposal with specific terms for paying back the funds I will not subject myself to your accusations. Especially since I was not involved in nor did I agree to any of the terms discussed. Once I receive a copy of those terms I will be in much better place to answer your questions in the appropriate setting.

[coryreu]

Side Bar:
As for the money that Gordy announced was 'donated' to the Global Tourney... I am not really sure what any of the details are. I was not involved in the process of asking the club for this money. I made a very succinct proposal to the board and my proposal was shot down by Gordy and Jaymie before the board approved or denied it (circumventing the charter.) They changed the wording on my proposal and I told them I wasn't soliciting input or alterations; they continued to reword my proposal so I walked out of the meeting.


It seems that you got the ball rolling with your proposal, was unwilling to accept a deviation in it's course, and when it didn't go the direction you saw it rolling, you dropped the ball and left it with others to handle it for you. Why would you ever walk out on such a significant issue. The least you could have done after stating you were unwilling to accept any alterations, was take the proposal with you when you walked out the door.

[psychodwarf]

Lastly, I am asking Joe not to respond to this thread anymore since he is not apprised of the details in either of the situations he has so rudely commented upon i can AND will respond to this AND any thread AS A PAID MEMBER of the SDGA i am wondering if YOU were thinking of the CLUB or just yourself when you made the proposal to the CLUB to run this event?

[psychodwarf]

AS FOR THE RUDE COMMENTS .... justin ... why dont you start with NOT putting down the SDGA or the board members because things dont go your way ...

[psychodwarf]

By the way justin .. I was there at the meeting when you asked the club for the money for the tourney .. and your secound post on the 5th has a lot of good points but the president of our club doesnt think he needs to have club members input or advice from board members .. its HIS way or noway.. our president DONT even stay and help on work parties or help put on tourneys. He does a lot of things in the "name of discgolf" just to make him self look better then the rest .. i find it very childish our pres thinks he had to go behind the board`s back and tell everyone HE was the one who made camp sekani happen. When he had gone down 2 MONTHS earlier to PP and TOOK out the baskets himself i thought he was just going to make them better or we were going in with baskets i think it was jeff`s thinking "well i dont play PP so i am going to take the buckets and make a new course " i dont think our current president cares one way or the other about our club ..and justin did you sign a written proposal or did you just TAKE the money and RUN ?:shocked:

[tomw]

Wow nearly 2012 allready. This thread (SDGA)continues to accelerate with the SAME VIGOR it has had for it seems like forever, 6-7 yrs or longer. I have seen ,read,from the boarder line(Idaho) many discussions that, IMO should have been private. Many well intentioned players, (some maybe not so well intentioned) have moved on, quit, resigned, in frustration over issue's in your mini disc golf mecca.
Whats next ???:evilgrin:

[jshrack]

I would like to re-direct the thread back to the posted topic...
You all have my number if you want to reach me.

So... any other ideas about how we can keep Sekani rolling in the right direction while still using the $5,000 High Bridge Grant AND maintaining Downriver?

We have amazing people doing amazing work. How can we gain more public support and involvement while focusing that work in a positive and constructive manner?

I put forth two ideas and got diatribes in return, would anyone like to move forward with some ideas or input? :whistler:

[Wobbly Bob]

Justin, just to keep you up to date. The Spokane Park's Dept. representative told the SDGA Board just two weeks ago that we may not use railroad ties for the project at Highbridge. The reason stated was toxic runoff from the RR ties. We will have to use pressure treated 4X6's in place of the RR ties. This is going to increase the cost of the project substantially. We are looking into finding the best deal on PT 4X6's to try and keep the costs within the amount that we were granted.

[jshrack]

Justin, just to keep you up to date. The Spokane Park's Dept. representative told the SDGA Board just two weeks ago that we may not use railroad ties for the project at Highbridge. The reason stated was toxic runoff from the RR ties. We will have to use pressure treated 4X6's in place of the RR ties. This is going to increase the cost of the project substantially. We are looking into finding the best deal on PT 4X6's to try and keep the costs within the amount that we were granted.

Odd since Bressler was ok with it... but oh well, that is a good thing to consider.:dancing:

I don't think the lumber needs to be that big, RR ties were just the least expensive concept we considered and the size worked.
With the limitations on what work CAN be done, 2x4's, 4x4's, and other smaller pieces of lumber would probably do the job fine...
Anyway, it seems like this is a MINOR setback since no supplies have been purchased nor plans drawn.

[LJ Jubner]

So when the grant was submitted where there actual ideas or just asking for the cash?

The Lumber is for erosion control issues right?

Well wood will last exactly two sesons for this purpose and then will need to be replaced. Is there some metal application that would do the job? I realize it's more expensive and therefore the project will need to be scaled back but it's still feasible.


Can the P/R offer any other ideas concerning erosion control. Plants would be best but they won't last long enough to grow.

[coryreu]

no supplies have been purchased nor plans drawn.

Go buy a grands worth of rebar.

[Burge]

Well wood will last exactly two sesons for this purpose and then will need to be replaced.

Pressure treated wood that is rated for 'ground contact' will last a heck of a lot longer than 2 seasons. The work that was done on the trail from #4 to #5 at Downriver was done with PT G/C lumber... and that was 3 or 4 years ago...hasn't fallen apart yet:chinscratch:.

The real issue is that it will definitely be much more than R/R ties. What about stone? Basalt? I've built a few retaining walls with basalt and crushed stone. Granted, not as easy to work with as lumber, but the results are far more durable and blend better with the environment. More to the point; there are plenty of places around Spokane to score truckloads of free basalt. :whistler: Really. My favorite spot is on the side of the road in between Sunset Hwy and Wheelabrator.

Where is the majority of the 'erosion control' work needed? I would imagine the stairs leading down from #15 ...maybe establishing a stepped trail down from the #18 tee? Either one could be accomplished with a combination of basalt and PT timbers if level steps are desired; still reducing cost. The city has mountains of 3/4"minus (like the truckload they provided for the parking lot at Downriver), surely we could talk them out of another truckload for Highbridge.

Sorry if this idea has already been thrown around the table and kicked off...just trying to offer a working alternative.

[LJ Jubner]

wood ground wet frozen heat and use will all speed up the decomposition.

I do like the alternative you offered.

[jshrack]

Pressure treated wood that is rated for 'ground contact' will last a heck of a lot longer than 2 seasons. The work that was done on the trail from #4 to #5 at Downriver was done with PT G/C lumber... and that was 3 or 4 years ago...hasn't fallen apart yet:chinscratch:.

The real issue is that it will definitely be much more than R/R ties. What about stone? Basalt? I've built a few retaining walls with basalt and crushed stone. Granted, not as easy to work with as lumber, but the results are far more durable and blend better with the environment. More to the point; there are plenty of places around Spokane to score truckloads of free basalt. :whistler: Really. My favorite spot is on the side of the road in between Sunset Hwy and Wheelabrator.

Where is the majority of the 'erosion control' work needed? I would imagine the stairs leading down from #15 ...maybe establishing a stepped trail down from the #18 tee? Either one could be accomplished with a combination of basalt and PT timbers if level steps are desired; still reducing cost. The city has mountains of 3/4"minus (like the truckload they provided for the parking lot at Downriver), surely we could talk them out of another truckload for Highbridge.

Sorry if this idea has already been thrown around the table and kicked off...just trying to offer a working alternative.

:cheers:

[Wobbly Bob]

On Oct. 18 the Board met with Bressler. Besides being given the go ahead for Camp Sekani we were also told that RR Ties were unacceptable to use at Highbridge Park because of toxic runoff. He stated that the landings at Highbridge would have to constructed like the landings at the scenic view overlook across Latah Creek up in Brown's Addition. Gordy went and checked this area out and I was told that the Brown's Addition Overlook was built with PT 4X6,s filled with gravel. We are setting up a meeting with Bressler to see if we can get 4X6's from the Parks Dept.

We will not be allowed to build straight runs of stairs, but rather runs of platforms going up the hills.

[Wobbly Bob]

So when the grant was submitted where there actual ideas or just asking for the cash?

The Lumber is for erosion control issues right?

Well wood will last exactly two sesons for this purpose and then will need to be replaced. Is there some metal application that would do the job? I realize it's more expensive and therefore the project will need to be scaled back but it's still feasible.


Can the P/R offer any other ideas concerning erosion control. Plants would be best but they won't last long enough to grow.

The grant specified RR Ties. PT wood in contact with the ground will last a lot longer in Spokane than in the Seattle area. Much less moisture here.

[Wobbly Bob]

Pressure treated wood that is rated for 'ground contact' will last a heck of a lot longer than 2 seasons. The work that was done on the trail from #4 to #5 at Downriver was done with PT G/C lumber... and that was 3 or 4 years ago...hasn't fallen apart yet:chinscratch:.

The real issue is that it will definitely be much more than R/R ties. What about stone? Basalt? I've built a few retaining walls with basalt and crushed stone. Granted, not as easy to work with as lumber, but the results are far more durable and blend better with the environment. More to the point; there are plenty of places around Spokane to score truckloads of free basalt. :whistler: Really. My favorite spot is on the side of the road in between Sunset Hwy and Wheelabrator.

Where is the majority of the 'erosion control' work needed? I would imagine the stairs leading down from #15 ...maybe establishing a stepped trail down from the #18 tee? Either one could be accomplished with a combination of basalt and PT timbers if level steps are desired; still reducing cost. The city has mountains of 3/4"minus (like the truckload they provided for the parking lot at Downriver), surely we could talk them out of another truckload for Highbridge.

Sorry if this idea has already been thrown around the table and kicked off...just trying to offer a working alternative.

I believe that the spots that were intended to receive accessibility trails were;



from #2's tee to #2's basket
from #3's basket to #4's tee
from #6's tee to #6's fairway
from #7's basket to #8's tee
from #9's tee to #9's basket
from #14's basket to #15's tee
from #15's tee to #15's fairway
from #18's tee to #18's basket


We must get away from thinking of stairs (stairs built in parks must have handrails) when we build these accessibility trails and start thinking about ramp type trails with platforms. While basalt was not mentioned in the grant I don't see why it couldn't be incorporated into the design, especially along ramp type trails.

[Gordy #21004]

The grant as written includes a big truckload of gravel for which $3oo is allocated. If Park OPS will give us a truckload it will definitely save us some money. G.

[LJ Jubner]

Lets all agree
Just because Justin *ONLY wrote it does not mean he has quit on it. He just knows what strengths he brings to the table and one thing is for sure we have plenty of other labor to motivate. They just need a cause

Any wood materials projects are short term solutions.

That this is an instance that can be used in DG behalf. By changing materials for good reasons why shouldn't we press for a more permanent solution. Calling it "the next step's" in committing to permanently keep DG in Spokane parks.

Ask your agent how best to approach this (Like can they protect the funds pending resubmission). before you go to the parks.

Was the grant for materials only (free labor). would donated materials sweeten the deal?

A good idea for the club to show some financial philanthropy
Ask if the materials can be switched verbally? by addendum? or resubmission?
If not because of grant paperwork (now this will sound weird but)

ask what happens to the grant money if it goes unused?
ask how to return grant money?

Both these would be followed up with the stipulation that it will be resubmitted and show the change in materials was why the grant execution has been delayed or exceeded time limit

here is a dumb question; If they had actually read the proposal would the people approving the grants know the RR ties were going to fail?

possible solution when submitting proposals in the future word the materials part like "best application" or "environmentally sound" would be the key words to include if not both.

* If ANYONE ELSE posses these types of skills please don't keep them a secret
AND PLEASE DON'T PISS OFF THE ONES WHO DO.(STUCK SHIFT KEY)

[jshrack]

Thankfully, the Grant was submitted with a very ambiguous materials list.

The main costs associated with the project were the REBAR and the RR ties. Both of these materials were tentatively submitted with the knowledge that Bressler would have final say based upon cost, environmental concerns, and specific application.

As a result, the grant will not need to be re-submitted.
The final project plans will need to be approved by Bressler before anything is started though.
These final plans should include: a design, materials, volunteer hours associated, donated materials, positive community impact, etc.

We were given a ONE YEAR completion period from when our grant was approved. Any funds that are not used within that year they are forfeit. Thankfully, the Parks Foundation has given us an avenue to ask for a possible extension.

[psychodwarf]

here is a dumb question; If they had actually read the proposal would the people approving the grants know the RR ties were going to fail?
its not a qusetion of the RR ties FAILING its that they are not good for the ground or the water underground. RRties are soaked in oil and even the RR companys are removing them because EPA has told them to replace them .

Any wood materials projects are short term solutions.
jub .. you really need to come down and look and some wood materialsthat have lasted a while besides having a wood product also helps the ground its buried in .