Portland City Council will vote Wednesday whether to apply for $7.2 million in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The money would be used to increase disaster resilience via project planning, solar microgrid construction, and tree planting.

City commissioners discussed the potential grant application during a meeting on Nov. 9. The discussion revolved around the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, also known as the Mitigation Action Plan, and included a resolution on the plan, progress report and a first reading of the grant application. The plan was adopted, and the report was approved by the council during the meeting.

The BRIC grant program supports states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects. FEMA anticipates awarding $2.295 billion through the 2022 BRIC grant program, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the city’s proposed ordinance states.

This year, prioritization will be given to activities that mitigate risk to public infrastructure and disadvantaged communities, incorporate nature-based solutions, and enhance climate resilience. Portland’s Mitigation Action Plan identifies hazard mitigation projects that are potentially eligible for BRIC funding.

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management worked with Portland State University to develop the Mitigation Action Plan, Chief Resilience Officer Jonna Papaefthimiou said. The purpose of the plan is to assess risk. Earlier this year the plan was submitted to FEMA, which accepted it.

There are 115 projects included in the plan, Papaefthimiou said. Three high-priority projects include: East Portland Community Center solar system installation (up to $5 million), East Portland tree planting (up to $2 million), and Fanno Creek slope stabilization (up to $200,000).

The proposed ordinance would authorize Mayor Ted Wheeler to apply for $7.2 million in BRIC grant money.

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