Council adopts updated countywide hazard mitigation plan resolution

College Place City Council members voted to adopt a resolution accepting the updated Countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan prepared at the county level.

City staff said the plan helps local jurisdictions identify hazard-related capital projects that may be eligible for outside funding. During discussion a council member asked whether, if FEMA programs changed or disappeared, the plan would still be useful; staff replied that other federal and state programs — for example the Economic Development Administration and the state Public Works board — also provide funding streams for hazard-related projects, and that hazard planning would remain relevant to those funding sources.

Council members briefly asked procedural and programmatic questions; one asked for a reminder about the BRIC program. Staff explained BRIC stands for Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (commonly referred to as the Building Resiliency Infrastructure Capacity grant program) and that it is administered by FEMA.

The motion to adopt the resolution (recorded in the meeting as resolution number 205-8) was moved and seconded; the council approved it by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff said the plan helps position the city for potential grant funding for hazard mitigation projects and emphasized the countywide plan's role in coordinating project lists for competitive grant programs.