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Committee accepts FEMA BRIC grant to fund Building Code Plus Up project
Summary
The Community Economic Development Committee approved acceptance of a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant for the Department of Neighborhood Services' Building Code Plus UP project to buy equipment, update mobile workstations and fund training.
The Community Economic Development Committee voted to accept and allocate a federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant from FEMA for the Department of Neighborhood Services’ “Building Code Plus UP” project.
Commissioner Hamila Royo Vega described the awarded grant as a capacity‑building award for the department; planned uses include outreach tools, cameras and video equipment to produce community outreach content, replacement of field mobile workstations (inspectors’ iPads are described as outdated), training for staff on updated codes (including fire and International Building Code 2021 materials), and new code manuals. The commissioner clarified the grant covers tools and training and does not fund new staff positions.
Jeremy McGovern, marketing communications officer for DNS, added the state advocated for the city to retain these FEMA funds locally. Alderman Deandre Jackson moved adoption of the substitute resolution; the chair announced no objections and ordered the grant acceptance.
Committee members praised the project as a direct investment in building safety, code compliance and public outreach; staff said the funding will be used to update field technology, purchase manuals and provide training tied to the department's upcoming IBC transition.
