Durham Board Of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights for January 24
Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022, in Regular Session. The virtual option aligns with social distancing requirements to ensure the safety of citizens who wish to participate as well as Board members and Durham County staff.
Board Highlights:
Chair Brenda Howerton called the January 24, 2022, Regular Meeting to order. Commissioner Burns led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board, read the Announcements:
- FREE At-Home COVID 19 Tests – Residential households in the U.S. can now order one set of four (4) FREE at-home tests from COVID Home Tests | USPS. Please visit to input your contact information and shipping address for your at-home test.
- Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination at DCoDPH – COVID-19 cases are still on the rise. Take your shots at the Durham County Department of Public Health as soon as you can. The vaccine clinic is open every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am – 4 pm; Tuesdays from 9 am – 5:45 pm and closed on Fridays. No appointment is necessary. A reminder that the clinic is closed daily from 11:30 am – 1 pm.
- Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program (LIHR) Extension – The LIHR has been extended until January 31, 2022. All details on the requirements for the LIHR are available at www.dconc.gov/dss. Durham residents who wish to receive assistance with the application process can call 919-560-8000 Monday – Thursday to schedule an hourly appointment.
- Business Recovery Grant Program – The NC Department of Revenue has created a new grant program for small businesses that had significant economic losses due to COVID. The Business Recovery Grant Program includes $500 million for two grant programs: $300 million for hospitality businesses to include arts, entertainment, recreation, hotel, restaurants, and bars as well as $200 million for businesses that are not in one of the categories mentioned above and were also not recipients of any previous COVID relief funding. The application period is open until January 31, 2022. For more information, visit the state’s link at Business Recovery Grant | NCDOR.
- Durham PreK for 2022-2023 Application Period Begins February 8th – The Durham PreK Application for the 2022-2023 school year will open on February 8th. Visit www.durhamprek.org to receive more information – this is just an interest form, not the official application. If you have questions, please visit www.durhamprek.org or call 1-833-773-5338 or email durhamprek@childcareservices.org for assistance.
- DCHC MPO Seeks Public Comment on Transportation Plan Amendment by February 22nd – The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public input on Amendment #4 to the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Some changes include the removal of the former Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit and adding bus access improvements. The plan in its entirety can be reviewed by visiting www.dchcmpo.org. Residents who wish to provide comments may do so at the virtual public hearing on Wednesday, February 9th at 9 am by emailing kayla.peloquin@durhamnc.gov or by calling 919-560-4366, ext. 36419.
- IGNITE Business Bootcamp Now Accepting Applicants – The IGNITE Business Bootcamp is a 10-week, 10-session, business boot camp, featuring 20 hours of cohort-style training. This boot camp will provide growth and development opportunities for participants and their businesses. Participation is FREE of charge with support provided by the US Black Chambers CEDC and Durham County. The cohort will meet on Wednesdays beginning February 2 – April 6 from 1-3 pm, via Zoom. Applications will be considered until 5 pm on February 1. Participants are encouraged to join every session but may miss some if necessary. Please apply at https://gdbcc.org/ignite.
8. Durham Residents Can Receive Help with Their Energy Bill – As of January 3, 2022, all Durham residents will be eligible to apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), you can make a virtual appointment by phone for assistance, or simply visit the state’s website to complete their application. Durham residents are to call (919) 560-8192 to make a virtual appointment with LIEAP specialists on staff. Those residents who are comfortable completing the LIEAP application without assistance, must-visit, http://epass.nc.gov to apply for the one-time energy assistance benefit. The LIEAP program ends March 31, 2022.
- January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women according to the World Health Organization. when detected early, managed effectively, and diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer
Minutes:
The Minutes of January 10, 2022, regular session were approved.
Ceremonial Items:
The Board approved a memorial resolution to honor Durham’s own Andre Leon Talley, known for shattering the highest levels of the international fashion industry as a journalist, fashion historian, creative stylist, mentor, and trailblazer. Mr. Talley passed last week on January 18th at the age of 83. Family members were represented by Ava Thompson who thanked commissioners for honoring their beloved relative.
Consent Agenda:
The Board approved a $1,824,391 contract with Davenport Group for the provision of IS&T hardware and services in modernizing its technology infrastructure to support the business continuity of Durham County services. Overall funding of this initiative is part of a $7,056,360 IS&T Hardware and Software capital project that was authorized by the Board in June 2021.
Commissioners approved the Releases & Refunds for the month of November 2021. Property valuation adjustments were made for over assessments, listing discrepancies, duplicate listings, and clerical errors, etc. for November 2021.
The Board approved the Releases & Refunds for the month of December 2021. Property valuation adjustments for over assessments, listing discrepancies, duplicate listings, and clerical errors, etc. for the month of December 2021.
County Commissioners authorized the Interim County Manager to enter into a service contract with Belfor USA Group, Inc. in the amount of $608,774.97 to provide COVID 19 disinfecting, and sanitation services for Durham County facilities.
Other Business
The Board received a public health-focused update from County staff on the COVID-19 response and efforts. Health Director Rod Jenkins announced that 60,000 masks have been delivered to DSS and Public Health. They have also been delivered to county testing sites, Community Based Organizations, and the Detention Center. He added this his department will soon announce pickup sites for the general population to receive masks.
During this session, Jenkins continued to share information about the best ways to stay safe and help reduce the transmission of the Omicron variant: Ensure you are up to date with your COVID vaccinations and booster doses (if eligible); Encourage your friends and family who are not up to date to get boosted, and make sure to wear a well-fitting mask in all public indoor settings. Jenkins particularly stressed that persons entering health care facilities or nursing homes take special care to wear masks properly to protect staff and patients.
He reminded the public of the wealth of information shared on the COVID dashboard and noted that the next 2-3 weeks will be challenging. He concluded by saying feels if our residents follow to public health recommendations, we will see a sharp reduction in COVID numbers.
The Board received an update from Durham County Sheriff Birkhead on the COVID-19 status amongst the Sheriff’s Office and detainee population. He thanked Public Health Director Jenkins and the Board for helping provide masks, testing, and vaccines to keep his employees and detainees safe.
County Commissioners received an update on the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The American Rescue Plan will deliver $350 billion for the state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Funding will also focus on infrastructure issues that face communities including efforts to bring back jobs. Durham County will receive $62,445,275. In addition, the ARPA citizen survey will continue to be available for residents to share their priorities for the funding of projects.
Board and Commission Appointments
The Board made appointments to the following boards:
- Animal Welfare Advisory Committee– Marianne Bond
- Board of Adjustment —George Kolasa
- Board of Health — Joshua Brown, Anthony Gregorio, Rosemary Jackson, and Spencer Curtis
- Durham County Women’s Commission –Tiffany Foster
The Board voted to go into closed session pursuant to G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6). They returned after giving directions to staff.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 10:27 pm.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2022. To view the agenda and recording of the BOCC Regular Session Meeting, visit the BOCC’s Web site. For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 919-560-0025 or email mtoomer@dconc.gov.
To view BOCC meetings, visit the Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum Channel 8. Replays are available on DTN along with AT&T U-verse Channel 99, Google Fiber Channel 8, and Frontier Communications Channel 70. For more information, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at (919) 560-0025 or email mtoomer@dconc.gov.