Durham Board of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights from September 25, 2023

DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, September 25, 2023, in Regular Session. Meetings are held in person with a hybrid option inside the BOCC Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street on the second floor.

Chair Brenda Howerton called the 7 p.m. meeting to order. All attendees were led by Commissioner Burns in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Announcements: Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board, read the announcements.

1. Early Voting for 2023 Municipal Primary Election – Durham County voters can cast their ballots during the 2023 Municipal Primary Election’s Early Voting Period from September 21 until October 7. You can cast your ballot early at any of the five Early Voting locations – North Regional Library, East Regional Library, Durham County Main Library, South Regional Library, and the North Carolina Central University Turner Law Building. Get the Early Voting schedule and locations on the Durham County Board of Elections flyer here – https://www.dcovotes.com/home/showpublisheddocument/39098/6382339.  Election Day for the 2023 Municipal Primary Election is Tuesday, October 10.
2. 2023 Fall Planning Academy – The deadline is Thursday, Sept. 28, to apply to be a part of the 2023 Durham City-County Planning Academy from the City-County Planning Department. Gain tools and know-how to fully participate in local development and planning and earn a Planning Academy Certificate upon completion. Five weekly sessions from Oct. 19 to Nov. 11. Apply here – https://forms.office.com/g/fKXCXd84pf.
3. Durham MED Week 2023 – Join Durham County, the City of Durham, and other partners for Durham Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2023 on Thursday, Oct. 5 and Friday, Oct. 6. With the theme of “Empowering Change and Breaking Barriers,” Durham’s MED Week is a series of educational, outreach and recognition events that commemorates the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and affirms government, business, and community organizations’ commitment to the principle of equal opportunity. The MED Week Business Fair will be from 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 5, and the MED Week Sessions and Luncheon on Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information and registration info here – https://cvent.me/EMX38D. Sponsorship opportunities are available!
4. Durham LRC Holding Resource Fair – The Durham Local Reentry Council (LRC) is hosting a resource fair on Wednesday, September 27, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Justice Services Department building (326 E. Main Street Durham, NC 27701). This free event is open to everyone. Several local agencies will be on hand to give information and answer questions about the services and programs available to those in need. It is also a great way for residents to build connections with these organizations. Learn more about the Durham LRC here – https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/justice-service.
5. Durham Big Sweep 2023 – Every September and October, groups from across Durham volunteer to pick up litter in their local neighborhoods, parks, and streams for Durham’s largest litter cleanup event of the year. Big Sweep is coordinated by Keep Durham Beautiful, the City of Durham Stormwater & GIS Services Division, and the Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District, with help from other City and County departments and so many partners! Register for an already created event or sign up to hold one of your own here – https://keepdurhambeautiful.org/big-sweep. 
6. Duke Forest Deer Management Program – Duke Forest is holding its 16th hunting season through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Deer Management Assistance Program from Monday, September 25, through Friday, December 15. During this time, the Durham, Korstian, and Blackwood Divisions of the Duke Forest will be closed to all public access for all recreation Monday through Friday. All divisions of the Forest (except Dailey) will be open on Saturdays and Sundays for normal use. The program will be suspended, and the Forest will open for recreational use on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, and Nov. 23 and 24. The Edeburn and Hillsboro Divisions will remain open as usual throughout the fall. Learn more about this program at – https://dukeforest.duke.edu/dmap.
7. DCSO’s Star Talk Podcast – The Durham County Sheriff’s Office has the latest edition of its “Star Talk” podcast available for residents. In the fifth edition, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead discusses the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division with Captain Mark Manning, who oversees its operation. Listen to each episode here – https://dcsostartalk.podbean.com/.
8. Duke Energy Virtual Career Conference – Duke Energy will hold a two-day virtual student career conference, “On Your Yard,” on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Discover potential careers at Duke Energy, paid internships, and co-op programs. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 29, at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=OjjeLh9. Questions? Contact – campusteam@duke-energy.com.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the September 11, 2023, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

1. Proclamation – Minority Enterprise Development Week – The Board proclaimed October 2-6, 2023, as minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) in the County of Durham, North Carolina. On November 28, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners approved an ordinance to continue the County’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. As a sponsor of MED Week, the County will continue to promote the MWBE Program and efforts to enhance participation in governmental contract awards to minority and women businesses. Read the proclamation here.
2. Proclamation – Domestic Violence Awareness Month – The Board proclaimed October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) provides comprehensive shelter and support services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence and human trafficking and their families in the Durham area. DCRC’s continuum of service includes a free and confidential 24-hour Help Line; emergency shelter; safety planning; crisis intervention; information and referrals for job training, housing, and childcare; counseling and support groups; legal advocacy; assistance with filing for victim compensation; hospital accompaniment; community education and outreach. All of DCRC’s services are confidential, free, and available in English and Spanish. DCRC also offers educational workshops and professional training for service providers, law enforcement, hospitals, faith-based organizations, schools, civic groups, and other community members. Read the proclamation here.
3. Proclamation – Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15-October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Durham County. This observance is annually celebrated and recognizes the rich and varied cultures of Hispanic Americans and the contributions that they have made to the United States. The theme for 2023 is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One,” and is intended to reflect the unity and diversity of the Hispanic community across our country. We encourage all residents to participate in a variety of area festivals, programs, and events that will be held in the coming weeks to honor and celebrate all aspects of the Hispanic culture. Read the proclamation here.

Consent Agenda: Commissioners considered the following items. See full agenda for complete details: 

1. Capital Project Amendment No.24CPA00005 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.24BCC00029 Reducing the Shoppes of Hope Valley Capital Project (4730DC154) Budget to $0; Transferring $53,151.70 to the General Fund to Record Security Deposits from Existing Tenants; and Transferring the Remaining $101,329.84 to the Debt Service Fund for Future Use
2. Approve an Amendment to the Penny Conservation Easement
3. Capital Project Amendment No.24CPA00006 and Budget Amendment No.24BCC00031 Reducing the Hollow Rock/New Hope Project (4730DC086) by $92,188 and Transferring $92,188 to the General Fund to Support Purchase of the Penny Addition to Hollow Rock Nature Park; Appropriating $29,812 of Open Space Payment in Lieu Funds from Restricted Fund Balance to the General Fund to Support the Purchase of the Penny Addition to the Hollow Rock Nature Park; as well as Approve the Acquisition of 7.4 Acres of 4105 Pickett Road from Carolyn Penny for $118,000
4. Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for August 2023
5. Approve Interlocal Agreement with the City of Durham to Support Affordable Housing Units using American Rescue Plan Act Funds totaling $3.5 million
6. Approval of 4-H Youth Program Activity as an American Rescue Plan Act Project totaling $360,000

Board and Commission Appointments: Commissioners made appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

1. Audit Oversight Committee — Manuel Rojas
2. Board of Adjustment — Scott Mofield
3. Community Child Protection/Child Fatality Prevention Team — Ronelle Hinton
4. Durham Workforce Development Board — Raymond Trapp
5. Environmental Affairs Board — Gitanjali Morey
6. Library Board of Trustees — Tracy Jackson

Congratulations to all appointees.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.

Board meetings are cablecast live and rebroadcast on Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum Channel 8. Replays are available on DTN along with AT&T U-verse Channel 99 and Frontier Communications Channel 70. Meetings can also be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel. To view the agendas and recordings of the BOCC’s Regular Session meetings, visit the BOCC’s Website.

The next hybrid Regular Session is scheduled for Monday, October 9, 2023, inside the Commissioners’ Chambers on the second floor at 200 E. Main Street.

For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk@dconc.gov.