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Durham County Commissioners’ Regular Session Highlights for October 11, 2021

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

Durham, NC – On Monday, October 11, 2021, the Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually at 4 pm to adjourn into Closed Session to consult with an attorney. The Board then convened its regular session at 7 pm for normal business. 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.

To view the BOCC meeting, 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.

Board Highlights:
county commissioners
Howerton

Chair Brenda Howerton called the October 11, 2021, Regular Meeting to order. Chair Howerton led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deputy Clerk to the Board Macio Carlton read the Announcements:
  1. Resident Feedback for County Manager Search – Durham County is inviting public comment regarding the hiring of the next County Manager. Please submit your responses by Wednesday, October 20th to the following: http://www.empliant.com/survey/F9A21C5FE-ADE8-724C-3F36/
  2. Department of Social Services to Administer a New Property Tax Program – The DSS department in partnership with the Tax Administration has developed the Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program. This program will serve exclusively Durham homeowners who have owned their homes 10 years or more, and who are currently not receiving any state tax subsidies for their property. Eligible homeowners must have incomes ≤ 30% of the average median income. More information will be available throughout the month of October by visiting www.dconc.gov/dss.
  3. Stanford L. Warren Branch Library to Reopen Late 2022 – Due to necessary repairs caused by water intrusions, the Stanford L. Warren Library located at 1201 Fayetteville Street will reopen late 2022. Please visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org for additional information, updates and a list of other libraries and their hours.
  4. Early Voting for the Municipal Election – The Durham County Board of Elections wants to help all voters avoid long lines and vote early for the 2021 Municipal Election! Early voting begins on Thursday, October 14th and continues until Saturday, October 30th. To find full details on early voting, visit our website at www.dcovotes.com, email elections@dconc.gov or call 919-560-0700.
  5. 2021 Tax Bill Payments – Durham County Tax allows citizens the option of making partial payments on real property taxes through January 5, 2022. Payment options include check, bank draft, money order or cash and taxes must be paid by January 5, 2022, to avoid interest and additional costs. For more information, visit our website at www.dconc.gov/tax or call 919-560-0300.
  6. Welcome Baby Clothing and Diaper Distribution – Every Friday during the month of October, Welcome Baby will host contactless pick-up of baby clothing and diapers at Cooperative Extension located on 721 Foster Street. Items are available for children ages 0-5 and you must bring a photo ID, proof of Durham address and the child(ren)’s Medicaid care or birth certificate. For questions, please call 919-560-7150.
  7. Durham County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Hours – The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Durham County Department of Public Health located at 414 E. Main St., has the following hours to get your free vaccination: · Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. · Friday: Closed for select events. Appointments and walk-ins welcome; however, please note that the clinics are closed between 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Visit www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccines or call 919-560-9217 for more information.

The Minutes of the September 13th regular session were approved.

Ceremonial Items:  
  • The Board issued a proclamation in recognition of “National Hispanic Heritage Month.” Our nation celebrates the tremendous contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans to our culture and society each year. Nearly 14% of Durham County residents are of Hispanic ancestry and Durham County is pleased to honor the significant contributions of members of our Hispanic American community.
  • The Board proclaimed October 11, 2021 as “Indigenous Peoples Day.” European explorers encountered Native Americans at first contact. It seems only fitting that the day should be renamed and recognized for the first peoples. Triangle Native American Society serves to promote and protect the identity of the over 11,000 Native Americans living in the Triangle area.
  • County Commissioners approved a resolution requesting that the North Carolina General Assembly fully enact the policy and funding reforms included in the “Leandro Plan” to ensure that all North Carolina students have access to a sound basic education by the 2028 school year.
  • The Board proclaimed October 13, 2021 as “Durham Domestic and Care Workers Day” in Durham County. As the pandemic continues, care workers continue to show up and act as the backbone of our economy. Their work is invaluable to us all and should be recognized as such.
  • Commissioners proclaimed October as “National Breast Cancer Month” in Durham County. The purpose of National Breast Cancer Month is to help educate everyone about the prevalence of this deadly disease and to encourage early detection such as receiving annual mammograms as recommended. It is also important to support individuals and families who have been personally impacted by breast cancer.
Consent Agenda:
  • The Board authorized the Interim County Manager to negotiate and execute an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Durham regarding participation in Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program.
  • Commissioners authorized the Interim County Manager to negotiate and execute the Cooperation Agreement and Service Agreement regarding participation in Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program.
  • The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize $903,807 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) and Create Three Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Provisional Grant Funded Positions for Public Health.
  • Commissioners reviewed and approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Durham for the Creation of An Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Initiative and Position.
  • The Board approved the lease agreement between Durham County and the West End Community Foundation for space at the Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park located at 1309 Halley Street, and authorized the Interim County Manager to execute the lease.
  • Commissioners authorized the Interim County Manager to enter into a service contract with Express Employment Professionals in the amount of $292,662.53 to provide screening services for the Health and Human Services Complex, the Administration II, CJRC and the Libraries.
  • The Board approved the Durham County Board of Elections request to increase its FY21-22 service contract with Coastal Carriers, Inc, a delivery service vendor.
  • The Board approved the Durham County Board of Elections request to increase its FY21-22 service contract with SouthData, Inc. a printing and mailing service vendor.
  • Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment recognizing $238.44 in grant revenue from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Healthy Meals Grant Fund. The Youth Home will use the funding to purchase food to serve to detained juveniles at the Youth Home facility.
  • County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize $8,000 from the North Carolina Public Health Association, Ann Wolfe Mini-Grant. The grant funds will be used to purchase incentives, increase uptake and participation in the Centering Pregnancy program to achieve decreased low birth rates, increased breastfeeding rates, increase satisfaction and patient empowerment.
  • The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment for Public Health to recognize $39,900 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for Covid-19 Mitigation to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity.
  • County Commissioners approved a  Budget Ordinance Amendment for Public Health to recognize funds in the amount of $115,000 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Section/Children and Youth Branch. This grant provides temporary funding to support the coordination of COVID-19 screening, testing, and vaccine administration efforts, and to coordinate other school health/public health services.
  • The Board approved and authorized execution of a Lease Agreement with Thirumala Hospitality Durham, LLC to operate a restaurant in the County Administration Building II located at 201 E Main Street.
  • The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment amending the budgets for the outstanding encumbrances at fiscal year-end FY 2020-21. Encumbrances outstanding at fiscal year-end represent obligations/commitments entered by the County for either services not yet completed or performed, or goods not yet received.
  • The Board of Commissioners approved the lease between Durham County and the City of Durham for the parking lot of the former Police Department Headquarters located at 505 West Chapel Hill Street. This is a one-dollar lease with a term of nine months. While this lease is within the Interim County Manager’s granted authority to approve and execute, we are bringing this item to the Board to provide the most complete and up-to-date information on the 300 and 500 E. Main St. project.
  • The Board authorized the County Manager to execute the Permanent Lender Letter of Intent/Commitment for the 500 E. Main St. Affordable Housing Development Loan in the amount of $4,110,000.00.
  • Commissioners authorized the Interim County Manager to enter into a service contract with Stormwater Operations Specialists, LLC to provide sewer easement maintenance services for the sewer collection system tributary to the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) in an amount of $99,100 and also authorize renewal of the contract yearly in an amount of $99,100 for up to four additional one-year periods in accordance with the terms and conditions of the original contract.
  • The Board is requested to authorize the County Manager to execute an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the City of Durham to reauthorize the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
  • County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract with Industrial Vacuum Services Inc. for pressure washing, removal of debris, hauling and disposal services from an aeration basin for the Utilities Division with a total annual contract price of $156,790.
  • The Board approved a Budget Amendment appropriating $335,000 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance and transferring funding to Durham County Sheriff’s Training Facility Capital Project, as well as Capital Project Amendment increasing the project budget for the Durham County Sheriff’s Training Facility Capital Project – formerly titled the Sheriff’s Firing Range – by $335K to Fund Renovations to the Facility.
  • County Commissioners approved a two-year lease with Cameron Grove Holdings LLC for the Cameron Grove Cemetery, which includes the acquisition of the property at the end of the lease term; and authorize the Manager to execute any legal documents necessary to effect this acquisition.
  • The Board approved a contract amendment with O’Brien Atkins in the amount of $3,700.00 for the Detention Center Window Replacement Project.
Other Business
  • Durham County Public Health Director Rod Jenkins provided the Board with an update on the COVID-19 response and efforts. Numbers of cases starting to slowly decrease as vaccines go up. 70.4% of residents 12 and up are fully vaccinated in Durham County. He says all need to remain vigilant and continue the COVID safety measures by remembering the 3 W’s, Wash, Wear and Wait. At the end of the day, he says cautious optimism abounds. He also reminded residents that it is time to get flu shots as well.
  • The Board adjourned the regular session to go into Closed Session to consult with attorney for the proposed purchase of land and to preserve attorney client privilege.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 25, 2021. 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.