Durham Board of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights from March 13, 2023

Durham, N.C. – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, March 13, 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 meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
• All attendees were led by Commissioner Nimasheena Burns in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clerk to the Board Monica Wallace Read the BOCC Announcements

1. DCoDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hours – The COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Durham County Department of Public Health is now open for your walk-in vaccination doses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed 12-1 p.m.) The clinic is closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends. Visit www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccines for more information.
2. Creek Week Cleanup at New Hope Bottomlands Trail – Join the Durham County Open Space Program from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, for a volunteer workday at the New Hope Bottomlands Trail to celebrate Creek Week and help beautify our community! We’ll meet at Old Chapel Hill Road Park (3791 Southwest Durham Dr.) and pick up trash along the trail and New Hope Creek. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Please RSVP at

https://keepdurhambeautiful.org/creek-week events/2023/newhopecreekbottomlandstrail.

For more information, please contact David Bradley, Open Space Specialist, at 919-560-0093 or dabradley@dconc.gov.

1. DCHCMPO Seeks Feedback – The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, along with GoTriangle, Durham County Government, and Orange County Government is seeking public comment on the Fiscal Year 2024 Transit Work Program for both Durham and Orange counties. Members of the public can take an online survey at https://forms.office.com/r/N4kcEk1uyD or by sending an email to publicinformation@dchcmpo.org. Public comment will be open through March 28. For more information, visit https://www.dchcmpo.org/what-we-do/programs-plans/transit-plans/staff-working-group
2. Durham PreK Accepting Applications – The 2023-2024 application for Durham PreK is open and accepting applications for all children who will be 4 as of August 31, 2023. Apply at www.durhamprek.org or call 1-833-PREK-EDU to speak with a bilingual application specialist. Residents may also attend the Saturday, March 18 Roll Up & Enroll Event to sign up at Leathers Meacham Head Start, 908 Liberty St., from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3. NOS Public Input Session on March 20 – Durham County staff will host a Public Input and Information Session on the National Opioid Settlement on Monday, March 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will be held inside Commissioners Chambers and the foyer on the 2nd Floor of the Administration I Building. Everyone is invited to come and learn about the $11.6 million in NOS funds that Durham County will receive over the next 18 years. Feedback on community priorities on how the Board of County Commissioners will use this funding to address the opioid epidemic, support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other life-saving programs and services. More info at https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/county-manager/north-carolina-opioid-settlement.
4. Emily K Center College Expo – The Emily K Center’s Game Plan: College program will be hosting its annual College Expo on Saturday, March 25 at the Center from 12 to 3 p.m. The event will feature a college fair with more than 40 colleges and universities represented, workshops led by college access experts, and more! The event is free and open to all! Registration is highly encouraged ad workshop seat availability is limited. Visit https://www.emilyk.org/2023-college-expo%20<http:/www.emilyk.org/2023%20-college-expo
5. Free Tax Preparation from Tax-Aide at the Main Library – Need help with your tax preparations? AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offering free tax preparation for taxpayers of all ages, with a special emphasis on seniors. Tax-Aide staff will be on hand at Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 13, 2023. Walk-ins welcome. E-mail durhamtaxaide@gmail.com for more information. Please DO NOT call the library for an appointment!

Added Announcements

Dollars & Sense: Finding your Financial Fit for College

Durham’s Academic Success Alliance (a partnership of DPS, the DPS Foundation, Student U, Emily K, Durham Children’s Initiative, Durham Tech, and Duke College Advising Corps) is excited to announce Dollars & Sense: Finding your Financial Fit for College. Durham Public Schools seniors and their families can get help reviewing their financial aid award letters and attend breakout sessions to learn more about financing and preparing for college. The event will take place indoors and masks are strongly encouraged.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the W.G. Pearson Center, located at 600 E. Umstead St.

Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dollars-and-sense-finding-your-financial-fit-for-college-tickets-535977672647

Dementia Community Event

Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs spotlighted an upcoming dementia awareness event to at the Durham County Human Services Building, 414 E. Main Street, on April 29, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event promotes the creation of an inclusive community and uplifts advocacy and support of the dementia community. The event invites individuals living with dementia, caring for someone living with dementia, or interested in learning more about the neurocognitive disorder. 

The keynote speaker will be Jay Reinstein who will speak about living well with early-onset dementia.

Durham Technical Community College Information Sessions

Commissioner Nimasheena Burns highlighted information sessions hosted by Durham Technical Community College at the Durham County Main Library, March 13-17. Registration is required. The remaining sessions include: 

• Thursday, March 16, 2-3 p.m.

Software & Web Development Programs with program director Tom Murphy. Register at https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/10450356

• Friday, March 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Real Estate, Insurance, Notary & Project Management with Director Jacqueline Mitchell. Register at https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/10450359

 House Bill 187

Commissioner Nimasheena Burns encourages the public to follow House Bill 187. According to North Carolina General Assembly webpage, it is an act to demonstrate the General Assembly’s intent that students, teachers, administrators, and other school employees recognize the equality and rights of all persons and to prohibit public school units from promoting certain concepts that are contrary to that intent. Learn more here.

Ramadan 2023

Commissioner Nida Allam reminded the community that Ramadan, the holy month for people of the Muslim faith, begins on March 22. She asked the public to be courteous to those who recognize Ramadan, which includes fasting throughout the religious period. She requested compassion for school-aged students in particular as they are required to remain focused in school and fast at the same time.

Please see the Board of Commissioners webpage for additional announcements.

Minutes

• Commissioners approved the minutes of the February 27, 2023, Regular Session

Ceremonial Items

The Board proclaimed 2023 as “The Year of the Trail” in North Carolina. The North Carolina General Assembly designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail in North Carolina to promote and celebrate the state’s extensive network of trails that showcase our state’s beauty, vibrancy, and culture. Durham County provides 20 miles of natural surface trails and biking trails within our nature preserves that are an integral part of the County’s outdoor recreational opportunities, including Hollow Rock Park, Little River Regional Park, and New Hope Preserve.

County Commissioners honored the retirement of the Honorable United States Congressman David E. Price by expressing their sincere and deep appreciation to him for his passion, advocacy, and productivity representing the residents of the 4th District for 34 years with distinction.

The Board shared in reading a proclamation in honor of Women’s History Month.

“Women’s History Month, we celebrate the countless women who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity in our Nation. We also reaffirm our commitment to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls in the United States and around the world. We are mindful that we are building on the legacy of both recognized trailblazers and unsung heroines who have guided the course of American history and continue to shape its future.”

Durham County is proud to honor the many achievements and contributions of women during Women’s History Month!

Read the full proclamation here.

A Summary of the Consent Agenda

• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00059 Public Health to Recognize $44,125 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Epidemiology Section /Communicable Disease Branch to Create an Additional Grant Funded Disease Intervention Specialist Position (Item #23-0044)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00060 Public Health to Recognize $3,567 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Women, Infant, and Community Wellness/ Reproductive Health Branch to Purchase Family Planning Methods (Item #23-0045)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00061 Public Health to Recognize $500 from the Center of Black Health and Equity for the Men’s Health Council (Item #23-0046)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00062 Public Health to Recognize $83,913.13 from the Duke University Health System for the Partnership for a Health Durham Program (Item #23-0048)
• Contract Approval of Matthews Specialty Vehicles Contract Supplement for New Public Health Mobile Medical Unit Totaling $16,460 Program (Item #23-0052)
• Update to the Environmental Affairs Board City-County Interlocal Agreement to change the composition of the Board (Item #23-0067)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00068 Appropriating $250,000 of General Fund fund balance for the Durham Youth Home to Offset Higher Than Expected Use of Out-of-County Facilities (Item #23-0098)
• Durham County Sheriff’s Office Contract Approval with TEK 84, Inc., in the amount of $141,462 to Purchase a Body Scanner for the Durham County Detention Facility (Item #23-0099)
• Transit Plan Governance Interlocal Agreement between Durham County, Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), and Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority (GoTriangle) (Item #23-0108)
• Capital Project Amendment No.23CPA00017 Reducing the Roofing Replacement Capital Project (4190DC073) by $300,000 and Increasing the Parking Lot Resurfacing Capital Project (4190DC074) by $300K to Cover Unanticipated Cost Increases (Item #23-0109)
• 2022 Annual Report – Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Item #23-0111)
• Approve Amendment of $15,744.96 to the Westaff Staffing Contract to continue the Contracted Services for County-Wide Information Technology-related Training Assistance, increasing the total contract amount to $53,880.96 (Item #23-0113)
• Authorize the County Manager to enter into an $83,500 Contract with Info-Tech Group (Item #23-0114)
• Authorize the County Manager to enter into a three-year contract with Carahsoft, a Technology Reseller, in the amount of $271,578.95 (Item #23-0115)
• Durham County Sheriff’s Office Grant Adjustment Modification with the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2019 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Item #23-0116)
• Board of Elections Equipment Purchase Request (Item #23-0123)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00066 to Recognize $5,107.10 in Grant Funding from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Child Nutrition Program for the Youth Home (Item #23-0126)
• Contract approval with SHI International Corp. in the amount of $259,824.51 for Licenses and Services for the Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft for the Office of the Sheriff (Item #23-0136)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00073 Public Health to appropriate $293,776.39 in General Fund fund balance to Provide Additional Funding for Grants Awarded in FY 2021-22 (Item #23-0142)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00072 Public Health to Recognize $4,820 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Epidemiology Section/Communicable Disease Branch for Active TB Disease Screening and Treatment (Item #23-0144)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00070 to Recognize $53,664 of a Grant Award to the Criminal Justice Resource Center’s Local Reentry Council and to Authorize the County Manager to Sign and Execute the Subaward Agreement between the City of Durham and the Criminal Justice Resource Center (Item #23-0148)
• Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC00069 to Recognize $25,000 in Additional Funding from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, formerly part of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, for the Durham Local Reentry Council (Item #23-0151)
• Approve Capital Project Amendment No.23CPA00019 and Budget Amendment No.23BCC00071 Decreasing the Open Space & Farmland Preservation Capital Project (4730DC083) by $142,500 and Transferring $142,500 to the General Fund to Support the Purchase of the Second Phase of the Alston Glenn Farm Conservation Easement; as well as Approve the Final Budget for the Alston Glenn Phase II Farm Conservation Easement (Item #23-0156)
• Approval of the Contract to Purchase the Interise, Inc. Streetwise MBA Program in the Amount of $57,000 (Item #23-0157)
• Utilities Contract Amendment with Sanford Electrical Contractors, Inc. to Increase the Contract by $30,500 to a Total Contract Amount of $60,000 (Item #23-0172)
• Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 23BCC0000075 Appropriating $85,000 of General Fund fund balance and Approve a Contract Amendment Increasing Funds for Express Employment Services, Inc for the County Attorney’s Office (Item #23-0180)
• Durham County Sheriff’s Office Revenue Contract Amendment with ViaPath Technologies and Increasing Authorized Strength for the Sheriff’s Office by One FTE (Item #23-0186)
• Property Tax Releases and Refunds for February 2023 (Item #23-0187)
• Purchase of Durham County Fleet Motor Pool Hardware Software, Fleet Commander System (Item #23-0188)

Please see the full agenda for a complete list of approved Consent Agenda Items.

Public Hearings

• The Board held a public hearing to receive public comments on the Zoning Map Change, Kempski Milstead Home which is one parcel of land, totaling 22.584 acres and located at 220 and 214 Riley Drive. One public comment was made regarding plans to build a home on the property.

The County Commissioners unanimously approved the adoption of an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance by taking property out of Residential Rural with a Development Plan (RR(D)), Falls/Jordan District-B (F/J-B), and establishing the same as Residential Rural (RR), Falls/Jordan District-B (F/J-B).

The Board also unanimously adopted the appropriate statement of consistency pursuant to NCGS §160D-605.

• The Board held another public hearing related to a Zoning Map Change to Blanchard Property (Z2200046) which is one parcel of land totaling 3.073 acres and located at 2935 US 70 Highway East.

The Board voted 5-0 in favor of adopting the ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance by taking property out of Residential Rural (RR) and Commercial General (CG), Falls/Jordan District-B (F/J-B) and establishing the same as Commercial General (CG), Falls/Jordan District-B (F/J-B).

The Board also unanimously adopted the appropriate statement of consistency pursuant to NCGS §160D-605.

• The Board held a public hearing on the long-term fixed-rate financing in the amount not to exceed $235,000,000 Limited Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) for the financing of various existing capital projects and refunding of outstanding 2012 and 2013 County Limited Obligation Bonds.

The Board then adopted the resolution which was the next step in completing this financing.

Other Business

The Board heard from the Durham County Department of Social Services (DSS) on the updated Child Welfare placement protocol and guidelines for children with medically complex needs.

Assistant Director for Child and Family Services Jovetta Whitfield provided an update on the protocols that define how DSS recruits, identifies and secures community-based, non-institutional placements for medically complex children in Durham County’s custody. The updated protocols are available on the Durham County DSS webpage.

Adjournment

The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:59 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, March 27, 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.