Durham, NC – The Durham Board of County Commissioners met at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:

The Durham Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Commissioner Becky M. Heron who passed on January 23rd. Commissioner Heron was the first woman to chair the Board of County Commissioners and was highly regarded for opening doors for other women to serve in political leadership positions. She faithfully served for 29 years and will be fondly remembered for her dedication to public service and for protecting the environment, and other vital programs in the area of planning, animal control, mental health education and senior citizens.

The Board approved a resolution honoring retiring Budget and Management Services Pam Meyer who will leave Durham County at the end of this week. Ms. Meyer served Durham County from January 2001 and will culminate a more 30 year career in local government. Friends, family and colleagues will honor her on February 27th. She guided the development of 13 multimillion dollar budgets and provided invaluable support of comprehensive ten year Capital Improvement Planning processes.
The Board of County Commissioners also honored retiring Durham County Engineering and Environmental Services Director Glen Whisler with a resolution. Whisler also bids farewell to Durham County at the end of this week. He managed multiple building and renovation projects totaling over a billion dollars including the new Courthouse and Human Services Building. Whisler joined Durham County in 1997 as a project manager with General Services and was later appointed first Director of the newly established County Engineering Department.

County Commissioners approved the Tax Administrator’s request to begin advertising the 2013 tax liens in the month of March.

County Commissioners formally adopted the City/County Emergency Operations Plan. The purpose is to establish the operations system which organizes the city and county’s response to emergencies and disasters while providing for the safety and welfare of its citizens.

The Board agreed to participate with the City of Durham in the Jack Tar Development Project. Staff was directed to bring back a negotiated contract of no more than three million dollars. The City will share in an equal amount to support this project.

The Board made appointments to the following boards:
• Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee—Lavonia Cayrath, Nanette Matthews and Russell Johnson
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Board—Robert Nauseef and Sharron Hunter-Rainey
• City-County Appearance Commission-Jonathan Dupree
• Juvenile Crime Prevention Council—Elton O’Neal
• Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee—Anne Burgess and Lavonia Cayrath
• Open Space and Trails Commission—Aspen Price
• Public Health Board—Dale Stewart (optometrist)

The Board adjourned into closed session pursuant to G. S. § 143-318.11(a) (3) to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege. Following the closed session, the Board approved a settlement agreement between Durham County and New Atlantic Contracting.

The Board adjourned into closed session pursuant to G. S. § 143-318.11(a)(5) to instruct the staff on the position to be taken concerning the acquisition of real property conservation easements on two farm properties located at 2132 Infinity Road and owned by Scottie McFarland; and 4103 Adcock Road owned by Robert F. Adcock, Jr. and Paul S. Adcock. Following the closed session, the Board authorized staff to get options for conservation easements for the two properties.

The Board adjourned into closed session pursuant to G. S. § 143-318.11(a)(5) to instruct the staff on the position to be taken concerning the price and other material terms of a proposed contract for the acquisition of real property for the Rougemont Critical Water Infrastructure project. Following the closed session, the Board announced that it provided direction to staff.

The Board adjourned into closed session pursuant to G. S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege and to discuss the case in the matter of Geraldine Robinson v. Joe Bowser et al. Following the closed session, the Board announced that an update was received, but no action was taken.

The next regular session of the Durham Board of Commissioners will be held on Monday, March 10, 2014, at 7p.m.

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 clerk@dconc.gov.