Durham, NC – On Monday, September 12, 2022, the Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in regular session at 7p.m. Meetings are again being held in person, in the BOCC Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street on the second floor.

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, and Frontier Communications Channel 70. For more information, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk@dconc.gov.

Board Highlights:  

Chair Brenda Howerton called the September 12, 2022, Regular Meeting to order. All attendees were led by Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board read the Announcements:

1. DCo Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Hours - The walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Durham County Department of Public Health, 414 E. Main St., has the following hours to get your free vaccination: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. New booster shots are available. Please note, clinics are closed between 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Visit www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccine or call 919-560-9217 for more information.

    

   2. Durham Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program (LIHR) - The new and improved Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program (LIHR) is here! LIHR provides property tax help on current taxes for eligible homeowners. Tax assistance based upon a 3-tiered income model and other improvements. Apply between Aug. 1, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023. at www.dconc.gov/dss or call 919-560-8000 for an appointment.

    

   3. Children’s Vaccine Event on Sept. 15 - The Durham County Department of Public Health wants all children in our community get caught up on vaccinations required for school. They will be holding the final Childhood Vaccination Day at the Human Services Building on Thursday, September 15. Vaccines given at clinic 6 on the first floor. Call 919-560-7608 to schedule your appointment.

    

   4. Durham Food Security Network - Interested in helping unite efforts and transforming systems to ensure that all people have access to enough safe and nutritious food? Join the Food Security Network to help create a food system that is equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Sign-up for the listserv and join the conversation at: Join - DCoFS (gaggle.email)

    

   5. Women’s Health Awareness 2022 Conference - Register for the Women’s Health Awareness Conference 2022: “Your Job is Your Health” on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Carolina Central University Student Center, 500 Nelson Street. Register at Women's Health Awareness (nih.gov)

    

   6. A Walk in Honor of Vietnam Veterans - The Men’s Health Council of the Durham County Department of Public Health invites everyone to “A Walk in Honor of Vietnam Veterans” on Saturday, September 17 from 9 to 10 a.m. at 500 W. Murray Ave. Guest speaker will be Sgt. Jerond Belton, designer of the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial. Questions? Contact Joyce Page at mailto:jpage@dconc.gov.

    

   7. Fall Ball for All at North Regional Library - Join us at North Regional for a Fall Extravaganza on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.! Spend the evening together crafting, playing games, and face painting. A limited number of free hotdogs will be available for dinner. First come, first served! Come meet community partners and learn about great library resources. This event is free with activities for children, teens, and adults. Find more information at www.durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/9482415.

    

   8. Safe Schools Summit 2022 - Join Durham Public Schools, Durham Law Enforcement Agencies and Durham Emergency Management teams to learn about plans for maintaining safe schools. The Summits will be held on Monday, September 19 from 6-7:30pm at Jordan High School and Monday, September 26 from 6-7:30pm at Southern School of Energy & Sustainability. This event is FREE and open to the public. Please register by visiting www.bit.ly/SafeSchoolsSummit22.

    

   9. Next Sheriff Speaks Session on Sept. 27 - Join Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and Stephanie Satkowiak, JD Domestic Violence Specialist, Court Programs Division and Deputy L. Hamlett, Durham County Sheriff’s Office Detective, Domestic Violence, as host a community discussion on Domestic Violence. This session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. Everyone is invited to attend. Questions, contact pio@durhamsheriff.org.

    

   10. Sample Ballots for 2022 General Election Available - Sample ballots for the November 8, 2022 General Election are available from the North Carolina State Board of Elections. To find out how to view your specific sample ballot, visit Sample Ballots | Durham County (dcovotes.com).

    

    

   Please see the Board of Commissioners webpage for additional announcements.

    

    

   Chair Howerton asked the audience to pause for a moment of silence to honor all 911 victims and those impacted and to honor former County Attorney Lowell Siler who passed last week.

    

    

   Minutes: 

   The Minutes of the August 1^st work session and the August 8th and 22nd regular sessions were approved. 

    

   Ceremonial Items:

    

   The Board proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Durham County. National Recovery Month celebrates the fact that, despite stigma and negative stereotypes regarding recovery from mental and substance use disorders, people do recover and go on to lead meaningful lives, supporting their families and contributing to the larger community.

    

   County Commissioners approved a resolution in support of Operation Green Light. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join Operation Green Light and light our buildings and homes green from November 7-13.

    

   The Board also proclaimed September 21^st as World Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Day in Durham County. Durham County everyone to join in partnerships, collaborations, and advocacy efforts to promote well-being, inclusion, and health equity for persons with dementia.

    

   Consent Agenda:

    

   The Board approved a contract with the Durham Public Schools Foundation for the Bull City Community Schools Project and authorized the County Manager to execute it.

    

   Commissioners authorized the County Manager to sign a resolution in support of Durham County’s application for the ARPA-funded Local Assistance for Stormwater Investments Grant Program.

    

   The Board of Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment for Public Health to recognize $20,000 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health to Support a Regional Tobacco-Free Collaborative and Implement a Tobacco Prevention and Control Action Plan.

    

   Commissioners reviewed the Sheriff’s Office application for the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $193,287. The local solicitation for the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant was released on June 22, 2022. This award will be split in a 50/50 agreement between the Durham County Sheriff’s Office and the Durham Police Department.

    

   The Board approved an Interlocal agreement between Durham County and City of Durham for the Department of Social Services to administer the Low-Income Homeowner’s Relief Program.

    

   County Commissioners approved and authorized the County Manager to execute the contract with Intellicom Inc., in the amount of $158,866 for the Telecom and AV Project at the Durham County Detention Center.

    

   The Board approved the Durham County Board of Elections request to increase its FY22-23 service contract with the temporary employee agency, Adecco. Adecco has assisted other counties in North Carolina with identifying temporary employees to assist with election activities.

    

   Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment for Public Health to recognize funds in the amount of $514,327 from the NC DHHS Division of Public Health Women and Children’s Health / Immunization Branch. These funds will focus on removing the barriers to accessing vaccine, increasing vaccine confidence, coordinating COVID-19 vaccine services, and expanding its COVID-19 vaccination program, with an emphasis on reaching high-risk and underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, and all others disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

    

   The Board approved the FY 2022-23 Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Grant Resolution. In FY22, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program awarded the Durham County Sheriff’s Office a four-year grant totaling $1,127,161 - the figure includes local match funding - that will be used to fund three sworn deputy positions to work traffic enforcement.

    

   County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement (ILA) with the City of Durham for implementation of the Master Aging Plan.

    

   The Board of County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to execute a contract amendment with RND Architects, PA in the amount of $105,240 for a total revised contract amount of $154,630 for architectural and interior design services required for interior upgrades at Stanford L. Warren Library.

    

   Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract with McKim & Creed in the amount of $94,807, to provide engineering services for arc flash analysis, an updated arc flash evaluation report, and associated single line drawings for the Utilities Division.

    

   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract amendment with Evoqua Water Technologies, LLC for collection system odor and corrosion control services in the amount of $9,640.80, bringing the total contract amount from $80,340.24 to $89,981.04.

    

   County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to execute six (6) Utility Contracts for extensions of the County sanitary sewer system. These contracts are the County’s Standard Non-Reimbursable Contract.

    

   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating $50,000 in General Fund fund balance to Court Facilities to support infrastructure improvements and expansion of wireless access to all Court personnel and guests.

    

   Commissioners approved a Capital Project Amendment transferring $5,196,188.77 in 2016 GO Bond funding from five existing DPS projects and increasing the Murray-Massenburg Capital Project by an equal amount.

    

   The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a contract with Kirsty Fontaine LLC to provide support to the organization and sustaining of the Durham County Racial Equity Commission, work with relevant county staff and community leaders to identify areas of intervention to further integrate tenets of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ).

    

   County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to execute a contract with Westaff Workforce Solutions LLC for temporary staffing in an amount not to exceed $238,442.40 for the Community Intervention and Support Services department to support implementation of programmatic efforts.

    

   The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a contract with Cure Violence Global in the amount of $65,500 to provide training and technical assistance to the Bull City United program within the Community Intervention and Support Services Department.

    

   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating $167,186 of General Fund fund Balance and to approve the contract between Durham County Government and Kate’s Korner to provide tutoring and enrichment services to support Durham Housing Authority (DHA) communities, low-income students attending Durham Technical Community College, and Families Moving Forward residents

    

   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a $45,617.78 contract to IDN-Armstrong’s Inc. to purchase new cores, key blanks and padlocks for various county facilities.

    

   Commissioners approved an increase in the contract with The Banks Law Firm, P.A. in an amount up to $60,000 for legal services in a DSS Legal Services matter.

    

   The Board approved a contract with Womble Bond Dickinson LLP in the amount of $38,000.00 for legal services in the matter of W. Davis.

    

   The Board approved an increase in the contract with the law firm of Parker Poe in an amount up to $173,000 for legal services on the Public/Private Partnership regarding development of the 300 and 500 Blocks of East Main Street.

    

   Commissioners accepted the Federal Aviation Administration grant offer in the amount of $13,522,729 to support the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDU).

    

   Commissioners approved the property tax release and refund report for August 2022 as presented and authorized the Tax Assessor to adjust the tax records as outlined by the report.

    

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

    

    

   Public Hearings

    

   The Board approved a Major Special Use Permit (MSUP) for a Community Wastewater System for the Mason Farms conservation subdivision pursuant to Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) 12.7.1C, and to approve the Major Site Plan for Mason Farms pursuant to UDO 3.7.3B. the Board approved the following actions:

    

• Motion #1: To approve the Major Special Use Permit for case M2200001, Mason Farms Community Wastewater System; and
• Motion #2: To approve the Major Site Plan for case D2100325, Mason Farms.

   

  The Board was asked to approve the permanent closing of a 970 linear foot portion of Akzo Boulevard (SR 2602).  However, no action was taken and the item was referred back to Planning staff.

   

  The Board conducted a public hearing and approved street renaming case SN2200001, changing the street name from Park Drive to Sancar Way.

   

  Other Business

   

  The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:57 p.m.

   

  Please tune into the next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, 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 clerk@dconc.gov.

   

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