Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, August 12, 2024, 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.

Closed Session: The Board adjourned into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).

Chair Nida Allam called the meeting to order.

All attendees were led by Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda Adjustments: The Board made no adjustments to the agenda.

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

Honoring DCo's Purple Heart Veterans - The Durham County Department of Veteran Services invites Durham County's Purple Heart Recipients (PHR) to come to a Purple Heart Event in recognition of their service and Purple Heart Month. Be recognized. Be celebrated. Be our hero. The event is Thursday, August 22 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Veteran Services Office, 2nd Floor of the Durham County Human Services Building, 414 E. Main Street. Contact Veteran Services for more information at 919-560- 8387 or veteranservices@dconc.gov.

Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program Applications Opens Aug. 15 - The Durham Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program (LIHR) begins accepting applications on Thursday, August 15, 2024. This program from the Durham County Department of Social Services provides property tax help on CURRENT taxes for eligible Durham County homeowners. This is a tax assistance based upon a 3-tier income model. Find out eligibility requirements and get information on applying at www.dconc.gov/DSS or by calling 919-560-8000 to set up an appointment.

DPS Back to School Guide 2024-2025 - Durham Public Schools looks forward to all students' first day of school as the 2024-2025 school year begins! To that end, DPS has created a 2024-2025 Back to School Guide for students on traditional and year-round schedules. Get the guide here: www.dpsnc.net/domain/207. You'll also find links to the DPS Mobile App, the Edulog Parent Portal App (bus information), PowerSchool, Before and After-school Care, and more!

Cooperative Extension Master Gardner Info Sessions - Join the Durham County Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners for free information session about the program and how you can apply for our upcoming training! Sessions will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 (10 a.m. online); Monday, Aug. 19 (2 p.m., 721 Foster St.); Friday, Sept. 6 (2 p.m., 721 Foster St.); Tuesday, Sept. 10 (6 p.m., online); Wednesday, Sept. 18 (10 a.m., 721 Foster St.); and Thursday, Sept. 26 (6 p.m., online). Registration links: https://bit.ly/DCoExtEventbrite. Hurry, spots are filling up fast!

2024-2025 Solid Waste Decals - Residents of the unincorporated parts of Durham County will receive their 2024-2025 Durham County Solid Waste Decal with their annual tax bill to be mailed in August. Residents may continue using their 2023-2024 decal until the new ones arrive. For more information, visit https://dconc.gov/government/departments-f-z/general-services or call 919-560-0300.

2024 Annual Property Tax Billing - The Durham County Tax Administration will mail 2024 tax bills to Durham County property owners in mid-August. Taxes are due September 1, 2024, but must be paid by January 6, 2025, to avoid interest and additional costs. For information, visit our website at www.dconc.gov/tax or contact Durham County Government Call Center at 919-560-0300.

Take Survey for Downtown Durham Blueprint 2035 - Downtown Durham has seen incredible growth and change since the last master plan was established 23 years ago. To meet this progress and adapt to new challenges, Downtown Durham, Inc., has launched the Downtown Durham Blueprint: 2035. This new plan aims to preserve downtown's unique character while supporting continued growth and development. Give feedback in English or Spanish at the links below (do survey, get entered in raffle for prizes): English - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DowntownDurham2035. Spanish - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PlanCentrodeDurham2035.

Register to Vote - You can find out information on how to register to vote in Durham County on the Board of Elections' webpage at www.dconc.gov/voters/registration. There you will find information on registration deadlines, how to register in person, online, or by mail; as well as how to do same day voter registration during Early Voting. Deadline to register for the November 2024 General Election is October 11. Questions? Contact the Board of Elections at 919-560-0700.

Latest "˜Star Talk' Podcast Features SMART! - The ninth edition of the Durham County Sheriff's Office "Star Talk" podcast sees Sheriff Clarence Birkhead celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Sheriff's Medication Assisted Restorative Treatment program, or SMART. This opioid treatment program helps detainees recover from addiction. Listen today - www.dcsostartalk.podbean.com/e/episode-9-smart-anniversary/.

Free & Confidential HIV/STI Testing from DCoDPH - Do you need free and confidential HIV/STI testing? The Durham County Department of Public Health can help. Call or text Ashley at (919) 698-1303 or Jarrel (919) 314-7541.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes from the July 8, 2024, Regular Session.

Ceremonial Items:

Proclamation - Purple Heart Month 2024 - The Board proclaimed the month of August as Purple Heart Month in Durham County in honor of the county's Purple Heart recipients. The US's oldest military medal, the Purple Heart is awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who suffer a wound which requires medical treatment due to either direct or indirect enemy action. Read the proclamation here.

Proclamation - Child Support Awareness Month - The Board proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month. Read the proclamation here.

Proclamation - Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Month - The Board proclaimed Durham County as a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. Read the proclamation here.

Resolution - Honoring the Bull City Express Track Club - The Board issued a resolution honoring the Bull City Express Track Club for their remarkable performance at the 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships. Read the resolution here.

Recognition - Durham County Earns 11 NACo Achievement Awards and another Digital Cities Award - The Board recognized the Durham County Government departments who received a 2024 NACo Achievement Award as well as an additional Digital Cities Award. Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities. The 11 NACo Achievement Awards for 2024 are:

County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability: Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control Go Online with GIS and Web-Based Systems, which was also named Best in Category.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety: Hayti Reborn Justice Movement Program Health: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities through the Work of a Woman's Health Nurse Navigator

Information Technology: Durham County Government IT Procurement

Process Information Technology: Durham County Government Moveworks AI Chatbot

Information Technology: Durham County Government, Department of Social Services Quality Control Tool

Information Technology: Durham County, NC Environmental Health GIS Dashboard

Information Technology: Durham County Government, Board of Elections -Precinct Official Application and Portal

Libraries: Durham County Library's Helping Hand: Addressing Homelessness and Building Community

Personnel Management, Employment, and Training: Durham County Government, HR Connect Informational Program

Planning: Durham County Government, InfoTech Project - ERP Strategy & Selection

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

Approval of 2024 Durham County Emergency Operations Plan

Approval of FY 2024-25 Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Grant Funding Resolution

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC00006 to Recognize $5,324.00 in Grant Funding from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Child Nutrition Program for the Youth Home

Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC008 to Recognize $40,300 in Grant Funding from the State Library of North Carolina LSTA Grant in Support of Meeting the Makers Where They Are

Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA00006 Transferring $6,800,568.99 of Budgeted Debt Service Fund Dollars to the PAYGO Fund to Support the Multi-Department Radio and Tower Capital Project (4330DC005) for County Wide Radio Replacement ($6,189,247.08), Create a New Durham Public Schools Radio Replacement Capital Project (59105400SH321) with $317,834.30 and a New Durham Technical Community College Radio Replacement Project (59205300CC021) with $293,487.61, as well as Approval of a $7,740,324.20 Contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the Upgrade and Replacement of Public Safety Radio Equipment

Approval to Amend a Contract with Adecco for Temporary Services in the Amount of $225,409.25 for a new total of $462,451.37

Approval of a Contract with Express Employment Services to provide a Second 11-Month Contract Term for the Public Arts Coordinator for Engineering in the Amount of $100,800.00

Recognize a $500,000 Grant from the State of North Carolina's Soil and Water Conservation Commission's Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) for the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project

Approval of Service Contract with Animal Protection Society of Durham, Inc in the Amount of $1,123,435

Award of Contract to Meritech, Inc. for Laboratory Services for the Durham County Utilities Division in the Amount of $158,692.00 with a Not to Exceed Amount of $190,000.00

Approval of a Contract Amendment with Hayti Reborn - Justice Movement totaling $1,000,000

Award of Contract to Source Technologies, LLC for Collection System Odor and Corrosion Control for the Utilities Division in the Amount of $71,000.00 With a Not to Exceed Amount of $90,000.00

Approval of Proposed Items for 2025 NCACC Legislative Goals Process

Approve Sole Source Exemption for Utilities Division Purchase of Reclaimed Water System Compressor in the amount of $23,411.38

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC012 County Administration to Appropriate $300,000 In General Fund fund balance for the Durham County Master Aging Plan

Approval of a Contract with W/Architecture in the Amount of $197,410 for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Renovation of the Justice Services Center, as well as the Authority to Execute Change Orders/Amendments to the Contract Using Available Funding in the County Building Envelope Upgrade Capital Project (4190DC078)

Approval to Enter a Contract with Data Network Solutions in the Amount of $70,493.74 to Continue Support and Maintenance for DCO Enterprise Palo Alto Firewalls

Approve Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA00007 Transferring $600,000 of Budgeted Debt Service Fund Funding to the PAYGO Fund to support the 500 E. Main St. Downtown Parking Deck Capital Project (47302635DC151); as well as Authorize an Increase in the Owner's Contingency in the Amount of $1,300,000 to Execute Any Necessary Change Orders for the Deck Development Agreement with ZOM Living for a Total Not-to-Exceed of $34,001,100.00

Approval of a Contract with Envirotrol, LLC, for $330,033 to Replace Underground Condenser Piping, as well as the Authority to Execute Change Orders/Amendments to the Contract Using Available Funds in the Ongoing HVAC Replacement Capital Project (4190DC076)

Amend a Prior Approval of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for the Station 18 Co-located Fire/EMS Facility to Reduce the ILA Cost-Share Funding Amount by $188,241

3 Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC010 to Recognize $12,500 in Grant Revenue from the Burt's Bees Foundation to Support Ecological Restoration and Educational Signage at New Hope Creek Bottomlands Trail Preserve

Award of On-Call Machinery and Repair Services (RFP 24-033R2) Contracts for the Utilities Division to Clayton Electric Motor Repair, Inc. and Rocky Mount Electric Motor, LLC in the amount of $35,000 each with a not to exceed amount per contract of $50,000 each, and to Dixie Electro Mechanical Services, Inc. and Holland Industrial Services, Inc. in the amount of $92,000 each with a not to exceed amount per contract of $120,000 each

Approval to Enter into a Contract with Brady Trane, in the Amount of $120,556.05 for the Replacement of the AFD Drive for Chiller #2 at the Detention Center

Approval to Grant a Permanent Utility Easement to Duke Energy to Provide Electrical Service to the Sheriff's Training Facility (100 Electra Road, Durham)

Award three (3) Public Art Contracts to Lacey Crime, Jhonatton and Samantha Arango (Anon Art), and Mayanthi Jayawardena, in a total amount not to exceed $ 158,210.80 for Public Art Murals to be located at the 500 E. Main Street Parking Deck, Durham NC., Project No.: (47302635DC151)

Approve Contract Award to Raftelis for Financial Planning, Rate Study, and Support Services for the Durham County Utilities Division in the Amount of $55,000 with a Not to Exceed Amount of $65,000

Approve a Conservation Easement agreement with Neil and Catherine Frank for 30 acres at 1300 Red Mountain Road, Rougemont

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Contract with Made in Durham for Workforce Development Services in the Amount of $250,000

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Contract with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce for Business Recruitment and Retention Services in the Amount of $225,000

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Contract with Downtown Durham, Inc. for Economic Development Services in the Amount of $200,000

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Contract with the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce for Small Business Support Services in the Amount of $50,000

Approval to Enter into a Contract with FMLASource in the amount of $82,800 for Absence Management & ADA Administration

Approve the Creation of a Temporary Part-Time Parent Educator Position (.72 FTE) in Cooperative Extension for the Welcome Baby Program's Fatherhood Initiative Supported by Duke Endowment Grant funds

Approval of FY2025 Contract with Museum of Durham History in the amount of $139,700.00

Approval of Service Contract with Just A Clean House for the Justice Services Transitional Living Facility in the Amount of $101,808.84

Approval of Service Contract with Psychiatric Services and Consultation in the Amount of $146,718.00 for Mental Health Services in the Durham County Detention Center

Approval of FY2024-2025 Annual Contract with Urban Ministries of Durham in the Amount of $380,356.00

Removal of Citizen Board Member Due to Poor Attendance

Approval of a Contract with J&A Engineering Consultants in the amount of $64,990.00 for Security Engineering Design & Construction Administration Services for Multiple Durham County Sites- Phase 3

Approval of FY 2024-2025 Service Contract with Recovery Innovations, Inc in the amount of $51,000 for Telehealth Services in the Detention Center

Approve a Contract with Durham Community Land Trustees, Inc. for $1,500,000 to Support Land Trust Investments. American Rescue Plan Act funds support the contract expense

Public Hearings:

Public Hearing - Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment TC2400001 - Omnibus 19 - The Board conducted a public hearing to receive comments and consider the following motions:

Motion 1: To adopt an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, incorporating revisions to Article 3 Applications and Permits, Article 4 Zoning Districts, Article 5 Use Regulations, Article 6 District Intensity Standards, Article 7 Design Standards, Article 9 Landscaping and Buffering, Article 10 Parking and Loading, Article 11 Sign Standards, Article 12 Infrastructure and Public Improvements, Article 14 Nonconformities, and Article 17 Definitions.

Motion 2: To adopt a Consistency Statement as required by N. C. G. S. Sec. 160D-605.

Following the closure of the public hearing, the Board voted to approve both motions.

Board and Commission Appointments: The Board made appointments to the following board:

Durham Workforce Development Board: Sebastian Feculak

Congratulations on this appointment.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda:

24-0473 - Approval of FY2025 Contract with Alliance Health in the amount of $6,503,803.00: The Board pulled this item to discuss at a later meeting.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:26p.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, August 26, 2024, 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.