Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, February 10, 2025, 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 Nida Allam called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

All attendees were led by Chair Allam 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.

2025 DCo Cares Recipient Organization Applications Open - The 2025 DCo Cares Recipient Organization Applications are now open to all nonprofits serving the Triangle community. Durham County (DCo) Cares is the annual Durham County Government Employee Giving Campaign, in which our employees donate funds to those nonprofit agencies chosen as our annual recipient organizations. Applications will be open through February 21, 2025. For more information, or to apply to be a recipient organization, please visit www.dcocares.org.

DCo Transportation Seeks Public Input on Draft FY26 Work Program - Durham County Transportation is seeking public input on its Draft Fiscal Year 2026 Transit Work Program. The Public Comment period goes from Jan. 31 to Feb. 21. Residents may take a survey at https://publicinput.com/draftfy26 or email comments to TransitPlan@dconc.gov. DCo Transportation will also hold two more in-person tabling sessions at Durham Station, 515 W. Pettigrew Street, on Feb. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. You can also visit https://bit.ly/DCoTransitWorkPrograms for more information.

Celebrate Black History Month at Library - The Durham County Library system is celebrating Black History Month with a plethora of events for all ages. All throughout February, check out events - both big and small - created to help us all learn about the rich contributions, achievements, and resilience of the Black Community throughout history. Visting https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/ and search for "Black History Month."

Farmland Protection Plan Public Engagement Event - The Durham County Farmland Protection Advisory Board, the Foothills Regional Commission, and Durham Soil and Water Conservation District invite residents to attend a public engagement event on the Durham County Farmland Protection Plan. The purpose of the event is to review the current conditions of Durham County farming and discuss problem solving strategies. To be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Bahama Ruritan Club, 8202 Stagville Road. Register at https://forms.gle/aZAXZzupsvVAJxyL7. Questions: mlong@frcnc.gov or sscully@dconc.gov.

Durham Area Food & Resources Map - Check out the Durham Area Food and Resource map. It's a one-stop resource to find food pantries, places to get a hot meal, farmers' markets that take SNAP and WIC benefits and grocery stores that take SNAP and WIC benefits. Find the map here: https://durham-area-food-resources-durhamnc.hub.arcgis.com/. Visit End Hunger Durham for a printable list of food pantries at https://www.endhungerdurham.org/food-resources/.

Advertisement of Tax Liens - The Durham County Tax Administration wants all taxpayers to know that North Carolina law requires the tax collector to annually publish current year unpaid real estate taxes. Durham County real property taxes not paid by 5 p.m. on March 11, 2025, will be advertised in a local newspaper on March 26, 2025. For information, visit www.dconc.gov/tax or call 919-560-0300.

2025 Reappraisal Notices - Durham County taxpayers will be mailed their 2025 Reappraisal Notices by the first week of March 2025. These notices will inform taxpayers of their 2025 assessed values after the 2025 General Reappraisal process. Property owners are encouraged to visit the Tax Administration website at www.dconc.gov/tax to review the values, compare them with sales they have observed, and verify that their property tax listing is accurate.

Free NC Voter ID Outreach Event - The Durham County Board of Elections will hold a free NC Voter Photo Identification Card event on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 12 to 3 p.m. at North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road. The DCoBOE is holding an event every month at libraries to help distribute free IDs. Visit www.dcovotes.dconc.gov/voters/voter-id for find out more information.

DCo Library Hosts "حدوتة بالعربي :A Story in Arabic" - Come out to the Durham County Main Library's Main Children's Programming Room to enjoy a story and other activities in Arabic language with Fayrouz Kaddal. Registration is required. They will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays - Feb. 15, March 29, April 26, and May 17. Register for the first date here: https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/13736608. Email Kaddal at fayrouz.kaddal@gmail.com for more information.

Office of the Sheriff Community Academy - Looking to learn about the Sheriff's Office, give helpful feedback, build relationships and raise awareness? Apply today for the Community Academy hosted by the Durham County Office of the Sheriff. For additional information and to apply, please visit www.durhamsheriff.com or call 919-560-0897.

Open Office Hours with Planning Staff - The Durham City-County Planning Department is updating the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)! The UDO sets the rules for how land is developed in Durham, and we want your input! We will be hosting recurring office hours throughout the project. Drop in with your questions and feedback at the Durham County Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.) on First Thursdays 3-6 p.m. and Third Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. through August 2025. Website: https://engagedurham.com/35/New-UDO. Contact: NewUDO@DurhamNC.gov.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the January 27, 2025, Regular Session minutes.

Ceremonial Items:

Introduction of the New Durham County Memorial Stadium Manager, Evan Kramer - The Board recognized the new Durham County Memorial Stadium Manager, Evan Kramer. Evan graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with degrees in Sport Administration and Management. He went on to pursue his graduate degree, and earned a Master's degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management from NC State University. Prior to coming to Durham, Evan was the coordinator of Sport Programs at UNC, overseeing intramural and club sport activities. In November of 2022, Evan came to Durham County General Services as the Event Coordinator at the Durham County Memorial Stadium, where he worked in conjunction with the previous Stadium Manager to host over 100 events each year. He served as the lead on many successful events at the stadium, including the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Track and Field Championship, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Lacrosse State Championships, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship Football Game. Prior to his appointment as Stadium Manager, he served as the acting stadium manager for the past three months. Evan is a resident of Durham and is excited to continue the work of growing and developing the stadium, and ensuring it continues to be a positive asset for Durham County and surrounding areas that support local events for the community.

Black History Month Proclamation - The Board issued a proclamation celebrating Black History Month in Durham County. The purpose of this resolution is to acknowledge and honor the lived experiences and contributions of the African American and Black community in Durham County, bringing awareness and celebration to Black History Month in our community in Durham County and across our country and world. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and understanding within Durham County. Together, we strive to acknowledge, learn from, and appreciate the diverse narratives that shape our collective history. Read the proclamation here.

Resolution Honoring the Lives and Legacy of Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha on the 10th Anniversary of Their Passing - The Board approved a resolution requested by Commissioner Nida Allam to commemorate the lives of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha who lived their young lives in dedication to serving communities locally and globally. These young people were in the midst of pursuing education in the fields of dentistry, biological science and architecture when in early 2015, their lives were cut short by a violent act. Read the resolution here.

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

Approval of Purchase of Goods and Services Contract with Batteries of NC & S.W.S. LLC in the Amount of $385,485.54 for the Sheriff's Office FY25 Vehicle Equipment

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC070 Public Health to Recognize $15,000 from Duke University's Division of Community Health to Conduct the 2026 Durham County Community Health Assessment Survey with Durham County Residents

Authorize the County Manager to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) for the Durham County Youth Home

Approval of Purchase of Goods and Services Contract with eGroup Holding Company, LLC in the Amount of $302,273 to provide Data Protection and Disaster Recovery for the Sheriff's Office

Approval to provide blanket authorization for the Manager's execution of the documents required by the North Carolina Department of Transportation as part of the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant Utilities Administration Building II Project

Lease Amendment for China Wok at 3825 S Roxboro Rd. Suite 124 at the Shoppes of Hope Valley Shopping Center to extend the current lease through February 28, 2027, with a monthly base lease rate of $3,019.02, plus monthly Common Area maintenance costs estimated to be $400.00 per month for CY2025

Durham County Matching Grants Program - Approval of FY 2024-25 Grant Cycle Recipients in the Amount of $100,000

Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC072 Appropriating $53,240 of General Fund Balance to the County Matching Grants Program for previously approved 2023-24 FY Grant Recipient

Approval of Addendum to Property Management Agreement between Durham County and TradeMark Properties, Inc. to incorporate the retail spaces at 201 E. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701 into the Property Management Agreement and increase the annual contract to a total annual amount of $36,000

Approval to Advertise 2024 Tax Liens on Real Property

Approval of Contract Amendment with Westaff Workforce Solutions for Temporary Staffing Services

Approval of Contract with Ultimate Staffing for Temporary Staffing Services

Other Business: The Department of Tax Administration provided the Board with an update on the 2025 General Reappraisal that went into effect on January 1, 2025. The presentation provided the Board and public with current market statistics, important upcoming dates and general information about the reappraisal process. View the presentation here.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda:

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Board meetings are cablecast live and rebroadcast on Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum channel 8 and 1302, Frontier channel 70 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. 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, February 24, 2025, 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.