Board of County Commissioners Regular Session Highlights from November 12, 2024
Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Tuesday, November 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.
Chair Nida Allam called the meeting to order. Commissioner Brenda Howerton was excused.
All attendees were led by Commissioner Heidi Carter to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Adjustments: The Board made no adjustments to the agenda.
Other Business: County Manager Claudia O. Hager was officially sworn in as Durham County Manager by Superior Court Judge Shameika Rhinehart. County Manager Hager was joined by her son, her parents and a host of other family and friends.
Announcements: Monica Wallace, Clerk to the Board, read the announcements.
Open Space Match Grant Program Deadline is Wednesday! - If you have a great idea for an open space or recreation project in Durham County, this could be the perfect grant opportunity for you! But hurry, the deadline to apply for the Durham County Open Space Matching Grant Program is Wednesday, November 13 at 5 p.m. Information and application instructions are available at www.dconc.gov/matchinggrants. For questions, you can email Open Space Coordinator Brendan Moore at bmoore@dconc.gov.
Electronics Recycling Event at RTP on Nov. 14 - It's that time of year again. Join the Research Triangle Park and Kramden by bringing your used or broken electronics for a meaningful cause at its annual RTP Electronics Recycling Day on Thursday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location is 300 Park Offices Drive. For the donation form, which is required, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMkKo7kP6qBjWMwoVAT6xsWcU8dThjNqawtz0pk1nTIcmWtg/viewform. Form also has what is being accepted.
MHC Community Walk on Nov. 16 - The Men's Health Council (MHC) of the Durham County Department of Public Health will hold its monthly Community Walk at Merrick-Moore Park (632 N. Hoover Road) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 16. Each walk features conversation, a local health expert talk, exercise, and fun for all ages! This walk will be followed by a cooking demonstration and tasting with Jasmine Burroughs of Food That Fits You, Inc. For more information, contact Joyce Page at jpage@dconc.gov or 919-560-7109.
2025 Reappraisal Awareness Session - The Durham County Department of Tax Administration will be conducting a Community Outreach 2025 Reappraisal Awareness session for residents to learn more about the reappraisal process and ask questions to staff on Monday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street. For questions about the Reappraisal process, visit www.dconc.gov/tax or call 919-560-0300.
Welcome Baby's Annual Winter Coat Drive - Welcome Baby is kicking off its 12th annual Coat Drive, which will run from Monday, November 18, 2024, to Friday, January 10, 2025. Each year, as the air turns chilly, Welcome Baby collect coats sizes newborn to 8 and share with local families visiting the Giving Closet. They had a record year of collection and distribution last year, with over 1,000 coats! Donations can be left at Durham County library locations at Main Library and East, North, South, and Southwest Regional locations. You can also drop off at 721 Foster Street at the Welcome Baby office on Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Cindy at 919-560-7319 or ckriley@dconc.gov to host your own drop-off site!
Sheriff's "Star Talk" Podcast - The Durham County Sheriff's Office has a new "Star Talk" podcast available for listening! In Episode 11, Durham County Sheriff's Office Public Relations and Communications Manager David Bowser and Senior Public Information Specialist AnnMarie Breen talk about the Public Information Office, upcoming fall events, and provide information on an uptick in recent phone scams impacting Durham residents. Listen here: https://dcsostartalk.podbean.com/e/episode-11-public-information-special-events/.
COVID-19 Vaccines Available at DCoDPH - Come to the Durham Count Department of Public Health vaccine clinic at 414 E. Main Street to get the latest COVID-19 vaccination. Walk-ins and appointments are available for all people 6 months or older, with or without insurance. Call 919-560-7608 to schedule. Visit www.DCoPublicHealth.org/COVIDvaccines to learn more.
Minutes: Commissioners approved the October 28, 2024, Regular Session minutes.
Ceremonial Items:
Recognition - The Board recognized Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) for recently receiving the Dr. Sarah Taylor Morrow Health Department of the Year award by the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) at the 2024 NCPHA Fall Educational Conference. This award is given to local health departments for outstanding programs and efforts. DCoDPH was awarded this honor for its achievements in measuring and improving the health of the Durham community through the work of the Partnership for a Healthy Durham, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The award included a $1,000 check.
Recognition - The Board recognized the Durham City-County Planning Department for being awarded the esteemed Marvin Collins Outstanding Planning Award (Comprehensive Plan - Large Community category) by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association. The award was presented to staff at the APA-NC Annual Conference on October 16, 2024. The plan was the culmination of four years of staff work with the community and was led by the Planning Department's Community Planning Team, who managed the project, and wrote the plan.
Proclamation - National Adoption Month - The Board proclaimed November 2024 as Adoption Awareness Month. National Adoption Month is celebrated throughout the country annually in November "to raise awareness about adoption and to bring attention to the 109,000 children in the United States with legal permanency goals of adoption who are at risk of aging out of foster care and without permanent family connections" (2024 Children's Bureau Message). This year's theme is "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds," highlighting the need to focus on ensuring youth benefit from lasting relationships and have wholistic supports and opportunities. Read the proclamation here.
Proclamation - Native American Heritage Month 2024 - The Board proclaimed November 2024 as Native American Heritage Month in Durham County. Native American Heritage Month 2024 acknowledges and honors the Native American and Indigenous Community in Durham County, bringing awareness and celebration to the experiences and contributions of the Native American community in Durham County. Read the proclamation here.
Consent Agenda: Commissioners considered and approved the following items. See full agenda for complete details:
BOCC Review of 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Application
Approval to Enter into a Contract with NWN for $313,288.87 to Renew Support for Cisco Network and Security Equipment
Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA022 Appropriating $16,555,735 of Limited Obligation Bond (LOBs) Funding to the Durham County Sheriff's Training Facility Capital Project (4310DC091); and Authorizing the Execution of the Construction Manager At-Risk Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract with CT Wilson Construction for the Construction of the Sheriff's Training Facility at a Total Amount Not-To-Exceed $15,929,463 (Base Bid, Alternates, Plus Owner Contingency) "”THIS ITEM WAS NOT APPROVED AND WILL BE RECONSIDERED IN JANUARY.
Budget Ordinance Amendment 25BCC033 to Recognize $125,981 in Year 3 Funding to the Office of Emergency Services - Emergency Medical Services (OES_EMS) from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MHDDSAS), and to Authorize the County Manager or Appropriate Designee to Sign and Execute All Related Documents, Contracts, and Purchases for Authorized and Approved Uses Associated With the Grant Program Throughout the Grant's Period of Performance
Approve Renewal of the Hollow Rock Nature Park Interlocal Agreement and Management Plan
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC038 Public Health to Recognize $230,000 from NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Well-Being for Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Interventions
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC039 Public Health to Recognize $120,000 from the NC DHHS Division of Child and Family Wellbeing, Whole Child Health Section, School, Adolescent and Child Health Unit to Maintain a Strong and Inclusive School Health Team
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC036 Public Health to Recognize $8,000 from North Carolina Public Health Association's Dr. Ann Wolfe Mini Grant Award
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC037 Public Health to Recognize $1,000 from the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) for winning the Dr. Sarah Taylor Morrow Large Health Department of the Year for 2024 Award
Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA017 to Support the Snow Hill Road Pump Station and Force Main Replacement Capital Project (47302635DC149), as well as Execution of the Design-Builder "Guaranteed Maximum Price #4.3" Contract in the amount of $6,659,581
Approval of Contract Award to Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. for Engineering Design Services of Lift Station Flow Meters for the Utilities Division in the Amount of $107,700 with a Not to Exceed Amount of $124,000.
Approval of Contract Award to Rummel, Klepper, & Kahl, LLP (RK&K) for Engineering Services for Wexford Sewer Improvements for the Utilities Division in the Amount of $188,786 with a Not to Exceed Amount of $215,000.
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC041 for the Department of Social Services to recognize Emergency Placement funding of $75,919 for Children in Agency Custody
Approval of the FY25 Durham Transit Work Program Q2 Amendment in the Amount of $3,861,058
Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA019 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC043 Appropriating $4,021,221 from the Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund Fund Balance and Transferring the Funding to the Page Park Lift Station Capital Project (SE065) for a New Total Project Budget of $4,236,671; as well as Authorizing the County Manager to Execute a Design-Build Contract Amendment with Crowder Construction Company for the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the Amount of $3,904,221 and Allowed Construction Contingency of 3% ($117,000) to Execute Any Other Related Contracts, Including Change Orders, Not to Exceed the Available Budget of $4,021,221 for the Design-Build GMP
Approval of Capital Project Amendment No. 25CPA020 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC044 Appropriating $12,349,654 of Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund Fund Balance and Transferring the Funding to the Slater Road Lift Station, Force Main, and Outfall Capital Project (SE066), Transferring $8,303,330 of Budgeted ARPA Funding to the Slater Road Capital Project for a New Total Project Budget of $22,349,654; as well as Authorizing the County Manager to Execute a Design-Build Contract Amendment with Crowder Construction Company for the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the Amount of $20,052,984.00 and Allowed Construction Contingency of 3% ($600,000) to Execute any Other Related Contracts, Including Change Orders, Not to Exceed the Available Budget of $20,652,984 for the Design-Build GMP
Approval to Amend the Current Contract, FR# 25-091 with Envirotrol, LLC, in the Amount of $20,000.00 to be Added to the Special Services Fund Line Number 11 for a New Contract Amount of $167,580. Funding for this is Currently Available in HVAC FY 2024-25 Operational Budget
Approve Request for Consent of Access to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to allow its Division of Waste Management and Contractors Access to the 721 Foster Street Site
Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA021 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC045 Appropriating $1,000,000 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance, Transferring the Funding to the PAYGO Fund for the New Seaton Road Fleet Maintenance Facility Capital Project (4730DC164); as well as Execution of a Contract for Architectural Design Services with HH Architecture for the Seaton Road Maintenance Facility Project
Request for approval of a Resolution authorizing and approving the levy of an additional two dollars ($2.00) of the motor vehicle registration tax by the Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority (dba "GoTriangle") as authorized by North Carolina General Statute §105-561.
Request to Adopt 2025 General Reappraisal Schedule of Values
Approval to Enter into a Contract with EKOS in the amount of $70,482.40 to Upgrade County Fueling Stations at General Services (Ramseur St), EMS1 (Memorial County Stadium), and Parkwood Fire Rescue #82 (Miami Blvd)
Approve Use of ARPA Funds to Support Positions in Grants Administration and Finance Departments to Assist Management of ARPA Projects
Legislative Items for 2025 Durham County Local Legislative Agenda
Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda: Pulled items were approved except
Item # 24-0645 Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA022 Appropriating $16,555,735 of Limited Obligation Bond (LOBs) Funding to the Durham County Sheriff's Training Facility. "” THIS ITEM WILL BE RECONSIDERED IN JANUARY.
Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:18 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. Replays are also available on DTN. 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, November 25, 2024, inside the Commissioners' Chambers at 7 p.m. on the second floor at 200 E. Main Street. A reception honoring outgoing Commissioners will be held prior to the meeting, beginning at 5 p.m.
For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk@dconc.gov.