Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, October 28, 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 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.

Early Voting Continues - Looking to avoid long lines on Election Day? County's Board of Elections invites you to cast your ballot during Early Voting for the 2024 Statewide General Election, which continues at 12 locations throughout Durham County through Saturday, November 2. Registered voters may vote at any of the 12 locations. For more information, including addresses of polling places, hours of operation, vote wait times, and more, visit https://www.dcovotes.dconc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/10337/4100. Remember, Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Sheriff Hosting Trunk or Treat - Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and Sheriff's Office personnel and ABC 11 Together will host a Trunk or Treat event on Halloween night! The event will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 31 at Northgate Mall in the parking lot near Sears. Kids can come out and see Sheriff's Office vehicles, such as motorcycles, cars, bomb robots, rescue boat, fire truck, and ambulances. There will also be a collection of hygiene and comfort items to be distributed to the first responders helping Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina.

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, November 18 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street. Reappraisal is the process of taking a market value "snapshot" of all real property in the county, as of January 1 of the reappraisal year. Real property includes all vacant and improved land, whether residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial. For more information, visit http://www.dconc.gov/tax or call 919-560-0300.

Volunteer for Durham Sports Commission - Looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity around sports? The Durham Sports Commission invites you to apply to volunteer at the Champion Durham Classic high school basketball tournament on Nov. 21-23 or the NAIA Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 21. The goal of the DSC Volunteer Program is to empower passionate individuals to contribute their time and skills in support of enhancing the culture of sports in Durham. Find out more and apply here: https://www.durhamncsports.com/get-involved/volunteer-program/.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Available at DCoDPH - The Durham County Department of Public Health has a limited number of updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) for all people ages 6 months and older. Make an appointment by calling 919-560-7608. Walk-ins also accepted at 414 E. Main Street. Vaccination is covered by most private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid, and is available at no cost for people who do not have insurance. For more information, visit https://www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccines.

Most DCo Offices Closed for Veterans Day - Most Durham County Government offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday. All offices will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, November 12. For more information on impacts on certain services, visit https://www.dconc.gov/.

Minutes: Commissioners approved the minutes the October 7, 2024, Work Session minutes and the October 14, 2024, Regular Session minutes.

Ceremonial Items:

Recognition of Motiryo Keambiroiro, Director of Durham County General Services for Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Award - The Board recognized Motiryo Keambiroiro, Director of Durham County General Services, for service with excellence within the Durham community. On October 17, 2024, Motiryo was recognized by the MED Week committee for her commitment to making Durham a better place to live, work, play and thrive. During the BOCC Regular Session on September 23, 2024, October 14 - 17, 2024 was proclaimed as the Minority Enterprise Development Week in Durham County.

Proclamation - Community Health Coalition Day - The Board proclaimed November 9, 2024, as Community Health Coalition Day in Durham County. Since 1989, the Community Health Coalition has been improving the health of Durham and North Carolina communities. Their mission is to achieve health equity and eliminate racial health disparities in Durham County and the surrounding areas. The coalition works to close the gap in health access, mortality, and health outcomes between African Americans and disadvantaged and underserved populations through health education, promotion, advocacy, and referrals. They recently acquired their first Mobile Health Unit and a Refrigerated Truck to propel their work toward a healthy and whole Durham. The coalition will host a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and 35th Anniversary Community Festival on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Read the proclamation here.

Resolution - Operation Green Light and Veterans Day 2024 - The Board adopted a resolution in support of Operation Green Light and Veterans Day 2024. In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, several Durham County Government buildings will illuminate green from November 4-11, 2024, as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties (NACo), raises awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families. Durham County Government and the Durham County Veteran Services Department call upon businesses and residents to do the same and shine a light of gratitude and support for our veterans. During the week of November 4-11, the following Durham County Government buildings and landmarks will light up the skyline in downtown Durham green - the Administration II Building (201 East Main Street), the Taurus sculpture (201 East Main Street), the Human Services Building (414 East Main Street), and the Durham County Courthouse (510 S Dillard St). Durham County Veteran Services will hold its annual Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 8. The event will be held inside Conference Rooms B & C on the second floor of the County's Human Services Building at 414 E. Main Street in downtown Durham. The program will include the singing of the National Anthem, a "Walk of Honor" for veterans, a keynote address, and a POW/MIA presentation. More details about Operation Green Light for Veterans and Veterans Day 2024 can be found here. Read the resolution here.

Proclamation - Domestic Violence Awareness Month - The Board proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Victims of domestic violence embody tremendous strength and resilience and deserve community support as they reclaim their lives. Durham County highlights vital programming to support domestic violence victims at the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC). DCRC helps those whose lives are torn apart by domestic, sexual, and family violence and human trafficking. DCRC's services are confidential, free, and in English and Spanish. DCRC provides educational workshops and professional training for service providers, law enforcement, hospitals, faith-based organizations, schools, civic groups, and other community members. Durham County is committed to working with community partners that support appropriate and affirming resources to address and end domestic violence in our community. Read the proclamation here.

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

Approval of Contract with Piner Appraisal, Inc. for Appraisal Services to Assist Durham County Tax Administration with Real Property Valuations

Approval of Capital Project Amendment No.25CPA015 and Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC030 Appropriating $381,996 of Debt Service Fund Fund Balance and Transferring $381,996 to the PAYGO Fund to Support the New 300 Block Rolling Gates Capital Project (4190DC088) to Purchase Electronic Access to Metal Mesh Rolling Gates for the Queen Street Parking Deck Vehicle Entrance and Exit

Approval of the "2024 Resolution Adopting Business Recruitment & Expansion Policy"

Approval of $127,050.00 FY2024-25 Contract with Durham Public Schools Foundation for the Bull City Community Schools Project

Approval of Contract with Schneider Geospatial LLC in the Amount of $132,316.00 to Provide Real Property Assessment Software Licensing And Enhancement

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC034 FY 2024-25 Encumbrance Rollover - Increasing Multiple Funds Budgeted Expenditures and Revenues by a total of $20,595,966.63

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC035 - Transferring $692,479.19 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Capital Financing Fund in Recognition of Final Sales and Occupancy Tax Collection from the Prior Year in Adherence to Board Policy

Approval of the 2023 Closed Session Minutes

Approval of Durham County Electronic Listing Resolution

Approval of Property Tax Releases and Refunds for September 2024

Approval to Enter in Contract with CarPark Group LLC for the amount of $270,974.00 with a 3.4% increase per year for years 2 & 3 for the Durham County Parking Decks Operation and Maintenance Services

Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 25BCC042 Appropriating General Fund Fund Balance of $217,860 in Support of Amending the Authorized Strength of the County Attorney's Office to Establish two New Full-Time Equivalent Position

Public Hearing: The Board conducted a public hearing and received public comments on the Zoning Map Change, 3107 and 3111 East Geer Street (Z2300050), and approved the following motions:

First Motion: To adopt an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance by taking property out of the Residential Rural and Residential Suburban-10, Falls/Jordan Watershed Overlay District B, Major Transportation Corridor I-85, and establishing the same as the Industrial Light, Falls/Jordan Watershed Overlay District B, Major Transportation Corridor I-85; and

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

Public Hearing: The Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed 2025 Reappraisal Schedules of Values, Standards, and Rules that were submitted at its October 14, 2024, meeting, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-317. Copies are located at the Tax Administration Office, Main Library and Clerk to the Board's Office.

Board and Commission Appointments: The Board made appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

Alliance Board of Directors Alexandria Gwynn

Discover Durham Tourism---- Carlos Rubio

Durham County Women's Commission ----Montrelle Caldwell

Durham Racial Equity Commission---- Maima Kamara and Brahmajothi Mulugu

Farmland Protection Advisory Board-John Cowan

Juvenile Crime Prevention Council----Dorothy Hardin (Member of the Public Representing the Interests of Families of At-Risk Juveniles) and Ramya Krishna (Citizen)

Congratulations to the appointees.

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda:

Closed Session: The Board adjourned into Closed Session pursuant to G G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5), G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1), and G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

Commissioners returned and announced the approval of 3 percent cost of living increases for the Clerk to the Board, the Sheriff, the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administrator.

The Board also approved sealing of closed session minutes and approval of the acquisition of an easement for Slater Road and Page Park Lift station and authorized the County Manager to sign all related agreements.

The Board approved the resignation of County Manager Dr. Kimberly Sowell effective immediately, and the appointment of Acting County Manager Claudia Hager to be Interim County Manager, also effective immediately. Hager will serve in that role until a permanent County Manager is approved.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:19pm

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.

Because of the Veterans Day holiday, the next hybrid Regular Session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 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.