INC NEWS - New "City Hall This Week" Begins June 23

[Blalock, Amy]

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2008


 


A Look At What's Going On Inside Durham's City Hall

New Episode Begins Airing Monday, June 23 on Time Warner Cable Channel 8

 

Durham, N.C. - The following highlights from the June 16, 2008 Durham
City Council meeting and other topics of interest will be featured in
the upcoming episode of "City Hall This Week."  The show will begin
airing on Monday, June 23 at 1:30 p.m.

 

City of Durham Budget Set for 2008-2009

*    In a 4-3 vote, the City Council approved a $355.5 million budget
for fiscal year 2008-2009.  The spending plan includes a four-cent
property tax rate increase, setting a rate of 54 cents per $100
valuation.  That's an eight percent increase to the 50.05 cent tax rate
following last year's property revaluation.  The increase was driven
primarily by current market conditions, including skyrocketing fuel
prices and to fund competitive pay for City employees, including police
and fire staff.  The budget goes into effect on July 1, 2008, and will
be available online at www.durhamnc.gov <http://www.durhamnc.gov> .    

 

Effort to Reduce Domestic Violence Receives Renewed Financial Support 

*     A specially trained team designed to reduce domestic violence in
Durham is once again receiving financial support from the City. The City
Council approved a $122,800 contract with the Administrative Office of
the Courts to continue to pay for a victim legal assistant and the
salary and benefits for a judge to hear domestic violence cases. The
Council also approved a $31,500 contract with the County of Durham to
jointly fund an Assistant District Attorney position for the 14th
Judicial District to prosecute domestic violence cases. Beginning with
this fiscal year, the positions will be funded through the City's Human
Relations Department.

 

Construction Phase Ready to Get Underway at Historic Durham Athletic
Park

*     The renovation of the historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP) is ready
to move into the construction phase.  The City Council approved a number
of contract amendments with the project architect, in the amount of
$94,200; the construction manager at risk, in the amount of $34,800; and
the consulting engineer firm, in the amount of $55,100.  The Council
approved a total construction budget of $5.1 million.  It also accepted
a cash donation of $28,000 from Renaissance Downtown Durham for the
purchase and installation of new seats for the DAP.  Once the DAP is
renovated, it will continue to serve as the location for many citywide
festivals and events, as will as a training facility for Minor League
Baseball and the home of North Carolina Central University baseball.

 

Timeline for Americans With Disabilities Act Agreement Extended

*    The timeline for the City to complete a variety of changes required
by the Americans With Disabilities Act will be extended.  The Department
of Justice and the City have reached an agreement on the City's request
for an extension to the original agreement, which was initially reached
in 2005.  A number of improvements were identified at that point as
needing to be made for the City to be in compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act.  The City requested an extension on the time
needed to complete all of the requirements because of the large number
of construction projects that are being funded by 2005 bond money.  All
of the construction activities required under the Act are expected to be
completed by December 2010.

 

City Operates Under Stage III Moderate Mandatory Water Conservation

*         The City is continuing to operate under Stage III Moderate
Mandatory Conservation measures required by Durham's Water Conservation
ordinance.  Stage III restrictions allow Durham customers to water
outdoor landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, either between 5
a.m. - 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Customers may only water during one of
the allowed times each Wednesday and Saturday.  For the very latest
information on water conservation in Durham, visit the City's Web site
at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/water_update.cfm.  

 

"City Hall This Week" is a news program dedicated to informing Durham
residents about what is going on inside Durham's City Hall.  Each
edition is taped on the first and third Tuesday of the month - the day
after City Council meetings.  It airs twice a day on Time Warner Cable
channel 8 through the week of the next City Council meeting.  For more
information, call the City's Office of Public Affairs at (919) 560-4123
or visit the City's Web site at 
www.durhamnc.gov/departments/public/dtv.cfm. 

 

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