[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from August 10th
Jones, Henry R.
hrjones at dconc.gov
Tue Aug 11 13:19:00 EDT 2020
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Date: 08/11/20
Contact: Public Information Office Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020
E-mail: publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov>
BOCC Regular Session Highlights from August 10th
Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, August 10, 2020, in Regular Session. The virtual option aligns with social distancing requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to ensure the safety of citizens who wish to participate as well as Board members and Durham County Government staff. Highlights of the meeting include:
* Chair Wendy Jacobs called the Regular Session to order at 7 p.m.
* The Board approved minutes of meetings from May 4, 2020; May 27, 2020; June 1, 2020 and June 8, 2020.
* The Board honored four distinguished community leaders transitioned over the past months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resolutions were approved to honor:
* NC Rep. MaryAnn Black, also a former Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (Read it here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=02e137eb-7062-487a-a26f-a61bbc0a606e.doc>.)
* Ms. Andrea Harris, Co-Founder of the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development (Read it here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=6bc6e085-80a1-4921-bc6c-54bae21b14b9.doc>.)
* Mr. Kenneth Edmonds, Publisher, The Carolina Times Newspaper (Read it here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=a57512ea-1ff3-4e9f-89fa-3b034b8c2557.doc>.)
* Mr. Raymond Eurquhart, Community Activist and Elected Official (Read it here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=9b95b39b-3613-4442-83e0-e278d6fb4000.doc>.)
* A resolution received from the the A. Philip Randolph Foundation honoring Civil Rights Pioneers Rev. C. T. Vivian and Congressman John R. Lewis who recently transitioned was added and read into the record.
* Durham County Government has been recognized by The National Association of Counties (NACo) by awarding a 2020 Achievement Award for its use of effective predictive analytics. Durham County DSS implemented a set of predictive analysis tools to forecast the number of children in the County's foster care program - year-by-year through 2025 - and the corresponding impacts upon critical points within the system including caseworkers, foster caregivers and other items tied to County budget and resources. Commissioners congratulated staff of the Department of Social Services and Information Services and Technology for achieving this honor.
A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:
* The Board of County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to execute a contract with SHI International Corp. for the purchase of goods related to Microsoft Volume Licensing in the amount of $402,107.27. The contract consolidates the SHI International Corp., Microsoft Windows license renewal contract completed FY19 and completes the license purchase required for the Sheriff's Office servers and agency migration to Office 365.
* The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a contract with Chirpy Bird, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $51,500 for the bi-annual HIPAA Privacy & Security Risk Assessment & GAP Analysis.
* Commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment to recognize $9,000 in grant revenue from the State Library of North Carolina to translate the library's website into Spanish.
* Commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment appropriating $25,000 of Lebanon Fire District Fund fund balance and transferring these funds to the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department. Due to COVID-19 they experienced some unanticipated overtime and personnel costs with their part-time (non-County) employees at Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department in FY 2019-20.
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment recognizing a $219,744.29 direct appropriation from the federal Department of Health and Human Services under the CARES Act. The Office of Emergency Service (OES), EMS Division, will receive the funding. The CARES Act direct appropriation requires that the EMS funding be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Coronavirus. It can be used for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to Coronavirus.
* Commissioners approved a budget ordinance to recognize $15,000 in grant revenue from the Durham Library Foundation awarded by The Forest at Duke. The funds are for the library to purchase eBooks, e-audio and large print books for the Library's digital and large print collections during the fiscal year 2020-2021, ending June 30, 2021.
* The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract in the amount of $84,840.70 with Just A Clean House, Inc. effective September 1, 2020 to operate a six-bed transitional living facility for individuals receiving services from the Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center (CJRC).
* The Board approved the FY20-21 Contract ($352,182) with Urban Ministries of Durham and authorized the County Manager to execute the contract. Durham County has contracted with Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) since its creation to help support the housing of homeless individuals in Durham at UMD's Liberty Street facility.
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment and contract Amendment 5 to the current Nighthawk Security and Consulting, LLC. contract for Fiscal Year 2020-21 in the amount of $118,184 to allow for the added Youth Home security post. The Youth Home Director has requested an unarmed uniformed officer presence at the main lobby to increase the safety and protection of arriving detainees, visitors and staff.
* The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with Tipsy Bull Inc. to operate a restaurant in the County Administration Building II located at 201 E Main Street. This lease is for 3057 square feet of restaurant space located in the County Administrative Building II, Suite #150. The lease term is 10 years, with the option of one additional 5-year renewal. It is anticipated that the restaurant will be open in the 4th quarter of 2020.
* Commissioners discussed and approved the Proposed FY21 City-County Planning Department's Work Program.
* The Board authorized the County Manager to negotiate the "New Lease Line Agreement" with Duke Regional Hospital, and upon reaching agreement without substantive changes, approve the agreement upon recommendation by the County Manager.
* Commissioners approved a contract for continued funding for the Reach Out and Read literacy initiative, budgeted at $50,000 for FY 21. Supporting access to educational enrichment is critical as COVID continues to disrupt learning for many young and school-aged children in Durham. Reach Out and Read (ROR) deepens efforts to support early literacy by using co-location to meet families where they are already gathering.
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment to recognize $3,000 in funds contributed by the Rosetta B. Harris Lead Trust B via the NC Agricultural Foundation Inc. to increase the hours of the part time Kids Voting Durham Program Coordinator during the fall 2020 election.
* County Commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment recognizing $277,268 of COVID relief Funds (CARES) received from the North Carolina State Board of Elections
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment to recognize funds in the amount of $99,460 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Epidemiology/Communicable Disease Branch.
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment to recognize funds in the amount of $195,954 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health.
* Commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment appropriating $100,000 of General Fund COVID reserve to support Public Health's feeding efforts for COVID positive food insecure families. Public Health currently provides food and supplies to nearly 300 COVID positive food insecure individuals.
* Commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment allocating $206,550 of General Fund fund balance to support the Long-time Homeowner Tax Deferment Program. Under this proposal, a Durham County property owner who has a household income of 30% or less of AMI may file an agreement with Durham County Tax Administration (DCo Tax) for a perpetual payment plan. Once a qualifying household income is brought forth and verified, Durham County Tax Administration will establish a payment agreement with the qualifying owner that limits the amount of property taxes paid to 4% of annual household income.
* The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment transferring Nondepartmental budgeted COVID-19 related funds to the County Manager's budget to support the Durham Recovery and Renewal Task Force (RRTF) recommended Bull Communications Plan for $95,000.
* County Commissioners approved a request from Preservation Durham to apply for a grant from the National Park Service on behalf of the Friends of Geer Cemetery. Geer Cemetery, one of the first cemeteries for African Americans in Durham is undergoing a restoration.
In other business:
* Public Health Director Rod Jenkins provided a complete and comprehensive update to the Board regarding the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.
* The Board of Commissioners received a series of annual reports including: the 2019 Durham City-County Appearance Commission Annual Report<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=5349dba8-8b2c-4cec-b783-1b95b5e54175.pdf>; the 2019 Durham Open Space and Trails Annual Report<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=50ca0f3e-bf79-4f13-bbb2-4b4fb36de5f4.docx>; the 2019 Board of Adjustment Annual Report<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=27fe2996-f0cc-4898-a56b-20d75130cc49.pdf>; the 2019 Durham Planning Commission Annual Report<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=59063e1c-4c9f-4000-9813-cbac8181620a.docx> and the 2019 Historic Preservation Commission CLG Annual Report<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=b95082b2-e4de-4e15-8c51-9a9e85d5d5b9.pdf>.
* The Board discussed the bylaws for the Joint Durham Community Safety & Wellness Task Force and will take up the issue again in the future.
* The Board adjourned the regular meeting and went into closed session to discuss acquisition of property and to preserve attorney client privilege.
Announcements
* Updated Census Deadline - Complete the 2020 Census by September 30th! There is now less time to complete the 2020 Census. The date has been pushed from the original date of Oct. 31 to September 30. Currently, Durham County has the lowest rate in the Triangle at under 58 percent. Our goal is 82 percent. Help us spread the word and complete the Census at www.my2020census.gov<http://www.my2020census.gov>.
* Duke Energy Partnership Program with Durham Technical Community College - Duke Energy gives $130,000 to extend popular Electrical Line Technician program. This gift would be used for student tuition, classroom materials and tools through the 2023-24 academic year. For more information about the Electrical Line Technician Program, please contact Nathan Hardin, DTCC Marketing and Communication Director at 919-536-7246, ext. 5206 or by email at hardinn at durhamtech.edu<mailto:hardinn at durhamtech.edu>.
* Durham Technical Community College Back-to-Work Initiative - Durham Tech is offering a number of courses to help students get opportunities for immediate employment in high demand occupations. Courses being offered in the career fields listed below require less than a year of classroom time to help students get back to work quickly in fields like Biotechnology, Information Technology, Health and Wellness, Skilled Trades and more. Scholarship opportunities are available. Some courses may require a high school diploma or GED(r)/HiSET(r) as well as access to a computer and internet. Please visit the following link for more information on the initiative, available courses and start dates: www.durhamtech.edu/academic-programs/durham-tech-back-workinitiative<http://www.durhamtech.edu/academic-programs/durham-tech-back-workinitiative>.
* COVID-19 Assistance from CARES NC - CARES NC will be assisting low income individuals and families who have been impacted by COVID-19 to get back on their feet. Specifically, we will be providing emergency services and support participants in Chatham, Durham, Orange and Randolph counties with income levels at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines with unmet economic needs due to COVID-19. More information on the program can be found here: https://www.cpcanc.org/caresnc. Download the CARES NC application for Durham County here: https://form.jotform.com/CPCANC/covid19-app-Durham. In Durham County, call 919-797-0888 or email Tanya Gil Loya, Human Services Assistant, at tanyag at cpcanc.org<mailto:tanyag at cpcanc.org> or Marcus Williams, Human Services Assistant, at marcusw at cpcanc.org<mailto:marcusw at cpcanc.org>.
* Take Part in City Hall/City Home Selfie Day - On Friday, August 14th, we are taking part in the celebration again! On this day, we want everyone to show their love of Durham County by taking a selfie that shows how much we love it here despite the ways that COVID-19 has changed our work and personal lives. Then post it to their social media, tagging us and using the hashtags #CityHomeSelfie & #DCoRocks! If you don't have a social media account, email your photo to publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov> and we'll post for you on the big day! Thank you in advance for joining us in this annual celebration of gov love. We can't wait to see your photos!
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, Google Fiber Channel 8 and Frontier Communications Channel 70. Meetings can also be viewed on the County's YouTube channel<http://www.youtube.com/dcowebmaster>. To view the agendas and recordings of the BOCC's Regular Session meetings, visit the BOCC's Website<https://www.dconc.gov/government/departments-a-e/board-of-commissioners/commissioner-meetings/bocc-live-archived-media-library>.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2020. For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at (919) 560-0025 or email mtoomer at dconc.gov<mailto:mtoomer at dconc.gov>.
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