[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from September 14th

Tue Sep 15 10:20:04 EDT 2020

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                Date: 09/15/20
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 September 14th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, September 14, 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 7:02 p.m.
  *   The Board unanimously approved minutes of meeting from July 13, 2020.

Two Ceremonial Items were enacted:

  *   The Board proclaimed September as "National Preparedness Month" to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year. The 2020 overarching theme is "Disasters Don't Wait. Make Your Plan Today." Read the proclamation here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=6768babe-dfe1-4d48-b218-464d655289e1.doc>.
  *   Commissioners approved a resolution in support of Women's Health and Equal Access to Abortion, that was requested by the Durham Women's Commission. Copies will be forwarded to the President and members of the NC Congressional Delegation. Read the resolution here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=467ac6fd-ee8f-402d-b1ab-b6e967a7d978.doc>.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize funds in the amount of $5,384 from the Centering Healthcare Institute. This provides funding to the Durham County Department of Public Health to support Centering pregnancy telehealth services.
  *   Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize funds in the amount of $190,797 for the Durham Dental Hope project grant with the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry.
  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment in the amount of $5,000 from the United Way of the Greater Triangle's Rapid Response Fund. Funds will be used to provide food to people in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test result.
  *   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance to recognize an additional $15,000 in Medicaid Revenue and approved needed fee schedule changes for Public Health.
  *   The Board approved the recommendation from the Durham County Library Board of Trustees to proceed with naming opportunities in Durham County Library's renovated Main Library.
  *   Commissioners approved a review the Sheriff's Office application for the 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $173,043 and that the Chair sign the Certification of Assurance no less than 30 days after the BOCC's review in conjunction with the application being made available for public comment.
  *   The Board is requested to approve the recommendation by the Durham County ABC Board to re-appoint Donald Lebkes as Board Chair.
  *   Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize funds in the amount of $7,500 from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS).
  *   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize grant funds in the amount of $22,639 from the Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council to support Project BUILD.
  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize $419,458 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Epidemiology/Communicable Disease Branch. These funds are to be used to enhance laboratory testing capacity, increase workforce by hiring temp staff, support epidemiology/surveillance activities and expand informatics.
  *   Commissioners Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment of $7,500 to recognize additional funds from the Durham County ABC Board for Durham Drug Treatment Court.
  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment recognizing $100,000 of Dominion Energy Grant funds for My Brother's Keeper. MBK Durham received a major boost in July thanks to a $100,000 investment from The Dominion Energy Foundation. At Dominion, with the national uprising surrounding social justice and equality, they identified MBK Durham as an organization working to improve social justice and equality in the lives of black boys and men.
  *   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment recognizing a $50,000 grant from the North Carolina Justice Center to the Criminal Justice Resource Center. The NC Justice Center (NCJC) has provided funding to the Criminal Justice Resource Center (CJRC) to provide immediate reentry supports, resources and advocacy to persons released from prison early as part of the Durham County District Attorney's Office early release and decarceration efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with NCJC, CJRC and other local partners.
  *   The Board of Commissioners approved the Board of Elections finalizing a contract amendment with Nighthawk Security and Consulting, LLC to continue providing security services to ensure a safe voting environment during the 2020 General Election Early Voting Period.
  *   The Board approved the County Manager entering into a contract between the Durham County Department of Social Services, and the City of Durham to provide rental and utility assistance to City of Durham residents impacted by the COVID pandemic and for the Department of Social Services to recognize funds in the amount of $1,077,601.
  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract in the amount of $49,955.00 with EcoShift Consulting, LLC to develop a plan for County operations to transition to 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2050.
  *   Board members approved a Capital Project appropriating $87,500 of Durham Public Schools allocating Lottery Funds to a roof replacement project for Little River Elementary School.

In other business:

  *   The Board held a public hearing on the Long Beverage Zoning Map Change. Commissioners voted to 1) Adopt a Consistency Statement as required by NCGS 153A-341; and 2) Adopt an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance by taking property out of the Industrial Light with a Development Plan (IL(D)) zoning district and establishing the same as Industrial Light (IL) zoning district.
  *   A comprehensive update describing the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in Durham County was presented by Rod Jenkins Public Health Director. He noted that there is a marked increase in the number of locations where residents can receive a COVID-19 test. In addition, he stressed the upcoming flu season and urged everyone to schedule time to receive the flu vaccine. The Health Department has started receiving shipments of flu vaccine and details will be announced later.
  *   The Board of County Commissioners heard a number of proposed legislative goals to send forward as part of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners 2021 Legislative Goals process. The items were in the areas of Human Services along with Taxation and Finance and are due to NCACC by September 30th. Additional items requested by Board members will be added and the legislative package will be finalized at the next meeting.

Announcements

  *   Getting Ready for Election Season - The Durham County Board of Elections is preparing for the 2020 General Election. Please visit the DCo Board of Elections' website at www.dcovotes.com<http://www.dcovotes.com> for information about absentee ballots, early voting and more!

  *   Census Sweepstakes - Durham residents who complete the 2020 Census have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes to win a prize. To participate, you must do one of the following: a. Complete the Census online in English at www.2020census.gov/en<http://www.2020census.gov/en> or in Spanish at www.2020census.gov/es<http://www.2020census.gov/es> or by calling 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish. Please visit www.dconc.gov<http://www.dconc.gov> for more information.

  *   Free COVID-19 Testing at Walgreens - Testing at Walgreens has moved to a new location! Free testing is available by appointment at Walgreens on N. LaSalle Street in Durham. Please visit www.walgreens.com/covid19testing<http://www.walgreens.com/covid19testing> for more information.

  *   Central Piedmont Community Action Presents: 4th Annual CDBG Family Fun Day - You are invited to the COVID-19 Friendly Trunk or Treat outdoor event. For additional information please contact Allexus Porter at 919-797-0888 or by email at allexusp at cpcanc.org<mailto:allexusp at cpcanc.org>. Please note that face masks are required for this event!

The Board adjourned the regular meeting and went into closed session.

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, September 28, 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>.

###

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.deltaforce.net/pipermail/inc-list/attachments/20200915/a0861c7d/attachment.htm>