[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from November 23rd

Tue Nov 24 16:35:58 EST 2020

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                Date: 11/24/20
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 November 23rd

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, November 23, 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:

  *   Prior to the regular meeting a virtual celebration was held to honor retiring Commissioners Ellen Reckhow and Vice Chair James Hill at 5 p.m. View the celebration here<https://youtu.be/H4F6ljVUDo8> on the County's YouTube channel.
  *   Chair Wendy Jacobs called the Regular Session to order.
  *   Minutes of the October 12th, October 26th, November 2nd and November 9th meetings were unanimously approved.

The following Ceremonial Items were approved:

  *   County Commissioners recognized receipt of the 2020 PTI Solutions Award in the Sustainability Category for use of data to further the County's greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The County's Sustainability Office earned the award for our public-private partnership with Enpira, a local energy management software company, to develop an on-line platform for consolidating and analyzing utility data for all County facilities, including wastewater treatment

  *   The Board saluted retiring board members Commissioner James Hill and Commissioner Ellen Reckhow for their commitment to the people of Durham. Commissioner Hill joined the Board of County Commissioners in 2016. Commissioner Reckhow began her role as commissioner in 1988, departing Durham County Government with a record number of 32 years of service.

2016-2020 BOCC Retrospective:

  *   Chair Wendy Jacobs shared a 4-year retrospective of county accomplishments during the tenure of this current Board of Commissioners with a focus on policies and programs initiated and prioritized to address each of the Strategic Goal Areas of Durham County Government and improve the quality of life and well-being of the residents. Due to Coronavirus which led to a State of Emergency shutdown beginning in March, the typical State of the County Address was not delivered as usual.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   Commissioners voted to refund an overpayment of excise tax to Warren, Shackleford & Thomas, PLLC. On September 29, 2020 a deed was recorded in Durham County with excise tax listed and paid in the amount of $890. The correct amount of the excise tax was $800.

  *   Commissioners approved Releases and Refunds for the month of October 2020. Releases and Refunds for 2020 total $739,609.66.

  *   The Board approved the 2019 Property Tax Settlement Report and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution accepting it as reported for entry into the minutes and to authorize the release of taxes that are more than 10 years past due and motor vehicles taxes that are more than 2 years past due. The Board also issued the Order to Collect to the Tax Collector for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

  *   Following a brief discussion which also included two federal legislative items that will be forwarded the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), the Board approved the local proposed legislative items and directed staff to set up virtual meeting with the Durham Legislative Delegation in early January 2021.

  *   The Board appointed Major Walter Tate to the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee.

  *   County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract with Jacob's Glass Company for $86,652 to replace the vandalized windows outside of the Durham County Detention Center.

  *   The Board voted to approve Closed Session Minutes that the County Attorney has determined that public inspection would no longer frustrate the purpose of a closed session.

  *   The Board adopted Resolutions related to Authorization of $70M General Obligation (GO) Refunding Bonds, Series 2021, including a Resolution calling for a Public Hearing on a General Obligation Refunding Bond Order.

Public Hearings:

  *   The Board conducted a public hearing to receive public input on the Durham County Stormwater Ordinance Amendment and adopt the amended ordinance. At the November 2, 2020 Work Session, County Stormwater staff presented the amended ordinance to the Board of Commissioners for review. The current Ordinance outlines the stormwater requirements for new development in the County including how development addresses water quality and quantity in its stormwater runoff under the Neuse, Jordan, and Falls Rules.

  *   The Board conducted a public hearing and voted to allocate $200,000 in Economic Development funds to Nuvotronics and authorize the County Manager to enter into preliminary negotiations and execute an agreement with the Company. Nuvotronics, an innovative microelectronics company, will expand at their current Durham location, creating 150 jobs and investing $50 million.

In other business:

  *   The Board received a COVID-19 public health update and an update on next steps for COVID related services funded by the County. Further, the County Manager recommended that the Board provide guidance on the amended CRF plan and approve the plan for final submission to NC PRO and to approve a Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating CARES Act (CRF) funding of $8,790,103 to various County departments for related COVID costs.

  *   Rod Jenkins Public Health Director delivered an update on the status of the Coronavirus Pandemic as families prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving. He said the surge is continuing to increase across the country, NC and Durham mostly due to COVID fatigue. Jenkins added that there will be widespread messaging going to all of Durham in the coming days. He reminded families to practice the recommended CDC rules regarding observing Thanksgiving safely.

  *   The Board held a discussion on raising DPS Classified salaries to $15 an hour. They unanimously voted to ask the County Manager to work with officials at Durham Public Schools to develop a sound financial plan and to work towards implementation in the month of January 2021.

  *   Commissioners made appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:
     *   Animal Welfare Advisory Committee - Brian Mulligan
     *   Citizens Advisory Committee - Richard LaBennett
     *   City-County Appearance Commission - Jamie Tindal
     *   Durham Community Safety & Wellness Task Force - Mike Sistrom and Tyler Whittenburg. (The justice involved slot will be re-advertised)
     *   Environmental Affairs Board - Ethan Case
     *   Memorial Stadium Authority - Charles Epps

Announcements

Open Enrollment for Healthcare Marketplace - Need health insurance for 2020? You have until December 15, 2020 to apply for new insurance or renew, change, or update your 2020 coverage. Please visit www.healthcare.gov<http://www.healthcare.gov> for more information.

Extra Credit Grant Deadline Extended to December 7 - A second application period for qualified North Carolina residents to apply for the $335 Extra Credit grants has been opened with a new deadline of Dec. 7. The Extra Credit Grant program was authorized by the N.C. legislature. Under the program, North Carolinians who have children younger than 17 as of Jan. 1, 2020, will receive one-time payments of $335 to help pay for daycare or other expenses associated with virtual schooling. If you filed a tax return in 2019, you DO NOT need to apply for the grant. You only need to apply for the grant if you did not file a 2019 tax return. Applicants should contact the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) by December 7 at 1-888-301-1555 or by email at ncecg at charlottelegaladvocacy.org<mailto:ncecg at charlottelegaladvocacy.org>.

Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) Back to Work Initiative - DTCC is offering Durham residents an opportunity to complete the back-to-work course in as little as eight weeks! These courses will help to provide opportunities for high-demand occupations such as health care, biotechnology, skilled trades and information technology. Please visit www.durhamtech.edu/work<http://www.durhamtech.edu/work> for additional information.

FREE COVID-19 Testing Sites - Extended through December 31, 2020, FREE COVID-19 testing is available for all ages, 7 days a week, regardless of insurance or documentation. Please visit www.dcopublichealth.org<http://www.dcopublichealth.org> for a list or testing sites

Durham Holiday Safety Guidelines & Events - With the Thanksgiving Holiday quickly approaching, Durham residents are asked to continue following the public health resources and guidelines to help prevent super-spreader events. More information can be found on the City of Durham's website at www.durhamnc.gov/4351/Holiday-Safety-Guidelines-Events 4<http://www.durhamnc.gov/4351/Holiday-Safety-Guidelines-Events%204>.

The Board adjourned the Regular Session 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, December 14, 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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