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

Tue Dec 15 13:17:30 EST 2020

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 12/15/20
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 December 14th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, December 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 Brenda Howerton called the Regular Session to order.
  *   Minutes of the December 7th meeting were unanimously approved.
  *   The Board received several citizen comments and directed staff to respond, as deemed appropriate.

The following Ceremonial Item was approved:

  *   County Commissioners issued a resolution in support of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' President Ronnie Smith's presidential initiative to promote food system resiliency in North Carolina. The goal is to help amplify the significant and growing need to address food insecurity across the state, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the resolution will be mailed to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Read the resolution here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=065107a6-bab7-4001-88be-e8d2915f8e92.doc>.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter a service contract amendment with Evoqua Water Technologies, LLC for collection system odor and corrosion control services (RFP 19-035) in the amount of $975.52, bringing the total contract amount from $75,539 to $76,514.52.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a service contract amendment with Electrical Controls & Maintenance, Inc. to provide sewer easement maintenance services for the sewer collection system tributary to the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) in an amount of $4,650, bringing the total contract from $155,000 to $159,650.

  *   Commissioners authorized the use of existing operational funds in the amount of $1,178,584.02 this fiscal year for licenses and services for the Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft. Licenses and services will be purchased through SHI, per the State Convenience Contract 208C.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter a service contract amendment with Taylor, Wiseman & Taylor Inc. to provide additional utility locating services to Durham County Utilities Division in an amount of $23,915, bringing the total contract from $93,600 to $117,515.

  *   County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract with A1 Consulting Group, Inc. for Construction Materials Testing Services and Special Inspections in an amount of $172,525 and approve a ten-percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $17,000 to execute any other related contracts including change orders if necessary not to exceed the available budget of $189,525 for the Snow Hill Road Pump Station and Force Main project.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to execute the Master Development Agreement and the revised Letter of Intent/Commitment for the 300 E. Main St. Affordable Housing Development Loan in the amount of $5,965,000.

  *   Commissioners approved creating a Capital Project for 300 Block East Main Redevelopment, appropriating $20,838,814 of Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) funding to the project, and approved a Budget Amendment appropriating $661,136 of Debt Service Fund fund balance to the General Fund for lease improvements to 410 W. Chapel Hill St. related to this project. The Board also authorized the County Manager to enter a Construction Manager @Risk contract with LeChase Construction/Right-Build, Inc. both of Durham.

  *   The Board voted to remove the following members in keeping with the Attendance Policy approved by the Board of County Commissioners in August 2014 - Durham County Women's Commission - Elizabeth Morrell (Sweezey) and TJCOG Water Resources Collaborative - Michael Brewer

  *   Commissioners approved a contract amendment extending for a homeless housing contract with Reinvestment Partners through March 31, 2021 and adding $400,000 to the contract. This action provides non-congregate housing for 64 medically vulnerable homeless individuals at the Carolina Duke Inn (CDI) on Guess Rd.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment and Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the City of Durham for the Durham CARES Small Business Grant Program in the amount of $250,000 and to authorize the County Manager to execute the agreement. In addition, the Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment which will provide $250,000 to fund the Durham CARES Small Business Grant Program as required by the ILA.

  *   The Board of Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment  amending the contract between The North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), and Durham County Department of Social Services, to provide emergency rental and utility assistance to Durham County residents impacted by the COVID pandemic, and recognize the additional funds in the amount of $5,263,411 not to exceed $7,714,447.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to appropriate $376,350 of General Fund COVID Reserve and Contract Extension Approval to continue Home Delivered Meals for Food Insecure Families during the COVID Crisis.

  *   County Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the County and the City of Durham related to facility use by the Durham Crisis Response Center and a Budget Amendment recognizing $85,508 in funding from the City of Durham in support of upgrades for facility use.

Public Hearings:

  *   The Board held a public hearing on the general obligation refunding bond order introduced at the November 23rd meeting and to adopt the refunding bond order and the bond resolution which authorizes the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds ($70M) following the public hearing. These Bonds will refund the County's General Obligation Public Improvement Bond Anticipation Note, Series 2017, which was authorized pursuant to bond orders approved in the 2016 referendum for community college, library, museum and school purposes.

  *   The Board held a public hearing to consider allocating a total of $50,000 in Economic Development funds to the Clorox Company and authorize the County Manager to enter into preliminary negotiations and execute an agreement with the Company. The Clorox Company, a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products, will create 158 new jobs and invest $7.5 million in Durham County.

  *   The Board held a public hearing to consider allocating a total of $395,000 in Economic Development funds to BioAgilytix Labs, LLC, and authorize the County Manager to enter into preliminary negotiations and execute an agreement with the Company. BioAgilytix, a leading life science testing company, will create 878 jobs and invest $61.5 million in Durham County.

The three public hearings were continued until December 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

In other business:

  *   Public Health Director Rod Jenkins delivered an update on the status of Coronavirus in Durham County at this time. He noted that this is a day to celebrate since North Carolina now has begun to receive shipments of the Coronavirus Vaccine. Jenkins added that we still need to double down with mitigation and prevention efforts as the surge continues.  Sadly, there have been 16 additional deaths since his last report in November which brings Durham's death toll from COVID to 131. He pledged that his Durham County team will continue to "fight the good fight" against this pandemic.

  *   The Board received information about the function and performance of the Hope Learning Centers and discussed options for possible continued support during the second academic semester starting January 18th.  Following the discussion, Commissioners voted to provide $124,000 in funding.

  *   Commissioners made appointments to the following Boards and Commissions
     *   Durham Open Space and Trails Commission - Xia Meng Howey
     *   Environmental Affairs Board - Wilson Salls
     *   Homeless Services Advisory Committee - Michael Best
     *   Juvenile Crime Prevention Council - Zora Deberry

Announcements

  *   FREE Fruits and Vegetables - Mount Vernon Baptist Church located on 1007 S. Roxboro Rd will be distributing FREE fruits and vegetables to the Durham Community. Distribution will take place on Thursday, December 17th from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  *   The Durham Center for Senior Life (DCSL) Need Your Help! - The DCSL needs personal hygiene and other items for seniors. These items include body soap, deodorant, lotion, toilet tissue and toothbrushes to name a few. All items can be dropped off at the DCSL located on 406 Rigsbee Ave., beginning December 14th - from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please place your items in the labeled boxes located outside the center. Visit www.facebook.com/DurhamSeniors/<http://www.facebook.com/DurhamSeniors/> for more information.

  *   Welcome Baby's Annual Coat Drive - The Welcome Baby Coat Drive is currently underway until January 8, 2021 - accepting new or gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarfs for Newborn to size 8. Donations are accepted at 8 locations across the Durham County Library System: Bragtown Branch, North Regional, East Regional, South Regional, Stanford L. Warren and the Main Library. Donations are also accepted at Cooperative Extension located on 721 Foster Street on Monday's between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Due to COVID-19, please drive to the rear of the building and place donations in the bin at the top of the stairs. Visit www.facebook.com/welcomebabydurham<http://www.facebook.com/welcomebabydurham> for more information.

  *   New Screening Process at Human Services Building - Planning a visit to the Durham County Human Services Building, please note that there is a new COVID-19 screening process for residents who have appointments and services scheduled. Visitors must now go to the modular building in the Human Services parking lot on Dillard Street. Once you successfully pass the temperature screening process, you will receive a ticket to enter the building. For additional information, please visit www.dcopublichealth.org<http://www.dcopublichealth.org>.

  *   Durham County Library Virtual Events - The Durham County Library is hosting several live virtual events for adults and children during the month of December. Please visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org<http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org> for live links and additional information.

  *   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 more information.

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, January 11, 2021. 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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