[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from January 11th

Tue Jan 12 09:19:04 EST 2021

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 01/12/21
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 January 11th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, January 11, 2021, 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 at 7 p.m.
  *   Minutes of the November 23, December 14 and December 16, 2020, meetings were unanimously approved.

The following Ceremonial Items were approved:

  *   Commissioners approved a Resolution Celebrating & Honoring the Life & Service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The purpose of the resolution is to recognize and honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his commitment to a free and just world. Read the resolution here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=5b0c56a9-1772-430e-9b4f-a1a64786ea05.doc>.

  *   The Board proclaimed January 2021 as National Mentoring Month in Durham County. The goal of the proclamation is to urge all residents of Durham County to rededicate ourselves to preventing youth from entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems and recommit to building a community where all our youth can grow, flourish, and take Durham County to new and greater heights through effective mentoring relationships. Read the proclamation here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=2a0974c4-2d39-4387-932e-1149f18aeda2.doc>.

  *   Commissioners recognized these multiple awards for the Project Team responsible for the new Durham County Main Library: 2020 AIA NC (American Institute of Architects) Honor Award, The Inaugural Freelon Public Architecture Award & NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) Citation.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   The Board approved an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement regarding the City-County Youth Initiatives Manager Position.

  *   Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment amending the budgets for the outstanding encumbrances at fiscal year-end FY 2019-20. Encumbrances outstanding at fiscal year-end represent obligations/commitments entered by the County for either services not yet completed or performed, or goods not yet received.

  *   The Board approved the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Durham for Continuation of Durham's Gang Reduction Strategy in fiscal year 2020-21 and authorize the County Manager to enter into a consultant services contract with Tytos Consulting in the amount of $42,000 to assist with the 2021 Durham Comprehensive Gang Assessment.

  *   Commissioners approved the sole source exemption for the purchase of a Muffin Monster for the Stirrup Iron Creek Lift Station in the amount of $57,839.19.

  *   The Board approved a contract amendment appropriating $124,000 from available General Fund COVID reserve funds to the County's contract with the Durham Public Schools Foundation to extend the Hope Learning Centers at Student U, the YMCA, and Kate's Korner through the end of January 2021.

  *   County Commissioners approved the FY 2020-2021 Nonprofit agency funding process and final selections and approved a Budget Amendment allocating related funding of $284,665 to appropriate departments.

  *   Board of Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement to Transfer Non-Profit Housing Repair Funds to the City of Durham for Joint City-County Home Repair Programs The interlocal transfers  one quarter ($264,000) to the City over the next 18 months to supplement the City funding and accumulated HOME Consortium funding that had already been lined up to fund these programs.

  *   The Board received the report on Funding to support $15 Per Hour Increase for DPS Classified Employees report and Budget Amendment appropriating $950,000 General Fund fund balance supporting January 1, 2021 Through June 30, 2021 implementation. Staff will bring additional recommendations on the remaining $950,000 to the BOCC during the January 25, 2021 meeting.

  *   The Board reviewed and approved the revised 2021 BOCC Meeting Calendar. The revised calendar includes the September Work Session date change to Thursday, September 9, 2021. That change was due to the observance of Labor Day and the Rosh Hashanah Holiday. Download the revised calendar here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=fe529644-b767-4ef2-8679-645ef2ecc592.pdf>.

  *   County Commissioners voted to approve an interlocal cooperation agreement for the division of sales tax between the County of Durham and the City of Durham for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 and authorized the County Manager to sign of the agreement.

  *   Commissioners approved a contract amendment with Express Employment Professionals in the amount of $183,193 bringing the total contract amount to $270,061 to fund COVID-19 Screening to enter Durham County Admin Buildings.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to execute a Corning Inc, Utility Extension Agreement.

  *   The Board approved appointments for members to serve as liaisons to various boards and commissions for 2021.

Other business:

  *   Public Health Director Rod Jenkins delivered an update on the status of Coronavirus in Durham County at this time. He announced that Durham County has experienced 151 Coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began. Specifically, he provided information about the rollout of vaccine and the current phase we are in. While Durham County has been providing vaccines as a part of Phase 1a, we expect to move into Phase 1b beginning January 19th. More information will be shared soon. He further urged residents to double down on the 3 W's due to the surge resulting from holiday travel. Finally, he added that residents should aim to stay at home as much as possible to minimize potential exposure to Coronavirus in others.

Public Hearings:

  *   Commissioners conducted a public hearing on the proposed Landscape Manual for Durham 2020 Revisions and to consider recommended revisions. More information here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=4986>.

  *   The Board conducted a public hearing to consider allocating a total of $540,000 to Taysha Gene Therapies and authorize the County Manager to enter into preliminary negotiations and execute an agreement with the Company. Taysha Gene Therapies, which specializes in Gene Therapy production, will locate in Durham County, creating 201 jobs and investing $75 million. More information here<http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=5003>.

Both Public Hearings were recessed until January 25th.

Finally, the Board adjourned into Closed Session.

Announcements:

  *   Community Input Sessions: DSS Main Redevelopment - Durham County is seeking your input on the redevelopment of the former DSS Building located at 220 E. Main St. Please join ONE of the following virtual session by web at https://unc.zoom.us/j/95486491179 or by phone at 1-877-853-5257 - ID Number: 954-8649-1179 on Saturday, January 16 - 10-11:30 a.m. or Tuesday, January 19 - 5:30-7 p.m.

  *   Your Feedback is Needed - The City-County Planning Department is ready to present the initial results of input through its draft community objectives. Please visit www.durham.mysocialpinpoint.com/comprehensiveplan<http://www.durham.mysocialpinpoint.com/comprehensiveplan> now through February 19th to share your feedback on the draft community objectives. For additional information about the new Comprehensive Plan process, please contact City-County Planning Department Senior Planner Lisa Miller at 919-560-4137, ext. 28270.

  *   COVID-19 Vaccines: Durham County Resident Survey - The vaccine has arrived in our community and residents are being asked to take the survey to assist Public Health in meeting your needs. Please visit www.tinyurl.com/DCoVaccineSurvey<http://www.tinyurl.com/DCoVaccineSurvey> to complete the survey.

  *   Need Help Paying your Heating Bill? - Beginning January 2nd - March 31, 2021, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will open to all Durham County residents. Residents are asked to visit https://epass.nc.gov<https://epass.nc.gov/> to view eligible criteria and apply for the program.

  *   Programming Updates from the Durham County Library - Check out https://events.durhamcountylibrary.org/events for upcoming live virtual programs. Residents can register for events and view the full calendar at the link above.

  *   Book Harvest 10th Annual Book Drive & Community Celebration - Please join Book Harvest as they kick off the 10th Annual Dream Big Book Drive and Community Celebration on Monday, January 18, 2021. For more information (time and details) please visit www.facebook.com/bookharvestnc<http://www.facebook.com/bookharvestnc>.

  *   NC4ME & Durham NCWorks Virtual Hiring Event: Find you Career in Durham! - Job seekers are invited to attend a virtual hiring event on January 27th from 9:45 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please visit www.nc4me.org/durhamncworks<http://www.nc4me.org/durhamncworks> for additional information. Pre-match registration ends on January 15th.

  *   Durham Pre-K Family Info Session - Residents interested in applying for Durham Pre-K should complete the interest form for the Family Info Session on February 6, 2021. Families will find out program information, application steps and much more. Two sessions will be provided in English (9-10 a.m.) and Spanish (10:30-11:30 a.m.). Please visit www.durhamprek.org<http://www.durhamprek.org> for additional information and registration.

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 25, 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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