[Durham INC] BOCC Regular Session Highlights from May 10th

Tue May 11 09:42:36 EDT 2021

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 05/11/21
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 May 10th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, May 10, 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 May 10, 2021 Regular Meeting to order.
  *   Chair Howerton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  *   The Minutes of the April 5th work session and the April 12 regular session were approved.
  *   The Clerk to the Board announced that Commissioners will meet on Thursday, May 13th at 2 p.m. for a Special Session.

Clerk to the Board Monica Toomer Read the BOCC Announcements

  *   Durham County Public Health Vaccination Clinic Update - Beginning Monday, May 3rd, the DCo Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic began offering walk-in vaccinations for first and second doses five (5) days a week. For additional information, please visit www.dcopublichealth.org<http://www.dcopublichealth.org>.

  *   Food for Durham - Food for Durham is here and is now accepting donations to benefit Durham County food pantries and other food distribution organizations. Food for Durham is a new, community-led initiative to help our incredible local food and hunger relief nonprofits secure food, equipment and other essentials so that they can keep supporting the community in this time of increased need. To learn more, visit the Food for Durham website at www.unitedwaytriangle.org/foodfordurham<http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/foodfordurham> or follow Food for Durham on social media using the hashtag #food4durham.

  *   A Real Reminder - Beginning May 3, 2023, Federal Agencies will enforce the REAL ID Act - which requires a REAL ID, U.S. passport or other federally approved identification to board commercial flights or enter secure federal buildings. For more information about the REAL ID, please visit www.ncdot.gov<http://www.ncdot.gov>.

  *   Planning Agency Seeks Comment on Changes to Bicycle/Pedestrian and other Transportation Projects in Long-Term Plan - If you are interested in the future highway, bicycle, multiuse paths, and transit projects for our region, you can submit feedback by May 25, 2021 on a proposed amendment to the long-range transportation plan. Please visit www.dchcmpo.org<http://www.dchcmpo.org> to submit your comment online. You are also able to submit comments via email at andrew.henry at durhamnc.gov<mailto:andrew.henry at durhamnc.gov>.

  *   Durham Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - The Durham County Department of Social Services apologizes for the delay in the launch of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). There was a technical glitch today on the launch of the DurhamERAP.dconc.gov website. We now have a 'work-around' link that clients can go to and fill out their rental assistance applications. The link: is LIVE. The link can be found directly on the County's main website, www.DCONC.gov<http://www.DCONC.gov> on the slider head for the Durham ERAP Program. The direct link is here: https://dcoprod.servicenowservices.com/cares. We apologize for the delay and technical difficulty but are now ready to receive rental assistance applications. Further updates will be forthcoming as we continue to address challenges and issues that may arise.

DSS Director Ben Rose made additional comments about the program and promised that his staff is ready to operate the program for the benefit residents.

The following Ceremonial Items were approved:

  *   The Board proclaimed the week of May 24-28, 2021 as Durham County Cooperative Extension Week.

  *   The Board proclaimed May 2021 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Month.

  *   Commissioners proclaimed May 2021 as Older Americans Month.

  *   The Board of Commissioners proclaimed May as National Foster Care Awareness Month

  *   The Board recognized the Durham County Board of Elections for receiving a 2020 Clearie Award for outstanding innovation in election administration for its Early Voting Wait-Time Tracking tool from the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The Durham County Board of Elections was one of 26 winners nationwide out of 137 submissions across the country to be selected for this prestigious award and recognition.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   The Board approved a Capital Project Amendment creating three new capital projects totaling $12,438,000 for IS&T from FY 2020-21 to FY 2023-24 (four years).

  *   Commissioners approved the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the County of Durham and City of Durham for the purchase and storage of Sodium Chloride (salt) for the fiscal years of 2021-2022 through 2025-2026.

  *   Board  of County Commissioners approved  the transfer of  $130,412 of Sewer Utility Enterprise Fund FY 2020-21 Funding to the Collection System Rehabilitation Fund; and a Capital Project Amendment appropriating $130,412 from the Collection System Rehabilitation Fund to create the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) Water Line Extension Project.

  *   The Board the Board approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 21BCC000107 appropriating $60,000 of General Fund Fund Balance to cover additional capital expenses (Fire-Proofing cost) for the Durham Convention Center.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment recognizing a $1,034 donation from the Durham Friends Meeting to the Criminal Justice Resource Center (CJRC).

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract amendment to increase the existing service contract with David Young Utilities, Inc. to provide emergency and scheduled repairs within the collection system for the Utilities Division in the amount of $62,975, bringing the total contract amount from $35,000 to $97,975, and to execute any other related contracts, including amendments, not to exceed $104,273.

  *   County Commissioners received an update on the Durham County FY22 Transit Work Program and approve a material change to the Durham County Transit Plan.

  *   The Board adopted a resolution in support of The Building Center's Request to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for economic development Funds for the widening of Riddle Road in Durham County.

  *   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating $325,428.60 of General Fund Fund Balance for the Durham County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) O365 migration project.

  *   Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into contract for janitorial services at Durham County Buildings with A & B Cleaning Service, Inc., B & R Janitorial Services, CJ Enterprise Cleaning Services, DeWhit Facility Services, LLC., Environmental Service Systems, LLC., Freddrick's Housekeeping Services, LLC., Greens Commercial Cleaning, Inc., and to authorize the County Manager to execute subsequent contract amendments if within the General Services Budget.

  *   The Board approve a Capital Project Ordinance increasing the Northern High School Project by $92,785,475 for the completion of the new Northern High School with the funding source of $59,532,962 in 2021 LOBs and $33,252,513 in a future financing.

  *   Commissioners approved the Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council's local funding recommendations for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

  *   The Board voted to amend the current contract with The Institute of Minority Economic Development (The Institute) by $10,000 to provide additional technical support to Durham Public Schools.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract amendment to increase the existing service contract with Meritech, Inc., to provide laboratory services for the Triangle

Other business:

  *   Rod Jenkins, Durham County Public Health Director provided an update on COVID-19. He began his report by reminding the community to continue to observe the 3 W's: Wash, Wear, Wait. And added a "G... meaning get your vaccine!  Mr. Jenkins began by announcing that the FDA has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer's COVID vaccine to be given to youth aged 12-15. Public Health anticipated this decision and will announce plans soon to provide this vaccine for our younger residents.

  *   The Board of Commissioners received the presentation of the FY2021-2022 Recommended Budget from County Manager Wendell Davis. This is in accordance with N.C.G.S 159-12 of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.

     *   The FY 2021-22 Manager Recommended Budget includes: a 1.0 cent General Fund property tax increase;  Increased Durham Public School funding of  $10.13 million which includes $1.9 M for continuation of $15/ hour adjustment for classified DPS employees, $5.4M for DPS operating budget priorities, $1.6M for Charter School student growth of over 700 students and $1.13 million to support expansion of ongoing annual capital maintenance needs; DSS Medicaid compliance support Phase 3; Tax Relief Program for low income long time homeowners ,Bull City United expansion; and a 3% COLA for all employees.
     *   The total budget is $729,760,162 million for fiscal year 2021-22, an 8.02 percent increase from last year. Budget work sessions will be held in the coming weeks. The Public Hearing on the recommended budget is set for Monday, May 24th at the regular Board of Commissioners meeting, and Commissioners are expected to vote on the final budget at their June 14th meeting.

     *   The proposed budget can be viewed in its entirety on the Durham County website at https://bit.ly/DCoBudgetDocuments.

  *   The Board received the 2020 Durham City-County Appearance Commission Annual Report. Kayla Seibel presented the report and responded to questions from Commissioners.

  *   County Commissioners received the 2020 Durham Open Space and Trails Commission Annual Report. Carl Kolosna gave the report and addressed questions from the Board.

Public Hearings

  *   The conducted a public hearing and considered approving a street renaming case, changing the street name from Parmer Way to Alexandria Way. Cole Renigar and Sarah Young were on the call to address the issue.  The Clerk to the Board announced no speakers were signed up on this item.  This item will remain open for comments until May 11. The item will then be moved and voted on at the May 24th meeting.

  *   The Board conducted a public hearing on the Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment, Omnibus Changes 16. Michael Stock made the staff presentation and he and Sarah Young responded to questions. The Clerk to the Board announced no speakers were signed up on this item.  This item will remain open for comments until May 11. The item will then be moved and voted on at the May 24th meeting.

Commissioners adjourned the meeting at 9:48.

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/county-departments/departments-a-e/board-of-commissioners/commissioner-meetings-and-announcements/bocc-agendas-video-library>.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 24, 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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