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

Mon Jan 10 23:00:47 EST 2022

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 01/10/22
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 10th

Durham, N.C. - The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually on Monday, January 10, 2022, 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 Monday, January 10, 2022, Regular Session to order at 7 p.m.
  *   Commissioner Heidi Carter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  *   The minutes of the December 6, 2021 Work Session and December 13, 2021 Regular Session were approved.

Clerk to the Board Monica Wallace Read the BOCC Announcements

  1.  Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination at DCoDPH - COVID-19 cases are rising due to holiday travel and the Omicron variant. Take your shots at the Durham County Department of Public Health as soon as you can. The vaccine clinic is open every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am - 4pm; Tuesdays from 9am - 6pm and closed on Fridays. No appointment is necessary. A reminder that the clinic is closed daily from 11:30am - 1pm. Visit www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccines<http://www.dcopublichealth.org/COVIDVaccines> for more information.

  1.  Martin Luther King, Jr Employee Observance Program - For the second year, the City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Employee Observance Program will highlight the life and legacy of Dr. King virtually. The 2022 celebration will include multiple parts that will be released the week of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Beginning January 17, visit the primary social media pages for the County and City to view the series. On January 20, the completed series will be released on the Durham Television Network.

  1.  Durham PreK for 2022-2023 Application Period Begins February 8th - The Durham PreK Application for the 2022-2023 school year will open on February 8th. Visit www.durhamprek.org<http://www.durhamprek.org> to receive more information - this is just an interest form, not the official application. If you have questions, please visit www.durhamprek.org<http://www.durhamprek.org>, call 1-833-773-5338 or email prek at childcareservices.org<mailto:prek at childcareservices.org> for assistance.

  1.  ABC11 Together Blood Drive at DCo Main Library on January 12th - The American Red Cross, in partnership with the Durham County Library and ABC 11 will hold a blood drive at the Main Library located on 300 N. Roxboro Street from 8am - 3:30pm. Registration is required to donate. Please visit www.redcross.org/abctogether<http://www.redcross.org/abctogether> or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to sign up.

  1.  ENGAGEDurham Holding Community Meeting on January 12th - Residents are invited to participate in one of six staff-led Community Meetings for the new Durham Comprehensive Plan. The meeting is scheduled to be held virtually from 6pm - 8pm and registration is required. Please visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mPpS6QClQSymyM-9pFQIFw to complete the registration for participation.

  1.  Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program (LIHR) Extension - The LIHR has been extended until January 31, 2022. All details on the requirements for the LIHR are available at www.dconc.gov/dss<http://www.dconc.gov/dss>. Durham residents who wish to receive assistance with the application process can call 919-560-8000 Monday - Thursday to schedule an hourly appointment

  1.  Durham Residents Can Receive Help with Their Energy Bill - As of January 3, 2022, all Durham residents will be eligible to apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), you can make a virtual appointment by phone for assistance, or simply visit the state's website at https://epass.nc.gov to complete their application. Durham residents are to call (919) 560-8192 to make a virtual appointment with LIEAP specialists on staff. For those residents who are comfortable completing the LIEAP application without assistance, must visit https://epass.nc.gov, to apply for the one-time energy assistance benefit. The LIEAP program ends March 31, 2022.

Ceremonial Items

  *   The Board welcomed Ms. Selina Máté, the new City-County Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Strategist.

  *   The Board approved a resolution honoring Mr. Linward Hedgspeth, who made history in 2019 as the first Black President - Elect and National President from 2020 to 2021 in the 93-year history of Ruritan National. Read the resolution here: http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=3ad5e3d8-6208-482e-a6a4-56fed1574bcd.pdf.

  *   The Board approved a memorial resolution honoring the life and legacy of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winning activist, he was known for his work against the oppressive system of apartheid. Read the resolution here: http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=1059679b-35a6-4ca7-9e5f-8529c1d84f05.doc.

  *   County Commissioners proclaimed January 2022 as National Mentoring Month in Durham County. Read the proclamation here: http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=094eff35-ff18-4c17-80e9-9ce34a2726a2.doc.

  *   The Board approved a resolution celebrating & honoring the Life & Service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Read it here: http://durhamcounty.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=9898e09a-5e78-4c68-a6fb-8b97abfed22b.doc.

A summary of the Consent Agenda follows:

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract of $72,800 with Insight Global-a staffing agency - to obtain the services of an additional IS&T Help Desk contractor to supplement the services provided by the help desk staff.

  *   Commissioners authorized the County Manager to approve the extension of an existing contract with "The Select Group" which will increase the current contract amount by $90,000 to a total of $129,999 for project management of the IS&T Hardware and Services Capital Project.

  *   The Board delegated authority to the Tax Assessor to grant individual extensions for the listing of business personal property upon written request showing good cause that an extension should be granted. Extensions would extend the listing period until no later than April 15, 2022.

  *   County Commissioners approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to recognize $259,469 of NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) funds in Transportation.

  *   Commissioners approved funding for the Detention Center Cooler Freezer Restoration project in the amount of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400) to provide temporary refrigeration rental or services due to a malfunctioning existing cooler, with the contractor Hobart Services LLC.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment in Public Health to recognize funds in the amount of $514,327 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Section/Immunization Branch for mass Covid-19 vaccination planning and implementation.

  *   County Commissioners authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract for $243,750 with Accentuate Staffing, Inc. to provide services for a ServiceNow Technical Support Contractor until August 26, 2022.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment recognizing $83,960.25 for the first year of a three-year grant award from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funding will be used for the Mental Health Court Expansion Initiative.

  *   County Commissioners approved a contract amendment with Bull City Financial Services (BCFS) to increase the contract amount $125,100, taking the original contract amount from $39,900.00 to $165,000. BCFS is the Office of Emergency Services - EMS Division's third-party collections company for delinquent payments.

  *   Board of Commissioners approved the conservation easement option with Clara Glenn for three years through December 31, 2024; to allocate current open space capital project funds to support Durham County's required match for the easement cost; and to authorize the Manager to execute the ALE grant agreement if funds are awarded.

  *   The Board authorized the County Manager to enter into a contract amendment to increase the existing service contract with Carolina Civilworks, Inc. (FR# 22-216 and RFP# 21-020) for emergency and scheduled Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) repairs in the amount of $51,306.24.

  *   Commissioners reviewed and approved a request from the Durham County ABC request to grant the local ABC Board sole authority for establishing the appropriate salary for their general manager.

  *   The Board approved an amendment to the lease between Presidential Park West Property Owners, LLC and Durham County to increase the total cost by $316,500 to cover upfit costs and contingency for the remainder of the construction project, and to authorize the Interim County Manager to execute the amendment.

  *   County Commissioners approved Capital Project Amendment appropriating $12,000,000 of Limited Obligation Bond (LOBs) Funding from a future financing source to increase the existing Snow Hill Road Pump Station and Force Main Replacement Project (47302635DC149), as well as authorizing the County Manager to execute a design-build contract amendment with Wharton-Smith/Hazen and Sawyer for GMP #4 in the amount of $11,600,000 and approve the construction contingency at (3.5%) in the amount of $400,000.

  *   The Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating $400,000 of General Fund fund balance and approve a $431,500 contract with Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) to provide food security grants to emergency food assistance organizations.

  *   Commissioners refunded an excise tax of $2,150 to the Lockamy Law Firm, P.A. The affected parcel was inadvertently recorded in both Wake and Durham Counties and taxes were paid to both counties. With the property correctly located in Wake County, the Durham payment was refunded.

Other Business

  *   The Board received a public health focused update from Public Health Director Rod Jenkins on the COVID-19 response and efforts.  In short, the Omicron variant is reminding everyone that COVID-19 is best addressed with vaccines and social distancing.  Like other communities, we are seeing a rapid escalation of cases, especially in unvaccinated residents.

  *   Director Jenkins reminded the community that Durham's indoor mask mandate is still in place. Finally, he noted that the best way to fight this virus is to get fully vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask and get tested. Currently there are 30 locations in Durham County for testing with more scheduled to come online soon.

  *   County Commissioner approved an Interlocal Agreement between Durham County and the City of Durham for a temporary COVID-19 testing site at Wheels Fun Park at 715 N. Hoover Road.

Finally, the Board adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.

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 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, January 24, 2022. For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at (919) 560-0025 or email clerk at dconc.gov<mailto:clerk at dconc.gov>.

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