Durham City Council Organizational Meeting and Regular Session – December 6, 2021
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Durham City Council Organizational Meeting and Regular Session – December 6, 2021
The Durham City Council convened on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 101 City Hall Plaza. The meeting began with an organizational session that included the certification of the November 2, 2021 municipal election results, recognition of outgoing Mayor Steve Schewel and Councilmember Pierce Freelon, and the swearing‑in of newly elected officials. The regular business session followed, during which the council approved the consent agenda (with one item pulled and later approved), and continued two public hearings to allow new council members additional time for training.
Organizational Meeting
- The Durham County Board of Elections certified the results: for the October 5 primary, 20,355 voters participated (10.18% turnout); for the November 2 general election, 31,327 voters participated (15.38% turnout).
- Elaine O’Neill was elected mayor with 25,933 votes; Didriana Freeman (Ward 1) with 21,408 votes; Mark Anthony Middleton (Ward 2) with 25,993 votes; and Leonardo Williams (Ward 3) with 15,122 votes.
- Outgoing Mayor Steve Schewel and Councilmember Pierce Freelon were honored with service awards. Mayor Schewel highlighted the city’s $95 million affordable housing bond, the largest in North Carolina history.
- Swearing‑in ceremonies were conducted by state and local judges: Councilmember Freeman (re‑elected), Councilmember Middleton (re‑elected), Councilmember Williams (newly elected), and Mayor O’Neill (newly elected).
- Councilmember Mark Anthony Middleton was unanimously appointed Mayor Pro Tem by voice vote.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–3, 6–9, 11–16) was approved by a 7‑0 vote, with the exception of Item 10 (Durham Athletic Park operating agreement), which was pulled by a member of the public.
- Later in the meeting, Item 10 was voted on separately and approved 7‑0.
Public Hearings & Testimony
- Item 18 – Consolidated Annexation (2211 Page Road): Staff presented the request to annex a 10.15‑acre parcel and rezone it from Residential Rural (RR) to Office and Institutional with a Development Plan (OI(D)) to allow 67 townhouse units. The Planning Commission had failed to recommend approval (7‑5 vote). The applicant proffered a $16,750 contribution to the Dedicated Housing Fund.
- Item 19 – Zoning Map Change (518 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway): Staff presented a request to rezone 9.651 acres from Commercial General with a Development Plan (CG(D)) to Residential Suburban‑Multifamily with a Development Plan (RS‑M(D)) for up to 173 apartment units. The Planning Commission recommended approval (7‑5 vote).
- No public testimony was heard because both items were continued.
Discussion Items
- Mayor O’Neill and Councilmember Williams, both newly elected, requested continuations for the two public hearings to allow time for training with city staff and the UNC School of Government.
- Council concurred: Item 18 was continued to January 3, 2022; Item 19 was continued to December 20, 2021.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (7‑0) with Item 10 pulled and later approved separately (7‑0).
- Public hearing Item 18 (2211 Page Road) continued to January 3, 2022.
- Public hearing Item 19 (518 MLK Jr. Parkway) continued to December 20, 2021.
- Councilmember Mark Anthony Middleton appointed Mayor Pro Tem (unanimous voice vote).
Meeting Transcript
Meeting of the Durham City Council to order at 7 o'clock on Monday, December the 6th. And I certainly want to welcome everyone who is here with us tonight, as well as those people who are watching us at home. We're so glad to have everyone with us this evening. As we gather tonight on a very, very special evening, a very special evening for our community. We gather our thoughts. And as we do so, I ask you to join me in a moment of silent meditation. Thank you. Councilmember Reese, will you please lead us in the pledge to the flag? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, colleagues, past, present, and future who are in the chamber. Um city staff and Durham residents both here and listening at home. If it's your practice to do so, and if you're able, please rise and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republican, which is one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, Councilmember. Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll? Mayor Schulm. Here. Mayor Po Tem Johnson. Here. Councilmember Caballero. Here. Councilmember Freeline? Here. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Reese. Right here. Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Before we uh go into the agenda, I did want to just recognize and thank some of the people who were here with us tonight. First of all, we had earlier this evening uh all the living mayors in Durham's history except for one, who I'll tell you about in a moment. We were so glad to Mayor Gully, Mayor Bell, Mayor Tennyson, and myself were able to have a photograph with Mayor Elect O'Neill. And the mayors were here to offer their support to you, Madam Mayor Elect. All of them were here. We've supported each other over the years, and you can look forward to the same from all of us. She was Durham's first and previously only woman mayor. But I asked Mayor Mayor Kirchhoff to provide a message. And let me read it to you because it's very special. I think it is great fun to welcome Elaine O'Neill to the world of surprises and happiness. She will learn a lot and accomplish even more, I'm sure. She will be inspired by new friends. I'm very happy for her. So that's from Mayor Sylvia Kirkhoff. Mayor O'Neill. I want to also recognize the members of our legislative delegation who are here. If you all could please raise your hands or stand, thank you so much.
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