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Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting January 3, 2022: Proclamations, Consent Agenda, and Two Annexation Hearings

City Council — Monday, January 3, 2022
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, January 3, 2022
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Now good evening, good evening, everybody.

0:06

Happy New Year to each of you.

0:09

I would like to uh call the Durham City Council meeting to order for this the third day of January 2022, a new year.

0:22

We certainly want to welcome all of you here in attendance and those uh joining us remotely as well.

0:29

Well, we're all on virtual at this point.

0:31

So welcome everybody.

0:33

Let's have a moment of silent um meditation and recognition that we are all here in a new year.

0:42

Thank you.

1:01

Thank you all.

1:03

I now to recognize Councilwoman Freeman to lead us in our pledge of allegiance.

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

And as you join me, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which is fans, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:31

Madam Clerk, happy new year to you as well.

1:35

Would you please call the road?

1:37

Sure.

1:38

Happy New Year to everyone.

1:40

Mayor O'Neill.

1:41

I am here.

1:43

Mayor Pro Tem Middleton.

1:45

I'm here.

1:46

Councilmember Freeman.

1:48

Present.

1:49

Councilmember Johnson.

1:52

Here.

1:53

Councilmember Reese.

1:55

Here.

1:56

And Councilmember Williams.

1:58

And urgent men.

2:00

Here.

2:01

Thank you.

2:03

All right.

2:04

We are all ready to get started.

2:05

And we start the new year off with the first for me.

2:09

And that is two proclamations.

2:12

We will have the first one for the National Mentoring Month proclamation.

2:18

Councilman Williams will lead us with that one.

2:22

And we will be followed by a proclamation honoring Dr.

2:25

Martin Luther King Jr.

2:27

And that will be read by Mayor Pro Tem Middleton.

2:31

And I believe Durham City, Bull City West End resident, Mr.

2:37

DeWarren Langley, will be here to receive these.

2:41

So we'll start with Councilman Williams, if you would read your proclamation.

2:47

Thank you, Madam Mayor and colleagues.

2:49

I'm honored to read this proclamation.

2:55

Whereas created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and Mentor, the National Mentoring Partnership, January 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, an annual campaign to focus attention on the need for quality mentors.

3:13

And whereas the goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of mentoring, recruit individuals to mentor, equip mentors with the skills needed to support youth, and encourage organizations to integrate quality mentoring into their efforts.

3:30

And whereas a mentor is a caring and dependable person that provides a consistent presence and devotes time to a young person to help them discover personal strength and to preserve and achieve persevere and achieve their potential through a structured and trusting relationship.

3:51

And whereas quality mentoring encourages and empowers youth to make positive choices, promotes self-esteem and character development, supports academic achievement and leadership, college readiness and career exploration.

4:04

And whereas during the COVID-19 pandemic, mentoring programs have stepped up to fill gaps for youth and families, connecting them with resources and ensuring that mentoring relationships continue virtually to prevent social disconnection and mitigate learning loss.

4:22

And whereas mentors serve a critical role in helping youth successfully complete high school and gain admission to college and/or training programs, uh build new in-demand skills, prepare for the future of work and succeed in the ever-changing workforce.

4:40

And whereas mentoring programs must incorporate work-based learning to prepare and connect youth with real life work experiences where they can apply academic technical and soft skills to develop their employability while exploring career pathways.

5:00

And whereas National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate, elevate, and encourage mentoring in the city of Durham.

5:06

Now, therefore, you, Mayor Elaine, and us as council, uh, and the mayor of the city of Durham and the Council of Durham, City Council of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January 2022 as National Mentoring Month in Durham and hereby encourage all residents to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

5:33

Witness by hand the third day of January 2022.

5:38

Our honor mayor Elaine O'Neill.

5:41

Thank you.

5:44

Mayor Pro Tim, Middleton, if you've ever read the second one, and then we'll follow that up with who it will be who these proclamations will be given to.

5:56

Yes, ma'am, thank you so much.

5:57

Good evening, uh Madam Mayor, good evening, colleagues and friends and all uh watching.

6:01

Uh, Madam Mayor, this is one of the coolest prerogatives of your office to issue these proclamations, and you are under no obligation to share it with us.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning█████████████████████████25%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Safety███████████11%
Economic Development███████████11%
Land Use Annexation█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Health█████5%
Mentoring███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting January 3, 2022: Proclamations, Consent Agenda, and Two Annexation Hearings

The Durham City Council met virtually on January 3, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. to address a consent agenda, two public hearings on annexations, and receive proclamations. The meeting included extensive council discussion on gun violence, COVID-19, and economic development. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Ceremonial Items

  • National Mentoring Month Proclamation: Councilmember Williams read a proclamation declaring January 2022 as National Mentoring Month in Durham. DeWarren Langley, Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, accepted the proclamation and highlighted upcoming mentoring events.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Proclamation: Mayor Pro Tem Middleton read a proclamation honoring Dr. King's legacy. Mr. Langley also accepted this proclamation.

Announcements by Council

  • Councilmembers encouraged residents to continue masking and get vaccinated/boosted against COVID-19, especially as schools resumed in-person classes.
  • Multiple council members expressed condolences for recent gun violence deaths, including a fatal shooting from celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve. Councilmember Williams noted that the maximum penalty for celebratory gunfire is a $500 fine and called for community action. Mayor O'Neal emphasized the need for collective responsibility and urged residents to report crimes.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved all 15 items on the consent agenda, including:

  • Approval of minutes from November 2021 meetings.
  • Designation of NIMS as the standard for incident management.
  • Amendment to contract with Legal Aid of North Carolina for eviction representation, increasing the total to $2,605,450.
  • Approval of Hardee Street Apartments multifamily housing bond financing (up to $17,000,000).
  • Option contract for Phase III of The Lofts at Southside for $1.00.
  • Contract with Legal Aid for the Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) program ($150,000).
  • Various contracts for the Jordan Lake Western Intake Partnership, including engineering services ($771,100 and $4,004,498).
  • Purchase of five knuckle-boom refuse trucks ($870,653.50).
  • Change order for Herndon Road Park soccer field conversion ($58,024.40).
  • Blue Benevolence Grant ($75,000) and Justice Assistance Grant ($98,124).
  • VoIP maintenance agreement with Presidio ($475,140 over five years).

Public Hearing: 2211 Page Road Annexation and Rezoning

  • Staff Report: Danny Cultra presented the request to annex 10.15 acres at 2211 Page Road and rezone from Residential Rural (RR) to Office and Institutional with a Development Plan (OI(D)) to allow 67 townhomes. The Planning Commission had recommended unfavorable (7-5) due to lack of development plan detail, but the applicant later proffered $16,750 to the affordable housing fund.
  • Public Speakers: Warren Mitchell (property owner) and Zach Shipman (engineer) spoke in support, noting the project's compatibility with area and need for homeownership. No opposition speakers.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmembers asked about price points (estimated around $305,000 per unit), proffers, and connectivity. The applicant agreed to increase the affordable housing proffer from $250 per unit ($16,750) to $300 per unit ($20,100) and add a $3,000 contribution to Durham Public Schools Foundation ($1,000 per student for an estimated 3 students). Councilmember Williams emphasized the need for better communication with developers.
  • Vote: All three motions (annexation, zoning, consistency statement) passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Hearing: NC55 and Hopson Annexation and Rezoning

  • Staff Report: Danny Cultra presented the request to annex 254.124 acres at NC55 and Hopson Road and rezone four parcels from RR and CN to Industrial Light (IL) without a development plan. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended disapproval (0-12) citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan.
  • Public Speakers: Eight speakers spoke in support, including representatives from the developer (Scannell Properties), Durham Regional Association of Realtors, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and residents. They highlighted job creation (over 1,000 jobs, possibly 2,000), tax base expansion (estimated $67 million), and proximity to RTP. One speaker, Lee Weaver, expressed concerns about impacts on adjacent Chatham County residents. Former councilmember Jackie Wagstaff raised concerns about internet cafes and other undesirable uses.
  • Council Discussion: The developer offered to submit a text-only development plan to prohibit certain uses (e.g., electronic gaming, payday lenders, nightclubs). Planning Director Sarah Young noted that the process would require additional review and could not be done that night. Council debated whether to vote immediately or continue the hearing. Councilmember Reese and Freeman argued for staff review, while Mayor Pro Tem Middleton and Councilmember Williams favored immediate vote. After extensive debate, the council agreed to continue the public hearing to February 7, 2022, to allow staff to incorporate the text-only development plan.
  • Outcome: Public hearing continued to February 7, 2022.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • 2211 Page Road annexation and rezoning approved unanimously with proffers of $20,100 to the affordable housing fund and $3,000 to Durham Public Schools Foundation.
  • NC55 and Hopson annexation public hearing continued to February 7, 2022, to allow staff to review a proposed text-only development plan restricting certain uses.

Meeting Transcript

Now good evening, good evening, everybody. Happy New Year to each of you. I would like to uh call the Durham City Council meeting to order for this the third day of January 2022, a new year. We certainly want to welcome all of you here in attendance and those uh joining us remotely as well. Well, we're all on virtual at this point. So welcome everybody. Let's have a moment of silent um meditation and recognition that we are all here in a new year. Thank you. Thank you all. I now to recognize Councilwoman Freeman to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. Thank you. And as you join me, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which is fans, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, happy new year to you as well. Would you please call the road? Sure. Happy New Year to everyone. Mayor O'Neill. I am here. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Reese. Here. And Councilmember Williams. And urgent men. Here. Thank you. All right. We are all ready to get started. And we start the new year off with the first for me. And that is two proclamations. We will have the first one for the National Mentoring Month proclamation. Councilman Williams will lead us with that one. And we will be followed by a proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And that will be read by Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. And I believe Durham City, Bull City West End resident, Mr. DeWarren Langley, will be here to receive these. So we'll start with Councilman Williams, if you would read your proclamation. Thank you, Madam Mayor and colleagues. I'm honored to read this proclamation. Whereas created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and Mentor, the National Mentoring Partnership, January 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, an annual campaign to focus attention on the need for quality mentors. And whereas the goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of mentoring, recruit individuals to mentor, equip mentors with the skills needed to support youth, and encourage organizations to integrate quality mentoring into their efforts. And whereas a mentor is a caring and dependable person that provides a consistent presence and devotes time to a young person to help them discover personal strength and to preserve and achieve persevere and achieve their potential through a structured and trusting relationship. And whereas quality mentoring encourages and empowers youth to make positive choices, promotes self-esteem and character development, supports academic achievement and leadership, college readiness and career exploration. And whereas during the COVID-19 pandemic, mentoring programs have stepped up to fill gaps for youth and families, connecting them with resources and ensuring that mentoring relationships continue virtually to prevent social disconnection and mitigate learning loss. And whereas mentors serve a critical role in helping youth successfully complete high school and gain admission to college and/or training programs, uh build new in-demand skills, prepare for the future of work and succeed in the ever-changing workforce.

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