Durham City Council Meeting - February 21, 2022
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Durham City Council Meeting - February 21, 2022
The Durham City Council met virtually on February 21, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a Black History Month proclamation, announcement of Councilmember Charlie Reese's resignation effective March 7, 2022 due to his family relocating to Europe, and a public hearing on the FY2022-2023 Annual Action Plan needs. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee, Discover Durham, Cultural Advisory Board, Human Relations Commission, Mayor's Council for Women, Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, and Recreation Advisory Commission.
- Received the COVID-19 Relief Funds Performance Audit January 2022.
- Received the Discover Durham Annual Report 2021.
- Received the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority 2021 Annual Report.
- Approved a resolution (PR# 15211) calling upon the federal government to cancel student loan debt and transition to education as a public good.
- Received annual reports from the Board of Adjustment, Durham City-County Appearance Commission, Open Space and Trails Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Homeless Services Advisory Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Cultural Advisory Board, and Environmental Affairs Board.
- Received the Durham YouthWorks 2021 Program Evaluation Report.
- Received the Recreation Advisory Commission Report.
- Authorized Contract Amendment No.1 for SW-76 (Sidewalk Repairs 2020) with Browe Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $1,900,000 (total revised contract not to exceed $4,707,285.25).
- Authorized a professional services contract for SW-87C (Inspections and Ombudsman Services for Sidewalk Projects) with Summit Design and Engineering Services, PLLC in the amount not to exceed $600,000.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mariel Klein (city employee, resident): Expressed full support for the student loan debt resolution, citing racial and gender equity concerns and Durham's highest student debt burden in the nation (average $47,955).
- Marie Hill Faison (paratransit operator): Emphasized the critical need for homeless shelter and services, especially hotel accommodations for people with medical issues.
- Larissa Seibel (People's Alliance): Urged continued funding for homeless hotel shelter and rent relief, noting that rent relief with Legal Aid of North Carolina received 5,000 applications but only $6 million available.
- Evelyn Machtinger (People's Alliance Housing and Transit Action Team): Requested $6 million for rent relief, noting eviction filings in January 2022 were 553 (more than double the 250 in January 2021), and writs of possession were 104 (up from less than 50).
- Lori Fox (People's Alliance Housing Action Team): Supported $6 million for rent relief, emphasizing the health impacts of eviction.
- Nyemekia Munn (resident): Shared personal story of hardship due to COVID and stroke, hoping for rent relief assistance.
- Reynolds Smith (Durham Open Space and Trails Commission): Argued for an open space implementer position to implement the 2017 Urban Open Space Plan, especially in communities of concern.
- Ricky White (Liby Creek Watershed Association): Supported the open space implementer position, noting a missing link in city staff.
- Stella Adams (Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People): Requested funding for the long-term homeowner tax program and criticized the program's outreach and expiration deadline.
- Sandra Nelson (resident): Shared experience of being shot and requested more affordable housing.
- Vanessa Mason Evans (Braggtown Community Association): Requested affordable housing and transit improvements, noting that 3,300 rental units are empty while many need housing.
- Constance Wright (resident): Requested continued low-income property tax assistance.
- Regina Mays (resident): Raised concerns about rent relief program qualifications, shelter space, and application fees.
- William Jackson (nonprofit leader): Asked council to reexamine the Fair Place development proposal, stating it does not reflect community needs or racial equity commitments.
- Angela Vic Lewis (chair of Homeless Advisory Board): Urged more action for homeless, citing empty buildings and inadequate shelter.
- Laura Stroud (chair of Durham Open Space and Trails Commission): Requested funding for an open space implementer, an annual open space budget, surplus property policy, and annual reporting.
- Camilla Faust (South Side resident): Requested continuation of the long-time homeowner tax grant due to tax increases.
- Donna Frederick (resident): Requested funding for property tax assistance and urged review of small lot ordinance (Section 8.31B2) that exempts lots under 2 acres from stormwater and tree regulations.
- Jackie Wagstaff (resident): Criticized purchasing hotels for homeless, advocated for real affordable housing and sustainable income for residents.
- Christian Burns (resident): Supported open space implementer for preservation.
Discussion Items
- Councilmember Charlie Reese's Resignation: Reese announced he will resign effective March 7, 2022, to relocate to Europe with his family for his wife's career. Council members expressed gratitude and farewell. Mayor O'Neill tasked Mayor Pro Tem Middleton with assuming leadership of the procedures committee and working with Councilmember Johnson on a timeline to fill the vacancy.
- COVID-19 and Economic Impact: Councilmember Williams highlighted small business hardships and urged reconsideration of the mask mandate. Mayor O'Neill noted ongoing discussions with public health officials and that the emergency orders remain unchanged but will be revisited around March 7.
- Gun Violence: Mayor O'Neill and Councilmember Freeman described behind-the-scenes trust-building efforts, emphasizing not compromising fragile relationships by speaking publicly.
- Student Loan Resolution: Presented as part of consent agenda; public comment from Mariel Klein supported it.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously (all items including appointments, reports, contracts, and student loan resolution).
- Councilmember Reese's resignation accepted effective March 7, 2022; process for replacement initiated.
- Public hearing on FY2022-2023 Annual Action Plan needs conducted; written comments will be accepted until the second public hearing in April 2022. The city expects approximately $2.1 million in CDBG, $1.1 million in HOME, $174,000 in ESG, and $858,000 in HOPWA funds.
- No other business; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Happy Monday, Durham, North Carolina Bull City. We would like to call the Durham City Council meeting to order for this the 21st day of February 2022 at 7 o'clock PM. We certainly want to welcome everybody in attendance here this evening. And if you will please join me in a moment of silence. And at this time, I will recognize City Councilwoman Dirana Freeman to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And I don't see her here. So I'm going to turn to Councilman Charlie Reese to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And if you will come off. Now you are on you. Now you're on me. I wish I'd known I could have gotten my flag background together, but I see in the in uh the back of the council, the mayor pro temps office. He's got the flag there. So anyway, let's do this. I pledge allegiance to the flag. To the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible of liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Madam Clerk, if you will please call the road. Mayor O'Neill, I am present. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero has an excused absence. Councilmember Freeman. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Reese. I'm here. And Councilmember Williams. I'm here. Thank you. Thank you all. We have one ceremonial item this evening. And I'm going to ask our mayor pro Tim if he would do the honors. Good evening, Your Honor, and thank you, ma'am. And good evening, uh, honorable colleagues and to all who are watching this evening. And indeed, it's a great pleasure to be able to read our Black History Month proclamation on this, our last meeting of the month of February. And I consider it a distinctive honor, particularly in this year when we crossed uh his and historic threshold here in Durham, the election of our first African American woman mayor. Uh, that only makes it sweeter to be able to read this proclamation tonight. Proclamation. Whereas Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, introduced Negro History Week in 1926, which was later extended in 1976 to Black History Month. Black History Month was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of Black history throughout our American experience. And whereas the history of people of African heritage goes back thousands of years and includes some of the greatest, most advanced and innovative societies in the history of the history of human existence. And whereas African Americans have played a significant role in the history of Durham, North Carolina, from the early days of the pioneers to our present-day leaders in such industries as aerospace, finance, government, international trade, education, and science. And whereas Black History Month is a time for all Americans to recognize the courage and tenacity of these hardworking Americans who blazed trails for themselves and their children, despite facing daunting challenges and indignities. And whereas during Black History Month, all Americans are encouraged to reflect on the rich history and teachings of Black Americans and bear witness to the progress, beauty, and achievements that they have made throughout our region. Now, therefore, I Elaine M. O'Neill, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, to hereby proclaim February 2022 as Black History Month in Durham, and hereby urge all residents to take special note of this observance. Witness my hand this is the 21st day of February 2020.
openpublica.com