Durham City Council Meeting - April 18, 2022

The Durham City Council met on April 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Plaza. The meeting featured Mayor Elaine O'Neill's first State of the City Address, a Fair Housing Month Proclamation, unanimous approval of a 14-item consent agenda, and two public hearings on a zoning map change for Cedar Trace Apartments and the FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for federal housing grants. All votes were unanimous (5-0) with Mayor Pro Tem Mark Middleton excused.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3: Amended Durham City-County Immigrant/Refugee Affairs Interlocal Agreement – authorized City Manager to execute.
• Item 4: 2022 Short Session Legislative Agenda – adopted.
• Item 7: Lofts at Southside Phase III and IV site preparation and environmental assessment contract with McCormack Baron Salazar Development – not to exceed $1,750,000.
• Item 8: Lofts at Southside Phase III development loan commitment – up to $1,100,000 in Affordable Housing Bond Funds and/or HOME funds.
• Item 9: Lofts at Southside Phase IV development loan commitment – up to $4,850,000.
• Item 10: Construction contract with Haren Construction Company, Inc. for the Githens Lift Station and Force Main Project – $7,892,000 base, with $789,200 contingency, total not to exceed $8,681,200.
• Item 12: Preliminary Findings Resolution and Bond Order for up to $30,500,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds – adopted.
• Item 13: Intergovernmental Agreement with Durham County for fire inspections and investigations – authorized.
• Item 14: Cooperative purchase of one split-body rear-loading refuse truck from Carolina Environmental Systems, Inc. – $437,771.
• Item 15: Construction contract with NPS Solutions LLC for Durham Bike Lane Striping Project – $499,995.58 base, with $75,000 contingency, total not to exceed $574,995.58.
• Item 16: Construction, Engineering and Inspections contract with Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, L.L.P. for the same bike lane project – $108,039.41 base, with $20,000 contingency, total not to exceed $128,039.41.
• Item 17: Construction, Engineering and Inspections contract with SEPI Engineering & Construction, Inc. for the Durham Neighborhood Bike Boulevards Project – $134,644.65 base, with $20,196.70 contingency, total not to exceed $154,841.35.
• Item 20: First Amendment to Durham Small Business Recovery Fund Service Agreement – authorized.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cedar Trace Apartments Zoning Map Change (Item 18): Three speakers addressed the council in support of the rezoning. Toby Coleman (applicant, Taft Mills Group) stated the project is a 200-unit low-income housing tax credit project with 100% of units serving households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), averaging 60% AMI. Matt Lauder (project engineer) and CJ Tyree (developer) were also available for questions. No opposition was voiced.
• FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan (Item 19): Benita Green spoke via Zoom, requesting that funds be directed to formerly redlined communities for home improvements (roofs, structural repairs) to allow residents to remain safely in their homes. She emphasized that residents in these areas have been unable to obtain loans for improvements due to historic discrimination.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's State of the City Address: Mayor Elaine O'Neill delivered a ~40-minute address covering multiple topics:
  • Safe Neighborhoods: Acknowledged a crisis in gun violence, noting six deaths in the prior week. Announced reconvening the Durham Crime Cabinet with a focus on housing. Described efforts with community leaders (e.g., Dennis Garrett, Love and Respect) to mediate violence. Visited Wilmington, NC, to study a resilience task force for centralized human services.
  • Police: Highlighted pay increases, a $10,000 signing bonus, take-home cars, and the 30x30 initiative to recruit more women. Urged increasing the number of highly trained officers.
  • Shared Economic Prosperity: Discussed the Opportunity Loan Fund (city $1M, county $880,000, Duke $1M) – $860,000 dispersed to 38 businesses, 29 minority-owned. Noted $140,000 in city funds and $800,000 in county funds remain. Announced upcoming vote to modify criteria to expand access. Also mentioned over $50 million in American Rescue Plan funds to be allocated, with community proposals under review.
  • Youth Employment: Reported 1,500 youth applications for the Durham Youth Works summer internship program – the largest in recent history, 77% aged 14–17. Called on businesses to provide internships.
  • Affordable Housing: Committed $6.5 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 550 households. Asked the council to consider the city purchasing property to create affordable housing for teachers, police, firefighters, and city employees.
  • Infrastructure: Announced $19.8 million in federal grants that morning, including $9 million for a multi-use trail along a former rail line and $10.8 million for transit upgrades. Applying for another $20 million for Holloway Street safety improvements.
  • Public Health: Noted decreasing COVID-19 transmission and acknowledged 300 Durham residents who died from the pandemic. Thanked health officials.
  • Inclusivity and Volunteerism: Proclaimed June as “Bull City Kindness” month. Called on residents to commit five hours of community service, join neighborhood PACs, and serve on city boards and commissions.
• Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Councilmember Javier Caballero read the proclamation, declaring April 2022 as Fair Housing Month in Durham. Presented to Sharon Sunkel, co-chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee of the Durham Regional Association of Realtors.
• Council Announcements:
  • Councilmember Caballero thanked colleagues for excusing her absence (she was out of the country and contracted COVID). Urged vigilance as COVID-19 numbers are increasing.
  • Councilmember Williams reported on transportation trips to Miami and London, foreshadowing robust community engagement on transportation. Referenced the “Hayti Reborn” matter and asked the public to allow procedures to play out; the matter has been referred to the city attorney.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Cedar Trace Apartments Zoning Map Change (Item 18):
  • Motion 1: Adopted ordinance changing zoning from RS-8 to RS-M(D) with development plan, including commitments for 100% affordable units at ≤80% AMI. Passed 5-0.
  • Motion 2: Adopted Consistency and Reasonableness Statement per NCGS 160D-605. Passed 5-0.
• FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan (Item 19): Multiple motions approved unanimously (5-0 each):
  • Approved the draft Annual Action Plan for submission to HUD.
  • Authorized the City Manager to execute administrative requirements and contracts.
  • Adopted CDBG project ordinance: $2,100,000.
  • Adopted HOME Investment Partnership Program ordinance: $1,100,000.
  • Adopted Emergency Solutions Grant ordinance: $174,000.
  • Adopted HOPWA grant ordinance: $858,000.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.