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Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting: Budget, Housing Loans, Proclamations (June 27, 2022)

City Council — Monday, June 27, 2022
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 27, 2022
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:48

One minute to air.

0:50

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0:52

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1:17

Thirty seconds.

1:57

Good evening, good evening, City of Durham.

2:01

Welcome to 101 City Hall Plaza in our first floor council chambers here for our city council meeting on this Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 at 7 p.m.

2:16

We'd like to welcome those who have joined us in person.

2:19

Always glad to see folks here in chambers with us as well as those who are joining us via the internet.

3:37

So he should join us momentarily.

3:40

Madam Clerk.

3:42

I am here.

3:43

Mayor Pro Tem Middleton.

3:44

I'm here.

3:45

Councilmember Caballero?

3:46

Here.

3:49

Councilmember Holsey Hyman.

3:51

President.

3:51

Councilmember Johnson.

3:52

Here.

3:53

And Councilmember Williams will be with us shortly.

3:56

Right.

3:57

Thank you so much.

3:58

We'll now turn to our ceremonial items.

4:00

We have four of those tonight.

4:02

And we will take them in the order that appears on our agenda.

4:05

The first one will be uh Councilwoman Diderana Freeman will lead us in the Juneteenth proclamation.

4:13

Hopefully uh Councilman Williams will be here to lead us within the second one, which is Frank Dumas the fourth day proclamation, who's here with us today.

4:24

Also we will have uh councilwoman Javier Caballero who lead us in the Clemson Craner or Fascio Awareness Month Proclamation, Facial Month Awareness Month Proclamation, and finally we'll have Councilwoman Julian Johnson who will lead us in our Pride Month proclamation.

4:49

Thank you.

4:50

And it's a great honor and privilege to read the Juneteenth proclamation.

4:55

And I do believe we have someone here to receive it.

4:58

If you want to join me, Miss Ayashable.

5:03

Whereas June 19, 2022 is best known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day marks the 157th anniversary of the arrival of Union General Gordon Granler in Galveston, Texas, where two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans learned of the end of the enslavement of black people.

5:28

And whereas America must never forget or repeat its vivid and tragic track tragic examples of African-American history, which expose the dehumanizing impacts of racial violence from chattel enslavement to convict leasing from lynching to racial mass massacres in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 1921 and Rosewood in Florida in 1923, from segregation to voter and disenfranchisement, from mass incarceration to wrongful, wrongfully inflicted violence upon the innocent who fought for freedom in Selma, Alabama at the Edmonds Pettus Bridge, or the images of children in Birmingham who endured the bites of unleashed dogs, and whereas we must collectively strive to close gaps of immeasurable distance between us and affirm the promise of the Declaration of Independence that all people have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, and hold that purpose of the American government.

6:34

Must be secure, must must be to secure these rights for all.

6:38

And whereas we must reject acts of violence and expand opportunities to understand and learn from our frank and complex conversations.

6:48

And whereas it is through leadership and courage that we each have a responsibility to confront entrenchments which perpetuate injustice or a threat to the America's true greatness.

7:01

Now, therefore, I, Elaine M.

7:03

O'Neill, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2022 as Juneteenth in Durham, and urge all residents to honor the day through their reflections, cultural and public education, earnest assessments, planning and commitment to end systemic racism and all forms of dehumanizing which threatens equality and freedom for all.

7:29

Witness my hand, the 17th day of June, 2022.

7:33

And I'll pass.

8:21

Also the Braggtown Neighborhood Association, and then two organizations that put on the Hey Tai Juneteenth, which would be Connected Durham and Beyond and Village of Wisdom.

8:35

So for the Heytai Juneteenth, our theme was celebrating the youth that keep the legacy lit.

8:43

So imagine a candle, right?

8:45

And the youth are the flame.

8:48

And what's transferring information, legacy, history, values, tradition is the wick.

8:56

And the wick in this case would be our elders of the Heytai neighborhood.

9:01

And the and the wax is the neighborhood itself.

9:05

It's the geographical space.

9:08

That matters because everything that happens happens somewhere.

9:12

And when those places are gone, we forget what was there.

9:17

We forget the history and we forget the culture, and then the legacy doesn't get passed on.

9:24

The youth are deserving of their legacy.

9:27

It is their birthright.

9:28

That history is their birthright.

9:30

And so we must continue to protect neighborhoods, historic African American neighborhoods, and specifically sites like Fayette Place.

9:40

So I am here as a representative of the neighborhood of Hayti and the residents who have spoken that those last 20 acres, they want to maintain the memory, their history and legacy to pass on.

9:54

So I just appreciate you all helping to recognize that history just from this simple proclamation.

10:01

So thank you all.

10:30

Good evening, everyone.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Land Use Planning█████████████████17%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Youth Programs█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Equity in Transportation███3%
Contract Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting: Budget, Housing Loans, and Proclamations (June 27, 2022)

Note on date discrepancy: The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET, but the provided metadata states the meeting took place on June 27, 2022, at 17:15 UTC. This summary uses the supplied date per instruction.

The meeting opened with four ceremonial proclamations: Juneteenth, Frank Dumas Day (recognizing a national spelling bee participant), Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month, and LGBTQ Pride Month. Council announcements followed, including a statement from Councilmember Hyman about rescinding her nomination for a Human Relations Commission appointment due to value conflicts, and Councilmember Williams’ recognition of Chef Ricky Moore’s James Beard Award. The city manager and attorney added priority items, and the consent agenda (items 1–46, with several pulled) was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • All consent items approved by a single hand vote (7–0), except items 12, 15, 16, 17, 39, 40, 42, and 45–46 which were pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sean Brady (Commonwealth Development Corporation) expressed support for Fairhaven Walk, noting the loan would allow deeper income targeting (30% AMI).
  • Vanessa Mason Evans (Braggtown Community Association) supported both Fairhaven Walk and Sandy Ridge Station, stating ongoing community collaboration.
  • Brad Queener (lead developer, Sandy Ridge Station) introduced the project, highlighting experience (1,800+ units developed) and 18 months of community engagement.
  • Larissa Seibel (Durham resident) supported affordable housing, citing eviction court statistics: 18 evictions that day, 59 scheduled for the next day, and a case of a woman with $14/hour job and $1,800 rent.
  • Jacqueline Clark (Durham resident) supported both projects, urging that Braggtown not be “watered down” with fewer affordable units.
  • Donna Frederick (Braggtown resident) supported the projects, noting multiple meetings with developers.
  • Constance Wright (Braggtown resident) supported Sandy Ridge Station, emphasizing historic underinvestment in Braggtown.
  • Ruiz Alejandro (Durham citizen) spoke generally about affordable housing for seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Tanya Powell (representing FedEx Ground, item 39) requested safety and noise studies be added to the referred-back project.
  • Randy Herman (applicant attorney, item 40) described the Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital rezoning, noting the facility’s decades-long presence and need for expansion.
  • Michael Grafinger (owner, item 40) stated the expansion would accommodate existing staff and reduce on-street parking.
  • Mimi Kessler (public comment, item 41) suggested adding links from the UDO to state legislation that prompted changes.
  • Mr. Chavis (public comment, item 16) opposed the $6.6 million grant to Durham Housing Authority, alleging DHA is $5 million in debt to the federal government and questioning fairness.
  • Ron Stewart (Laurel Street developer, item 16) made himself available for questions.

Discussion Items

  • Fairhaven Walk (Item 15): Councilmember Freeman raised concerns about inclusivity in the RFP process for minority- and women-owned developers. Director Reginald Johnson said the department would debrief and consult with the city attorney over the summer. Councilmember Williams noted parallel efforts to streamline planning and zoning processes. The item passed unanimously in three motions.
  • Sandy Ridge Station (Item 17): Similar discussion on process inclusivity. Councilmember Freeman reiterated need for equitable RFP outcomes. Director Sarah Young (Planning) confirmed ongoing work to improve customer service and accessibility. The item passed unanimously in three motions.
  • South Austin Avenue Zoning (Item 39): Staff recommended referral back due to title issues. Council opened the public hearing, heard from Tanya Powell (FedEx), then referred back to staff without a date.
  • Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital (Item 40): Staff presented the rezoning request (CN to CND with development plan). Councilmember Freeman asked about traffic signals at the intersection; Assistant Transportation Director Bill Judge noted bicycle/pedestrian improvements but no signal planned. The public hearing closed with no opponents. Two motions passed unanimously.
  • UDO Omnibus Changes (Item 41): Staff described technical revisions and minor policy changes. Councilmember Johnson asked about removed small-lot provisions; Staff explained they were removed after meeting with Preservation Durham, who wanted more data on tear-down impacts. Councilmember Freeman suggested adding graphics to the UDO. A late speaker (Mimi Kessler) requested links to state legislation. Two motions passed unanimously.
  • Item 42 (Zoning case): Applicant requested continuance to September 19, 2022. Council opened the hearing and voted to continue unanimously.
  • DDI Contracts (Items 45 & 46): City Attorney explained that prior votes may violate a new state conflict-of-interest statute because Mayor Pro Tem Middleton sits on DDI’s board. Middleton recused himself. Council voted to rescind the prior votes (6–0) and then approved the contracts: $1,697,020 for services (item 45) and $170,040 for economic development (item 46), both 6–0.
  • Budget Adoption (Item 12): Mayor Pro Tem Middleton praised the budget as historic, noting investments in eviction diversion, bilingual pay, 911 call-taker training, first responder raises, and a new community safety department. He emphasized it “rejects zero-sum game politics.” All council members expressed support, with some noting concerns but overall approval. The budget passed unanimously.
  • Elizabeth Street Apartments (Item 16): Councilmember Williams clarified that the $6.6 million grant was pre-committed from affordable housing bond funds; inflation may require additional commitments. Two motions passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda: Approved unanimously (7–0).
  • Fairhaven Walk (Item 15): Approved – three motions (7–0 each).
  • Sandy Ridge Station (Item 17): Approved – three motions (7–0 each).
  • South Austin Avenue (Item 39): Referred back to staff.
  • Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital (Item 40): Zoning change approved (7–0); consistency statement approved (7–0).
  • UDO Omnibus Changes (Item 41): Ordinance and consistency statement approved (7–0 each).
  • Item 42: Continued to September 19, 2022 (7–0).
  • DDI contracts (Items 45 & 46): Prior votes rescinded (6–0, with recusal); new contracts approved (6–0 each).
  • FY22-23 Budget & CIP (Item 12): Adopted unanimously (7–0).
  • Elizabeth Street Apartments (Item 16): Grant agreement approved (7–0); execution authorized (7–0).
  • Next steps: The ShotSpotter CEO community conversation announced for June 27, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s AME Church.

Meeting Transcript

One minute to air. The live stream has started. Stand by for the thirty-second queue. Thirty seconds. Good evening, good evening, City of Durham. Welcome to 101 City Hall Plaza in our first floor council chambers here for our city council meeting on this Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 at 7 p.m. We'd like to welcome those who have joined us in person. Always glad to see folks here in chambers with us as well as those who are joining us via the internet. So he should join us momentarily. Madam Clerk. I am here. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero? Here. Councilmember Holsey Hyman. President. Councilmember Johnson. Here. And Councilmember Williams will be with us shortly. Right. Thank you so much. We'll now turn to our ceremonial items. We have four of those tonight. And we will take them in the order that appears on our agenda. The first one will be uh Councilwoman Diderana Freeman will lead us in the Juneteenth proclamation. Hopefully uh Councilman Williams will be here to lead us within the second one, which is Frank Dumas the fourth day proclamation, who's here with us today. Also we will have uh councilwoman Javier Caballero who lead us in the Clemson Craner or Fascio Awareness Month Proclamation, Facial Month Awareness Month Proclamation, and finally we'll have Councilwoman Julian Johnson who will lead us in our Pride Month proclamation. Thank you. And it's a great honor and privilege to read the Juneteenth proclamation. And I do believe we have someone here to receive it. If you want to join me, Miss Ayashable. Whereas June 19, 2022 is best known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day marks the 157th anniversary of the arrival of Union General Gordon Granler in Galveston, Texas, where two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans learned of the end of the enslavement of black people. And whereas America must never forget or repeat its vivid and tragic track tragic examples of African-American history, which expose the dehumanizing impacts of racial violence from chattel enslavement to convict leasing from lynching to racial mass massacres in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 1921 and Rosewood in Florida in 1923, from segregation to voter and disenfranchisement, from mass incarceration to wrongful, wrongfully inflicted violence upon the innocent who fought for freedom in Selma, Alabama at the Edmonds Pettus Bridge, or the images of children in Birmingham who endured the bites of unleashed dogs, and whereas we must collectively strive to close gaps of immeasurable distance between us and affirm the promise of the Declaration of Independence that all people have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, and hold that purpose of the American government. Must be secure, must must be to secure these rights for all. And whereas we must reject acts of violence and expand opportunities to understand and learn from our frank and complex conversations. And whereas it is through leadership and courage that we each have a responsibility to confront entrenchments which perpetuate injustice or a threat to the America's true greatness. Now, therefore, I, Elaine M. O'Neill, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2022 as Juneteenth in Durham, and urge all residents to honor the day through their reflections, cultural and public education, earnest assessments, planning and commitment to end systemic racism and all forms of dehumanizing which threatens equality and freedom for all. Witness my hand, the 17th day of June, 2022. And I'll pass. Also the Braggtown Neighborhood Association, and then two organizations that put on the Hey Tai Juneteenth, which would be Connected Durham and Beyond and Village of Wisdom. So for the Heytai Juneteenth, our theme was celebrating the youth that keep the legacy lit. So imagine a candle, right? And the youth are the flame. And what's transferring information, legacy, history, values, tradition is the wick. And the wick in this case would be our elders of the Heytai neighborhood. And the and the wax is the neighborhood itself. It's the geographical space. That matters because everything that happens happens somewhere.

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