Durham City Council Meeting – December 5, 2022

The Durham City Council met on December 5, 2022, at 7 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, council announcements, approval of the consent agenda, a general business item, and four public hearings. The council approved contracts for community programs and street closures, while two annexation hearings were continued to future dates.

Ceremonial Items & Announcements

• Councilmember Freeman read a proclamation from Mayor O’Neill declaring December 2022 as Gratefulness Month in Durham.
• Councilmembers made announcements regarding Moore County power outages, World AIDS Day, International Children’s Day, and local events (e.g., tree lighting, social district launch, 321 Coffee ribbon cutting).

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (5‑0). Items included:
  • Appointment to the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission
  • October 2022 Bid Report
  • Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY ending June 30, 2022
  • Durham Fire Department Response Times Performance Audit – October 2022
  • FY 2023‑24 Budget Development Schedule
  • Interlocal Agreement with Durham Public Schools to support the Promoting Academic Learning (PAL) program ($368,764)
  • Durham Station Transit Center Improvements: CM‑at‑Risk preconstruction contract ($90,002) and design contract with Perkins & Will ($1,517,800 plus contingency)
  • Amendment to U.S. Department of Labor PY 2022‑2024 WIOA grant (increased from $530,142 to $1,094,990)
  • 2022 Third Quarter Crime Report
  • Utility Extension Agreement for The Piedmont at Patterson Place Apartments
  • Multiple contracts for bridge inspections, unpaved road improvements, street repaving, bridge repairs, pavement preservation, construction inspections, police digital evidence system, and last‑mile fiber construction at city facilities.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 26 (Mockingbird Lane/Sherron Road): Applicant Neil Ghosh requested a continuance to February 6, 2023, to evaluate whether the site could accommodate a 100‑year storm event. No other public comments were heard.
• Item 27 (Crescent Townes): Applicant Neil Ghosh requested a continuance to January 17, 2023, due to site‑plan review for stormwater management. The applicant noted the site plan shows 10% open space (5% required). No other public comments were heard.
• Item 29 (Fontanelle Street closing): No speakers signed up; no public comments.
• Item 30 (Gilbert Street closing): One proponent (Burton Jones) was registered but not present; no public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• General Business – Item 6: Contract with Triangle Community Foundation (TCF) as Fiscal Agent for We Are the Ones (WATO)

  • Deputy City Manager Bertha Johnson presented the item. Adil Ortez (WATO) described the transition from Cypress Fund to TCF, noting Cypress Fund’s lack of local staff and differences in vision. The $250,000 contract will fund round‑two mini‑grants and harm‑free zone fellows.
  • Councilmembers asked about reporting requirements (monthly reports on activities and spending) and how this work connects to previous “pod” work (separate tiers). Staff confirmed this is a one‑time contract.
  • Councilmember Freeman expressed support and suggested planning for sustained funding in the upcoming budget cycle.
  • Councilmember Williams asked what success looks like (response: grassroots leaders feel seen and supported).
  • The item was approved 5‑0.

• Other Matters: Councilmember Williams proposed a regular meeting (e.g., quarterly) between the City Council and the Planning Commission to align on development metrics. Councilmember Freeman suggested using the Joint City‑County Planning Committee (JCCPC) agenda or a separate formal space. Councilmember Hyman supported the idea. No formal action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 5‑0.
• General Business (Item 6) – WATO Contract: Approved 5‑0. Authorization given to execute a $250,000 contract with Triangle Community Foundation.
• Public Hearings:
  • Item 26 (Mockingbird Lane/Sherron Road): Public hearing held open until February 6, 2023. No vote taken.
  • Item 27 (Crescent Townes): Public hearing held open until January 17, 2023. No vote taken.
  • Item 29 (Fontanelle Street closing): Motion to permanently close the street passed 5‑0.
  • Item 30 (Gilbert Street portion closing): Motion to permanently close 361.37 linear feet of Gilbert Street passed 5‑0.

Note: The agenda listed items 8 (lease with New Singular Wireless) and 28 (consolidated annexation – National Heritage Academy) as referred back to administration; these were not discussed during the meeting.