Durham City Council Meeting - May 2, 2023
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Durham City Council Meeting - May 2, 2023
The Durham City Council convened for a regular meeting. The transcript indicates the meeting began on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 7 p.m., though the official record date is May 2, 2023. The meeting included four proclamations, a consent agenda, a dedicated nature preserve discussion, a public hearing on the Annual Action Plan, a Parks and Recreation update, and a plaque donation. All votes were recorded.
Proclamations & Ceremonial Items
- Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company Day (May 1, 2023): Councilwoman Freeman read the proclamation honoring the historic Black volunteer firefighting company. Chaz Moore, founder of Victor Company, accepted the plaque and spoke about representation and preserving lost history.
- Lupus Awareness Month (May 2023): Councilman Williams read the proclamation. Lauren Lee Schule, Lupus Foundation of North Carolina board member and lupus patient, shared her personal experience and called for transparency and collaboration in health systems.
- Black Maternal Health Awareness Month (May 2023): Councilwoman Johnson read the proclamation. A representative from the Mayor's Women's Council accepted and thanked supporting organizations.
- Humility Month (May 2023): Mayor O'Neill read the proclamation and presented it to Councilwoman Holsey Hyman.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda was approved 6-0. It included approval of city council minutes, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission appointment, the March 2023 bid report, readoption of the water storage response plan, a resolution supporting the Day of Remembrance, adoption of the naming rights policy for publicly owned properties, a McKissick Square Development loan commitment using ARPA affordable housing funds, and benefits consulting and broker services contract selection.
Parks & Recreation Update
Staff presented summer camp opportunities for youth ages 5-12, including weekly field trips, swimming, meals, and a teen Summer Connect camp with volunteer and community service opportunities. Staff also promoted the 53rd annual Bimbay Cultural Arts Festival on June 3 from 1-7 p.m. at Rock Quarry Park, celebrating 50 years of hip hop with a free, family-friendly event.
Public Comments & Testimony (Item 7: Dedicated Nature Preserve)
- Chris Dreps (resident) supported the dedicated nature preserve as permanent protection, acknowledging differences with staff over the meaning of permanence.
- Misty Buchanan (Director, NC Natural Heritage Program) supported both dedicated nature preserve and registered heritage area options, noting the state's revised proposal includes an 800-foot carve-out for a future Northern Durham Parkway.
- Shakira Campbell (Vice Chair, Durham Open Space and Trails Commission) urged the council to follow the state's recommendation for a dedicated nature preserve, citing the city's 30% permanently protected goal.
- Dave Connolly (resident and DOST member, speaking personally) compared protection vs. permanent protection, citing the American Tobacco Trail pipeline threat.
- Ricky White (Executive Director, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association) advocated for dedication over registration, highlighting potential grant funding of hundreds of thousands to a million dollars and the permanence of the dedication process.
- Vanessa Evans (resident) described her family's history near the site and urged permanent protection for wildlife.
- Benita Green (resident) asked the council to visit the site and preserve it as a state nature preserve.
- Chai Bo (Durham Environmental Affairs Board) read a resolution supporting the dedicated nature preserve, emphasizing floodplain and water quality benefits.
- Mark Minor (business owner) spoke in favor of permanent protection, citing the rookery's value for recruiting talent and resident enjoyment.
Discussion Items
Item 7: Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association Dedicated Nature Preserve Proposal Alternatives
- Staff presented two alternatives: a Registered Heritage Area plus a local ordinance (staff recommendation) versus the state's Dedicated Nature Preserve. Staff raised concerns about future city infrastructure needs and access for sewer line maintenance.
- Councilmembers debated permanence, state vs. local control, and a hybrid approach (dedicating the 83 primary acres and registering the rest).
- Councilmember Freeman moved to direct staff to negotiate a dedicated nature preserve for the full 215-acre revised proposal, including the 800-foot carve-out for the Northern Durham Parkway and preserving existing water management infrastructure easements.
- The motion passed 4-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Middleton and Councilmember Johnson voting no. Councilmember Johnson expressed concerns about unresolved questions and loss of local control; Mayor Pro Tem Middleton favored a hybrid approach or further staff work.
Public Hearing: FY2023-2024 Annual Action Plan
- The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Council adopted the draft FY2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and approved the following grant project ordinances, each 6-0:
- CDBG: $2,138,871
- HOME: $1,417,035
- ESG: $182,563
- HOPWA: $166,328
Other Matters
- Chaz Moore and Dr. Pendergraph presented a plaque to the city honoring the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company. Mayor O'Neill accepted on behalf of the city and thanked them for preserving Durham's history.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 6-0.
- Dedicated nature preserve motion passed 4-2, directing staff to negotiate a 215-acre dedicated nature preserve with the state, including the 800-foot roadway carve-out and water infrastructure easements.
- Annual Action Plan and grant ordinances adopted/approved 6-0.
Meeting Transcript
You got the list, okay. Can you put everybody in order? Two minutes to air, one minute to live stream. Okay. Okay. That's fine. That's fine. Is Misty Buchanan with you? We are streaming. Recording in progress. Good evening, good evening. I'd like to call this evening's Durham City Council meeting to order. Today is Monday, May 1, 2023 at 7 p.m. And like to welcome those who have decided to join us here in City Hall Plaza and our council chambers, and those who are joining us remotely as well. If you would please join me in a moment of silent meditation as we get about the people's business. Good evening, everyone. It's our practice to stand and salute the flag as we say the pledge. Good evening, madam clerk. If you will call the road. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero has an excused absence. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Holsey Hyman. Present. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Williams. Present. Thank you. Thank you. We now have uh four ceremonia items for this evening. Uh the first will be read by a proclamation to be read by Councilwoman Freeman is the Excelsior Hook and Latter Company Day proclamation. The second will be a lupus awareness month proclamation read, I believe, by uh Councilman Williams. The Black Maternal Health Awareness Month Proclamation will be read by Councilwoman Jillian Johnson, and I will meet the humility month proclamation. We'll do those in that order. Thank you, Madam Mayor. It's uh honor to present this proclamation, and I do believe that I if you would like to join uh Mr. Chasmore if you would like to join me up here. Finally. Thank you. Whereas the history of Durham's first fire department began in December 1872, little is known about all the the black volunteer fighter fighters who began their service in 1880. Much of their dedication and service to the black community has gone unrecognized, and Durham Hook and Ladder Company has become an unfortunate lost history of our city. Whereas the first modern fire station opened in 1891 at the intersection of Mangum and Holloway Street, the historic building later replaced with a newer building that can be seen today. Residents and visitors of the great city of Durham can then reflect on our city's firefighting history. And whereas not only the city of Durham, but the city of Greensboro, Raleigh, Rocky, and Rocky Mount II have been recognized for their history and all their black firefighter units. These units of brave men who sought to serve their homes and their communities where all white firefighters would not later become be known as or become to become to known as Excelsior's Hook and Ladder Company. Headquarters was set up in Durham from the mid-1880s to 1908, 1909, what is now known as Roxborough Street, formerly 201 Pine Street. And whereas, bravely, the firefighters rescued families who would have otherwise perished, possibly gone unaccounted for given the divide in the community and the nation at the time of their service. And whereas the stories of resilience and strength of these men would fall on deaf ears and forever be forgotten in the ash of the past.
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