Durham City Council Meeting Summary – May 16, 2023
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Durham City Council Meeting Summary – May 16, 2023
The Durham City Council met on Monday, May 15, 2023, beginning at 5:45 p.m. in City Hall Chambers. The meeting extended into the early hours of Tuesday, May 16, 2023, concluding at 12:34 a.m. The agenda included ceremonial proclamations, approval of the consent calendar, the presentation of the FY2023-24 proposed budget, public comments on the budget and multiple annexation and rezoning cases, and final votes on several land-use and financial items.
Ceremonial Items & Announcements
- Two proclamations were read: the first declared May 22–28, 2023 as Period Poverty Awareness Week; the second declared May 21–27, 2023 as National Public Works Week in Durham.
- Council members made announcements regarding the Day of Remembrance for gun violence victims, mental health awareness month, the upcoming Bimbé Festival, and recognition of city staff and community programs.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–23) was approved unanimously. Items included board appointments, contracts for maintenance services, water and sewer rate updates, and agreements for transit and public works operations.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Firefighter Compensation: Multiple current and retired Durham firefighters spoke during the budget hearing, detailing significant pay compression and retention challenges. Meredith Carter, Darius Thompson, Ricky Williams, and others described being stuck at low pay steps for years, earning well below the city's livable wage despite years of service. They requested that the city place firefighters in correct pay steps and include them in the livable wage policy. The firefighters' union provided a detailed plan showing the cost to correct compression at under $2.5 million.
- Budget and Housing: Father Yasikorzechowski and Latasha Williams, representing Durham CAN, requested funding for a full-time bilingual housing code enforcement inspector to address substandard housing conditions for Spanish-speaking residents.
- Parks and Recreation: A resident requested that pickleball courts be prioritized in the Parks and Recreation budget, noting the sport's rapid growth and lack of dedicated facilities in Durham.
- Homelessness: Russell Pierce of Housing for New Hope shared Point-in-Time count data (375 people experiencing homelessness, a drop in shelter capacity, and an increase in unsheltered families and Hispanic individuals). He urged the council to preserve affordable housing and support the acquisition of land for a supportive housing campus.
- Annexation Cases: For the Carpenter Preserve annexation, multiple residents spoke in opposition, citing environmental degradation from mass grading, sediment runoff, flooding of downstream properties, and insufficient buffers. For 751 South, residents expressed concern over lack of engagement, increased density, and unchanged open space. For 901-903 Sharon Road, residents requested stronger development standards including erosion controls, 100-year stormwater management, and 30-foot opaque buffers.
Discussion Items
- FY2023-24 Proposed Budget and CIP: City Manager Wanda Page presented the $?? budget (the transcript mentions an increase of $39.6 million over last year, general fund of $??). Key highlights: no increase in the property tax rate (55.77 cents per $100 valuation); expansion of the HART program citywide; 16 new firefighter positions and a new ladder truck; 61 new full-time city positions; employee salary increases of 6-8% (sworn employees 7%); Durham minimum livable wage rising to $18.46 per hour; $14.3 million for affordable housing; continued fare-free transit; and $306 million in capital improvement projects.
- Annexation and Zoning Cases:
- Carpenter Preserve (Item 28): A direct translation annexation with no zoning change but an increase from 235 to 260 units. Council debated the development's conservation subdivision status, environmental impacts, and the ongoing FBI/SBI investigation involving the developer. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton and Councilmember Williams argued the direct translation and existing zoning already allow development, and that annexation brings city oversight. Councilmember Freeman expressed environmental concerns.
- 751 South (Item 29): This legislative annexation forced by the General Assembly required the council to impose city zoning. The developer proposed an amended Utility Extension Agreement (UEA) reducing commercial/office space and increasing residential units, with new proffers including $1.5 million to Durham Public Schools (increased from $1 million) and $3 million to the city's affordable housing fund (increased from $2 million). Councilmember Johnson pressed for higher affordable housing contribution and questioned traffic improvements; the developer noted $7 million already spent on off-site improvements. The council ultimately approved the amended UEA unanimously.
- 901-903 Sharon Road (Item 30): A small infill project (18 acres, 63 units, minimum 35 townhouses). The applicant added a textual development plan after the Planning Commission denied the initial request. The developer committed to handling the 100-year storm event. Councilmember Caballero supported the project, noting it offers more than the UDO requires and moves the needle on development standards. The motion passed 4-2.
- Stormwater Rates (Item 31): A public hearing was held on proposed FY2024 stormwater rate increases: $0.75/month for Tier 1 residential, $1.55/month for Tier 2, and $3.11/month for Tier 3. No public comments were received. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- City Council Minutes (Item 4): Approved 5-2 (Councilmembers Freeman and Holsey-Hyman voted no).
- Harlow Point Annexation (Item 27): Approved unanimously on all three motions.
- Carpenter Preserve Annexation (Item 28): Approved 4-3 (Mayor O'Neill, Councilmembers Freeman and Holsey-Hyman voted no) on motions 1 and 2; motion 3 (consistency statement) passed 7-0.
- 751 South Annexation (Item 29): Motion 1 (authorize amended UEA with proffers of $1.5M to DPS and $3M to housing fund) passed 6-0; motion 2 (translational zoning) passed 5-1 (Mayor O'Neill voted no); motion 3 (consistency statement) passed 6-0.
- 901-903 Sharon Road Annexation (Item 30): Motion 1 passed 4-2 (Mayor O'Neill and Councilmember Freeman voted no); motion 2 passed 4-2 (same); motion 3 passed 5-1 (Councilmember Freeman voted no).
- Stormwater Rates (Item 31): Adopted unanimously.
- Excused Absence: Councilmember Holsey-Hyman was granted an excused absence for the remainder of the meeting due to the pending investigation related to the Carpenter Preserve developer.
- Directives: The mayor and council directed the city manager and HR to work with the firefighters' union on a plan to correct pay step compression in the upcoming budget. Councilmember Williams requested staff investigate blasting impacts and homeowner complaint processes.
Meeting Transcript
One minute to air, we are streaming recording in progress. Good evening, good evening, good evening. I like to call tonight's meeting to order of the city council meeting here in City Hall Chambers on Monday, May 15. We have a packed house tonight. It's full in chambers, it's folks standing on the walls on the on my left, and we have a great crowd outside. And so we are happy that you all have chosen to join with us in person, and we also welcome those of you who have joined us via the internet. Please let us have a moment of solid meditation as we center ourselves for the people's business. Thank you, Madam Mayor. It is our practice to stand, salute the flag and say the pledge. Thank you all. If you will call the road. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Mayor O'Neill. I am present. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero here. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Holsey Hyman. President. Councilmember Johnson here. Councilmember Williams. I'm here. Thank you. We will now turn to our ceremonial items. We have two proclamations for this evening. The first is the period poverty awareness week proclamation, which will be read by uh Councilwoman Hose Hyman, and the National Public Works Week Proclamation, which will be read by Councilman. I'm sorry, Mayor Pro Tem Middleton in that order. How's everybody doing tonight? Okay. I'm gonna take this point of privilege. I'm still on Cloud Nine. You see my Carolina Blue, my baby graduated yesterday. I'm still on Cloud Nine. My mom who's eighty-nine, who raised four of us from the South Bronx of New York on in public housing, public assistance was able to see her last baby graduate. I'm sorry for taking this, but I'm still on cloud nine. Thank you. Okay, proclamation. Whereas period supplies are necessary products for millions of people across the country, and whereas national surveys and research studies report that one of four administrating menstruating individuals struggle to secure period supplies to meet their monthly needs due to a lack of income. And whereas this lack of period supplies, known as period poverty, can adversely affect the health and well-being of menstruators. And whereas the lack of period supplies. Whereas the lack of period supplies known as period poverty can adversely affect the health and well-being of administrators, menstruating, and whereas period poverty heightens the vicious cycle of poverty by forcing one in five menstruators to withdraw from daily life, losing pay or missing educational opportunities. And whereas the people of Durham recognize that period poverty is a public health issue, and addressing period poverty can lead to economic opportunities for Durham's people and surrounding communities to improve the health of women and girls, thus ensuring that all people have access to basic necessities and needs required to thrive to their full potential. Now, therefore, I, Elaine M. O'Neill, the mayor of City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim the week of May 22nd through May 28th, 2023, as period poverty awareness week in Durham, and hereby urge all residents of Durham to donate generously to organizations that distribute peer period products to those struggling with period poverty so that all Durham people can thrive and reach their potential, full potential. Witnessed by my hand and the corporate seal of the city of Durham, the 15th day of May 2023. Mayor M. O'Neal. You know, sanitary napkins, deodorant, lotion, and we take those things for granted.
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