Durham City Council Meeting - June 6, 2023: Budget Hearing, Annexations, and Proclamations
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Durham City Council Meeting - June 6, 2023: Budget Hearing, Annexations, and Proclamations
The Durham City Council met on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 1:45 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, a lengthy public hearing on the city manager's proposed FY 2023-2024 budget and CIP, approval of two annexations (one with a 4-3 vote), and a continuation of a zoning case. Mayor Elaine O'Neal presided, with all council members present.
Ceremonial Items
- Juneteenth Weekend Proclamation: Presented by Councilman Williams, declaring June 16-19, 2023, as Juneteenth Weekend. Aya Shabu of the Durham Juneteenth Collective spoke about collaboration and black liberation.
- NeighborWorks Week Proclamation: Presented by Councilwoman Freeman, declaring June 3-10, 2023, as NeighborWorks Week. Sherry Taylor of Durham Community Land Trustees highlighted permanent affordable housing and displacement concerns.
- LGBTQ Pride Month Proclamation: Presented by Councilwoman Johnson, declaring June 2023 as LGBTQ Pride Month. Natalie Watson of the LGBTQ Center of Durham emphasized intersectionality and community support.
- Gun Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: Presented by Councilwoman Freeman, declaring June 2023 as Gun Violence Awareness Month. Hillside High School drama students and staff spoke about their play "State of Urgency" addressing gun violence.
- Harmony Month Proclamation: Presented by Councilwoman Holsey-Hyman, declaring June 2023 as Harmony Month in Durham.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–32, with exceptions) was approved unanimously. Item 18 (Eagle Solar contract) was referred back to General Services. Items 20 and 22 were pulled for separate consideration. Item 22 (2023 first quarter crime report) was approved after public comment. Item 20 (Redevelopment of 505 West Chapel Hill Street) was not acted on due to lack of proponent.
Public Comments & Testimony
Budget Public Hearing (Item 36): Dozens of residents spoke on the proposed FY 2023-2024 budget and CIP. Key themes included:
- Affordable Housing: Stella Adams urged using an equity lens and noted HUD definitions (e.g., $53,500 is low income for a single person). Many speakers supported the $160 million affordable housing proposal.
- Vision Zero & Transportation: John Talmage, Julia Springer, and others called for funding a Vision Zero coordinator, protected bike lanes, sidewalk repairs, and traffic calming. The proposed budget includes $34.4 million for such projects.
- HART Program Expansion: Multiple speakers (e.g., Kyle O'Connor, Nandy Smith, Manju Rajendran) urged full 24/7 citywide expansion of the HART crisis response program. The Have a Heart Coalition recommended 70 FTEs at $10.7 million over three years.
- First Responder Pay: Firefighters and police officers (Capt. Neil Shout, Kyle O'Connor, Jason Fralicker, Jonathan Armada) described critical staffing shortages, low morale, and pay compression. They requested competitive starting pay (e.g., $65,000 for police) and correction of step compression. Drew Cox of the Police Benevolent Association warned of a staffing crisis.
- Solid Waste Management: Nancy Lauer, Michelle Nowlin, and others requested funding for a public information/comms analyst and a code enforcement officer to address plastic pollution and waste reduction.
- Sidewalks & Traffic Calming: Benita Green (Merrick Moore) and Vanessa Mason Evans (Braggtown) requested infrastructure improvements for safe walking routes.
- Hayti Reborn: Speakers like Faye Calhoun and Walter Jackson supported funding for revitalizing Fayetteville Street.
- Eviction Diversion: Sarah D'Amato asked for continued funding for Legal Aid's eviction diversion program, noting 84 court cases in May and 61 with representation.
Other Items:
- Item 22 (Crime Report): Drew Cox spoke against the budget's 2% pay increase for police and urged higher starting pay, citing a 70% staffing level and low morale.
- Item 38 (L Parcel Annexation): Opponents (Donna Steinbeck, Pam Williams, Robin Barefoot, Katie Ross) raised concerns about mass grading, sedimentation, blasting, environmental damage, and inadequate infrastructure. They called for a pause on large developments and better environmental review.
Discussion Items
Budget Public Hearing (Item 36): The hearing was opened at approximately 7:00 PM and closed after extensive public comment. Council members made no immediate decisions, indicating further budget discussions would occur on Thursday, June 8, at 9 AM, with a final vote expected on June 20.
Annexation – 418 Clayton Road (Item 37): Staff presented a voluntary annexation of 0.69 acres for two single-family homes. No public speakers. Council approved all three motions (annexation, zoning, consistency) with a 6-1 vote on the first motion (Holsey-Hyman voting no).
Annexation – L Parcel/Griffin Residential Tract (Item 38): Developer Steve George proposed 400 units (200 townhomes, 200 single-family) on 117.7 acres near U.S. 70 and Leesville Road. The Planning Commission had recommended denial (14-0) in May 2022. The developer offered additional proffers: enhanced stormwater controls (150% retention, flocculants), a 115,000 contribution to Durham Public Schools ($500 per student), 12 affordable townhome units (3%), and no construction in the Eastern Durham Wildlife Corridor. Council debate centered on environmental impacts, blasting, infrastructure strain, and affordable housing adequacy. Councilwoman Freeman questioned the low school contribution and 3% affordability. Councilman Williams defended staff expertise and the law. After discussion, the first motion (annexation) passed 4-3 (O'Neal, Holsey-Hyman, Freeman voting no). The second motion (zoning) also passed 4-3. The consistency statement passed 7-0.
Zoning Map Change – South Point Mall (Item 39): The applicant requested a continuance to June 20 to allow affordable housing partners to attend. Council granted the continuance without objection.
Economic Development Incentive – Scarborough House (Item 40): Staff presented a $500,000 incentive for Eagle Landing Partners to restore the historic Scarborough House (1406 Fayetteville Street) into an 8-room boutique hotel with event space, leveraging $1.6 million private investment. No public speakers. Council approved the agreement unanimously (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimous, except items 18 (referred back), 20 (pulled, no action), and 22 (voted on later).
- Crime Report (Item 22): Approved unanimously after public comment.
- 418 Clayton Road Annexation: Approved (6-1, Holsey-Hyman opposed).
- L Parcel Annexation: First and second motions approved (4-3); consistency statement approved (7-0). Developer proffered $115,000 for schools and no construction in the wildlife corridor.
- South Point Mall Zoning: Continued to June 20.
- Scarborough House Incentive: Approved (7-0).
- Budget Schedule: Council will continue budget discussions on June 8 with a target vote on June 20.
Meeting Transcript
Two minutes to air, one minute to live stream. One minute to air. Thirty seconds to live stream. Recording in progress. Happy Monday, everybody. Happy Monday. I would like to call the Durham City Council meeting to order for this Monday, June 5th, 2023 here in our city council chambers and City Hall Plaza, and we have a room full, and we also have a a lot of folk outside. This is what democracy looks like. And so we welcome everybody in the space tonight, and we welcome those who are joining us on the internet as well. Let us have a moment of silent meditation. Thank you all so much. I'll now turn our attention to Councilwoman Freeman, who will lead us in a pledge of allegiance. Thank you. It's our practice to stand and salute the flag if you join us. I am present. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero. Here. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Holsey Hyman. Present. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Williams. Present. Thank you. Thank you all. We have five ceremonial items tonight. And we will take them in in the order that they are appear on the agenda. The first one is the Juneteenth weekend proclamation, which will be read by Councilman Williams. The second will be the Neighbor Works Week Proclamation, which will be read by Councilwoman Freeman. The LGBTQ Pride Month Proclamation will be read by Councilwoman Johnson. In that order without me interrupting further. And whereas the city of Durham owes much to the indigenous and African ancestors whose bones, blood, sweat, and tears were fertilizer to tobacco fields and mortar to factory bricks. The city of Durham agrees to create opportunities to tell those stories as well. And whereas the proclamation of emancipation signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 was as Durham's own St. Pauly Murray said, a historical and documentary recon documentary recognition of an accomplished fact. For the human spirit cannot be suppressed, nor can it be truly liberated by the laws of men, but by its own belief in the right to freedom. And whereas the presenting institutions of Spectacular Magazine, Bragtown Community Association, True Heart Consulting, Be Connected Durham and Beyond, and Village of Wisdom Incorporated, are unified by their pride in organize and organized Juneteenth events in a wonderful celebration of human resistance and resilience. Now, therefore, I, Elaine Emma O'Neill, mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 16th through 19th, 2023 as Juneteenth weekend. Let's make it official by me finishing this up. In Durham, and hereby urge all residents to take note of this observance. Witness my hand and corporate seal of the city of Durham, North Carolina, this fifth day of June 2023. A pause thank you, City Council and Mayor. Thank you for acknowledging Juneteenth weekend in the second year in a row. I recognize the importance of including our elected officials as allies in the enormous fight for liberation. This year, Juneteenth weekend is from Friday, June 16th through Monday, June 19th. For myself and my collaborators of the Durham Juneteenth Collective, Juneteenth weekend is an expression of black unity and black sovereignty in Durham, and both are necessary for black liberation.
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