Durham City Council Meeting – May 21, 2024

The Durham City Council convened on May 21, 2024, at 2:30 PM (the meeting extended into early morning May 22). The agenda included the city manager’s proposed FY2024‑2025 budget, public hearings on several annexations and zoning changes, and approval of ARPA‑funded grants for the Fayetteville Street Corridor. After public comment and extensive deliberation, the council voted on each item, with the most contentious being the 202‑acre Virgil Road assemblage (approved 4‑3) and the Fayetteville Street Corridor grant (approved 6‑1, later amended to unanimous).

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was initially adopted with the exception of items 4, 9, 10, 20, and 21. Later, after a rescission, it was re‑adopted with the same exceptions. Routine approvals included appointments, bid reports, service agreements, and a revision to the 2024 council meeting schedule (rescheduling the July 25 work session to August 5 at 1 PM).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Guaranteed Income Program: Multiple speakers (Tadrika Lewis, Tommy Green, Fern Hickey, Mark Duchatelier, Cedric Craig, Shanti Callender, Keith Collins) urged the council to increase funding for the Durham Guaranteed Income Program by $200,000 and make it permanent. They highlighted its success in supporting formerly incarcerated individuals and reducing recidivism; one speaker noted that no recipient re‑offended during the pilot.
• Eviction Diversion Program: Josh Stroud (Legal Aid attorney), Hannah Rogers, Sarah D’Amato, and Louisa Seibel asked for full funding of the eviction diversion program, noting that the proposed $650,000 represented a cut of nearly $500,000 from ARPA‑expanded levels. They stressed the importance of legal representation for low‑income renters.
• Fayetteville Street Corridor: Denise Hester and Larry Hester raised concerns about the selection of Hati Promise CDC as the sole development entity for $10 million in ARPA funds. They called for transparency, questioned the board composition, and urged the city to adopt a small area plan for the corridor.
• Virgil Road Assemblage: Dozens of residents spoke against the 202‑acre development, citing environmental impacts (stream crossings, blasting, sediment runoff into Falls Lake), traffic congestion, overburdened schools, and lack of infrastructure. Supporters (including the Bass family, who have owned the land for 30 years) emphasized the need to sell the property to relieve tax burdens and provide housing.

Discussion Items

• FY2024‑2025 Proposed Budget (Item 35): City Manager presented a $610 million budget (9.47% increase over last year). Key proposals:
  • Property tax increase of 3.85 cents (to 59.62 cents per $100 valuation); median home ($254,421) would see a $153 annual increase.
  • $28.5 million for employee market‑pay adjustments; first‑year police officer pay rises to $54,817 (+14.35%), firefighter to $51,559 (+17.65%).
  • $16.4 million for affordable housing ($2 M more than last year).
  • $5 million for park soil remediation, $1 M for guaranteed income pilot, $650,000 for eviction diversion, $250,000 for immigrant legal defense.
  • Capital Improvement Plan: $232 million, including $200 million bond referendum for streets, sidewalks, and parks (voters in November).
• Permanent Closing of Dacian Avenue (Item 37): Unanimously approved to close a 479‑foot portion to facilitate the South LRP restoration project.
• Consolidated Annexation, Fayetteville Road Multifamily (Item 38): Approved 6‑1. The applicant (Pam Porter) proffered 300 residential units (minimum 100 multifamily) with 3% of rentals at 60% AMI and 2% of for‑sale units at 80% AMI, plus a $100,000 school donation. Councilmember Baker voted no, citing low affordability percentages.
• Zoning Map Change, Champage Road (Item 40): Unanimously approved to rezone 2.52 acres to Industrial Light with a textual development plan.
• Virgil Road Assemblage Annexation and Rezoning (Item 41): After a lengthy public hearing and council debate, the council voted 4‑3 to approve the annexation and rezoning of 202 acres to PDR 2.886 (up to 531 single‑family and townhouse units). The applicant (Taylor Morrison) offered 6% affordable units (3% at 60% AMI, 3% at 80% AMI) for 30 years, a 15‑acre wildlife corridor, and a $59,800 school donation. Opponents cited inconsistency with the comprehensive plan (future growth area), environmental impacts, and lack of commercial uses. Councilmembers Baker, Cook, and Freeman voted no; the mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Middleton, along with Councilmembers Caballero and Rist, voted yes.
• Home Investment Partnerships Program (Item 44): Three ordinances recognizing HOME program income were unanimously approved.
• Appointment to Discover Durham Board (Item 4): Crystal Taylor was appointed unanimously.
• City‑County Planning Department FY2025 Work Program (Item 9): Approved unanimously. Denise Hester requested inclusion of a small area plan for the Fayetteville Street Corridor; staff noted that a scoping project would prioritize areas.
• ARPA Funds – Sankofa Landing (Item 10): Unanimously approved a resolution for a multifamily housing facility and revenue bonds up to $28 million.
• Fayetteville Street Corridor Improvements (Item 20): Authorized a grant agreement with Hati Promise CDC and St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation for up to $6,755,000. Passed 6 – 1 (Councilmember Freeman initially voted no, later changed to yes after additional information, resulting in a unanimous vote).
• ARPA Sub‑recipient Grant (Item 21): Authorized a second grant agreement for $3,245,000 for the Fayetteville Street Corridor. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Budget: The proposed budget will be considered at public hearings on May 29 and June 3, with final adoption expected later.
• Annexations: Virgil Road (202 acres) approved 4‑3; Fayetteville Road (31.9 acres) approved 6‑1; both include affordable housing commitments.
• ARPA Grants: Two grants totaling $10 million for the Fayetteville Street Corridor were approved; the council committed to providing board member names and a transparent process.
• Consent Agenda: With the exception of items pulled for separate votes, the consent agenda was adopted unanimously.
• Meeting Schedule: The July 25 work session was rescheduled to August 5, 2024, at 1 PM.

Note: The meeting adjourned at 1:06 AM on May 22, 2024.