OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Regular Meeting: December 2, 2024

City Council — Monday, December 2, 2024
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 2, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

Yeah, yeah.

0:16

Check it one, too.

0:21

Good evening, everybody.

0:23

Welcome to the People's Health.

0:26

Um we are calling this meeting to order at 7 p.m.

0:32

Madam Clerk, will you please call the role?

0:38

I'm sorry, no, this is not a work session.

0:40

Um you will let's uh pause for a moment of silence, please.

0:56

Thank you.

0:57

I'll now pass it over to Councilmember Freeman for mu for the pledge of allegiance.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

It's our practices stand to salute and pledge allegiance to the flag.

1:13

And to the Republican which is one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:32

All right, now, Madam Clark, will you please call call the role?

1:35

Good evening, Mayor Williams.

1:37

I'm here.

1:37

Mayor Pretent Middleton.

1:38

I'm here.

1:39

Councilmember Baker.

1:40

Here.

1:40

Councilmember Caledo.

1:42

Here.

1:42

Councilmember Cook.

1:43

Here.

1:44

Councilmember Freeman.

1:45

President.

1:45

And Councilmember.

1:46

Here.

1:48

All right.

1:49

We have one ceremonial item tonight.

1:57

And I'll pass that over to Councilmember Cook.

2:09

So we have a proclamation for World EIDS Day.

2:12

Do we have any representatives in the audience?

2:18

Yep.

2:22

Hi, please come up.

2:24

Sorry, I didn't have my Proclamation.

2:37

Durham is committed to health equity and dignity of all residents, recognizing that access to health care and stable housing are fundamental human rights, and whereas we observe World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2024, and Durham ranks fourth among North Carolina counties with over 1,900 residents living with HIV.

2:57

And whereas racial inequities persist, with African American Durham residents being six times more likely to acquire HIV compared with white residents, and Hispanic residents being three times more likely to acquire HIV than white residents.

3:11

And whereas stable housing is a critical health care intervention with housing security directly linked to medical medication adherence and viral suppression.

3:20

And whereas 21.7% of people living with HIV in North Carolina report being homeless or unstably housed, and Durham strives to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities through coordinated medical services, affordable housing, and community support.

3:35

Now therefore, I Leonardo Williams, Mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim December 1st, 2024 as World AIDS Day.

3:45

In Durham and urge all citizens to observe this day by getting tested and learning how to support end HIV endemic in Durham.

3:52

Witness my hand in the corporate seal of the city of Durham, North Carolina.

3:55

This is the second day of December 2024.

4:05

Okay, so this is the coalition to end the HIV epidemic in Durham.

4:09

Um and do you have a few words?

4:11

Yes, I thank you so much.

4:13

Um my name is Haley Cunningham.

4:15

I'm an infectious diseases physician caring for patients living with HIV.

4:20

Today I speak on behalf of the coalition to end the HIV epidemic in Durham.

4:25

While there's not yet a cure for HIV, if diagnosed and treated early, people can live long, healthy lives with taking just one pill a day or an injection every two months.

4:35

Treatment is so effective that most people with HIV will become undetectable and it cannot be transmitted to others.

4:42

We have excellent medication access programs to make these treatments affordable.

4:46

Despite this, many Durham residents living with HIV are not getting appropriate treatment due to discrimination, stigma, and a lack of transportation and affordable housing.

5:00

Despite having the ability to prescribe life-saving treatments, too many of my patients, some less than 30 years old, are still dying of AIDS.

5:07

Being homeless at the time of HIV diagnosis is associated with a 27-fold higher odds of death compared to those with stable housing.

5:16

Multiple studies have shown that providing stable housing improves treatment efficacy and the lives of those living with HIV.

5:25

While there are many local organizations doing their best to provide support services, these organizations are struggling financially.

5:49

We formed the coalition to end the HIV epidemic in Durham.

5:53

In the fall of 2023, the coalition applied for a Hopwa hint grant, which would have allocated $2.5 million to create a system of care for homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV in Durham County.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Land Use and Annexation███████████11%
Land Use Planning██████████10%
Community Engagement████████8%
Housing Stability██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Regular Meeting: December 2, 2024

The Durham City Council convened on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a World AIDS Day Proclamation, council announcements, a consent agenda, and four public hearings. The Council unanimously approved a zoning change for a hotel-to-apartment conversion (VIVO Living Ivy Creek), a zoning change for the expansion of Chapel Hill Tire, a statutory vested rights extension for Davis Park Pod G, and a street closing for Victory Lane. Other topics included lead pipe inspections, the Bull City Future Fund, and a downtown safety meeting.

Ceremonial Items & Council Announcements

  • The Council proclaimed December 1 as World AIDS Day in Durham, noting that over 1,900 residents live with HIV and that African American residents are six times more likely to acquire HIV than white residents. Dr. Haley Cunningham of the Coalition to End the HIV Epidemic in Durham testified that 21.7% of people with HIV in NC are homeless or unstably housed, a condition linked to a 27-fold higher odds of death. She urged the Council to allocate HOPWA funding to existing local organizations and partner with the coalition on the 2025 strategic plan. A coalition community event is planned for MLK Day, January 20, 2025.
  • Councilmember Cook reflected on the origins of Thanksgiving. Councilmember Baker discussed the Durham Public Schools bus driver shortage, linking it to state defunding. Councilmember Caballero welcomed the newly sworn-in Durham County Commissioners. Councilmembers Freeman and Brist highlighted a successful downtown safety stakeholder meeting with over 200 attendees. Mayor Williams promoted the Bull City Future Fund, celebrating 50 local youth traveling to the Muhammad Ali Museum with mentor support.

Consent Calendar

  • The Council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, excluding Item 6 (ARPA Fayetteville Street CAI), which was pulled by a resource person for clarification and subsequently approved unanimously. The consent items included appointments (Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Civilian Police Review Board), approval of multiple meeting minutes, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), multiple ARPA grant agreements, the Historic Preservation Fund grant, a data use agreement with Harvard Kennedy School, the Low-Income Homeowner's Relief Program (LIHRP), utility condemnation resolutions, an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, the 2024 Third Quarter Crime Report, street acceptances, and several engineering contract amendments.

Public Hearings & Discussion Items

Zoning Map Change – VIVO Living Ivy Creek (Item 28)

  • Proposal: A rezoning of 3.59 acres at 1920 Ivy Creek Boulevard from Commercial General and Office/Institutional to Planned Development Residential (PDR 35.654) to convert an extended-stay hotel into 128 apartments.
  • Applicant Position: Tarek Shire (VIVO Living) committed to 20% of units (25 units) as affordable at 60% AMI, a 30-year deed restriction, and $10,000 contributions each to the Durham Housing Fund and Durham Public Schools. The Planning Commission supported the project 13-0.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Cook questioned mold issues and tenant screening equity. Mr. Shire stated mold is being mitigated and the company is drafting an internal policy to reduce and potentially waive application fees for affordable housing applicants. Councilmember Freeman requested a shared-use path connection to MLK Parkway, which the applicant deemed impractical. Councilmember Middleton emphasized that affordable housing must meet the same standards as market-rate units.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Zoning Map Change – Hillsborough Road Commercial (Item 29)

  • Proposal: A rezoning of 0.50 acres at 2504 Hillsborough Road from Compact Design-Support 2 to Commercial Infill to allow Chapel Hill Tire to expand its non-conforming auto service use by adding two service bays without expanding the building's footprint.
  • Applicant Position: Attorney Patrick Biker presented a petition with over 250 signatures, noting a "Best of Durham" award and a new County vehicle repair contract. The applicant proffered a sidewalk, landscaping, sign/curb cut changes, and a bus shelter. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-3.
  • Public Testimony: Three neighbors (John Wood, Alicia Parr, Liz Morris) spoke in support, praising the company's community engagement, honesty, apprenticeship programs, and local job retention. The Old West Durham working group confirmed productive negotiations with the applicant.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Baker called it a "happy middle ground" that balances business retention with community benefits. Councilmember Rist inquired about green features; the applicant noted structural constraints of the aged building.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Vested Rights – Davis Park Pod G (Item 30)

  • Proposal: A statutory vested rights determination for site plan D2200108 (Davis Park Pod G) on 2.83 acres at 1400 Marion Avenue, extending the site plan's expiry from March 29, 2027 to December 2, 2029.
  • Applicant Position: Lance Chernow (Davis Development) stated the extension protects engineering investments for the 250-unit multifamily project from potential zoning changes without opposing the City's broader rezoning efforts.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Baker weighed the value of the existing approved density against potential future design standards. Councilmember Middleton described the request as a reasonable remedy for pandemic-related delays.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Street Closing – Victory Lane (Item 31)

  • Proposal: A permanent closing of 2,899 square feet of the cul-de-sac bulb on Victory Lane, rendered unnecessary after the street was extended to connect the Fletcher's Ridge and Phillips Valley subdivisions.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Baker asked about the precedent; staff noted such closures are rare as temporary easements are typically used.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Other Matters

  • Councilmember Freeman announced the City is identifying lead pipes. Residents with homes built before 1988 can call 919-560-1200 to request a water line inspection.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously (including Item 6 after a pull).
  • Item 28 (VIVO Living): Zoning and consistency statement approved unanimously.
  • Item 29 (Chapel Hill Tire): Zoning and consistency statement approved unanimously.
  • Item 30 (Davis Park): Vested rights approved unanimously.
  • Item 31 (Victory Lane): Street closing approved unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, yeah. Check it one, too. Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the People's Health. Um we are calling this meeting to order at 7 p.m. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? I'm sorry, no, this is not a work session. Um you will let's uh pause for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. I'll now pass it over to Councilmember Freeman for mu for the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. It's our practices stand to salute and pledge allegiance to the flag. And to the Republican which is one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, now, Madam Clark, will you please call call the role? Good evening, Mayor Williams. I'm here. Mayor Pretent Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Baker. Here. Councilmember Caledo. Here. Councilmember Cook. Here. Councilmember Freeman. President. And Councilmember. Here. All right. We have one ceremonial item tonight. And I'll pass that over to Councilmember Cook. So we have a proclamation for World EIDS Day. Do we have any representatives in the audience? Yep. Hi, please come up. Sorry, I didn't have my Proclamation. Durham is committed to health equity and dignity of all residents, recognizing that access to health care and stable housing are fundamental human rights, and whereas we observe World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2024, and Durham ranks fourth among North Carolina counties with over 1,900 residents living with HIV. And whereas racial inequities persist, with African American Durham residents being six times more likely to acquire HIV compared with white residents, and Hispanic residents being three times more likely to acquire HIV than white residents. And whereas stable housing is a critical health care intervention with housing security directly linked to medical medication adherence and viral suppression. And whereas 21.7% of people living with HIV in North Carolina report being homeless or unstably housed, and Durham strives to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities through coordinated medical services, affordable housing, and community support. Now therefore, I Leonardo Williams, Mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim December 1st, 2024 as World AIDS Day. In Durham and urge all citizens to observe this day by getting tested and learning how to support end HIV endemic in Durham. Witness my hand in the corporate seal of the city of Durham, North Carolina. This is the second day of December 2024. Okay, so this is the coalition to end the HIV epidemic in Durham. Um and do you have a few words? Yes, I thank you so much. Um my name is Haley Cunningham. I'm an infectious diseases physician caring for patients living with HIV. Today I speak on behalf of the coalition to end the HIV epidemic in Durham.

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