Durham City Council Meeting - December 17, 2024

The Durham City Council met on December 17, 2024, in a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting. The meeting featured proclamations honoring Sam Cooke and retiring City Manager Wanda Sims Page, public comments on infrastructure bonds and police spending, discussion of a Freeway Study language services amendment and a Fayetteville Street neighborhood stabilization contract, the renaming of Vivian Street to William V. Bill Bell Way, and the appointment of Deputy City Manager Bo Ferguson as the next city manager. The meeting also included council announcements about state legislation, transit, and holiday events.

Proclamations & Retirements

• Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton read a proclamation honoring the 60th anniversary of Sam Cooke's song "A Change Is Gonna Come," recognizing Cooke's visit to Durham in 1963 and its connection to civil rights. The proclamation was accepted by representatives from the Hayti Heritage Center, NCCU School of Law, Carolina Soul Records, and Emancipate North Carolina.
• Mayor Leonardo Williams read a proclamation for City Manager Wanda Sims Page, who is retiring December 31, 2024, after 37 years of city service. The proclamation highlighted her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, a malware incident, and the 2024 infrastructure bond. Page was presented with a key to the city. Council members and staff offered personal remarks, expressing gratitude for her steady leadership.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda with the exception of items 4, 5, 6, 10, 14, and 19, which were pulled for separate discussion. Approved items included committee appointments, contracts for police vehicles (upfitting and SUVs), park design contracts, symphony funding, cultural planning, police software, transit compliance, and more. (Motion passed 7-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (Bond Referendum): Virginia Workman (online) criticized the clearing of an encampment at Long Meadow Park to make way for repairs, arguing that the bond would displace unhoused people. She noted that affordable housing was the top health priority in the 2023 Community Health Assessment and questioned the spending on police vehicles (items 5 & 6).
• Ripley Thornton (in person) spoke about the 34% increase in chronic homelessness and said shelters (e.g., white flag) are insufficient.
• Samuel Scarborough (in person) drew parallels to the Hayti community's displacement by Highway 147, noting a 34% rise in chronic homelessness, 58% increase in homeless children, and 31% increase in unhoused families. He urged using the rainy day fund for supportive housing.
• Thomas Crowl Britton (in person, unhoused) supported the bond but expressed concern about the clearing of an encampment at Long Meadow Park on November 12, 2024, asking what the city is doing to protect people in freezing temperatures.
• Items 5 & 6 (Police Vehicle Purchases): Samuel Scarborough spoke again, noting over $3.5 million for 77 police SUVs (nearly $50,000 per vehicle) and questioned using funds for supportive housing, youth services, or mutual aid.
• Elizabeth Arendt (in person) opposed items 5 and 6, arguing that the $5 million could be used for supportive housing for 375 unhoused people per year. She referenced the East Durham Community Design Project finding housing as the top safety concern.
• Item 14 (Fayetteville Corridor Stabilization): Victoria Peterson (in person) asked about unfinished improvements at W.D. Hill Recreation Center and the use of funds for the Fayetteville Street area, requesting more city employees to address potholes and construction issues.
• Street Renaming: Kristen Adair (applicant, daughter of former Mayor Bill Bell) spoke briefly, thanking the council for honoring her father.

Discussion Items

• Item 19 (Freeway Study Language Services Amendment): Director Sean Egan explained that the $7,000 amendment to WSP USA's contract covers Spanish translation of summary documents, which was overlooked in the original scope. Councilmember Javiera Caballero expressed concern about staff using community-based consultants' work without extending contracts, but after clarification that the translation was needed regardless, the amendment was approved (7-0).
• Item 4 (Bond Referendum): The council adopted a resolution certifying the November 5, 2024 bond referendum results for $200 million in infrastructure bonds. Councilmembers discussed the need to avoid gentrification and displacement while investing in historically underinvested neighborhoods. Councilmember Chelsea Cook emphasized the need for prophylactic measures against displacement. Councilmember Nate Baker highlighted state preemptions limiting local zoning tools.
• Items 5 & 6 (Police Vehicle Purchases): The council approved the purchase of 77 hybrid police SUVs ($3,662,325.59) and upfitting ($1,217,430.06). Mayor Williams stated that the city is actively investing in housing (e.g., a $95 million housing bond, outreach contracts) but noted that homelessness is not entirely the city's portfolio. He mentioned a county fund of $18 million for housing services expansion and called for collaborative solutions.
• Item 14 (Fayetteville Corridor Stabilization): Alexis John, Interim Director of Neighborhood Improvement Services, explained that $1.75 million from ARPA and city funds will be used to repair vacant properties in the Hayti Promise CDC area, with Rebuilding Together of the Triangle providing contractors. The council approved the contract (7-0).
• Street Renaming: The council held a public hearing and then voted to rename Vivian Street to William V. Bill Bell Way, honoring former Mayor Bill Bell. The name change will cost $365 for new signs, paid by the city. (Vote 7-0)
• Appointment of City Manager: The council reported out of closed session and voted to appoint Deputy City Manager Bo Ferguson as the next city manager, effective January 1, 2025. The motion passed 7-0. Councilmember Freeman and Cook expressed frustration with the process but congratulated Ferguson. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton clarified that the process (appointment over a national search) was chosen by majority and was legal and within council prerogative. Mayor Williams noted that the contract had been circulated, signed, and would be made public. Councilmember Caballero added that Ferguson's performance during a 2019 gas explosion demonstrated his readiness.

Key Outcomes

• Bond Referendum: Resolution adopted (7-0) certifying the November 5, 2024 special bond referendum results, authorizing $200 million in general obligation bonds for infrastructure.
• Police Vehicle Purchases: Approved contracts for 77 hybrid SUVs ($3,662,325.59) and upfitting ($1,217,430.06) (both 7-0).
• Freeway Study Language Services: Approved $7,000 amendment to WSP USA contract (7-0).
• Fayetteville Corridor Stabilization: Approved $1,750,000 contract with Hayti Promise CDC and Rebuilding Together of the Triangle (7-0).
• Street Renaming: Vivian Street renamed to William V. Bill Bell Way (7-0).
• City Manager Appointment: Bo Ferguson appointed as city manager, effective January 1, 2025 (7-0).
• Closed Session Report: The council complied with its obligation to report the appointment in open session after multiple closed session discussions.