OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting - January 22, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, January 22, 2025
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, January 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:20

We are now streaming.

1:37

Yes.

1:40

Yes, sir.

2:31

Good evening, everyone.

2:37

Behave.

2:45

Well, it's good to see everyone.

2:47

Um nice and warm in here.

2:50

I can understand the chamber not being as full as uh as full uh based on how it feels outside.

2:58

It is extremely extremely cold.

3:01

Uh but welcome to City Hall.

3:03

Uh colleagues, before we get into the actual uh agenda, I will say that there is a uh adjustment to the uh to the agenda that I'll be making, and I'll bring that up in just a moment, but uh at this time we'll start out with a um we'll start out with a moment of silence.

3:35

Thank you.

3:36

I'll pass it over to Councilmember Freeman for the pleasure.

3:39

Uh pleasure junks.

3:40

Thank you, it's our practice to stand to salute the flag and say the pledge together.

3:43

If you'll join us, thank you.

4:09

Thank you, Mr.

4:10

Mayor.

4:12

I'm here.

4:13

You're Pro Tim Middleton.

4:14

I'm here.

4:15

Councilmember Baker.

4:16

Here.

4:16

Councilmember Caballero.

4:18

Here, Councilmember Cook.

4:19

Here, Councilmember Freeman.

4:21

Present, Councilmember Wrist.

4:23

Here.

4:23

Thank you.

4:24

Thank you.

4:24

I'll now pass it down to um Councilmember Cook to start us off.

4:29

To start us off with uh no, I'm sorry.

4:32

We have a ceremonial item.

4:33

I'm going to pass this over to Mayor Pro Tim for National Mentoring Month proclamation.

4:52

My thanks to his honor for this opportunity to read this proclamation.

4:55

Good evening to my honorable colleagues, all of you in chamber with us and to all of our residents and neighbors and friends on whatever platform you may be watching.

5:02

This is a proclamation for National Mentoring Month, and I'm honored to call our friend Mr.

5:07

Jawaran Langley up to receive this proclamation.

5:10

If you would join me, sir.

5:15

Proclamation.

5:16

Whereas, created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and Mentor, the National Mentoring Partnership, January is National Mentoring Month, an annual campaign to focus attention on the need for quality, consistent and competent mentors.

5:35

And whereas the goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of mentoring, recruit mentors, and equip mentors with the skills needed to support youth.

5:46

And whereas a mentor is a person that provides support, guidance, and advice while devoting time to assist a young person to help them achieve their potential through a structured relationship.

6:01

And whereas quality mentoring empowers youth to make positive choices, promote character development, support, academic achievement, and social emotional learning.

6:14

Research has demonstrated that mentoring programs have a significant positive impact on a variety of academic achievement measures.

6:23

And whereas mentors serve a critical role in helping young people successfully prepare for the future of work and succeed in ever changing and an ever changing workforce.

6:34

The City of Durham supports community-based mentoring programs as key community partners to support youth and their families.

6:42

And whereas National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate, elevate, and encourage mentoring and recruit caring adult mentors in the city of Durham.

6:53

Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January 2025 as national mentoring month in the city of Durham and urge all citizens to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

7:12

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

7:16

This the 21st day of January 2025.

7:20

Thanks, ma'am.

7:27

So Mr.

7:28

Mayor Pro Tem Axe, if I had some words, and as I said, always um you all know I've come before you many times to share in this proclamation.

7:38

And I just want to say on behalf of the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, we thank you for proclaiming January 2025 National Mentoring Month.

7:47

The Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation takes pride in our commitment to ensuring that academic success is not limited to theoretical knowledge alone.

7:56

Our programs are designed with a practical focus, equipping boys and young men of color with tangible skills that are directly applicable to the competitive workforce.

8:06

By aligning the curriculum with real-world demands and industry trends, we prepare them to meet the evolving needs of the job market and secure economic stability and mobility.

8:26

Two advocate for the incorporation of work-based learning and mentoring to prepare and connect youth with real-world experiences, where they are applying academic technical and soft skills to develop their employability while exploring and preparing for career pathways, and three support initiatives to close the academic achievement opportunity and mentoring gaps and promote critical mentoring to support boys of color.

8:52

And I also want to just mention some other organizations that support this mentoring that are doing great work here in this community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning███████████████████19%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Procedural██████████10%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Workforce Development█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Immigration Policy███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting - January 22, 2025

The Durham City Council met on January 22, 2025, at 9:30 AM in City Hall. The meeting included a proclamation for National Mentoring Month, council member announcements addressing local and international issues, a consent agenda, public hearings on zoning changes and community development, and an economic development incentive agreement. The council voted on several items, with a 7-0 vote on the consent agenda and various unanimous approvals on zoning changes. One council member voted no on the incentive agreement.

Consent Calendar

  • Fiscal Year 25 CIP Budget Ordinance Amendments, 2024 GO Bond Referendum – Approved.
  • Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire Department – Approved.
  • FY 2024-2025 Agreement to Fund Education to Career Initiatives by Maiden Durham – Approved.
  • Contract Amendment No. 1 for BR10C Bridge Professional Services – Approved.
  • Contract ST334C for Utility Locate Services 2025 – Approved.
  • Contract SW97 for Sidewalk Repairs 2025 – Approved.
  • Amendment No. 3 to Professional Services Contract SD46D for Hillendale Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvements – Approved.
  • Contract with Navyette Inc. to Enhance On-Base Agenda Workflow – Approved.
  • Contract with Applications Software Technology LLC for Next-Generation ERP Implementation – Approved.
  • Federal Transit Agency Section 5310 Grant Project Ordinance – Approved.
  • Ordinance Setting Filing Fees for Candidates to Municipal Office – Approved.
  • General Business Item No. 1: Durham Planning Committee Appointment – Approved after voting. The council appointed Corey Piontek (with 4 votes) after a tie-breaking process.
  • General Business Item No. 5: Partners for Re-entry Opportunities and Workforce Development (PROUD Grant Cooperative Agreement with Eckerd Connects) – Approved unanimously. The council discussed the program's progress: 18 participants in Durham out of a goal of 90 across three workforce boards. Challenges include lack of a federal halfway house in Durham.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Haley Cunningham (on behalf of Coalition to End the HIV Epidemic in Durham) – Spoke during the public hearing on community development needs (Item 17). She stated that her patients struggle with housing insecurity and that HOPWA vouchers are underutilized. She urged the city to include the coalition in drafting the five-year consolidated plan and to use $2.5 million in unused HOPWA funds to create a new system of care. She noted that only 20 of 45 HOPWA vouchers are utilized.
  • Anonymous speaker (on Brickworks rezoning, Item 15) – Expressed concerns about the borrow pit on the site, calling for phase one and two environmental studies. The applicant responded that a phase one environmental analysis was done and no phase two was needed.
  • Nina Jones Mason (fourth-generation funeral director, Ellis D. Jones & Sons) – Spoke in favor of the economic development incentive agreement (Item 18). She described the need for renovations to the 4,732 sq ft building, built in 1950, and the community space it will provide.
  • Latasha Beth Gaddy (owner of Infinity Bridges) – Spoke in support of the Ellis D. Jones & Sons incentive agreement, praising the legacy and community role of the funeral home.

Discussion Items

  • National Mentoring Month Proclamation – Mayor Pro Tem Middleton read the proclamation, recognizing January 2025 as National Mentoring Month. Mr. Jawaran Langley of the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation accepted and highlighted the importance of mentoring for boys and young men of color.
  • Council Member Announcements – Several council members addressed recent events:
    • Councilmember Cook noted the ceasefire in Gaza, thanked the city for its resolution, and called for housing as healthcare. She requested a future presentation on federal and state funding for HIV/AIDS (HOPWA).
    • Councilmember Baker spoke about MLK Day, the inauguration, and the need for solidarity. He referenced a Wall Street Journal article on price-fixing lawsuits in multifamily housing and Amazon warehouse unionization efforts.
    • Councilmember Caballero expressed solidarity with immigrant communities facing enforcement, called for attention to climate change impacts (Hurricane Helene, LA fires), and highlighted the executive order challenging birthright citizenship.
    • Councilmember Freeman emphasized the need for creativity and organizing, especially among youth.
    • Councilmember Rist acknowledged the heavy times, welcomed the new administration, and thanked the mayor for the vegan January challenge.
    • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton thanked city workers, reported on the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and called for a ceasefire in Durham's streets.
    • Mayor Williams spoke about the dichotomy of MLK Day and the inauguration, urged community focus, and emphasized public safety as his top priority. He mentioned the point-in-time count on January 27 and the State of the City address on February 18.
  • Zoning Map Change – 3112 South Alston Avenue (Item 14) – Applicant proposed rezoning to Office and Institutional with a development plan for up to 7 townhouses or detached row houses. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval. Council approved unanimously.
  • Zoning Map Change – Brickworks (Item 15) – Application for 95.48 acres, rezoning to Plan Development Residential 19.811 for up to 1,880 residential units and 49,500 sq ft of non-residential development. The planning commission recommended approval 9-1. Council discussed design, affordable housing (5% of apartments at 60% AMI for 30 years), and environmental concerns. The applicant committed to meeting national green building standards (bronze or higher) and to doubling the DPS contribution to $120,000. Approved unanimously.
  • Zoning Map Change – Davis Park West (Item 16) – Amendment to existing development plan to allow structured parking and office uses on the ground floor, with some uses facing internal to the site. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval. Council approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing – Community Development Needs (Item 17) – Staff presented the required public hearing for the five-year consolidated plan and annual action plan. The city expects approximately $2.02 million in CDBG, $1.04 million in HOME, $179,000 in ESG, and $1.13 million in HOPWA funds. The public hearing was held, and comments were received. No action required.
  • Economic Development Incentive Agreement – Ellis D. Jones & Sons (Item 18) – Staff recommended approval of a $250,000 incentive for a building renovation project at 419 Dowd Street. The project involves $859,000 private investment, creating a community space and supporting a legacy minority-owned business. Council discussed the public return on investment, with Councilmember Rist voting no, questioning the quantitative benefits. Others argued the qualitative value of preserving legacy businesses. Approved 6-1.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda – Approved 7-0.
  • Zoning Map Change 3112 South Alston Avenue – Approved unanimously with consistency statement.
  • Brickworks PDR 19.811 – Approved unanimously with additional commitments (green building standards, $120,000 DPS contribution).
  • Davis Park West Development Plan Amendment – Approved unanimously.
  • Economic Development Incentive with Ellis D. Jones & Sons – Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Rist voting no).
  • City Hall Delay Announcement – City Manager Ferguson announced a delayed opening for City Hall on January 23, 2025, at 11 AM due to icy conditions. Solid waste collections were cancelled.

Meeting Transcript

We are now streaming. Yes. Yes, sir. Good evening, everyone. Behave. Well, it's good to see everyone. Um nice and warm in here. I can understand the chamber not being as full as uh as full uh based on how it feels outside. It is extremely extremely cold. Uh but welcome to City Hall. Uh colleagues, before we get into the actual uh agenda, I will say that there is a uh adjustment to the uh to the agenda that I'll be making, and I'll bring that up in just a moment, but uh at this time we'll start out with a um we'll start out with a moment of silence. Thank you. I'll pass it over to Councilmember Freeman for the pleasure. Uh pleasure junks. Thank you, it's our practice to stand to salute the flag and say the pledge together. If you'll join us, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm here. You're Pro Tim Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Baker. Here. Councilmember Caballero. Here, Councilmember Cook. Here, Councilmember Freeman. Present, Councilmember Wrist. Here. Thank you. Thank you. I'll now pass it down to um Councilmember Cook to start us off. To start us off with uh no, I'm sorry. We have a ceremonial item. I'm going to pass this over to Mayor Pro Tim for National Mentoring Month proclamation. My thanks to his honor for this opportunity to read this proclamation. Good evening to my honorable colleagues, all of you in chamber with us and to all of our residents and neighbors and friends on whatever platform you may be watching. This is a proclamation for National Mentoring Month, and I'm honored to call our friend Mr. Jawaran Langley up to receive this proclamation. If you would join me, sir. Proclamation. Whereas, created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and Mentor, the National Mentoring Partnership, January is National Mentoring Month, an annual campaign to focus attention on the need for quality, consistent and competent mentors. And whereas the goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of mentoring, recruit mentors, and equip mentors with the skills needed to support youth. And whereas a mentor is a person that provides support, guidance, and advice while devoting time to assist a young person to help them achieve their potential through a structured relationship. And whereas quality mentoring empowers youth to make positive choices, promote character development, support, academic achievement, and social emotional learning. Research has demonstrated that mentoring programs have a significant positive impact on a variety of academic achievement measures. And whereas mentors serve a critical role in helping young people successfully prepare for the future of work and succeed in ever changing and an ever changing workforce. The City of Durham supports community-based mentoring programs as key community partners to support youth and their families. And whereas National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate, elevate, and encourage mentoring and recruit caring adult mentors in the city of Durham. Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January 2025 as national mentoring month in the city of Durham and urge all citizens to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. Witness my hand and the corporate seal of the city of Durham, North Carolina.

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