Durham City Council Meeting - February 17, 2025: Proclamations, ICE Statement, and Zoning Approvals
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Durham City Council Meeting - February 17, 2025
The Durham City Council met on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:41 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting featured a proclamation for Empowered Parents and Community (EPIC) Day, announcements from council members regarding recent ICE operations and community support, consent agenda approvals, a public hearing on a zoning map change, and appointments.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously the consent agenda with the exception of items #11 and #12 which were pulled for separate discussion. Key actions included:
- Appointment of Michael Johnston to the Recreation Advisory Commission.
- Appointment of Don Moffitt and Alice L. Sharpe to the Durham Performing Arts Center Oversight Committee.
- Ratification of the Interlocal Agreement for sales tax distribution between City and County.
- Receipt of numerous annual reports (Planning Commission, Historic Preservation, Open Space and Trails, City County Appearance Commission, Board of Adjustment, Citizens Advisory Committee, Homeless Services Advisory Committee, Convention Center Authority, Cultural Advisory, Environmental Affairs, Recreation Advisory, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory).
- Authorization of contract amendments for MWBE consulting, Emergency 911 Backup Center lease, Solid Waste Transfer Station design, Project Management consulting, Festival contracts, Fire/EMS Station 19 architect, WIOA program, Bimbé Festival booking, Salt sale agreement, Stormwater repairs, Utility Relocation, ePlus technology contracts, Municipal Agreement for N. Roxboro Street intersection, purchase of seven GoDurham Access vehicles, and aeration basin pumps at North Durham Water Reclamation Facility.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Youth Speakers (during Mayor's announcements): Four youth representatives from Poof Teen Center, Purpose Learning Lab, and related programs spoke about the importance of after-school programs, mental health support, and timely funding. They requested community support to keep Poof Teen Center open (noting a need of approximately $54,000/year and $47,000/month) and urged the city to invest in youth programs.
- Sarah Delamato (Legal Aid of NC): Expressed support for the Homeless Services Advisory Committee's funding proposal, noting that Legal Aid’s eviction diversion program connects tenants with homeless service providers and requested Council consider additional funding for such providers.
Discussion Items
- Item #11 - Homeless Services Advisory Committee Annual Report: Received unanimously after brief comments from Sarah Delamato.
- Item #12 - Amendment to MWBE Consulting Contract with United Minority Contractors: Councilmember Rist requested more detailed data on minority and women-owned business participation (types of firms, contract sizes). Staff confirmed the information is available and would provide it. The item was ultimately referred back to staff for additional information without affecting contract timelines.
- Item #2 - Homeless Services Advisory Committee Appointment: Council appointed Tasha D. Melvin to the non-profit representative seat, filling a vacancy due to resignation. Vote was unanimous.
- Item #33 - Consolidated Annexation (Polanco Residence): Public hearing held. The property (0.529 acres at 4873 Stanley Road) is being annexed to access city utilities (sewer). No zoning change requested. The applicant (land surveyor) confirmed the owner is a local truck driver. Council unanimously approved all three motions: annexation, zoning translation, and consistency statement.
- Item #34 - Zoning Map Change (Hoover Road Assemblage): Public hearing held. The applicant (local ownership group including Durham Habitat for Humanity) requested rezoning of 63 parcels (23.204 acres) to Planned Development Residential 17.325 to allow up to 402 residential units (at least 25% townhouses). They proffered $13,000 to Durham Public Schools and committed to 20-year affordability for apartments, 30-year for townhouses. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Council members expressed support for infill development, local ownership, and community engagement (letter from PAC 1). Council unanimously approved all three motions: utility extension agreement, zoning ordinance amendment, and consistency statement.
Key Outcomes
- EPIC Proclamation: February 17, 2025, proclaimed as Empowered Parents and Community Day.
- Mayor's ICE Statement: Mayor Williams stated that the Durham Police Department does not assist federal ICE operations and will continue to serve all community members without acting as an extension of federal immigration enforcement.
- Councilmember Comments: Multiple council members acknowledged community fear following ICE detention of nine individuals, highlighted available resources (food pantries, refugee resettlement, rapid response training), and noted the need for affordable housing and shelter space.
- Annual Reports Received: 15 annual reports from boards and commissions were accepted.
- Contracts Authorized: Numerous contracts and amendments approved, including $835,716.84 for seven replacement transit vehicles, $823,300 for aeration basin pumps, and extension of the Emergency 911 Backup Center lease.
- Appointments: Michael Johnston (Recreation Advisory), Don Moffitt and Alice L. Sharpe (Performing Arts Center Oversight), Tasha D. Melvin (Homeless Services Advisory).
- Upcoming: State of the City address scheduled for February 18, 2025, at 6 PM at Durham Convention Center and Carolina Theatre. Council meeting on February 20, 2025, may be adjusted due to forecast snow; Mayor requested excused absence for that meeting, granted unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the People's House. It's good to see everybody in here. If you will, please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Now pass it over to Councilmember Freeman. Thank you. It's our practice to stand to salute the flag and say the pledge if you'd like to join us. Under God. All right, Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor Potem, and members of City Council. Mayor Williams. I'm here. Mayor Patent Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Baker. Here. Councilmember Caballero. Here. Councilmember Cook. Here. Councilmember Freeman. President and Councilmember. Here. Tonight is Epic. Night's proclamation over here. Over there. Over here. It's good to see you all. Come on up. Anyone else? All right, cool. I have the distinct honor and privilege of reading this proclamation that I was supposed to read the other night at their gala. But unfortunately, I had to rush out, so I'm sorry about that. I felt horrible. But as I told people, there is one calendar that supersedes the entire city, and that's when my wife has something on the calendar. So um tonight I um we'll read this proclamation for you all. Whereas Empowered Parents and Community, Epic is a black-led community-rooted, strength-based organization unapologetically focused on black children and youth and their successor, school and life. And whereas Epic establishes powerful community collectives led by black parents who are united in their mission to transform educational outcomes for black children and youth through collaborative action and advocacy. And whereas Epic has equipped parents and caregivers in Durham with the tools, knowledge, and organizing strategies needed to drive awareness and champion equitable opportunities for all children and youth, impacting more than three thousand members of our community since 2019. And whereas strong community partnerships serves to strengthen capacity and increase the success of black parent-led initiatives to transform educational outcomes. And whereas EPIC shares the City of Durham's goals to strengthen community bonds and foster belonging by belonging by building trust, maintaining relationships, and empowering residents to actively engage in local government decision making. Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 17th, 2025 as empowered parents in community day in the city of Durham, and urge all citizens to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. Witness my hand in the corporate sill of the city of Durham, North Carolina, this 17th day of February. I extend my appreciation for the opportunity to address you and this evening. My name is Vicky Miller, and I'm the chair of Empowered Parents and Community, also known as EPIC. It is with great honor that we accept this proclamation on behalf of the Epic Board of Directors. At EPIC, we embody the spirit of empowered parenting and community engagement, actively challenging and reshaping systems to uplift black children.
openpublica.com