Durham City Council Work Session – May 19, 2023

The Durham City Council held a work session on May 19, 2023, beginning at 1:00 PM and adjourning at 4:50 PM. The meeting covered a range of topics including public safety statistics, financial reports, a supportive housing acquisition, downtown development, and public comments on various issues. Key discussions included the 2023 first-quarter crime report, the Carver Creek supportive housing project, and the downtown Municipal Service District annual report.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the priority items (agenda items 21, 28, 33) as presented by the city manager.
• The administrative consent agenda (items 1–32 and public hearings 36–40) was adopted unanimously after several items were pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandy Mitch thanked the council for funding the Piney Wood Park pickleball court renovations (item 19), calling it a "miracle." City Manager responded that it was routine maintenance.
• Leah Bergman, Erica Maddox (Board Chair, Housing for New Hope), Gudrin Palmer (Criminal Justice Resource Center), Sheldon Mitchell (Urban Ministries), Jeremy Burger, and Brianna Vanessa (Durham Congregations in Action) spoke in strong support of the Carver Creek supportive housing acquisition (item 33), citing the need for 48 units of deeply affordable housing with on-site services to address chronic homelessness. They emphasized preserving existing affordable housing and preventing displacement.
• Michelle Schaeffer (firefighter's wife) detailed her husband's pay compression at Durham Fire Department, working four jobs to afford living in Durham, and requested corrective action for the department.
• Rick Larson (Duke Memorial United Methodist Church) urged the council to require at least 20% affordable units at the 505 West Chapel Hill Street redevelopment (item 20) and suggested a UDO change to allow accessory dwelling units on faith properties.
• James Chavis criticized the SCAD program for not adequately serving the community.
• DeWarren Langley requested a $250,000 investment for the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation for career exploration for boys and young men of color.
• John Bon Vecchio requested a crosswalk on Bexley Avenue near Hope Valley Elementary due to increased traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.
• Jacqueline Wagstaff spoke in support of firefighters' pay raises and questioned the funding and outcomes of Housing for New Hope's unsheltered coordinating agency contract (item 13).

Discussion Items

• Disciplinary Actions Process Performance Audit (Item 9): Councilmember Caballero noted a steep drop in reprimands attributed to vacancies and requested an update on recommendations, including shortening the three-year record retention. Human Resources Director confirmed consideration of policy changes.
• Amerinat Contract (Item 12): Mayor Pro Tem Middleton confirmed the contract was awarded via RFP with no other bidders; it was approved.
• Housing for New Hope Unsheltered Coordinating Agency Contract (Item 13): Councilmember Caballero asked why HUD Special NOFO funds were not received; staff explained Durham did not qualify for bonus points due to unsheltered population below 10,000. The one-year extension with $430,000 increase was discussed. Staff reported that since July 2022, the agency served 359 unsheltered individuals (98 children), with 28.5% exiting to permanent housing.
• 505 West Chapel Hill Street Redevelopment (Item 20): Mayor Pro Tem Middleton pulled the item to confirm priorities, including preserving the Milton Small Building and pursuing historic preservation grants. Councilmember Williams stressed county collaboration. Staff confirmed developers' proposals would address tax credits. The council expressed comfort proceeding with the RFQ.
• Downtown Durham Municipal Service District Annual Report (Item 35): Nicole Thompson (DDI President) presented accomplishments: the Bullpen social district (largest in NC), 6.8 million visits downtown in 2022, 50% non-white visitors, and a planned blueprint 2035 process. Council discussed loss of major festivals (Moogfest, Full Frame) and the need for economic investment. DDI highlighted cooperation with the HART team for homelessness response without law enforcement escalation.
• Carver Creek Supportive Housing Acquisition (Item 33): Russell Pierce (Housing for New Hope) presented the proposal to acquire 48 one-bedroom units at Carver Creek for $6.05 million ($126,000/unit), with the county committing half ($3.025 million). The property's affordability restrictions expire December 2023. The plan would create a supportive housing campus with 45–50 additional units on adjacent land, targeting chronically homeless and justice-involved individuals. Councilmembers expressed strong support, with requests for 30-year affordability restrictions and right of first refusal for the city. Funding would come from general fund balance. Councilmember Caballero noted the need for Duke Health to contribute significantly. The county's commitment is contingent on city approval.
• 2023 First Quarter Crime Report (Item 22): Chief Patrice Andrews reported overall violent crime down 11.4% year-over-year, but homicides up 27.3% (14 homicides), rapes up 38.9% (40% from prior years), robberies down 41.5% (lowest since October 2018), and aggravated assaults down 0.7%. Property crime up 11.2% overall, with motor vehicle thefts up 59.7% (Kia/Hyundai thefts driven by social media; 71 of 264 stolen had keys inside). Police staffing was at 80% sworn (431 of 540 authorized); 31 retirements projected by 2025. ShotSpotter pilot results: 385 published alerts, 1,455 rounds detected, median response time 5 minutes 4 seconds. Three missed alerts for homicides were analyzed; no community complaints about officer behavior. Councilmember Middleton praised transparency and asked about specialized unit tactics; Chief confirmed three complaints investigated with personnel changes. Councilmember Williams inquired about suing Hyundai/Kia; Chief said not yet discussed.
• FY2022-23 Third Quarter Financial Report (Item 34): Finance Director Tim Flora reported general fund projected expenditure savings of $9.76 million (mainly from vacancies) and revenue over budget by $11.1 million (driven by sales tax, expected $97.5 million vs. budget $86.8 million). Fund balance estimated at $77 million (required $42.9 million). Enterprise funds (water, transit, solid waste, parking, etc.) were generally stable, with transit facing driver shortages and solid waste over budget due to overtime and temp services. Councilmember Williams declared the city "fiscally healthy."

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously approved the priority items and consent agenda (with pulled items discussed and returned to consent).
• Strong council consensus to support the Carver Creek acquisition, with directives for staff to negotiate affordability restrictions, right of first refusal, and monitoring. Formal funding vote to occur at a later meeting.
• The crime report and financial report were received as information; no votes were taken.
• Councilmember Middleton announced a forthcoming resolution to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
• The council acknowledged National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day.