Durham City Council Work Session - September 22, 2023

The Durham City Council held a work session on September 22, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 6:43 PM, to discuss multiple agenda items including a proposed plastic bag fee ordinance, a gun violence survivor program, cemetery updates, and a proposal to allocate carryover funds for employee bonuses. The meeting also featured extensive public comment on worker compensation and personal statements regarding the exoneration of Councilmember Holsey Hyman.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 5 and 7 through 19 were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers addressed the council, primarily on issues of worker pay and bonuses. Sanitation workers and police officers advocated for immediate $5,000 bonuses for all employees making under $75,000, citing high cost of living and staffing shortages. Speakers included Casey Rowe, Natalia Fernandez, Nicholas Park Stone, Jackie Wagstaff, Jonte Dunstan, Herman Moore, and others. Many expressed support for the workers and criticized the city manager and council for not acting earlier. Some speakers also voiced support for Councilmember Hyman following her exoneration.
• A speaker from the community, Donald Hughes, questioned the 6.5 million dollar ceiling for bonuses, suggesting the city could use more of its fund balance.

Discussion Items

• Don't Waste Durham and Duke Environmental Law Clinic Presentation: Presenters Will Weldon, Nancy, and Michelle proposed a revised plastic bag fee and ban ordinance, but noted that the state legislature had preempted local action. Council discussed moving forward with a public education campaign and directed staff to return with a plan in December/January.
• Prescriptions for Repair Pilot Program: Dr. Henry Rice, Asmund Johnson, and others presented findings from a pilot program for gun violence survivors. Key outcomes: 28 participants, 79 listening sessions, 158 hours of listening. Survivors emphasized need for community navigators, youth centers, and culturally relevant resources. Council expressed interest in continued support.
• Cemetery Ordinance Revisions and Project Updates: Al Walker, Erica Bois Beauvoir, and staff presented on cemetery expansions, green natural burial options, and community engagement. 87% of surveyed residents expressed interest in green burials. Council discussed equity and education. Ordinance revisions were presented for consideration.
• Item 6: Carryover Funding and Employee Bonuses: City Manager Wanda Page and Budget Director Christina Reardon presented a proposal to use $6.5 million from fund balance for tiered bonuses: $3,000 for employees earning under $57,000, $2,500 for those earning $57,000-$90,000, $2,000 for those over $90,000, and $1,000 for part-time workers. Extensive debate ensued on increasing bonuses for lower-paid workers to $5,000 while staying within the $6.5 million total. Concerns were raised about the city's bond rating and financial sustainability. Councilmembers expressed differing views on the amount and structure of bonuses. No decision was reached.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• Plastic bag ordinance tabled due to state preemption; staff to return with an education campaign plan.
• Prescriptions for Repair and Cemetery updates were received and noted.
• For Item 6, the council directed staff to return with three scenarios for bonuses, keeping the total at $6.5 million, with higher bonuses for lower-paid workers, a minimum of $500 for full-time higher-paid workers, and $1,000 for part-time workers. The three scenarios are to be presented at the next work session on October 5, 2023.