Durham City Council Work Session – October 6, 2023

The Durham City Council convened a work session on October 6, 2023, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included roll call, announcements, public comments, a presentation on budget carryover and employee bonuses, discussion of a downtown trash compactor contract, and appointments to boards and commissions. Several items were pulled for discussion, and the council voted on a bonus structure with a commitment to explore additional funding.

Announcements

• Mayor Pro Tem Middleton highlighted the “Week Without Driving” and encouraged residents to use public transit, bike paths, and walking. He thanked Bike Durham and Reality Ministries.
• Councilmember Freeman expressed gratitude for community support after a neighbor’s loss and urged vigilance against domestic violence.
• Councilmember Caballero announced a Dia de Comunidad event on October 7 at WD Hill Recreation Center.
• Councilmember Holsey‑Hyman recognized World Teachers’ Day and her own teaching awards.
• Councilmember Johnson requested an excused absence from the November 21 work session (approved unanimously).
• Councilmember Williams announced the SCAD (Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development) Task Force meetings: October 24 (1–3 PM), October 25 (5–7 PM), and October 27 (5–7 PM) in the City Hall committee room. He noted that virtual public comment is not available, but written comments can be sent to city.clerk@durhamnc.gov.
• Mayor O’Neill highlighted National Night Out, thanked law enforcement, and previewed a business summit on November 16–17 at the Durham County Library, with special emphasis on residents with disabilities, seniors, and those with justice involvement.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5, 7–11, and 14–16 were approved on consent. Item 6 (budget carryover and bonuses) and item 12 (trash compactor contract) were pulled for separate discussion. Item 13 (lease amendment) was referred back to staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Item 7 (assistant attorney position):

• James Chavis opposed creating an assistant attorney position, stating the city attorney does not answer citizen questions and that the money should instead address the needs of low‑paid employees.
• Rafi Zotti criticized the city attorney’s office for “shabby work” and the timing of bonus proposals, suggesting they were delayed until after the election to avoid political consequences. He urged the council not to support the position.
• Jackie Wagstaff requested the city attorney assist with administrative remedies for a legal matter, referencing a pending FOIA request and the exoneration of one council member while others remain under a cloud.

On Item 12 (trash compactor at 315 Holland Street):

• Dan Ellison (property owner and former Historic Preservation Commission member) opposed the location, citing lack of process, an administrative COA that he believed exceeded staff authority, and opposition from all adjacent property owners. He requested a delay for further vetting.
• John Warsala (nearby property owner) echoed concerns, noting that alternatives (e.g., locating the compactor north of the site or east of the armory) had not been adequately explored. He asked for a convening of stakeholders before awarding the contract.

On Item 6 (employee bonuses):

• James Chavis criticized the city for not providing enough public notice and for the rushed timeline, arguing that citizens have no voice in decisions.
• Brian Graves (fire investigator, not a union member) warned that the proposed bonus tiers could decimate morale if, for example, a firefighter received a larger bonus than a driver. He urged an equitable distribution.
• Christina Sievert (Socialist Alternative/Workers Strike Back) supported the sanitation workers’ strike and called for a $25 minimum wage, criticizing the use of area median income (AMI) as not tied to current cost of living.
• George Baker (sanitation worker) stated that many workers are homeless or living in hotels, and that the $5,000 request was “conservative.” He asked the council to consider the human impact.
• Mr. Hughes (online) criticized the $6.5 million cap as arbitrary and demanded that the council evaluate the option of $5,000 for all employees making $75,000 or less.
• Montreal Perry (sanitation worker) provided comparative starting pay data: Durham ($39,141), Burlington ($40,500), Greensboro ($43,000), Raleigh ($41,117), Charlotte ($45,760). He argued Durham is among the lowest paid.
• Toby Lippin (online) supported the workers and noted that the AMI used (one‑person household) likely understates the needs of most city employees, who often have larger households.

Discussion Items

Budget Carryover and Employee Bonuses (Item 6) Christina Reardon (Budget and Management Services) presented three options for one‑time bonuses, all within a $6.5 million total cost. The options used Area Median Income (AMI) tiers based on a single‑person household, with the highest bonus at $5,000 and the lowest at $500. Part‑time employees would receive $1,000 (except in Option 1 where they would receive $500). The three options differ in how many employees fall into each tier. Staff provided draft budget ordinances for each option. Council could adopt that day or on October 16, with bonuses paid by November 3.

Council discussion focused on equity and the ability to go beyond $6.5 million. Councilmember Freeman urged removing Option 1 (because of the $500 part‑time bonus) and preferred Option 2 or 3. Councilmember Johnson expressed support for Option 2 or 3. Mayor O’Neill and Councilmember Holsey‑Hyman advocated for Option 3, noting it provides a more gradual spread and could be supplemented later with additional funds. Councilmember Williams leaned toward Option 2 but supported Option 3 after hearing colleagues. Several members committed to exploring additional resources to increase bonuses for lower‑paid employees, with Mayor O’Neill asking staff to report back by November 21.

Trash Compactor Contract (Item 12) Deputy City Manager Johnson and staff from General Services, Solid Waste, and Planning explained the process: the project began in 2019 to modernize downtown trash containers, and the chosen site at 315 Holland Street was chosen after evaluating constraints (utilities, easements, truck access). The site wall required a minor Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), which was administratively approved. Staff stated they had done due diligence and were ready to award the contract, but they agreed to a further meeting with stakeholders. Councilmember Williams moved to move the item to a future agenda (GBA) for additional discussion, which was accepted.

Key Outcomes

• Employee Bonuses: The council voted unanimously (with Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Williams exempting themselves from receiving a bonus) to adopt Option 3 for the bonus structure. The motion also directed staff to explore additional funding sources to increase bonuses for the three groups that did not reach the $5,000 level, with a report back by November 21.
• Trash Compactor (Item 12): Moved to a future agenda (GBA) for one more meeting with stakeholders before finalization.
• Lease Amendment (Item 13): Referred back to the General Services Department.
• Boards and Commissions: Appointments were made to the Environmental Affairs Board, Discover Durham, Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, and Human Relations Commission. One vacancy on the Participatory Budgeting Committee will be re‑advertised.
• Absence: Councilmember Johnson’s absence from the November 21 work session was approved.
• SCAD Task Force: Dates announced; public comment limited to in‑person; written comments accepted.
• Next Steps: The council will consider the final bonus ordinance at the October 16 regular meeting.