OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Work Session - September 5, 2024

City Council Work Session — Thursday, September 5, 2024
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council Work Session
DateThursday, September 5, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:26

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:28

It's September 5th.

0:29

It's 1 p.m.

0:30

I'm officially calling this Durham City, Durham City Council work session to order.

0:35

His honor the mayor is out of the city on business in accordance with statute and our charter.

0:40

As Mayor Pro Tem, I'll be assuming the gavels today.

0:42

Let me say good afternoon to my honorable colleagues, to our staff, to all of you in the room with us today, and all of you watching whatever platform you may be watching us.

0:50

Thank you for being with us this Thursday afternoon.

0:54

We are in session.

0:56

Madam Clerk, can you please call a roll?

0:58

Thank you, Madam Mr.

0:59

Mayor Pro Tem.

1:00

Mayor Williams has been granted an excused absence.

1:04

Councilmember Baker here.

1:05

Councilmember Caballero here.

1:07

Councilmember Cook was also granted an excused absence.

1:10

Councilmember Freeman.

1:11

Present.

1:11

Councilmember Rest.

1:13

Thank you.

1:14

Thank you so much.

1:17

It's not published on the agenda, but we have a ceremonial item today before I go to announcements by the council.

1:22

I'm very excited to be able to read a proclamation for National Transportation Demand Management Week.

1:29

That is National Transportation Demand Management Week.

1:33

Management Week, we have our distinguished director of transportation, Sean Egan, who's here with us today.

1:37

I'm going to ask if you would come to the podium.

1:44

Thank you.

1:48

This is Amani Johnson, our transportation demand management coordinator, my former intern.

1:54

Absolutely.

1:56

Proclamation.

1:58

Whereas Durham is a city that believes in it in the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of color or creed, and supports building infrastructure to support a growing network, safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation and transportation options in Durham.

2:18

And whereas the people of Durham celebrate and enjoy a very diverse community and multiple ways to access Durham's transportation network with the expansion of Go Durham Routes, Protected Bike lanes, and flexible work policies.

2:33

And whereas Durham continues to strive for the betterment of its people, and to provide a direction for the future by creating an opening doors of opportunity.

2:59

And whereas the Durham community knows that inclusion, respect, and understanding of all those that work, play, worship, and live here, promotes a community that we can be proud of.

3:14

Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, Mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, to hereby proclaim September 16th through the 20th, 2024, as National Transportation Demand Management Week in Durham and recommend its observance to all citizens.

3:29

Witness my hand in the corporate sale of the City of Durham, North Carolina.

3:33

This is the fifth day of September 2024.

3:36

Leonardo Williams, Mayor, is here for I want to thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and the Full Council and the Administration for your support for this proclamation.

3:55

We are so excited to celebrate Transportation Demand Management Week and share with the work we are doing to advance sustainable transportation in Durham.

4:06

We know that it is critical to provide more and better transportation choices in our community.

4:13

So this summer, we've added eight miles of bike lanes across the city.

4:20

We've installed a new uh pedestrian signal with uh audible uh pedestrian signal, uh ADA capabilities at the intersection of Buchanan Boulevard and West Chapel Hill Street, and we've increased Go Durham service across North Durham, offering a direct crosstown connection to the Duke VA hospital campus and 30 minute service all day to Northern and Riverside High Schools just in time for back to school.

4:50

So I'd now like to introduce our TDM coordinator, Amani Johnson, to share some information about the events planned for the week of the 16th.

5:00

Thank you, Sean, and thank you to everyone for your commitment to make sure our TDM week for 2024 is a success.

5:06

We begin TDM week with Make It Known Monday on September 16th.

5:12

We will share what's on this proclamation and why it's important for TDM to become a part of our everyday environment as we transport ourselves to and from everywhere across Durham.

5:21

September 17th is track your trip Tuesday, and our team will announce our cycle September and Bike Tober bike challenges for all to participate and for a chance to win some fun prizes.

5:33

September 18th is way to go Wednesday.

5:37

A social media challenge showing all the ways you can get around Durham using your favorite mode and a photo, of course.

5:43

September 19th is talk micromobility Thursday.

5:47

Our staff will be all across Durham showcasing our new micromobility devices that we have here in the city and handing out free ride cards for our new scooters and e-bikes that we have here in the city.

5:58

To close out the week, Friday will be our fast track Friday, promoting our upcoming campaign for National Week Without Driving.

6:06

So again, we want everyone to join us in this effort to ensure TDM Week can continue to be a success.

6:12

And once again, we thank you for this opportunity.

6:15

Thank you.

6:20

Thank you so much for the great work you do.

6:22

Let me say on behalf of the mayor who's not here in the entire city how grateful we are for the work that you do.

6:28

I've said time and time again one of the thresholds in any metropolis that wants to consider itself great has to cross.

6:35

It has to eventually cross a threshold where the city is negotiable, whether it's health care, education, our cultural attractions.

6:43

Yeah, in order to be great, you have to be able to do that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Schools████████████████████████24%
Homelessness███████████████████19%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Public Transit███████7%
Land Use Planning██████6%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Procedural████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Work Session - September 5, 2024

The Durham City Council held a work session on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:44 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, administrative consent items, citizen comments, presentations on homelessness, school enrollment, financial reports, and paratransit services, and several pulled items for discussion. The council settled the agenda, approving all items including the consent calendar and public hearings.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent agenda (items 1–22) with items 13 and 17 pulled for discussion. Items included board appointments, contracts, and routine approvals. Key items:
    • Appointments to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Environmental Affairs Board, Mayor's Hispanic/Latino Committee, and Housing Authority Board.
    • Contract with Cricket Forge for historic neighborhood signs ($63,000).
    • FY24 Logic Compensation Group Classification and Compensation Study final report.
    • Various public works, technology, and transportation contracts.
    • Bid-term contracts for water treatment chemicals (total combined value over $15 million).
    • Watershed protection funding for Tar River Land Conservancy ($158,000).
    • Purchase of seven replacement light transit vehicles for GoDurham Access ($787,047.59).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Linda Sutton (retired resident): Requested city leaf pickup service, citing safety and health concerns. Also asked for a ban on outdoor fires due to smoke harming residents with COPD and other conditions.
  • Zachary Soroto (resident at 1909 Edgerton): Urged the city to study and implement railroad quiet zones to reduce train horn noise, citing health impacts and examples from Raleigh and Apex.
  • Janetta Alston (resident at JFK Towers): Expressed concerns about broken elevators (only one working for seven floors), safety near the new Northern High School construction, and alleged mistreatment by management.
  • Katie Lindy Ross (retired attorney): Called for a symposium on blasting practices and developer accountability, referencing ongoing well damage on Junction Road due to nearby development blasting.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation – National Transportation Demand Management Week (Sept 16–20, 2024): Read by Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. Transportation Director Sean Egan and TDM Coordinator Amani Johnson highlighted new bike lanes, pedestrian signals, and increased GoDurham service.
  • Council Announcements: Councilmember Caballero proposed a resolution to adopt National Association of State Transportation Officials street design guidelines; consensus to place on a future work session. Councilmember Riss discussed a request from a resident to amend deer hunting ordinance (reduce minimum acreage from 5 to 2 and buffer from 250 to 60 feet); council agreed to place on next work session.
  • Pulled Item 13 – Amendment #2 to WSP USA Contract for Transit Compliance: Councilmember Riss inquired about DBE goal increase from 3% to 20%. Staff explained the consultant will help meet FTA compliance and set ambitious goals; capacity needs will be addressed in budget.
  • Pulled Item 17 – Tar River Land Conservancy Watershed Protection Funding: Councilmember Caballero clarified this is separate from the city's open space program, funded by water management for drinking water supply protection.
  • Presentation – Homelessness and Continuum of Care (30 min): Colin Davis, Community Development, presented an overview of the homeless system, funding (~$5M annual), data on unsheltered individuals (35 families, 55 single adults on waitlist), emergency shelter capacity (50 men, 15 women, 28 family bedrooms), and challenges including lack of permanent supportive housing, landlord reluctance, and service animal/pet policies. Council discussed need for more housing subsidies and support services. Councilmember Freeman noted a potential land swap with St. Philip's Episcopal Church and Urban Ministries for housing.
  • Presentation – Synchronizing Enrollment, Capacity & Residential Development (DPS) (30 min): Matthew Palmer presented on DPS growth projections (5,000 new students over 10 years), current utilization (e.g., Jordan High School at 2,300 students vs. 1,800 seats), and challenges with facility conditions. Palmer requested a transparent, data-driven conversation about the cumulative impact of development. Council discussed school site dedication, proffers, and the need for a task force.
  • Presentation – FY2023-24 Fourth Quarter Financial Report (20 min): Finance Director Tim Flora reported general fund revenues of $270M (2.4M over budget), expenditures of $287M, planned use of fund balance. All departments under budget. Enterprise funds (water, transit, solid waste, stormwater) performed as expected. Sales tax revenue on target at ~$99M.
  • Presentation – Paratransit Improvement Services Study (20 min): Brian Fahey presented findings from the GoDurham Access study. Highlights: 160,000 trips in FY24 (18% increase), 9% improvement in on-time performance via new scheduling platform (Spare Labs). Recommendations include microtransit pilot restarting in October, travel training programs, and consolidated service delivery model.
  • Public Hearings (Items 27–30): Listed on agenda but not conducted; council settled the agenda including these items.

Key Outcomes

  • The council approved the consent agenda (Items 1–22) with items 13 and 17 included after discussion. Appointments were made as per the clerk's report (Zora H. Lent, James T. Ham, Victor G. Hiraldo, Brian J. Rodriguez Sanchez, William B. Clark).
  • Council directed staff to place the deer hunting ordinance amendment and NACTO street design resolution on a future work session.
  • The council received the homeless system and paratransit study presentations and directed staff to continue work on these issues.
  • The council received the DPS presentation and expressed support for ongoing collaboration, including a task force on growth and education.
  • The council accepted the FY2023-24 Q4 financial report.
  • The meeting adjourned at 4:44 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. It's September 5th. It's 1 p.m. I'm officially calling this Durham City, Durham City Council work session to order. His honor the mayor is out of the city on business in accordance with statute and our charter. As Mayor Pro Tem, I'll be assuming the gavels today. Let me say good afternoon to my honorable colleagues, to our staff, to all of you in the room with us today, and all of you watching whatever platform you may be watching us. Thank you for being with us this Thursday afternoon. We are in session. Madam Clerk, can you please call a roll? Thank you, Madam Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Williams has been granted an excused absence. Councilmember Baker here. Councilmember Caballero here. Councilmember Cook was also granted an excused absence. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Rest. Thank you. Thank you so much. It's not published on the agenda, but we have a ceremonial item today before I go to announcements by the council. I'm very excited to be able to read a proclamation for National Transportation Demand Management Week. That is National Transportation Demand Management Week. Management Week, we have our distinguished director of transportation, Sean Egan, who's here with us today. I'm going to ask if you would come to the podium. Thank you. This is Amani Johnson, our transportation demand management coordinator, my former intern. Absolutely. Proclamation. Whereas Durham is a city that believes in it in the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of color or creed, and supports building infrastructure to support a growing network, safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation and transportation options in Durham. And whereas the people of Durham celebrate and enjoy a very diverse community and multiple ways to access Durham's transportation network with the expansion of Go Durham Routes, Protected Bike lanes, and flexible work policies. And whereas Durham continues to strive for the betterment of its people, and to provide a direction for the future by creating an opening doors of opportunity. And whereas the Durham community knows that inclusion, respect, and understanding of all those that work, play, worship, and live here, promotes a community that we can be proud of. Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, Mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, to hereby proclaim September 16th through the 20th, 2024, as National Transportation Demand Management Week in Durham and recommend its observance to all citizens. Witness my hand in the corporate sale of the City of Durham, North Carolina. This is the fifth day of September 2024. Leonardo Williams, Mayor, is here for I want to thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and the Full Council and the Administration for your support for this proclamation. We are so excited to celebrate Transportation Demand Management Week and share with the work we are doing to advance sustainable transportation in Durham. We know that it is critical to provide more and better transportation choices in our community. So this summer, we've added eight miles of bike lanes across the city. We've installed a new uh pedestrian signal with uh audible uh pedestrian signal, uh ADA capabilities at the intersection of Buchanan Boulevard and West Chapel Hill Street, and we've increased Go Durham service across North Durham, offering a direct crosstown connection to the Duke VA hospital campus and 30 minute service all day to Northern and Riverside High Schools just in time for back to school. So I'd now like to introduce our TDM coordinator, Amani Johnson, to share some information about the events planned for the week of the 16th. Thank you, Sean, and thank you to everyone for your commitment to make sure our TDM week for 2024 is a success. We begin TDM week with Make It Known Monday on September 16th. We will share what's on this proclamation and why it's important for TDM to become a part of our everyday environment as we transport ourselves to and from everywhere across Durham. September 17th is track your trip Tuesday, and our team will announce our cycle September and Bike Tober bike challenges for all to participate and for a chance to win some fun prizes. September 18th is way to go Wednesday. A social media challenge showing all the ways you can get around Durham using your favorite mode and a photo, of course. September 19th is talk micromobility Thursday.

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