Durham City Council Work Session – November 7, 2024

The City Council held a work session on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM. Council members opened with remarks on the recent national election, expressing disappointment in results but encouragement over the passage of local parks and streets‑sidewalk bonds (75% and 51% approval). They stressed the importance of local engagement and vowed to continue work on equity, tenant protections, and community investment. After a moment of public comment, the council discussed several pulled consent items and unanimously approved the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved unanimously as part of a block vote. The following items were pulled for discussion (Items 5, 7, 8, 18) and subsequently approved after staff responses. Routine approvals included:

• Appointment of residents to boards and commissions (with the exception of the Open Space & Trails Commission, which required a vote adjustment).
• Adoption of FY2025–26 Budget Development Schedule.
• Contract modifications for language services, janitorial services, and professional services.
• Project authorizations for the Durham Station Transit Center improvements, property acquisition for the GoDurham Access Maintenance Facility, and the Beechwood Cemetery Columbarium.
• Grant acceptances, street/utility acceptances, and numerous procurement contracts.
• Public hearings for annexations and zoning map changes (Items 21–25) were also included in the consent block.

Public Comments & Testimony

Three members of the public spoke:

• Stephen Harris (resident): Requested a new city ordinance to prohibit nuisance wildlife feeding. He reported over $50,000 in damage on his street from squirrels and other animals attracted by open feeders, and asked for restrictions on feeder types and quantity.
• Grace Wakeman (Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church): Described a 362% rent increase on a client’s rent (from $169 to $780/month) with less than two weeks’ notice. She asked the city to find emergency rental assistance funds, noting that Entry Point Durham has run out of funds, and to strengthen tenant protections such as longer notice for rent increases.
• Emily Wilkes (Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church): Echoed concerns about the rental crisis and warned that upcoming property tax revaluations will disproportionately hurt renters. She specifically asked for three actions: 1) fund Entry Point Durham’s eviction diversion program, 2) adopt creative policy solutions (longer rent‑increase notice, landlord engagement, a tenants advisory board), and 3) follow the comprehensive plan on affordable housing.
• Losetta Fraser (PAC 5 representative): Raised concerns about open drug use, prostitution, and trash at the intersection of East Main and Stoke Streets. She urged the city, particularly police, to take immediate action to clean up the area.

Discussion Items

Item 5 – FY2025–26 Budget Development Schedule Council Member Freeman asked for clarity on the community conversation dates for the upcoming budget. Staff provided the remaining four in‑person meetings, including one conducted in Spanish. Council emphasized the need to reach residents who are not online.

Item 7 – Durham Station Transit Center Improvements Staff from General Services and Transportation presented the project: a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment with Samet Corporation and W.C. Construction (joint venture) for $21,860,400, with a total contingency/authorization not to exceed $22,912,553. The project will add canopy coverage (20%→80%), restrooms on the platform, improved walkways, and increase capacity from 20 to 28 bus bays. Funding comes from a $10.8 M federal FTA grant, city funds ($1.7 M), and an expected additional $3.56 M from the Durham County Transit Plan (pending approvals on Nov 12 and Nov 20). Council discussed the importance of the facility (serves ~14,000 riders/day) and the status of federal infrastructure funding. The item was approved.

Item 8 – Acquisition of Property for GoDurham Access Maintenance Facility Council Member Cook asked why a new site was needed. Staff explained that the current site on Fay Street is at capacity for fixed‑route buses; the plan is to relocate the paratransit (Access) fleet to this new 12.2‑acre site at 730–740 Junction Road (acquired for $2,000,000 from Omni Builder Group Corp. etc.) so the original facility can be dedicated to fixed‑route maintenance. The acquisition is voluntary, avoiding eminent domain.

Item 18 – Contract with Parkmobile for Pay‑by‑Phone Mobile Payment Services Council Member Cook raised concerns about digital literacy and access for elderly residents and those without smartphones/internet. Staff responded that the contract only adds mobile payment as an option; cash payments will continue to be accepted at parking deck pay stations.

Other Business

• Appointment to Durham Open Space & Trails Commission: The initial vote was tied (3 for Alexis C. Bell, 3 for Lindsay S. Thicker’s Bach). A council member switched from Bell to Bach based on staff recommendation, and Bach was appointed.
• Other appointments (City‑County Appearance Commission, Human Relations Commission, Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee) were approved as recommended.
• Settling the Agenda: The city manager moved to approve the consent agenda (Items 1–20 and public hearing Items 21–25). The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (all items not pulled, plus the public hearings).
• Pulled items (5, 7, 8, 18) were discussed and approved as part of the consent block.
• Appointments to four boards/commissions confirmed (with one switch for Open Space & Trails).
• Staff directed to: provide printed budget meeting schedules to reach offline residents; continue coordinating funding for transit and affordable housing; and respond to public comments regarding nuisance wildlife and public safety at East Main/Stoke Streets.