Durham City Council Work Session - November 21, 2024

On November 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM, the Durham City Council held a work session at 101 City Hall Plaza. The meeting covered routine consent items, public comment, a series of presentations (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, FY25 First Quarter Financial Report, and the 2024 Third Quarter Crime Report), discussion on ARPA amendments, domestic violence/gang reduction funding, PFAS study grant, and a motion to enter closed session to consider city manager appointment. Several items were voted on or referred.

Consent Calendar

• Durham Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission appointment: Rosalia M. Edmonds appointed to the Youth seat (term expiring August 31, 2027).
• Durham Workers’ Rights Commission appointment: The item was re-advertised due to resignation of Laura Serratos.
• Approval of City Council Minutes: Minutes for eight meetings (Sept. 3, 5, 16, 19; Oct. 7, 10, 21, 24, 2024) were approved.
• Appointments to Civilian Police Review Board: City Manager’s appointments of Sean Allen, Shaquana Lindsey, Michael Sistrom, and Alexander Williams (terms to June 30, 2028) and reappointment of Cassandra Johnson were confirmed. The board’s manual was amended to include eligibility for Council’s stipend program.
• ARPA Items:
  • Item 6: Authorized $1,000,000 subrecipient grant agreement with Fayetteville Street Planning Group and United Way for corridor planning.
  • Item 7: Authorized first amendment to ARPA agreement with Durham Community Land Trustees for Multifamily Support & Supply program.
  • Item 9: Authorized acceptance of $750,000 in County ARPA funds and interlocal agreement for digital equity.
• Historic Preservation Fund Grant: Authorized acceptance of $25,000 grant for Emorywood Estates inventory and National Register nomination.
• Contract Renewal – Domestic Violence & Gang Reduction: Authorized $286,342 agreement with District Attorney and NC AOC for two ADAs and one legal assistant.
• Data Use Agreement with Harvard Kennedy School: Authorized for access to City employee personnel files.
• Low-Income Homeowner's Relief Program (LIHRP): Authorized interlocal agreement with Durham County up to $500,000 in grants and $127,500 in administrative costs.
• Sewer Vac Truck Purchase: Authorized contract with Infrastructure Solutions Group for $588,637.92.
• Condemnation Resolutions: Authorized for West Club Blvd utility project (1025 Ninth Street) and Morreene Road bicycle/pedestrian improvements (407 and 929 Morreene Road).
• Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant: Authorized acceptance of $297,140 for rooftop solar at W.D. Hill Recreation Center.
• Street Closures for 2024 Durham Holiday Parade: Adopted resolution after suspension of rules (new NCDOT requirement).
• Street & Utility Acceptances: Accepted infrastructure for Edgevale Drive, Linfield Drive, The Enclave at Garrett, weaving Water, Westover Road.
• West Club Blvd Utility Rehabilitation: Authorized amendment to Dewberry Engineers contract ($267,508.66) and construction award to Moffat Pipe Inc. ($20,355,978, total with contingency $22,391,575).
• NC 751 Sewer Outfall Improvements: Authorized amendment to McKim & Creed contract ($1,365,600, total $1,681,000).
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant: Adopted resolution supporting application for up to $500,000 for emerging contaminants study.

Public Comments & Testimony

• DeWitt Langley (online) spoke about community-based violence reduction, highlighting the need for resource allocation to mitigate youth violence. He urged investment in education, workforce development, and 100% of ARPA dollars for culturally supportive halfway programs and college readiness.

Discussion Items

• ARPA Amendment – Durham Affordable Sustainable Homes (DASH) (Item 8): Councilmembers praised the shift to modular housing. Sherry Taylor (DCLT) explained modular homes are 90% factory-built, faster (5 months), more sustainable, and high quality. She noted DCLT has existing modular homes (oldest 15 years). Council supported the amendment to allow modular construction for affordable homeownership.
• Domestic Violence & Gang Reduction Agreement (Item 11): Councilmember Williams and DA Satana DeBerry discussed the program’s background: city-funded positions to supplement state underfunding (Durham has 19 state-funded ADAs, unchanged since 1999-2001). The agreement funds a domestic violence ADA and legal assistant, plus a district court ADA. Council supported continuation.
• PFAS Study Grant (Item 25): Councilmember Baker asked about use of grant funds. Lori Montgomery (Water Management) stated the $500,000 can be used retroactively for ongoing studies and for design/construction of treatment solutions. Durham’s raw water is near but slightly above EPA contaminant levels; city is ahead of many utilities in preparing for 2029 compliance. Council supported the application.

Presentations

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) – FY2024: April Adams (Cherry Bekaert) presented. Received unmodified (clean) opinion on financial statements, single audit, and no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. No corrected misstatements. Upcoming accounting changes: compensated absences (including sick time) must be estimated by 2025. Councilmember McClanahan and Mayor Williams praised the clean audit and strong financial management.
• FY2024-25 First Quarter Financial Report: Christina Riordan (Budget & Management) presented. General fund revenues projected $913,000 over budget, expenditures $4.6 million under budget (mostly due to personnel vacancies). Enterprise funds: Water/sewer slight negative variance ($756,000); transit positive ($257,000); solid waste positive ($357,000); stormwater positive ($368,000); parking positive ($316,000); inspections negative ($107,000). Council noted vacancy concerns and parking voucher program impact.
• 2024 Third Quarter Crime Report: Deputy Chief Walter Tate and Chief Patrice Andrews presented. Violent crime down 0.4% (homicides down 17.1% with 29 offenses; robberies down 4.6%; aggravated assaults up 1% due to multi-victim shootings). Shooting incidents down 16.1% but persons shot up 17% (more victims per incident). Property crime down 0.3% (burglary down 9.7%, motor vehicle theft down 11.1%). Stolen guns: 424 through Q3, 70% from motor vehicles (up from 52% typical). 6,818 priority one calls; average response time 6:49 (target 5:48). Sworn staffing at 73% (388 of 534 authorized). Discussion included federal restrictions on gun tracing, increases in applications (400+ since July), and the 30x30 initiative to increase female officers. Councilmember Morris noted downtown crime volume is lower than other districts.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments Confirmed: Rosalia M. Edmonds to Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission; Sean Allen, Cassandra Johnson, Shaquana Lindsey, Michael Sistrom, Alexander Williams to Civilian Police Review Board.
• Street Closure Resolution Adopted: For 2024 Durham Holiday Parade (suspension of rules, unanimous).
• ARPA Amendments Approved: Items 6, 7, 8, 9 (unanimous consent).
• Contract Renewals Authorized: Domestic violence/gang reduction agreement; data use agreement with Harvard; sewer vac truck purchase; condemnation resolutions; utility contracts; grant applications.
• First Quarter Financial Report Received: Noted positive revenue variance and personnel vacancy savings.
• Third Quarter Crime Report Received: Noted reductions in violent and property crime, continued gun theft concern, and staffing challenges.
• Closed Session Motion Approved: Council voted to enter closed session under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) to discuss qualifications of a candidate for city manager. Motion passed; Councilmember Freeman expressed preference for public discussion but voted in favor.
• Agenda Set for Next Meeting: Consent and public hearings for zoning changes (Vivo Living Ivy Creek, Hillsborough Road Commercial, Davis Park Pod G) and street closing (Victory Lane) carried forward.