Durham City Council Work Session – December 5, 2024

This work session of the Durham City Council was held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 1 PM in the Second Floor Committee Room at 101 City Hall Plaza. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton presided in the absence of Mayor Williams. The council discussed a number of administrative consent items, heard public testimony, and debated several pulled agenda items, including police/fire compensation adjustments, the Hayti Promise neighborhood stabilization contract, a Duke fiber network amendment, and a transit capital improvement plan. No formal votes were taken on the pulled items; instead, directions were given to staff.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments approved: Mayor’s Hispanic/Latino Committee (Junior A. Saramiento and Arley Speaker) and Durham Planning Commission (Marlena Burr) – approved by voice vote.
• The following items were initially on the consent calendar but were pulled for discussion: Item 4 (General Obligation Bond Referendum), Item 5 (Hybrid Police Patrol SUVs), Item 13 (Police and Fire Compensation Plans), Item 14 (Hayti Promise CDC Contract), Item 16 (Second Amendment with Duke University), Item 19 (Freeway Community Engagement Amendment), and Item 20 (Transit CIP Amendment). All other consent items (Items 1–3, 6–12, 15, 17–18) were later included in the settled consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Margaret Chapman (Trinity Park Neighborhood Association Transportation Committee) expressed concern about traffic safety on Gregson Street after a recent school bus crash into homes. She thanked the Transportation Department for studying two-way conversions and requested interim safety measures for neighbors.
• Chris Carlstein (Roxboro Street resident) described data collection on speeding after street repaving, built a utility trailer to test traffic calming, and raised safety issues on the American Tobacco Trail due to encampments. He also urged the council to prepare for Durham Public Schools’ planned walk‑zone enforcement by improving crosswalks and bike infrastructure.
• Thomas Crow Alberton (East Durham resident) warned that new park bonds would accelerate gentrification and displacement, noting a 31% rent increase since 2019 and a 300% rise in unsheltered residents since 2016. He called for city initiatives to mitigate negative impacts on low‑income residents.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – 2024 General Obligation Bond Referendum: Councilmember Baker praised the voter turnout (over 100,000 votes) and discussed equity in park investments. Councilmember Cook acknowledged the risk of displacement and urged proactive measures.
• Item 5 – Hybrid Police Patrol SUVs: Staff explained that 77 hybrid SUVs (replacing V6 gasoline vehicles) will reduce idling fuel costs and are maintainable by current city mechanics.
• Item 13 – Police and Fire Compensation Plan Amendments: Human Resources staff described adjustments to address “bypassing” of certain ranks (196 employees affected), effective January 11, 2025. Councilmember Rist and others pushed for retroactive application to July 1, 2024, citing a potential $95,000 cost. Staff noted administrative complexity. After extended debate, the council directed staff to recalculate the costs of a retroactive effective date.
• Item 14 – Hayti Promise CDC Contract ($1.75 M): Councilmember Cook asked about funding sources (the city’s $10 M grant to Hayti Promise, split into revenue replacement and residential improvements). Staff described the partnership to stabilize up to 20 code‑enforcement properties via repairs, with liens placed on properties if work is performed. Councilmember Middleton expressed strong support, noting the historical context of I‑147 destruction.
• Item 16 – Duke University Fiber Network Amendment ($1.35 M): Technology Solutions staff outlined the long‑standing partnership (since 2017) where Duke built a fiber ring and the city pays for last‑mile connections. The amendment covers unexpected rock excavation costs. Benefits include long‑term savings, gigabit connectivity for city facilities and DHA properties, and potential public Wi‑Fi at park sites.
• Item 19 – Freeway Community Engagement Amendment ($60,000): Staff requested funds to translate final reports (full and executive summary) into Spanish, an oversight in the original scope. Councilmember Cook noted the project’s timeline and future alignment with Discover Durham. Staff confirmed the amendment is independent of Item 18 (which was referred back). The council placed this item on the GBA (General Business Agenda).
• Item 20 – Transit CIP Amendment ($5 M): Staff described two changes: (a) reallocation of $3.3 M from GoTriangle to the city for the Access paratransit facility relocation, and (b) $200,000 to study a bus rapid transit (BRT) feasibility corridor from Holloway/Miami to Duke Hospital/VA via downtown. Councilmembers expressed excitement about advancing Durham’s first BRT project.

Key Outcomes

• Referral – Item 13 (Compensation Plans): Staff was directed to recalculate the cost of making the pay adjustments retroactive to July 1, 2024. The item will return to a future council meeting.
• Referral – Item 18 (Freeway Engagement Contract): Already referred back to the Transportation Department at the beginning of the meeting.
• Placement on December 19 Work Session: The council agreed to bring the bow hunting ordinance update to the December 19 work session for discussion and a potential vote.
• Settled Agenda: The consent agenda (Items 1–12, 14–17, 20) was approved as presented, with pulled items either discussed or referred back. Item 19 was placed on the GBA for a future meeting.