Durham City Council Work Session - February 19, 2026

The Durham City Council held a work session on Thursday, February 19, 2026, beginning at approximately 1:00 PM. Mayor Williams presided, with Councilmembers Baker, Cook, and Rist present; Councilmembers Burris and Copac were excused. The meeting included multiple presentations, public comments, and a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 14 were placed on the consent calendar for the upcoming regular council meeting. Items 3 (FY2025-26 second quarter financial report), 8 (2025 Equal Business Opportunity Program annual report), and 9 (Interlocal agreement with Durham County for low-income homeowner relief) were polled for discussion. At the end of the work session, the council voted to accept the consent agenda as presented (motion seconded, passed unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maria Zaderados (Siembra, Make NC Work) urged the council to pass the "Stand Up for Durham" resolution, which would document and respond to federal overreach. She noted barriers to public comment, including the 10-day sign‑up requirement and the 1 pm work session time, and requested a public hearing jointly with the county and school board.
• Kristin Emery (Make NC Work) echoed support for the resolution, shared personal family history as a refugee, and requested meetings with council members who had not yet met with the group.
• Letitia Faison (online) expressed frustration with gun violence and youth deaths, called for updated recreation centers, increased community listening, and action rather than rhetoric.
• Donald Hughes (Durham native) criticized the council for vague responses, demanded disaggregated crime data (by zip code and race), questioned transparency of the Bull City Future Fund, and called for resources, not rhetoric.

Discussion Items

Item 8 – 2025 Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBOP) Annual Report

Councilmember Rist noted a significant drop in minority business participation, especially in prime contracting (CMR, professional services). Deputy CFO Sheila Fawcett explained that the upcoming disparity study (see Item 16) will identify barriers; community forums are scheduled for March 18 and March 25, 2026.

Item 9 – Low‑Income Homeowner Relief Program Interlocal Agreement

Councilmember Cook praised the program, noting 642 households benefited in 2025. She requested data from Durham County on the total eligible pool. Finance Director Tim Flora reported the city spent $444,000 of its $500,000 allocation and expects to reach the cap this year, likely leading to a request for additional funding in FY27.

Item 12 – 2025 Fourth Quarter Crime Report (Chief Patrice Andrews’ final report)

Chief Andrews presented annual crime statistics for 2025:

• Violent crime down 16.9%; homicides unchanged at 39; aggravated assaults down 21.5%; robberies down 50% over the last decade.
• Property crime overall decreased; larcenies from vehicles and shoplifting remain high; motor vehicle theft down 14.2%.
• Gun‑related incidents: 26.1% of violent crimes involved a gun; 831 guns seized (1.32 per incident).
• Clearance rates: homicide clearance (87.5%) well above national average; property crime clearance (10.8%) low but improved over 2024.
• Sworn staffing at 76.1% (404 of 531 positions filled); 73 recruits in training; Academy 62 graduating March 26 with 30 officers. Council questions addressed juvenile crime (increase in involvement), guns stolen from vehicles (73% in Q1), and the misdemeanor diversion program (high completion, low recidivism). Chief Andrews was commended for her leadership.

Item 15 – Participatory Budgeting (PB) Cycle 4 Update

Carmen Ortiz reported on the successful cycle:

• 964 ideas collected (52% increase), 38 budget delegates (88% retention), 16,000+ residents voted (highest per capita in the nation).
• Innovative engagement: proposal development led at Durham County Jail.
• Winning projects (total $2.4 million): Self‑cleaning public restroom ($350,000), Eight murals ($150,000), Lighting and cameras at Oxford Manor ($150,000), Digital access stations ($100,000), Durham Skate Park repair ($1.2 million), Bethesda Park playground ($750,000). Council members praised the program and noted the high youth participation.

Item 16 – 2025 Disparity Study Update

Dave Miller (Miller Three Consulting) provided an update on the ongoing study. The study aims to provide legally defensible evidence on contracting disparities. The 12‑month timeline includes public information sessions in March 2026 and final recommendations expected in Q2 2026. The study includes both quantitative analysis of city contracting data and qualitative input from surveys and focus groups. Post‑study support (including a dashboard) may be funded through contingency.

Item 17 – Western Intake Partnership Update

Assistant Director Sid Miller and Water Management Director Don Greeley announced a significant change: instead of building a regional water treatment plant at Jordan Lake, the city will build a raw water pump station at the lake and construct a new water treatment plant adjacent to the South Durham Water Reclamation Facility. Reasons: partner utilities (Chatham County/Tri‑River, OWASA) have deferred their need for Jordan Lake water. The change offers operational savings, better water quality (fresher water), and long‑term savings on PFAS treatment. The costs to Durham are largely unchanged from the rate structure already approved; future reimbursement from partners is less certain. The city will still pursue regional grants. The council expressed understanding and support.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: The council voted 4‑0 to hold a closed session at the end of the work session pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(3) for attorney‑client consultation regarding a potential liability claim.
• Consent Agenda Approved: The council approved the consent agenda (Items 1‑14) for the upcoming regular meeting.
• Absence Excused: Councilmember (Mayor Pro Tem) Caballero was excused from the March 5, 2026 meeting.
• Next Steps: The city manager was directed to hold a public hearing on the Stand Up for Durham resolution (to be scheduled). The disparity study public sessions will be held in March 2026. The Western Intake Partnership agreements (land sale, interlocal, design‑build contracts) will be brought to council in future meetings.