OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting - March 19, 2026

City Council Work Session — Thursday, March 19, 2026
BodyDurham, North Carolina
SessionCity Council Work Session
DateThursday, March 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:30:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:06

I'm gonna go ahead and well, I'm gonna give us one minute, but oh, we're now at one, never mind.

0:10

Um the mayor is running a little late, so I'm gonna go ahead and kick us off.

0:15

Uh Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll?

0:18

Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem.

0:20

Uh the mayor's running a little bit late.

0:23

Mayor Pro Tem Caballero.

0:25

Here, Councilmember Baker.

0:27

Here.

0:27

Councilmember Burris?

0:28

Here.

0:28

Councilmember Cook?

0:29

Here.

0:30

Councilmember Cupac.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Rest.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Thank you.

0:35

Thank you.

0:36

And uh colleagues, does anyone have any announcements?

0:42

Councilmember Kopak.

0:44

Yeah.

0:45

Thank you.

0:45

Um Madam Pro Tem.

0:47

Just wanted to give some thanks to the Environmental Affairs Board, which I'm liaison to for bringing forth the letter from the Southeast Directors of Sustainability on the Duke Energy's Carbon Plan.

0:59

And I'm pleased that the mayor will be signing on the letter on behalf of the council and the city.

1:04

Duke Energy's plan of approved would risk some of the goals we have as a city around a transition to renewable energy and carbon neutrality.

1:11

And at a time where we're facing uh huge issues for our residents around uh energy costs.

1:17

Uh it's not a time to be walking away from renewable energy or from uh energy efficiency.

1:21

We need more of both of those investments going into the for the future for our state.

1:26

So I'm just glad that uh Durham will be joining on with others in support of that letter.

1:31

Thank you.

1:31

I'm glad to be with everyone today.

1:33

Thank you, everyone, for coming out.

1:37

Thank you, Councilmember Kopeck.

1:39

Anyone else?

1:40

Councilmember Wist.

1:41

Thanks, Mayor Pro Tem.

1:42

Good evening or good evening, good afternoon, colleagues, Mr.

1:44

Manager, folks in attendance, residents online.

1:47

Um just a couple of things.

1:48

It is March Madness.

1:49

Hope everybody got their brackets in.

1:51

Um we're hoping to finish our meeting relatively quickly today.

1:53

I know that Duke is playing at 2 50 today.

1:56

I know a lot of folks probably be checking their phones.

1:57

We should be done by the 6 50 start of the Tar Heels against VCU.

2:01

Um also noting that you know Queen's University from Charlotte is also in the tournament for the first time.

2:06

So a lot of exciting news for North Carolina.

2:08

Um I want to thank the German Chamber of Commerce for holding their annual meeting last Tuesday at the Carolina Theater, the Carolina Theater, which is celebrating its 100th uh birthday this year.

2:17

Um congrats to um Jeff Durham and staff for that meeting, their leadership on so many things in Durham.

2:23

I also want to thank um the outgoing chair, um Dom Cole Johnson, for her role as chairing it in the last year, and welcome the incoming chair of the chamber, Robert Nelson from Genentech.

2:33

Um then the last thing is you know, I'm so excited about the 2024 bond, which as you all recall um was sort of funded 85 million dollars for our parks.

2:43

One of the big parks projects is the redevelopment of East End and Long Meadow Parks.

2:47

Um there's a public meeting tonight from 6 to 7 30 at Eastway Elementary for anyone interested in providing comment, hearing the update on that plan, and also providing some ideas about the future of the park.

2:58

So exciting stuff in Durham to see those bond funds being used.

3:01

We've seen a lot of sidewalks being built, but now this is one of the big park projects that's coming online.

3:05

I know where's Wade Walcott from the uh DPR and his department is really excited about that.

3:10

So good stuff happening in Durham.

3:11

So again, if you're interested, in input on Long Meadow and East End Parks session tonight at six o'clock at Eastway Elementary.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Historic Preservation█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████████16%
Land Use Planning█████████9%
Homelessness████4%
Economic Development███3%
Personnel Matters██2%
Public Safety██2%
Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Durham City Council Meeting - March 19, 2026

The Durham City Council met on March 19, 2026, for a regular business meeting. The meeting included a proclamation for International Cleaning Week, public comments on fire station security and city property conditions, and extensive discussion on the redevelopment of 505 West Chapel Hill Street. The council considered two scenarios for affordable housing on the site and provided direction to staff, while also addressing consent agenda items and administrative updates.

Consent Calendar

  • Items approved without discussion: Items 1-4, 6-20 on GBA (with some exceptions). Items 5 and 23-24 were on GBA for public hearings. Items 10, 14, and 16 were pulled for individual discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Meredith Carter (Durham Professional Firefighters Local 668): Reported a pattern of personal vehicle break-ins at fire stations (1,3,4,5,9,12,16) over the past year. Requested secure fencing, mobile security systems, and city compensation for repair costs.
  • Victoria Peterson: Expressed concern about council members arriving late. Requested an itemized budget report for the St. Joseph Historical Foundation (fiscal agent for $10 million). Also reported blighted properties at 50 Ridgeway Avenue and around the city, urging inspections.
  • Scott Harmon (architect/developer, Center Studio): Spoke about systemic racism in zoning, arguing that the proposed LDC infill standards preserve historical patterns of segregation. Urged prioritizing "Durham character" over neighborhood character to address the housing crisis.
  • Anna Brennley (Downtown Durham Inc.): Encouraged considering 505 W. Chapel Hill as part of the broader downtown Blueprint, cautioning against dividing the site and potentially diminishing its catalytic potential.
  • Jane Williams (Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit): Emphasized urgency, noting deadlines of July 2026 for developer selection, fall 2026 for detailed plan, and January 2027 for a 9% LIHTC pre-application.
  • Anne Reback (People's Alliance): Expressed support for the working group's recommendation for maximum affordable housing units at 505, noting prior commitments and calling on the council to fulfill campaign promises.
  • Stella Adams (Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People): Stated that 80 affordable units is a minimum, not a ceiling. Supported scenario 2 for 80 units now with potential for 55 more later. Urged reserving land in the southwest corner for future affordable housing.
  • Victoria Peterson (second appearance): Questioned the definition of affordable housing and called for rents starting at $0 and not exceeding $700/month, targeting single persons and those earning low wages.

Discussion Items

  • Item 10: Landlord Engagement Services Contract (Housing for New Hope): Councilmember Cook inquired about funding sources and why additional money was needed now. Colin Davis (Community Safety) explained the contract was extended and now requires a second amendment with additional dedicated housing funds to run through September 30, 2026. Councilmember Rist praised the work for engaging 37 new landlords.
  • Item 14: Eminent Domain for Trinity Avenue Parcels (Rail Trail): Councilmember Rist asked about negotiations. Alicia Baylor (General Services) stated the property owner disagreed on price despite a 20% premium over appraisal. The eminent domain action is needed to stay on schedule for construction starting in winter 2027.
  • Item 16: Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at School/Trail Crossings: Councilmember Cook asked about bid responsiveness. Sean Egan (Transportation) explained that two lower bids were not responsive: one unreasonably low, another did not meet Eagle business opportunity goals. The recommended award exceeds the 11% participation goal at 14%.
  • Item 22: Redevelopment of 505 West Chapel Hill Street: A working group presented two scenarios for 80 affordable housing units (at or below 60% AMI, 25% at 30% AMI) using 9% LIHTC. Scenario 1: surface parking, more land-intensive. Scenario 2 (preferred): structured parking under the building, leaving more land for future development. Estimated gap funding $4-6 million for Scenario 2. Timeline requires selecting a developer by July 2026 to meet a January 2027 LIHTC pre-application. Council debated location, financing, parking for the Milton Small Building preservation, and timeline. Mayor Pro Tem Caballero and others expressed support for Scenario 2 but wanted flexibility on the building's exact location and stressed the need to align with housing department processes. Councilmember Baker preferred the southeast quadrant. Councilmember Rist and others emphasized moving forward quickly.
  • Item 15: Preservation North Carolina Option (Milton Small Building): Discussed in conjunction with Item 22. The option allows Preservation NC to market the building. Staff noted the rehabilitation agreement would need council approval later. Council discussed parking commitments and ensuring the overall site cohesiveness.
  • Item 21: Agenda Format Updates: Mary Gruth presented three updates: creating a "No Action Matters" section to explain disposed items; moving public comment earlier in the work session agenda; renaming "Citizens Matters" to "Public Comment Period." Council supported the changes.

Key Outcomes

  • Direction on 505 W. Chapel Hill: The council gave informal direction to proceed with Scenario 2 (structured parking) and to select a developer by July 2026, with flexibility on the building location within the site. Staff will return with supplemental motions for the next meeting.
  • Consent Agenda: Items 1-4, 6-20 were approved. Items 5 and 23-24 set for public hearing.
  • Item 10 (Landlord Engagement): The council expressed support for the contract amendment. No formal vote recorded in transcript, but direction to staff to proceed.
  • Item 14 (Eminent Domain): Discussed, likely to be placed on consent or action agenda.
  • Item 16 (RRFBs): Direction to proceed with the recommended bid.
  • Item 15 (Preservation NC Option): Council indicated openness but requested that the rehabilitation agreement be brought back for approval. Staff will negotiate and return.
  • Proclamation: International Cleaning Week (March 22-26, 2026) was proclaimed.
  • Appointments: Most board appointments were approved; Human Relations Commission lacked consensus and was sent back to GBA.
  • Agenda Format Updates: Council concurred with the proposed changes.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm gonna go ahead and well, I'm gonna give us one minute, but oh, we're now at one, never mind. Um the mayor is running a little late, so I'm gonna go ahead and kick us off. Uh Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll? Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. Uh the mayor's running a little bit late. Mayor Pro Tem Caballero. Here, Councilmember Baker. Here. Councilmember Burris? Here. Councilmember Cook? Here. Councilmember Cupac. Here. Councilmember Rest. Here. Thank you. Thank you. And uh colleagues, does anyone have any announcements? Councilmember Kopak. Yeah. Thank you. Um Madam Pro Tem. Just wanted to give some thanks to the Environmental Affairs Board, which I'm liaison to for bringing forth the letter from the Southeast Directors of Sustainability on the Duke Energy's Carbon Plan. And I'm pleased that the mayor will be signing on the letter on behalf of the council and the city. Duke Energy's plan of approved would risk some of the goals we have as a city around a transition to renewable energy and carbon neutrality. And at a time where we're facing uh huge issues for our residents around uh energy costs. Uh it's not a time to be walking away from renewable energy or from uh energy efficiency. We need more of both of those investments going into the for the future for our state. So I'm just glad that uh Durham will be joining on with others in support of that letter. Thank you. I'm glad to be with everyone today. Thank you, everyone, for coming out. Thank you, Councilmember Kopeck. Anyone else? Councilmember Wist. Thanks, Mayor Pro Tem. Good evening or good evening, good afternoon, colleagues, Mr. Manager, folks in attendance, residents online. Um just a couple of things. It is March Madness. Hope everybody got their brackets in. Um we're hoping to finish our meeting relatively quickly today. I know that Duke is playing at 2 50 today. I know a lot of folks probably be checking their phones. We should be done by the 6 50 start of the Tar Heels against VCU. Um also noting that you know Queen's University from Charlotte is also in the tournament for the first time. So a lot of exciting news for North Carolina. Um I want to thank the German Chamber of Commerce for holding their annual meeting last Tuesday at the Carolina Theater, the Carolina Theater, which is celebrating its 100th uh birthday this year.

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