Durham City Council Regular Meeting - April 23, 2026

The Durham City Council met on April 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The meeting included recognition of retiring Police Chief Patrice Andrews, a drought update from Water Management Director Don Greeley, public comments on several issues, and discussion of resolutions and agenda items. The meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent agenda items 1, 5, 8–18, and 26 (supplemental item: approval of draft FY26-27 annual action plan) unanimously.
• Suspended rules to vote on items 6 and 7 (vehicle purchases): authorized contracts with Trans Source Incorporated for five tandem axle dump trucks ($1,467,751.75) and ten axle dump trucks ($1,270,368.00), both passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Trina Himes (Grove Park Homeowners Association) requested that the city mandate a 750-foot topographical ridge be designated a non-disturbance area for the 5502 Wake Forest Highway development, and that staff verify stakes during preconstruction. She also asked for increased inspection frequency for both that site and the active clearing at Shallon Road to protect the Little Lit Creek watershed.
• Jacqueline Waxtaff questioned the children's wealth building resolution, expressing concern about the involvement of Councilmember Rist's former employer. She supported the data center moratorium and criticized the treatment of unsheltered residents, particularly in Oak Park, alleging that action is taken only when wealthy residents complain. She also questioned the mayor's remark about not trusting social media.
• Leslie St. Dre (Stop Data Centers in Durham coalition) presented a petition with 735 signatures from 12 community groups demanding the strongest and longest possible moratorium (at least 32 months). She cited environmental impacts including temperature increases of up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit from hyperscale data centers, and urged permanent protections.
• Dale Freeman (Black Liberation Action Committee) requested the council adopt a joint resolution with the county supporting the UN General Assembly's March 25, 2025 resolution recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity. He submitted a petition with nearly 200 signatures and called for a reparations framework.
• Jayna Sims (new resident, 2 years) supported the data center moratorium, arguing that the city should not be an early adopter of risks and should take time to make wise decisions.
• Rena Rachel Gaver (entrepreneur, supporter of Southerners on New Ground) called for a minimum 24-month moratorium covering the city, county, and RTP. She cited threats to water systems, lack of job growth, and irreversible land use impacts.
• E.T. Fuga Jagan (spoke about homeless encampment) described seeing people from an encampment being rounded up and restrained, and recounted a story of an elderly man dropped off at a shelter without resources. He asked who orders encampment clearings and what the strategy is for unhoused residents.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Chief Patrice Andrews: Mayor and council members praised her 30-year career, 25 with Durham, for transforming police culture, building trust, and supporting community policing. She retires May 1, 2026. Interim Chief Walter Tate was acknowledged.
• Drought Update: Water Management Director Don Greeley reported that 47 North Carolina counties are in extreme drought; Durham County moved into that category. Durham's lakes are 84% full, below normal for this time of year. The city's hydraulic model does not yet trigger restrictions, but Durham is coordinating with regional utilities (Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs). Raleigh and Fuquay-Varina have already implemented stage one restrictions. Durham encourages water conservation.
• Data Center Moratorium Resolution (Item 4): Councilmember Baker introduced a resolution for a temporary moratorium on development approvals for data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and related high-impact facilities. Councilmember Baker and others expressed support, noting Durham already hosts the world's largest Dell data center with few jobs. The item was placed on GBA as a public hearing.
• Children's Wealth Building Resolution (Item 2): Councilmember Rist's resolution was pulled. Councilmember Baker requested edits and asked about where funds would be held (CDFIs and Invest America accounts). The item was moved to GBA.
• Endangered Species Day Resolution (Item 3): Also pulled and moved to GBA for further discussion.
• Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades (Item 13): Transportation Director Sean Egan explained that the project adds pedestrian signals with audible features and leading pedestrian intervals at 13 locations, including Guess Road and West Ellerbe Creek Trail. All signals will provide green time for pedestrians on every cycle, with buttons for additional time or tactile feedback.
• Transportation Performance Report (Item 14): Egan presented a report showing strong performance in many areas, but noted a drop in preventive maintenance on-time completion from 100% to 73% in 2025. The contractor was put on notice, senior personnel were replaced, and a new general manager and maintenance director are being recruited. Councilmember Baker praised the report and emphasized the need for transit speed parity with cars.
• Water Fund Transfer (Item 15): Don Greeley requested moving money from fund balance to cover operating shortfall due to lower vacancy savings after filling many positions. City Manager explained this is a routine budget practice.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda items and vehicle purchases (items 6 and 7) unanimously.
• Placed resolutions 2, 3, and 4 on GBA for further discussion (items 2 and 3 as GBA; item 4 as GBA public hearing).
• Set public hearings for items 4, 19–25.
• Granted excused absences for future meetings: Mayor Pro Tem Caballero for May 7; Councilmember Burris for May 7; Mayor Williams for May 4; Councilmember Rist for May 7 (pending).
• Noted that the May 7 work session may need to be rescheduled due to lack of quorum; a special meeting may be called.
• The City Manager clarified that the police activity at Long Meadow Park on April 22 was a violent crime initiative with search warrants, not an encampment clearing. No formal direction to clear the encampment was given.