County of Durham issued the following announcement on Sep 24.
On Monday, September 27th, 2021, the Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met virtually at 4:00pm to adjourn into Closed Session to consult with an attorney. The Board then convened its regular session at 7:00pm for normal business. The virtual option aligns with social distancing requirements to ensure the safety of citizens who wish to participate as well as Board members and Durham County staff.
To view the BOCC meeting, visit the Durham Television Network (DTN) on Spectrum Channel 8. Replays are available on DTN along with AT&T U-verse Channel 99, Google Fiber Channel 8 and Frontier Communications Channel 70. For more information, contact the Clerk to the Board’s Office at (919) 560-0025 or email mtoomer@dconc.gov.
Board Highlights:
Chair Brenda Howerton called the September 27, 2021 Regular Meeting to order. Chair Howerton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Monica Toomer, Clerk to the Board read the Announcements:
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program Deadline - The Durham ERAP will pause the application intake process beginning October 4, 2021. As of September 18th, the program has 3,000 applications pending with only $953,000 remaining in the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund - which is combined City/County funding. To learn more about the pending hiatus and qualifications to receive ERA funding, please visit www.durhamerap.dconc.gov
- Early Voting Continues - Durham County voters have until October 2nd to cast an early ballot for the 2021 Municipal Primary. To learn more about candidates running for office - including the Mayor; voting details or general information, please visit www.dcovotes.com
- FREE Virtual Job Fair: Seeking Employers - The Durham Workforce Development Board and Durham County Library have partnered to offer a FREE, virtual hiring event. Local employers and job seekers, mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 13th from 3pm - 6pm. Please register by visiting www.bit.ly/employerexporegistration.com
- Durham’s Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week - Durham’s MED Week is being recognized virtually beginning October 4th - 8th. This year we will celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and affirms government, business and community organizations’ commitments to the principle of equal opportunity.
Ceremonial Items:
Durham County Commissioners the Board approves a Resolution and recognized October 4-8, 2021, as Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week in Durham County.
The Board proclaimed the week of September 27, 2021 as Fox Family Foundation 30th Anniversary Week.
Commissioners proclaimed October 2021 as Community Planning Month in support of the City-County Planning Department and their work on behalf of the Durham community.
Consent Agenda:
The Board approved an amendment to the lease between Durham County and Tipsy Bull, Inc. increasing the County’s contribution to Tenant Improvements by an amount not to exceed $83,000 and extending the construction period from 180 days to 275 days.
County Commissioners re-affirmed both a 1993 and 2007 Board of Commissioners’ Resolution adding all streets within the Hardscrabble Subdivision to the State-maintained Road System and also issue a resolution supporting the addition of 0.13 miles of Lewisham Drive from Hardscrabble Drive to the End of Pavement as requested by NCDOT to ensure addition of all streets within the Hardscrabble Subdivision to the State-maintained Road System.
The Board approved an Easement Agreement and Dedication Plat with Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (DEC) for an electrical power easement within the 318 Liberty Street tract to support the 300 E. Main St. Structured Parking Garage and Affordable Housing Development.
Commissioners authorized the County Manager ad Register of Deeds to enter into a contract with DataWorks in the amount of $50,000 for funding of the non-profit, DataWorks, NC for the historical discovery and education initiative known as the Hacking into History Project.
The Board authorized the purchase of a vacant lot on Electra Road) for $15,000, and authorized the Interim County Manager to execute all legal documents necessary to effect this transaction.
County Commissioners approved a Budget Amendment moving $986,000 from the non-departmental fund center to the Office of Emergency Services ($936,000) and Economic Development ($50,000) to help with homeless housing relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board accepted the property tax release and refund report for August 2021 as presented and authorized the Tax Assessor to adjust the tax records accordingly.
The Board received and approved the 2020 Property Tax Settlement Report and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution accepting it as reported for entry into the minutes and authorized the release of taxes that are more than 10 years past due and motor vehicles taxes that are more than 2 years past due. The County Manager further recommended that the Board issue the Order to Collect to the Tax Collector for Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022
The Board approved The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program - Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116-260), which supports a successful transition to Adulthood and allows flexibility on the spending of those funds that expires on September 30, 2021.
Commissioners approved the Interlocal agreement between Durham County and City of Durham for the Department of Social Services to administer the Low Income Homeowner’s Relief Program.
Commissioners approved a Budget Amendment appropriating $105,500 from Debt Service Fund fund balance and transferring to a new Administration Building II Upgrade capital project and also a Capital Project Amendment transferring all unspent funds ($573,209.33) from the Administration Building II Renovation Capital Project to that same new Administration Building Upgrade II Project for a total new project budget of $678,709.33.
The Board approved a Budget Amendment authorizing two new positions to support Department of Social Services operations and appropriating $182,850 of General Fund fund balance to expand DSS infrastructure support for the Adult and Aging Program and fiscal operations.
Public Hearings
Board of County Commissioners receive additional comments and closed the public hearing from the September 13th meeting on the proposed zoning map change application for 2104 & 2112 Ellis Road. Based on the comments received during the hearing Commissioners approved the zoning map change and adopted the appropriate statement of consistency.
Other Business
The Board received an update on the American Rescue Plan Act funds, with a brief discussion on the proposed rubric for initial feedback. The American Rescue Plan will deliver $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Funding will also focus on infrastructure issues that face communities including efforts to bring back jobs. Durham County will receive $62,445,275.
The Board of County Commissioners made appointments to the following boards:
- Audit Oversight Services -Nicole McCoy
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission- Tyler Dewey (Duke University Rep); Milton Kendall (Education); Kai Monast (Bicycle/Club Organization)
- Citizens Advisory Committee -Seth Kendall
- Community Child Protection/Child Fatality Prevention Team-Jonny Friedrick (Law Enforcement Officer); James Groves (Fireman or EMS Rep); Christy Malott (At-Large); SSG Kibwe G. MuDiwa (At-Large)
- Discover Durham Tourism Development Authority -Carlos Rubio
- GoTriangle Transit Advisory Committee -Randall Booror and Kathleen Claspell
- Historic Preservation Advisory Committee - Katie Hamilton
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2021. To view the agenda and recording of the BOCC Regular Session Meeting, visit the BOCC’s Web site. For more information about BOCC meetings, contact the Clerk to the Board's Office at 919-560-0025 or email mtoomer@dconc.gov
Original source can be found here.
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