Board of Commissioners · Regular Meeting · August 28, 2023

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Board of County Commissioners

August 28, 2023 · Full Transcript

Good evening Commissioners and manager today August 28th 2023 we are here.

For a public oh closed session and I will read the closed session director the board is requested to adjourn into closed session to consider the qualifications competence performance character Fitness condition of appointment all conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee or to hear or investigate a complaint charge or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee pursued to GS 143-318.11a6. I will entertain a motion to move into closed session so moved.

Second all in favor aye aye motion passes four to zero sit back.

Foreign ers we went into closed session and made some decisions that we need to vote on here we increase salaries for some of our appointed elected and appointed individuals and I will go through the names and the department or their titles and everyone is getting a four percent increase starting with our clerk to the board Monaco while as the County Attorney Al Andrews Kimberly Sorrell County Manager Sharon Davis registered Dees Clarence Birkhead or sure Dwayne Brinson former tax administrator and the board of County Commissioners all four percent if we could get a motion found so moved second it's been moved and probably second all in favor aye eyes headed five to zero okay now we can come out of closed session and get a motion to come out of closed session I think I'm sorry we sealed the minutes in closed session do we need a motion we have a motion for the to come up to come out of closed session ma'am chair did did you all.

Take a vote inside on we did not take a vote inside we motioned and steal the minutes since we motion to seal the minutes in the back out here we made the motion for the action and did you all open a session before you went back or yes right yes now we have to close yes so if you did that let's let's close that session and and go back into regular session go back into yeah we got to close that session and then open it up for a regular session continuation correct I'd like to make a motion that we close that we make a motion to close closed session thank you and wait a second second we have Motion in a second all in favor aye thank you I always have it Mr attorney do we need to vote again then no because we would need to vote in Open Session we've already voted in Open Session now we go.

Okay so we claim out a closed session do we and we made the motion for the salaries so Madam chair just for the record I think what's been mentioned is valid procedurally I wish we should have closed the closed session then opened and voted so you voted in Open Session but if you could just clarify the record we don't have to be we don't have to do it again but just clarify for the record oh yeah all right so the all right I am going to start with a motion our public charge to open the session for today the board of crowns Commissioners ask as members and citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful courteous manner both with a board and fellow citizens at any time should any member of the board or any citizen fail to observe the public charge the chair will ask if this offending person to leave the meeting until that individual gains personal control should decorum fail to be restored the chair will recess the meeting until such time.

That a genuine commitment to the public charge is observed so I will ask for the Pledge of Allegiance and then we will vote again on the salaries so commissioner Carter if you will lead us in.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you. So I'm not going to read all these just off again but just for the public record allies for emotion for the elected and appointed official salary increases Madam chair I'd like to make a motion that we move forward with the four percent for the elected and appointed salaries second moved improperly second all in favor aye motion approved five to zero any agenda adjustments. Thank you madam chair I would like to make an adjustment to request that we pull the appointment for the Durham Tech Community College Board from voting on it during this month and hold it for us to have further discussion second.

Can you tell me why you want to pull this I think the Board needs some more time to consider this appointment because it is an appointment for an expired term that has been terminated so we won't have any other applicants for this position and is that correct yes ma'am so we're so we're holding it all for say for what the reason is for the board to have discussion about if we are if it's an appointment for a board that has been term limited I think the Board needs to discuss about whether it's going to be a full term or not for reappointing someone so we pull this then you I would ask that you there's been a motion in a second Madam chair commission I'm running this one okay so if we are going to do this I would ask that you get the staff to pull past history about this kind of appointment that that shows that this has been done before.

So that we do things fairly and equally that if that's what you're asking to do yeah to my knowledge it hasn't been done in since commissioner Burns and I have joined the board so I can ask staff to pull that but I think I'm functioning off of the rules and bylaws of these boards and commissions since being on the board how we have done things okay so it hasn't been done since you've been here but it has been done since some of us have been on board so we can do that and when will it be placed back on the agenda clerk since we're not opening it up for new applicants would that move it to the September meeting we can move it to any date in any September meeting day to September the work session or any September meeting date at the board's pleasure so we have a work session on the 5th we have a regular session on the 11th and I do not have my calendar in front.

Of me but the fourth Sunday incept I'm sorry fourth Monday in September is the the 25th there's a regular session on the 25th so when would you like for it to be moved I would recommend we do it maybe at the work session just work session okay all right so the work session then Madame Clerk so the Durham Tech vote will be discussed at the work session with the possibility of a vote or would it go to the regular session for a vote was the possibility of move the agenda and to be able to yeah September the 5th is the work session date that it will be discussed and a potential vote okay great all right so well we needed a there was a motion and a second and all in favor all right okay thank you any other agenda adjustments Commission Jacobs thank you madam chair yes I would like to add consideration on our agenda for a a time sensitive issue a letter from the board regarding federal transportation funding I had.

Sent out some information earlier today and so we want to put it at the end of the agenda but just wanted an opportunity to present the issue and for the board to consider at that time it's an announcement or if it's an announcement you want to do it at the announcement we could I don't think we have to do it it's whenever you want we could do it under announcements or we could do it at the end of the set items either way okay I.

I'll like 8A or we could do for the board appointments. Anything else now the the letter for Congressman price is that on here is that added an added item as well it is it is listed on the agenda as consent I'm sorry as a ceremonial it is the last ceremonial item on the agenda okay anything else. Now we will move on to our announcements and we will ask Clerk good evening Commissioners and those in attendance to tonight's meeting I will read the announcements that are in our agenda packet and also on our website the Durham County Department of Public Health advises all Durham County residents to make sure they are up to date on their covid-19 vaccinations as cases are rising in our community all approved Brands and doses are available for free at the vaccination clinic for all people age six months and older updated fall boosters are expected to be available by the start of October and will also be available at the Department of Public Health covid-19 walk-in.

Vaccination clinic is open 414 East Main Street Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 A.M to 4 P.M they are closed between 12 and 1 pm join us at the final Durham comprehensive plan public hearing a special Joint City Council and board of Board of County Commissioners public hearing scheduled for Thursday August 31st at 7 pm in the city hall chambers of I'm sorry in the City Council chambers of City Hall located at 101 City Hall Plaza there is a website that you can go to learn additional information the Durham office on youth is accepting applications for exchanged by youth ambassador program new ambassadors ages 15 to 22 will be paid 17.50 an hour for 10 to 15 hours a month young people who are interested in meeting and working with other young people learning about Durham's community and local government are encouraged to apply the deadline is Thursday August the 31st at midnight if your child received meals during 2020 covid-19 school closures researchers at Duke University would love to hear from.

You there is a link to follow for a brief survey if you complete the survey by August 31st you will receive up to 25 for your participation discover Durham will be hosting two Town Hall meetings to help identify Community needs and opportunities as well as set long-term vision and roadmap for a visitor-based destination the first town hall is scheduled for September 7th from 4 30 to 6 30 at the Durham Convention Center located at 301 West Morgan Street the second is scheduled for September the 8th from 10 30 a.m to 12 noon at the Hayti Heritage Center located at 801 Old Fayetteville Street there is a link for registration and additional information now is the time to give your input on our Region's short range project priority list the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan planning organization wants to hear from people interested in bicycle pedestrian Transit Rail and Highway Transportation projects you can click the link for the survey to provide any feedback our Durham County storm border and.

Erosion division wants to hear what you know about storm water to re to make our Outreach and education better there's a link for a survey and when it's completed you'll enter in for a chance to win one of three fifty dollar gift cards please feel free to visit the website for additional information as well and lastly alert Durham provides you with critical information quickly for emergency incidences such as severe weather hazardous materials shelter in place and or evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods you will receive time-sensitive messages delivered to the device that you specify such as your mobile phone home phone email text or other for more information please visit alertderm.com that concludes the announcements in our agenda for this evening thank you Ms. Jacobs you know one of the things that that I'm remiss in doing is given that's what's happening in our community the shooting that has occurred over at UNC and not just that but the shootings that are happen in Jacksonville Florida we have to just stop for a moment.

And extend our condolences and our heartfelt sadness that this is continuing to happen not just in our community but across the country that people don't feel safe anymore they don't feel safe going shopping they don't feel safe at our universities and if we could just take a moment of Silence that and and I know we're all getting so tired of taking a moment of silence but at this moment that's all we have.

Thank you. Are there any other announcements from Commissioners commissioner Burns so one welcome everybody on Monday I do have a couple but I will try to be as expeditious as possible so the one shout out to our EMS and our fire for anybody who was not out this weekend we opened up a new fire station it was station 18. it's really nice this is how we invest to make sure one that our employees have a nice safe clean place to work and also you know so we can make sure to get to you all in a timely manner so I do hope if you all haven't noticed it it's old the old Parkwood there's a new fire station and a new EMS the other thing I want to throw out right now how many people are familiar with the Durham success Summit Durham success Summit is a mentoring program for African-American boys here in Durham County it's something that this board cares about because we did give twenty five thousand dollars out to this year.

Throughout our Economic Development funding they actually opened up at Brick and Mortar space it is located at 1727 Mangum Street if anybody knows what the old Five Point sign is it is across from that if you know where Raffles Barber Shop is is above Bravo's Barbershop so I'm giving enough landmarks so we'll know I'm only throwing this out because applications are currently open so if you know a young man that is in desperate need of mentorship guidance career preparation they're doing some really great things over there with Fidelity Investments and NC idea it is a great incubation space and just go check them out support them they're always trying to build a library I see some wonderful men in here tonight from 580 Sigma buy a big book from a year for a young brother that might have that might have had an impact on your life I you know I I bought some books some folks up here bought the books so I hope hope you all can go out there because this board.

Cares about young black men and I know there are people in the audience that do as well I'm gonna mess up this next announcement I'm gonna need Shannon to help me Empower is still taking applications so for those of you all who might know a young man young woman who is a veteran or somebody who has who is interested in cyber security and really wants to go back and work in their underserved Community Empire Empower is actually training young students and I think these are some things that we can share on Facebook but these are two really great educational career path opportunities that are open right now for young men so Empower is one the Durham success Summit is another one don't go to the fire station and start nothing we bought it it's new we don't want y'all to mess that up and as always you all know it is the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and as the theme says it is not a celebration it's a continuation so let's.

Continue to push back against folks that want to take away our voting rights those are my announcements thank you Commissioner James thank you I've had a few announcements to share I'll just piggyback on the last comment that commissioner Burns just said in these upcoming elections people will need a voter ID you can get a free voter ID at the Durham County Board of Elections which is right here downtown I actually also took a picture yesterday of a postcard from you can vote and there are some other forms of ID that are acceptable North Carolina driver's license and North Carolina non-driver ID a U.S passport a U.S military or veteran ID a tribal ID a North Carolina student ID North Carolina government employee free ID from the Durham County Board of Elections out of strikes out of state driver's license is only valid for 90 days after you register to vote in North Carolina and also if you go to the polls and you don't have a valid ID you can still vote.

You just have to fill out a photo ID exception form kind of like and you'll be given a provisional ballot so let's all work together to try to get this information out to everybody that you know your family your friends your neighbors your co-workers that they can these are the types of things that can be used and also they people can get a free ID right here in Durham County go ahead not to take your shine but go ahead I want to give a shout out to the manager so the North Carolina State Board of Elections did approve 99 forms of ID I want to thank the manager and the staff whoever did it who was proactive enough one of the acceptable forms of ID that she did not miss mention if you are a Durham County employee that is an acceptable form of ID if you work for Durham Tech duke or go to nccu and work that those are also acceptable pieces of ID here in Durham.

Thank you thank you I just wanted to share some very recent information that the Secretary of Health and Human Services from from North Carolina announced today that Medicaid expansion which we had thought was going to begin October 1st it's now being delayed to December 1st 2023 and this is really because our general assembly has not done their job which is to pass a budget and they are reneging on their responsibility and because of this there are hundreds of thousands of people in our state that are going to have to wait longer to get health insurance and health care but I just wanted to make it known that this was just announced today we were getting ready and and we are going to continue getting ready in Durham County I know our Public Health director our DSS director everyone is working together a lot of different departments on getting ready for this but so this is some very recent news and also I wanted to really give Rod you.

A chance to just come up I know some news came out over the weekend about free lead testing that I thought was really important that just didn't make it into our announcements yet if you could just share with the community about that thank you. Good evening good evening in recognition of the significance of the events that's going on with the lead in The Parks we were fortunate to be able to interface as we said to the community all along with the city of Durham in helping them to remedy the situation however we did need to have that report to be submitted to DEQ and to lay eyes on a DEQ qualified report so that we could take action having done that to the members of the board Commissioners we now know that you know we need to do something so with that we have been able to secure funding in order to stand up a LED clinic and we're hopeful that by the 31st it will be up and running.

I'd like to give a huge shout out to my staff who've been working for the past three weeks to fervishly get things in place and our Partnerships with the state who are allowing us to have the funding to be able to do this we'll have phlebotomists we will have the ability to do venipunctures because that is the Surefire way to really see and we will be able to follow up I'd also like to give recognition to Partners Lincoln Community Health Center who is assisting us and all pediatric practices because we do know that this is a a dire time we're back to school a lot of physicals a lot of kids are getting caught up with their childhood immunizations so with that being said we continue to do what we say we're going to do which is to educate to advise and to collaborate with the city of Durham and we're hopeful that we don't see a lot of children who have lead we have not since 2019 going on record saying that the.

Data shows that however we will prepare for the best and hope that the outcomes are sufficient thank you for this opportunity thank you so much rod and just to clarify it's for children ages six months to six years that's correct thank you for that point of clarification okay children six months to six months to six years old and as indicated in my most recent video that is the that is the dire time where kids system are developing we have found that lead stays in the system for just a short period of time and that is the critical time that we want to capture for adults we certainly welcome them to go to their primary care physicians and also to parents of small children if you have an established relationship with your PCP we certainly encourage you to go to them but if you do not have anywhere to go during public health is where you need to go thank you so much I I have a question given that in houses this issue has.

Been going on for quite some time is this the issue that you're talking that you're addressing tonight is only going to be for the parks or is it for houses that have this old paint in them as well thank you for that question Madam chair evidence has proven that in most of the cases that we have seen the lead the lead investigations are stemming from pre-1978 homes where lead-based paint has shipped and children have been able to get access to it the state in my many many meetings with them over the course of the past two months has indicated that they've not had any investigations at parks any lead traces that have come from the Parks have come from playground equipment that has lead-based paint in it but as far as the soil that's not something that they have detected but again they are committed to supporting us in any way that they came out of chair much Madam chair well we have Rod up can I just make a quick recognition for him I.

Just want to recognize also that serving On The Board of Health we get this information but for the whole board and Community to know is that Durham County is actually was just ranked in the top 10 counties across the state for the North Carolina for health outcomes and it's the top healthiest for yeah Health outcomes and health factors so just want to give a shout out to rod and his team and everyone keeping us healthy appreciate that commute commissioner long but I deflect that praise and give it to these ladies back there the staff they're the ones that do the hard work and we certainly appreciate everything takes a team thank you thank you Ron any other announcements so one we this is for the recognition of Excellence so this week we were in Raleigh for our state County Commissioners conference and this was a an award excellence in Innovation Awards recognizes Durham County for development and implementation of the agriculture Economic Development grant program so I don't is no one here tonight I.

Don't think give it to you all right thank you and the the other thing that one you know we talked so Friday the last day of our conference there was a video about veterans homeless veterans and it was a pretty powerful video very heart-wrenching to see some of how our veterans are being treated and and as I was reflecting on it over Sunday we ran across some information that says the built for zero and what this is is a program that in some communities veterans there's zero homelessness for veterans so I'm gonna since Heidi is on the homeless committee I'm going to pass this to you and I'd love to have a conversation with you about it sure I'm happy to receive that information I mean I will just say my first year on the board clearly this had nothing to do with me because I had not even begun to serve yet but I'm pretty sure the city of Durham was acknowledged for having ended veterans homelessness.

But that was that year you know we now we do have veterans first you know suffering from lack of housing as we do have families I mean I've recently read an article about a community that has he's ended homelessness among families and I would suggest that that is also a laudable goal for us to take on in our community to take on at some point I know this is not the time to discuss that but you you mentioned it so there we go well thank you thank you I just think it's when I was in watching the movie and then seeing the information is just something that was there for me to to mention so thank you okay let's see I thought that was it as far as announcements anything for you okay so we can move on to our minutes we have minutes for our regular session July 10th 23 and our regular sessions August 14th 2023 if there are any edits or additions to the minutes.

Not I can get a motion for approval Madam chair I move that we approve the July 10th and August 14th minutes second it's been moved improperly second all in favor aye motion is approved five to zero next are our ceremonial items we have a couple of items here the first one is the board is requested to issue a resolution honoring by Beta Sigma this Fraternity Incorporated as the organization holds its North Carolina state conference 23 at Durham Technical Community College on Saturday September 9th the theme of the conference is empowering Premier leadership the meeting is hosted by Durham's Delta Vader Zeta Sigma chapter also known as The Bull City signals and president Jason Rutherford see commissioner Burns if you will you got it okay if you will read that one please all right Durham County Board of Commissioners resolution honoring Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated whereas Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated was founded on January 9 1914 at Howard University in Washington DC by three students a Langston Taylor Leonard.

Morris and Charles I brown who sought to organize a black Greek letter fraternity to exemplify the ideas of Brotherhood scholarship and service and whereas Durham's Delta Zeta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated was chartered on January 4th 1961 and its members have worked to exhibit the fraternity's motto of culture the service and service for Humanity by awarding scholarships conducting cultural programming sharing resources to community residents holding events to support minority business and more and whereas Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated counts among its members outstanding men of significant accomplishments involved in academics business medicine in law politics Athletics and other professions and whereas during its 100 plus years of existence Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated has focused on improving the global community Through Innovative problem solving and Visionary service and whereas on Saturday September 9th 2023 Durham's Delta Zeta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated will host of fraternities North Carolina state conference at Durham Technical Community College and whereas led by local president Jason Rutherford the Delta Zeta Sigma chapter.

Will welcome to the conference International president The Honorable Chris V Ray JD Regional director Richard Boone along with regional state officers and members from across North Carolina whereas the theme of the conference will be empowering Premier leadership now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners do hereby welcome all Collegiate and graduate chapter members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated Durham County be it resolved be it further resolved that we commend the members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated for the many contributions achievements and wishes for all attendees and uplifting and successful meeting this the 28th day of August 2023.

Thank you commissioner Burns and if we have someone that would like to speak on this and and I've been and I thank you on behalf of this board that I've been invited to present the proved resolution on Saturday for you for you and I look I look forward to doing that so thank you excellent thank you I do burn greetings before you all this evening on behalf of our International president The Honorable Chris B Ray on behalf of our notable Regional director Richard L Boone on behalf of our notable state director Kelly d Woodley and I want to recognize our immediate past state director brother Moses Dorsey give recognition to our brother Rodney Jenkins who I think you all know I do want to give thanks and great appreciation for the proclamation and Reclamation as stated our motto is culture for service and service to humanity we do humbly consider ourselves to be the people's fraternity but however we are not humble about our intentionality towards meeting our community wherever it needs us we do.

Have initiatives focusing on Bigger Better Business in which we stimulate the black economy here in Durham social action in which we do programs like Thanksgiving feeder family in which we were able to feed 1500 individuals here in Durham last year our Thanksgiving excuse me our Christmas initiatives of the Bull City angel tree in which we were able to sponsor 45 families and 70 children and this year we are not humble about letting the committee know that we'll be reaching out about our Thanksgiving feeder family this year in which our goal again is to feed 1 500 individuals here in Durham North Carolina and a brief word from our state director brother Kelly Woodley thank you to the well excuse me we're all members of Phi Beta Sigma please stand.

Thank you to the board of the board of Board of County Commissioners for from Durham North Carolina for this remarkable recognition on behalf of the sigmas of North Carolina I am notable brother Kelly d Woodley North Carolina state director Phi Beta Sigma fraternity principles is Brotherhood scholarship and service and we do a significant a tremendous impact within the Durham community and across the great state of North Carolina through our national programs Bigger Better Business social action education and we also have a key component where we Mentor our young male auxiliary Group which is the sigma Beta Club which has which the ages are from 8 to 18.

Thank you for this tremendous recognition on behalf of Phi Beta Sigma we look forward to seeing a representative doing our state conference on September 9th at Durham Technical Community College thank you thank to my brothers you may be seated from Commissioners commissioner burns my com train is going back my comment is really quick now I'm so happy you all invited the chair to give the proclamation but I'm going to be really selfish and rearrange my trip to the Aggie Eagle classic that day so y'all just tell me what time I can walk in and crash imma come on in there and crash I really appreciate you all choosing Durham for your State Convention we know that whenever anybody has a convention here the chair some years ago had the Board of County Commissioners conference here that there's an economic impact so I'm gonna thank you in advance for the dollars that will be spent for the hotels that will be utilized for the food that we'll be eating I hope you enjoy and find and.

Enjoy Durham for everybody who's on the outside and I hope is there any way that we can be helpful and supportive that you all will reach out to us but you all did forget something I could be wrong didn't you all give out some book bags the other day at the ceasefire thank you see when you do such good work you don't know how to brag on yourself so I want to say thank you very much what you all were at the cease fire that sheriff Burkhead hosted at Memorial Stadium and if I'm not mistaken you all gave out a hundred book bags with supplies so thank you I know the parents thank you it was the first day of school so we appreciate the fact that 100 kids got to go to school today and we're not embarrassed because they have nothing to carry their stuff in so again thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you and I hope you enjoy your conference Mr Jacobs.

Well thank you for that last comment commission Burns because when I got to the stadium actually thanks to your color now I'm putting two and two together because I saw a lot of people in that royal blue color packing up and getting ready to leave because you had no book bags left at that point but I just wanted to thank you for all the things that you do for people in our community you know we have so much need and Durham County government we can't do it alone we really can only do it with your help with your partnership helping to take care of people in our community and making sure that everybody has what they need and deserve so thank you just want to extend my gratitude to all of you.

Okay all right and I too say thank you and I will save my remarks until Saturday and thank you for letting us have your brother yeah director Jenkins here at Durham County thank you for being here all right our next Proclamation Commissioners is 23. 0656 Durham celebrates recovery the board is requested to proclaim the month of September 2023 is National Recovery month and I've asked commissioner Carter if she will read this one yes yes indeed I will read this this Proclamation Durham celebrates recovery 2023.

Whereas Behavioral Health is now recognized as an essential part of one's overall health and well-being and whereas the cost of not encouraging mental health and substance use recovery is significant for individuals families neighborhoods and the community at large and whereas recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders occurs every day through a variety of prevention recovery support resources and treatment programs people in recovery strive to achieve Healthy Lifestyles in stable homes meaningful daily activities stronger neighborhoods and they contribute in positive ways to the larger community and whereas the burden of mental illness in the United States is among the highest of all diseases and mental disorders are among the most common causes of disability recent figures suggest that approximately one in four adults in the U.S had a mental health disorder in the past year and one in 17 had a serious and persistent mental illness mental health disorders also affect children and adolescents at an increasingly alarming rate people including Children and adolescents with untreated mental health disorders are at.

High risk for many unhealthy and unsafe behaviors including alcohol or drug misuse violent or self be self-destructive behavior and suicide professional data from the CDC shows that the reported number of drug overdose deaths occurring in the United States for the year 2022 was 105 452. The CDC also notes that fentanyl is now being combined with many other drugs and significantly increases the chance of an accidental overdose given these statistics we must strive to reduce the stigma and shame associated with brain disorders and help individuals families in the larger Community learn to view them as we would any other medical condition whereas to help more people achieve and sustain long-term recovery the recovery community of Durham invites all residents of Durham County North Carolina to participate in National Recovery month now therefore be it resolved I Brenda Howerton chair and on behalf of Durham Board of Board of County Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of September 2023 as National Recovery month in Durham County North Carolina this the 28th day of August 2023.

Thank you commissioner Carter any comments or is there anyone here to accept. Who will give us your name. Thank you good afternoon I am Michelle Burton I'm an administrator assistant and Christopher peer support specialist for Recovery communities of Durham and my name is Tia McMillan and I'm a board member for the recovery communities of Durham Board of County Commissioners on behalf of the planning committee I would like to thank the Commissioners for this Proclamation and your ongoing support for Recovery in Durham this year's theme is recovery is for everyone every person every family every Community emphasizes that people in recovery achieve healthy and purposeful lives stable families and contribute in positive ways to the larger community September is National Recovery months and we are planning to celebrate the millions of people in recovery from mental and substance use disorders on Friday September 22nd from 5 30 to 8 30 p.m at Durham Central Park this event is free and open to the public so it is hope that everyone who.

Is supportive of recovery will come out and celebrate the fact that people move into recovery every day right here in Durham we all know someone who needs support so come celebrate with live music line dancing information from local providers children activities and inspiring speakers who will reaffirm that through the mo I'm sorry multitude of Pathways people can and do recover and we need to celebrate their success and of course all of you are invited we hope to see you there thank you thank you comments commissioners commissioner Jacobs I wanted to thank you all for bringing this proclamation to us and also for all that you do organizing this event and being part of the recovery Community I I think I noted that it said in our announcements that Michelle yes ma'am that you are a peer support specialist facilitator yes and so I just want to acknowledge that because I think one of the things that we're finally figuring out is how important you are and the work that you.

Do as a peer support specialist we are finally valuing the skills and the knowledge and the experience that nobody else can provide that that you as a peer support specialist can and I just think that that's what's so important about the recovery community and also a lot of the work that we're doing in Durham County is now really relying on our peer support Specialists so I just want to thank you and it's always a real celebratory event with people coming together and lifting each other up so I hope it's good weather that day and you have a big turnout thank you and you guys please please come yeah thank you send us the if you can send us the details and we'll make sure oh you got it great Burns mine is really quick I didn't I think and I correct me if I'm wrong commission alarm I think I was having this conversation with you at the conference I'm so one also I honor you for being a peer specialist so shout out.

To you sis but I want people to understand something really quick when we were talking about the crack ex we were talking about the crack epidemic in the 90s many times people were all like oh well you know you get more time for one than the other and we want to talk about crack and cocaine and now all of a sudden there's all this money for Fentanyl and folks are like well nobody cared when black people were sick and so we don't want to fentanyl help that is absolutely insane there is there are initiatives the next Initiative for the County Commission Association the opio funder that we got I'm so thankful for the work that gudrin has done and Joanne is done and Rod is done to get us in a position where we can be prepared to bring solutions to the communities but I'm saying this to people who look like me we have to be open to these Solutions it made me look something up one of the breakout.

Sessions I think commissioner alignment was you that got to go to an idea and so right now fentanyl so we got the we got the Purdue family right we got this stanler family so what would what we're seeing now is folks stepping on this stuff anybody who knows anything about drugs you know what step on means we stressing it trying to make it do stuff that it can't do adding stuff to it to make it stronger than it was ever supposed to be and what has been the outcome of that we have had right now in the United States and in North Carolina African-Americans are more than twice as likely to die from offender overdose and 27 times as likely as their white counterparts so now we got this stuff killing folks in the community so I do hope that if you know somebody if you if you know somebody who's struggling with it this is a county that is open to help this is a county that has funding.

And professionals that are the position to help and I think we're losing so many times we so upset at the messenger that's bringing it that we're losing the message and so I'm thankful that the theme this year is recovery for everybody because a lot of the stuff that we've seen going on right now in Durham is not gang violence is this fentanyl gonna rampant if you really are in the streets like I'm in these streets and some of the other folks up here this is not gang violence this is fentanyl gone wrong this is I'm hallucinating and I don't know my niece from the person that sold this to me I see some nodding heads so I do hope that we can tackle this thing the way we need to and Save some lives.

Just wanted to add one one thing to what commissioner Byrne said yeah the fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than morphine and it is deadly I just want to also add that there is going to be an international overdose awareness day this Thursday August 31st from 6 to 7 30 p.m also in Central Park and and there will be naloxone distribution there's also going to be a medication take back and this is being sponsored by Durham County NC Central Line south Durham try the office of the sheriff and others so that that will be helping to support the recovery event later this month so thank you thank you and again thank you so much for bringing this to us it is a it's an issue in our communities and the communities Across the Nation as we as I listen to the new president of the night of the State Association of counties as he accepted becoming the president talked about that he lost his son to drug overdose so is hitting.

So many people so nobody is immune to it so thank you for bringing this to us we'll move on to our next item it's 230502 recognition of the Durham County Department of Public Health on being re-accredited with honors by the NC Public Health accreditation board the board is requested to recognize the Durham County Department of Public Health for the achievement of being reaccredited with honors on May 19 2023 by the NC local Health Department accreditation board the North Carolina local Health Department accreditation process includes the completion of a health department self-assessment instrument 147 activities followed by documentation review and site visit following the Department's January 25th 2023 site visit the site visit team reported report indicated that all 147 activities were met and recommended reaccredit accreditation with honors to the North Carolina local Health Department accreditation board on May 19 2023 and the NC local Health Department accreditation board awarded the department that accreditation status and we have Mr Jenkins if you will come to the board come to the podium.

And anybody else that's from the health department and so we just have to appreciate you yeah and is that the award good evening oh my goodness yeah she's got the award S I got my team that actually does the work you know that's what you need to have want to have something to say please do yeah well I I'm gonna keep my comments brief and then I'm gonna pass it on to the to the lady that really made it happen but good evening again just want to say thank you for your continued support we know that public health has a special place in your hearts because you all recognize how hard we work just know that accreditation was not easy it it in the midst of covet and having to be put off and instead of a four-year cycle it ended up being what a six-year cycle so in the midst of all that we had going on to really be re-accredited with honors speaks volumes so I'm going to get out.

The way and let Deputy Public Health director Christian Patterson say a few words okay good evening Commissioners and Dr Sowell County Manager we just want to say thank you for this great honor and I will be remiss to not call on Miss Rochelle Talley because she was our coordinator she kept us all together during those late well it wasn't too late of a night but it was in the evening and we it took a lot of pants to actually complete the 147 benchmarks and we had to do a lot of work and so I would stand aside I'm going to move aside so that she can really explain because I'm so happy of the whole team and we're missing one person and Trail she was in a car accident this morning so we asked for you all to pray for her and her family yes thank you commissioner thank you Commissioners it is a very arduous process actually for accreditation it occurs every four years but again as we were saying we had.

To extend this due to covid we had a lot of change in our staffing during covid and that also presented some difficulties as many of the staff weren't familiar with accreditation and needed to really bring themselves up to par in order to get have us be able to actually get some of the activities done that we needed to do and I can only say that we have a great team everybody really works together and it is really only because of that I think that we were able to our goal was to get accreditation for honors and I think it it was just because of that team that we were able to do that and we have a great team at Durham County Health Department every employee is there and pitches in when we when we meet everybody's help so so I really give the credit to everybody at the health department for us to get through this process and the day after accreditation we were able to take a breath.

And and then we started Anew for our next four years so so we're already in their process and moving forward with that so thank you again for recognizing us for this thank you thank you if it's not asking too much and public health doesn't ask a lot but we love to take a picture with our commissioners to memorialize us more oh absolutely absolutely I see.

Foreign.

Thank you so much for this incredible work that you do is I know and we all know that it's not easy to make that happen it takes a lot so thank you all right so Commissioners we are down to our next item is a resolution supporting the intersection Road naming in honor of Congressman David Price the board is requested to approve the resolution to support the nomination of Congressman David Price to have The Interchange on Interstate I-40 and 5501 in Durham County named in his honor and to Mr Jacobs has that resolution you'll read that yes thank you madam chair our board is being asked to support this resolution which as you noted is an opportunity to honor the legacy of David Price we're fortunate that The Interchange is a hundred percent within Durham County woohoo but as part of the process and request to ncdot it is for for the process to be successful the our Board needs to be approving this request because that the roads are in Durham County.

I'm the resolution speaks for itself so I will not say anything else except read this very long resolution that that really does it is a great chronicling of Congress and prices Legacy the Durham Board of Board of County Commissioners resolution supporting the intersection Road naming and honor of Congressman David Price whereas Congressman David Price received his bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1961 where he held a Moorhead Kane scholarship and obtained his PhD in political science from Yale University in 1969.

And where is Congress and David Price became a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University 1973-86 1995 to 96. And where is Congressman David Price is among the state's longest serving Congress people representing the citizens of the fourth district of North Carolina as a member of the U.S United States Congress from 1987 to 1994 in 1997 to 2022 and where's the congressman David Price work to help the citizens of Durham County and Durham city as a member of Congress and forged long-lasting relationships with leaders and citizens throughout the city and county in his 30-year career here's Congressman David Price served with distinction as a member of the committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation Housing and Urban Development and related agencies and was the chair of the subcommittee from 2019-2022 and was ranking Democrat from 2015 to 18 and member from 1991 to 94 and 2007 to 2020.

And where is Congressman David Price was a chairman of the subcommittee on homeland security from 2007 to 2010 and was the ranking Democrat from 2011 to 2014 and served on the committee from 2003 to 2022. And where is Congressman David Price throughout his leadership secured Federal Appropriations over a nine-year period 1990-199 for the build out of the EPA campus and Research Triangle Park and where is Congressman David Price secured Federal support for the construction of the new North Carolina National Guard and Emergency Management headquarters the single largest military construction project in the Obama era Recovery Act and where is Congressman David Price through his leadership on transportation and Housing and Urban Development secured increased funding for Transit and Intercity rail Choice neighborhoods formerly hopeful six to transform struggling neighborhoods through public-private Partnerships hassling housing for the elderly disabled and people with AIDS home Partnerships to create affordable housing for low-income individuals and tiger to build and repair critical Local transportation networks including Raleigh Union Station and where is Congress and David Price.

Secured Federal support for dozens of community projects such as the renovation of the Etsy Hall at Shaw University residential facilities atrosa a treatment center for individuals with substance use disorders in Durham facility improvements at Club Nova a non-profit serving people with serious mental illness and Carrboro Chapel Hill renovation of historic Parish Street Durham and funding for the North Carolina Dental Health funds program of free dental care for low-income individuals and where is Congressman David Price initiated the house democracy partnership a bipartisan commission to strengthen representative institutions and emerging democracies throughout the world including post-communist States in Eastern Europe countries of strategic importance like Ukraine Kenya Indonesia Afghanistan Mongolia and Colombia and small struggling democracies like Liberia timor-lest and Kosovo the Moyers Congressman David Price served on the frost Holloman task force to provide post-communist countries with resources and training so stand-up functioning parliaments and on the NATO parliamentary assembly and whereas Congress and David Price has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to the state and Country receiving the following Awards.

Hubert H Humphrey Award American Political Science Association national service Hall of Fame voices for national service Commodore Ellsworth P bertoff award United States Coast Guard Charles Dick medal of Merit North Carolina National Guard William Sloan coffin award for peace and Justice Yale Divinity School will procrast medal Yale graduate school alumni association defender of Justice lifetime Champion North Carolina Justice Center Faith active and public life award North Carolina Council of churches John Tyler Caldwell award for the Humanities North Carolina Humanities Council where is Congressman David Price has given a lifetime of service to the citizens of North Carolina including the communities of orange Durham and wake counties we therefore be it resolved and the Durham County Board of Commissioners wishes to honor Congressman David Price and supports the nomination of Congressman David Price to have the interest change on Interstate I-40 and 15501 in Durham County named in his honor this interchange is owned and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation this the 28th 8th day of August 2023 and has all.

Of our names and soon to be signatures thank you commissioner Jacobs that is extraordinary work that Congressman praise has done all these years and we certainly appreciate him and it was an honor to issue this resolution for him any comments from other commissioners commissioner Carter I'm just wondering how they picked the intersection does anybody know the interchange how they selected 15 501 I-40 I think that the effort was to try to find something that was some was something that did kind of embrace both of our counties Orange County and Durham County and that's kind of a intersectional area between both orange and Durham and he's done so much work benefiting our two counties but also obviously more than us and and his also recognizing all of his dedication to investing in transportation and transit in our region so I think that is trying to find something that would somehow be you know capture his greatness so I'm sure there's also Federal funding that he's got in for us that has contributed.

To the exactly exactly absolutely yep thank you hey so we are down to our consent starting with zero 230567 we have 10 items are there any items that Commissioners wish to pull or have commission have the manager go over hearing none and I will ask for commissioner Jacobs you have one well I I don't want to pull it I did was in conversations with the manager and with Perry about this item and I just wanted to State for the record it's the item about the contract for 300 East Main Street which item is that which number yeah thank you three seven zero six three seven I just wanted to State publicly and our staff acknowledges that even though it's not stated specifically in the contract that the the retail the ground floor space on Queen Street is is going to be available for not just retail but also for office and that it is still a priority of this board and it has been a priority since we began this.

Project was a 2017 Perry it's been a while so for the past six years that ideally we really hope that folks like non-profit Partners Community organizations entities that have are helping with things like Workforce Development we really hope that that we will be able to find tenants in those areas because of the proximity with urban ministries across the street and also our Justice Services Center right down the street so I just want to be very clear that we still even though it's not in in this item that we really are hoping that we can make good use of this space and that is something that this board continues to consider a priority okay ocean.

From chair and move for approval of the.

Board of Commissioners · Regular Meeting · August 28, 2023

▸Closed Session0:52

▸Pledge of Allegiance1:58:06

▸Consent Agenda3:05:53

▸Adjournment3:51:55