Good evening everyone thank you all so much for joining us tonight for our Durham County Board of Commissioners meeting on this Monday February 26 7M I will get us started with the public charge the Board of Commissioners asks its members and citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful courteous manner both with the board and fellow citizens at any time should any member of the board or any citizen fail to observe this public charge the chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control should theorum fail to be restored the chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to the public charge is observed as a courtesy to others please turn off your cell phones during this meeting and to begin our regular session I will ask commissioner poweron to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thank you commissioner Howton are there any agenda adjustment that anyone would like seeing none then we will move to our announcements and I'll pass it to our clerk Miss Wallace good evening Commissioners in public I'll be reading the announcements published in tonight's agenda a reminder to Durham County voters that the early voting for the March 5th 2024 primary and election will be from Thursday February 15th through Saturday March 2nd you can find out more information about early voting and same day registration at the Durham County Board of Elections website the draft fiscal year 25 Transit work plan from the Durham County Transit department will be available for public comment in February 20124 information regarding the draft work program will may be available on the staff working group website there is a link questions or comments may also be directed to the staff working group administrator at Transit plan at DC nc.gov Durham County seeks artists to participate in The Deco on the go design contest Durham County has ordered a new.
Vehicle that will serve residents as a mobile Durham County Office Deco on the go will include Broadband access meeting rooms large screens to share videos and other services this vehicle will need distinctive artwork in the county is asking local artists to assist The Deco on the go design contest is open to artist 18 years and up and winning designs for the bus wrap will be eligible for cash prizes up to $1,000 younger residents in grades 6 through 12 can help design art for the rear panel of the vehicle with prizes up to $250 the deadline to enter is April 12th and there is a link here for contest details get ready for a day filled with invaluable Insight networking opportunities and inspiration to fuel your journey this is a great opportunity to learn about Durham Durham's Black Wall Street and Statewide legislative efforts to increase Hub participation what's next conversation and network opportunity at this networking event which is the Durham County mwbe program for honoring the past in and embracing.
The future there will be attendees that will have a chance to connect with industry leaders successful entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals you must register and there is a link for registration get vaccinated at Deco Public Health be safe and keep your family safe by getting your updated covid-19 vaccine and F shot and also pick up your free covid-19 test at the Durham County Department of Public Health located at 4:14 East Main Street covid vaccines are available by appointment only and flu shots are available by appointment or Walkin for your flu vaccine you can contact 9195.
607686 0 7658 registration for Durham 4H summer camp is now open June through August half day full day and overnight camp themes such as woodworking sewing cooking and more you must be enrolled in 4 online before enrolling and scholarships are available there is a link with additional information watch in touch with Duram County did you know that the County's Public Information office provides a monthly show to update residents on services and programs in this month in touch with Durham County show our host Durham County chief Communications officer Deborah Craig Ray welcomes Durham County elections director Derek Bowens to our TV studio in segment two Bowens discusses the upcoming 2024 primary and election the early voting period election day on Tuesday March 5th the NC voter ID requirements absentee voting sample ballots key dates and much more there is a link to watch the episode which is on YouTube get involved it's your county Durham County government has approximately 43 active advisory boards referred to its boards and commission citizens of Durham County May volunteer.
To participate by applying for a vacancy interested citizens ship bail out an application and send it to the clerk to the board's office a description of the boards as well as list of vacancies can also be found on the County's website if you need additional information you can contact the clerk's office at 919 56025 or you can email boards and commissions at DC nc.gov we invite you to tune in to the Durham television network dtn on AT&T verse channel 99 Spectrum Channel 8 and Frontier Communications channel 70 to see re broadcast of Durham County Commissioner meetings as well as other Durham County programming that may be of interest to you please contact the public information office at.
919-560-8915 a of buildings or neighborhoods there is a link to sign up as well thank you chair Wallace are there any other announcements from the board CH the attorney start with Vice chair Burns mine is really really quick I know that we already mentioned our boards in conditions but I did want to do a special plug because the applications are due at the end of this week but we do have a open on a juvenile crime prevention Council for somebody who was under 18 so we're looking for a young person we also have an opening for somebody who is a substance abuse professional we got a lot of OPI money there are some things we're going to be doing we always like to have as many people at the table who understand this crisis so somebody who is a substance abuse professional number two for those of youall who don't know the dur prek application is open and your child only has to be for by August 31st so Shameless plug but we've done a.
Lot of work to experence prek here and the application is now open according to the managers the manager's newsletter so please by all means if you know a little one who is you know ready to start the education applications open now those were just my two Jacob thank you madam chair I just wanted to highlight that on this past last Wednesday Durham County Justice Services Department and our Resource Center hosted a Statewide meeting of a commission that I'm a part of called one more thing and Sheriff Burkhead was there with a lot of his staff highlighting one of the highlights this this commission is convening from convened by the president of the North Carolina Association of Board of County Commissioners and the purpose is to stop op opioid overdoses and the morning session was focused on medication assisted treatment or mud medication for opioid dependency and I just was very proud that they chose to have this meeting in Durham because of a lot of the ways that we're leading and the fact that our.
Detention Center that sheriff Burkhead and his staff implemented the first mat program medication assist a treatment program in the state of North Carolina and people were coming here to learn from us we also had presentations about the lead program which is law enforcement assisted diversion and so I just want to share also that Tain Sawyer from our Justice Services Department who's the directs the star program also presented and major Elijah basemore who we all know well from U the Durham County Office of the sheriff he he also presented and Dr Evan ashkin who is the director of the fit program which also started in Durham and is now spread across the state so just wanted to share that I think was proud for us to be able to especially I know a lot of your staff your your attorney as well sharing best practices and ways that we can help other counties Start programs like this thank you thank you commissioner Jacobs and vice chair Burns has one more it.
Wouldn't until she said it I apologize y'all I'm not being a ham the juvenile crime prevention Council recently opened up a request for proposals and one of the requirements is that you actually have to go to the informational session the informational session is this week I know we're going to amplify it online I know that a few of the partners I see in the room have gotten an email but again the juvenile crie vention council is doing a request for proposals and the virtual Zoom is June 29th the reason why I'm plugging it 29th is in a couple of days and you must be in attendance in order to apply apply for this funding and I think it's about $70,000 so and you can apply for up to one to two years so again you find it online the deadline for the application is March 18th but again you have to go to the informational session that will be this week and we can put the zoom link online and I know we're probably it.
Out again but that's the the one I want that is all we have for announcements I will now move us to our minutes we have three minutes three meetings minutes to be approved for our regular session on December 11th our regular session on January 22nd and our work session on February 5th so moved second moved by commissioner Jacobs seconded by Vice chair Burns all in favor say I I I any opposed minutes are approved unanimously that takes us to our ceremonial items our first one on the agenda is a resolution recognizing black history month for the year of 2024 and I've asked commissioner Burns if like to read excuse me everyone dur Board of County Commissioner's resolution Black History Month 2024 whereas Black History Month a celebration of African-Americans and their contributions to history culture and Society originally started as negro history week in 1926 was federally recognized as Black History Month in 1976 and whereas during Black History Month the rich histories and achievements of African-Americans in the United States are celebrated and whereas.
The true history of the United States showcases generations of African-American leaders who have built and transformed formed our country despite facing racism and barriers to their efforts toward equality and whereas African-Americans have been leaders in securing their right to vote and participate equally as full Society members through the Abolitionist emancipation and civil rights movements they have been instrumental in the industrial labor movement and many other National and international movements and whereas despite the undeniable impact African-Americans have made in history significant work remains to ensure full equality and access for black people everywh where and whereas African-Americans of every age gender and culture has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world and whereas additional attention is given to African-Americans during Black History Month it is important to understand every month that countless African-Americans have been undervalued and inadequately recognized for the contributions to our community and our nation and our world and whereas African-Americans and their allies will continue to work to ensure they are never silenced and their stories of.
Achievement can be told and whereas every person is called to be Advocates and allies of African-Americans now therefore I chair Netta Alam on behalf of the Durham Board of County Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of February 2024 as Black History Month in Durham County North Carolina and call upon all residents to observe and celebrate the success of African-Americans and to mark this month with the appropriate observations honoring endless possibilities of African-Americans everywhere this the 26th day of February 2024 and each commissioner is a signator Sher Burns I want to turn it over to our director of Equitable wellbeing Dr Valentine Lewis good evening thank you Commissioners I just want to thank you for writing and reading this resolution on behalf of the black and African-American Community both nationally at a state level and locally and we here at Durham County hosted an event last week from the office of Equitable well-being for our internal staff as well as a colleague you've already heard about the event that's happening.
On Thursday that will be honoring the past and embracing the future that is more facing to our external communities but we find it important to showcase the talents the the abilities and the and the skill sets that we bring to this space each and every day so thank you again thank you I had a quick question Who won Jeopardy I'm blanking on the name but it was someone from the library but the person that W second place is here my colleague miles raise your hand miles second.
Place had to wear that ENT t-shirt I see it's Black History Month agie. Pride thank you Dr Lewis and thank you so much for your work in bringing this resolution as well to us and making sure that we as board recognize all the significant achievements of OB black community but also all of the ways that Durham continues to make black history every single day thank you any other comments commissioner Jacobs Well I'm not sure if folks know that also within the DSs Department that Rhonda Stevens staff in family economic independence internally created their own exhibit all the staff got together and they created their own exhibit around Black History Month and shared it within the department so I I learned about that last week at our DSS board meeting and I thought that was really amazing so just wanted to share.
That and just for a note this sorry commissioner Allam I just wanted to take this chance to say you know I noticed the past couple of years President Biden in honor of Black History Month always highlights the fact that his administration is one of the most diverse if not the most diverse in our nation's history the the members of his cabinet and it made me think how proud I am to serve on a board of County Commissioners that has a very diverse leadership for Durham County but you know my colleagues you know I serve alongside proud black women n Machina Burns and Brenda Howton but we have a manager Dr Kim soell I mean look around you our Sheriff Claudia Hager Maurice burns look out in the audience Deborah Craig Ray Tammy Dr Lewis you know Shannon trap this is really a horrible thing for a 62y old woman to do like look across the room and try to remember people's names Miss Parker you know just what.
What an honor it is to to be able to make history with you all and this is probably my last opportunity to speak as in public right as an elected official on black history month and I wanted to take a chance to say that that as an elected official when I look back over my 20 years one of the things that honestly means the most to me is the the the leaders in this community the black leaders in this community that I've gotten to work with that I would never have met had I not been elected to office and I'm so grateful for that and wanted to lift that up on this black history month nighton thank you madam chair I I was not going to say anything but I couldn't resist you know I appreciate all the things that have been said but the thing that is always present to me is that black history month we have one month that is given as honor of the history that.
Blacks have contributed to this country is really ridiculous you know black people have contributed so much to this country so much history from the beginning and for it to just be one month of Honor doesn't speak very much volume for me because it just doesn't when if you go back and start reading history you'll think you'll see so much like it so I appreciate that this is being honored today but if we really think about the history that we are as black people doesn't say very much yeah thank you mine is again another announcement I'm not going to believe the point it is we we don't just do that here we also got to think about you know our older adults there are a lot of programs going on we are I won't say lucky but you know this is a leap year so you know February gets an extra day so you know we don't even get 30 days we get 29 so which is problematic end and of.
Itself but I won't belabor the point because there are a lot of good things going on I also want to elevate and I'm happy that commissioner Allam brought up this board a lot of folks don't know you know even what the tumultuous first year that we had as a board with so much transition there was still some good work that got done and one of the things that we worked on Lord I thought we were going to kill po Curtis down there the attorney we passed a non-discrimination ordinance because we recognize how important the crown Act was was and it wasn't because Joe Biden and KLA Harris and Natalie Murdoch who also worked on some of that congresswoman who she wasn't there yet it was because we had a group of women who set up here who knew what it was like to be discriminated based on their hair and we also had a group of women who were sitting up here who knew that they didn't want that to have happen to.
Another woman and we had another woman up here who was discriminated against because of her head covering right and so we were able to pass that you know in this County our first year so I'm proud of that and during Public Schools this week it is Crown act week for those of you all who don't know so they're celebrating that at during public schools from February 26 to the 1st the other thing that this board was able to do in its first year was make juneth under leadership of chair Howton was to make juneth a holiday a paid holiday and so there's a lot of stuff that we can do I think so many times we pay attention to what's going on in National media and we have to recognize that there are people here still doing good work despite what we see each and every day like we take our punches but we still come in here and we come ready to work for the people of Durham and so I'm.
Happy that you brought it up because there are some steps and some strides that we've taken and I won't believe it important but I'm I'm proud to serve with these women as well because there are plenty of black women across the state that serve on boards that never get heard and I can't say that I haven't been heard sitting up here sometimes I have to yell but I can't say I haven't been heard so thank y'all Sher Verns you did have a request to for a.
Public comment on this item typically the it's board procedure to have only public comments on agenda items that are either for discussion or on consent so we won't have public comment on this resolution but moving us on to our next agenda item for the resolution for 24-9 recognizing Bull City farm as the 2023 pedmont Farm Family of the Year and board is requested to recognize Bull City farm from northern Durham County for receiving the pedmont Family pedmont Farm Family of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation districts at its 80th annual conference this month or last month and I will ask our resource person Dustin wonderful Dustin Brewer natural resources coordinator good evening everybody and thank you for having me Commissioners yeah we would just like to congratulate Bull City farm we've been working with them now I've been here for two years and it's been my pleasure to work with them they got a lot going on we look at this award we.
Look for somebody that's a good Steward to the land has great conservation techniques and and also involved in conservation education because we like to educate everybody about it because we want to use the land for as long as we can for Generations down the road they participated in various Soil and Water programs they host summer camps field trips tours classes FFA students to their Farm they also do a meat community supported agriculture they sell directly to the consumer so as you can tell they do do a lot and like I said so the way this works is we choose somebody at the county level then it goes to an area level which is 11 counties in the peont from there it goes to the Pont the regional so you have the mountains Pont and the coastal plane so they're our Pont winter and I'd like to ask Brian Evans the executive director of the North Carolina Association of so and Water Conservation District and David Williams the in.
The director of the division of soil and water in North Carolina come up present present this award with.
Me Commissioners on behalf of our association we appreciate you all taking time during your meeting to make this special recognition very special to us we've been on conservation for since 1937 started right here in North Carolina we're very proud of that and we're really excited to see folks like Bull City fum continue this Legacy of protecting our natural resources while trying to help feed the community and feed the world so on half of our association we're proud to present this plaque recognizing them as petmart region winter and also in the envelope we have a little monetary award which probably better received than the plaque so thank.
You can we please. Yeah and if I may I would just like to add that we we do get to see a lot of farms all across the state one second this is an amazing family please stay up here we want to get more pictures of y'all they want they want to get more pictures comment yeah this is an amazing farm the diversity of activities that are on this Farm are quite remarkable that they have so many things that are going on and certainly a good representation of the of agriculture in a urbanizing County where they're really trying to reach out and feed people of this of this community that is very.
Remarkable man I never knew Samantha to be quiet I never knew you to not to be a woman of so few words speech speech we do have our photographers here so I would love to be able to document this moment with our board as well if that's okay we can all join the Bull City Farms family up here in the front with our Soil and Water District supervisor Ed and.
Staff.
Now then next item we have on our agenda is 24- 0091 recognize the Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District board and staff for receiving the conservation technical District of the Year award for North Carolina and the board is Rec requested to recognize the Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District for receiving this award at its 80th annual conference big round of applause. Ask thank you Commissioners and I want to thank you for letting us come before you tonight because it's an honor for us to come before you and share this award as a matter of fact commissioner burn was able to come and welcome the group I don't know that's the reason we won the award or not but it didn't hurt she she definitely done done a good job but I'm real proud of our our team we have and the fact that we outshined the other 96 districts in the state you think about it you know anybody could have want it right but they chose Durham and just a little fun.
Fact we've won this award District of the year four or five times since the mid90s so we're we're constantly on top we're on The Cutting Edge and it's not just working with Farmers we work in the urban area doing stream restoration we do a Economic Development projects as you guys know know we have an extensive CCAP program where we work with the youth putting conservation on the ground and so it's just an all around program where a lot of other districts don't have the opportunity to do but tonight we we are honored to have some folks from the state Brian Evans works with the Soil and Water Commission as well as the North Carolina Association of soil and water districts he's going to present this award to the district Brian Commissioners again thank you for this opportunity I I do I declare we do let other counties participate but Durham is Durham has made a sweep this we this year and I've been in Sol water conservation for over 30 years now and.
Eddie and I shared the same position in my previous role and I always was the kind of person I would pick someone who I wanted to be like and that was my internal competition and Eddie probably never knew it but Eddie was one of those Durham County soul and Water Conservation District do such great things and just exemplifying what Bull City Farms did they did through the efforts of the Durham County soul and Water Conservation District and it's those efforts through the educational efforts as well that sets a bar the other so and water districts across the state I know look at in a positive manner and helps them grow as well so my truly my personal honor but also on behalf of our association to present outstanding conservation technical District to the Durham County District this year thank y'all for allowing us to be here to do this over to our board to see if there's comments I see commissioner yes I just I I really want to say congratulations and thank you.
It is a well-deserved recognition for our Soil and Water staff and also our board I see many soy and water supervisors here who are very dedicated community members and local farmers and Samantha and Scott I don't want to I didn't get to comment before but I want to don't want to leave you all out too because it it really I'm just so proud of the way people in our community really work together to support farming here in Durham County and it really takes takes everybody so thank you really grateful for the leadership that you all show and and Scott and Samantha were out at the B we were all at a meeting of beh yesterday and they were there also everyone is just I see a lot of engaged community members when I look out at all of your faces so thank you and also from the state level David and and Brian thank you also for being here Allam did I have my life well I would love to talk about.
This item even though I didn't necessarily intend to no I am so proud also I agree with everything Wendy said and I'm just so proud of the work that our local farmers are doing to build a a resilient local food system and and while doing so being sure that our soil is healthy and protecting our water and our air and and so much more educating our you know community in general other Farmers but our young people I know we're going to be talking about that next too but just how lucky we are in Durham that we have the Soil and Water District working with the farmers working with neighborhoods like Woodcraft I I know that there have been technical people from Soil and Water District that have come out and and helped us with erosion in my neighborhood it's just an incredible asset to our our community and we couldn't be prouder of you all and Samantha thank you and Scott for your leadership you know on the Farmland.
Board I know that you were part of the development of the current Farmland protection plan and will be part of the development of the new one that we're about to begin working on you know you you you really helped start the South Durham Farmers Market and so so many more things you have three children that have all grown up on the farm and just a real asset to our community in so many ways thank you so mine is equally quick to give my chair some time the only thing I will say I had nothing to do with the award because that is what they will a on TV and so I I didn't have anything to do with it but he said you know excuse me director Cusson said that we've gotten this four or five times since the 90s we're going to give an award to two teachers some of y'all don't know a couple of months ago the the North Carolina assal accounting Commissioners actually gave out an award for our.
Agriculture Economic Development Grant so we sit here and we hear all this award winning work that we have but it take somebody to ham a ship that well and get that work done now I might be wrong but if I'm not mistaken our director has been with us for 40 years he started when he was two and so and you know even through trials and tribulations and Co he's still seen a seen a way to continue to make us an award-winning staff so if nothing else a lot of this work and a lot of the stuff that we're looking at even the award that went to Bull City Farms has a lot to do with the you know you got to have a department run well to be able to give an award out you got to have a Soil and Water District that does decent technical assistance a lot of the award that we have right now for the retention pond at Southern High School you know somebody has to lead these.
Projects so if y'all would just kind of join me and giveing a round of applause to the one of the hardest working men in Durham Ed ceron I'd appreciate it. Mr Howard thank you I couldn't could not take the opportunity to say I all the things that everybody has said who know and Eddie thank you and all of your team so I go back this is where I got my start Soil and Water that was my first Venture into politics so I it always brings back that that's where it started so thank you all for the work that you do you all so much for being such amazing representatives of Durham County not just here within our community but Statewide and bringing us those recognitions making us look good of having so many awards for durh thank you thank you thank you our next item on the agenda is to is 24-104 recognize in Monica anger with RN Harris Elementary and Jenny Bailey with Riverside High School as the conservation education teachers of the.
Year in elementary and secondary education award for North Carolina okay thank you guys for allowing us this time to recognize these two ladies they're both going to come up here now so this award is given to districts of across the state there's 96 districts and we were honored this year to have two recipients not just one so it's open to all elementary schools middle schools and high schools and this year Monica anger won the elementary educator of the Year from the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation districts and Jenny Bailey she is with Riverside High School she won the secondary teacher of the year so congratulations to both of y'all they do so much conservation education on the ground we have a storm water project at Riverside right now that's going on we're getting ready to work for her students they're going to be growing plants for us she's getting the greenhouse up in going she started a recycling program at her school and she incorporates it in every day when she.
Math science everything I can't say enough about this lady beside me from and haris she has is the art teacher at her school but she does all the conservation education Tak out she Gardens with them every day and the other teachers have gotten involved in this now they are gardening with it's just wonderful guys should go out and see it if you. Haven't yeah sure I couldn't do this without the support of my principal the staff at the school and the children we sneak out there and draw and garden and but she supports us to do all these great things I have great support for germ Soil and Water I have Interfaith Food shuttle helping with the educational part and plants and stuff compost now provides us with compost 400 pounds of it every year to replenish our garden it's a community effort so this lady's great I can call her for any questions and she's got oh I know a grant and so we work it out but it is a.
Community effort so thank you so much letting me and having us here I look forward to again yes definitely congratulations to both of y'all well deserved thank y'all again oh I'm sorry for the record could we at least have the principal introduce herself see she just stand we got to do this proper now okay I am Katherine Lucas and I am the principal of RN Harris Elementary School and this is where Miss angle works at as our art teacher SLG.
Gardner and before yall step away I think Jenny I'm assuming you don't want to make any comments we would love to hear for you okay but we would love to also grab a picture with our Educators that's yes and then I know that our board will have comments to celebrate all of you as well if you want to come and join us we can do it.
Another.
That that concludes our ceremonial items for tonight congratulations to all of the award recipients and thank you so much again for your service before we do that I do want to make sure that if there's anyone from the board who has comments for our amazing Educators start with commissioner Allam I'll start with commissioner Howton then we'll work our way down thank you madam chair I'm try trying to figure out what at where do I want to start cuz I go back with r and ha is when I worked on the so when I was on the soil and water board so I know that you've been participating for a long long time with the soil and water and doing some amazing things so I just want to say thank you thank you for the work that you do with our children thank you for the work you do with our children I just want to emphasize that and thank you for being the awesome teachers that you are and Educators so I just can't.
I can't say anything greater than that that we appreciate the work that you do for our children and for our community thank you yeah I so agree with commissioner howon on that point and just really want to emphasize what an amazing Public School System we have and it's it's because of great principes and teachers and Educators classified staff certified staff that we have in our public school system and the community that comes together and supports the school system everyone should be a part of her Durham Public School System but I wanted to just say there is no more important job frankly than teaching and and you know what one of the most important things to teach is conservation and the things that you're teaching our children it's actually it has multigenerational benefit because I'm sure those children are going to go home and and tell their parents that they need to do a better job of reducing and reusing and Recycling and keeping the water clean and the air clean and I also think.
That you know starting with our youth is super important because not only will it build awareness and knowledge in them which they will show with their parents but it will it'll also hopefully lead to behavior change as they grow up and you know help help them develop empathy for and think about the choice their own choices and how they impact the world and empath empathy for others and empathy for our world and that is just you know super important I can't think of anything more important so thank you so much for what you do want to Sentiments of my colleague so far but just adding on like you know when we went on the bus tour I believe it was so water of getting to visit the farm at R and Harris and being able to experience it and wishing that I had something like that when I was in school of just being able to have that Hands-On learning experience seeing the kids playing in the dirt learning about I I.
Think they were growing eggplants at the time we visited and also the opportunity as Heidi was saying of the educational piece for longer in life of that is going to provide them that you know we have so many children that are living in in food deserts also here within Durham County and so for them to learn how to grow their own healthy fruits and vegetables it provides a lasting impact for them also at home to be able to teach their families about what they're learning in school about gardening and also provides them the opportunity of you know when we're we see food deserts where there's only corner stores with you know a few minimal fruit vegetable options that the kids will feel more inclined to go towards those options rather than that a bag of chips or a candy bar so just really grateful for not just the short-term impact that yall are having on our students but that long-term health impact that's going to have on them and their families hopefully and I.
Hope that we can expand this program to be across all of our schools to have that type of learning experience that's not just you know a farming class but has Miss anger is art teacher incorporating it into the different classes that exist thank you really quick I think I don't know if we planned this to be an arc tonight but as you all can see these Awards just underscore the environmental stewardship that we have in our County and where this board is willing to invest I will jump on the fact that we're talking about teachers and students for a second when I was in school much like commissioner chair laon you know you had boo it to lose it right so that was drunk driv you had click of the ticket that was where your seat Bel we had Vince and L crash dummies you had only you can prevent forest fires you had reduced reuse Cycles so when I'm in my office before I do my jump shot to my.
Brown trash can I do my hook shot to my blue one right because that message was ingrained none of those campaigns exist on a national level at this point no were they nor are they getting national funding at this point so we have to do it at a granular level we have to do it at a local level and so that's what we see folks doing right she you made it very clear you know you call on our staff there's no poster you know posters would come to the schools back in the day there was a whole plan and so I just think that this is a really great example for our children and hopefully that'll prepare them to kind of sort of nurture a more sustainable future because the messages are not out here so thank y'all for picking up the man tool where we've kind of dropped the ball.
Nation I don't want to repeat all the great comments that my colleagues have said but I I do think I I'm really amazed because we visited the what you were doing Monica on a bus tour and we saw that and you know Miss Bailey I was sitting there at Durham Tech when you got your local award so here you've gone from being recognized locally to being Statewide getting the Statewide award and so I see that reflected here with you know starting with our educ Educators our local Family Farms and then our so and water board and staff all of you are an integral part of the system of how we you know teach about you know healthy food and the importance of caring for our environment and our water and our soil all connected here you're all representing that and then being being also recognized at the state level as well so thank you and point of privilege here for for Miss am B her mother was my children's first grade teacher at Forest.
VI elementary school so it's amazing to then also see that tradition continuing to see you as as a teacher leader in our community so congratulations to your mom and you as well thank you all so much and thank you and congratulations again all of the award recipients that that ends our ceremonial items and moves us to consent agenda and there are don't know how many.
Consent agenda but several are there any items that the board would like to have. Pulled pull it yes I look you done picked up from J howon I I know I brought up the juvenile crime prevention council tonight I know I brought it up but I I just want to thank the board I sit on that one and we're moving tonight on tonight's consent agenda $15,300 so that we can support additional programs I'm just really proud of the fact that you know this board this community and juvenile crime provision sees the benefit and investing in culturally competent nonprofits that are doing the work in the geographic location in which they serve like right here in Durham so that we do have less kids in the criminal justice system so thank y'all for that that that was a ass that came through and they will put that $105,000 to really great use so I'm just as a thank that one guys.
Shurn well there are three items that have been requested to be pulled for public comment so I'm just going to name those three and then we move to approve the consent agenda including these 24-34 which is the agenda item for the approval approval of a contract with Shi International core in the amount of 28,2 41.070940.
From the US Department of Justice and then 24- 0045 which budget ordinance amendment number 24 BCC 0074 appropriating 260,000 in general fund committed fund balance to increase inmate welfare expenditure Authority for the sheriff's office so is there a motion to approve the consent agenda excluding these three items Sumit second moved by commissioner Jacob seconded by Vice chair Burns all in favor say I I I any opposed okay motion passes and Madam chair I did want to make one comment about one item the item 24- 0092 related to Gear street Cemetery which was not previously on our agenda I want to draw attention to that because this is a very important item we have this has come before our board in the past it is the oldest black Cemetery in Durham and people it's estimated there are 1,650 Graves there from between the period of 1877 and 1927 it is an abandoned cemetery and we need a solution for this in our community and I just want to highlight that that I hope in the future.
We can come back to this we we've supported the friends of the gear Street cemeter AR to be able to apply for a grant they have to have a s you know supportive body which is what we've stepped up to do but I just want to I hope that a future the city and the county can work together for a solution to for this situation and I want to thank I see Tom Miller and is anyone else here from your organization okay just want to thank you for and to please extend our gratitude to the work that you all.
Do thank you Tom for being here and for being an advocate and bringing this forward to us and good luck with the Grant application we hope receive it and come back if you don't get the money with that I will ask that our board so since we pulled three items. Where is okay instead of moving these items to after the public hearing so that we can make sure that if there are any questions that need to be answered by staff or anything would the board be okay with moving these three consent items to before public hearings so then we'll start with the first agenda item 24-34 Miss Amanda Wallace signed up to speak to address the board you will have two minutes to address the board and yes please remember to refrain from naming any individual staff members and being consistent with the public so my comments to the board are usually tailed toward the family policing system here in Durham but that's not on the agenda even though I've requested.
This specific agenda item be added to this meeting I have yet to receive a response after receiving confirmation on February 14th from the clerk of the board Monica Wallace that my request has been received so I'm publicly requesting the board take action to review this and set up a time about item being added to this session or the next session but until then I'm here to speak about the sheriff's office as it is deeply rooted in the system of policing black bodies on it it says the approval of a contract for $280,000 for licenses related to Microsoft yeah Microsoft license to better surveil and police communities of color here in dur and I'm confused because sometimes and I understand that this County was founded in 1818 when African people were in even you know free I understand that we want to erase the history but understand that the police department and these the people that are sitting in uniform the history of the sheriff's department and that it is it was it was.
Started as slave patrols right and understanding that that it was started in the Carolinas in 1700s and its mission was to establish a system of Terror and squash slave uprisings with the capacity to pursue apprehend and return slaves back to their owners and that's what's happening here in Durham that's exactly what is happening here in Durham we want to try to fix the consequences of this problem by giving $280,000 for the Sheriff's Office to better police our communities but 20 you know how much $280,000 would do to the communities that they actually police if we actually gave $280,000 to the communities and to children and to families and so no the sheriff's department does not need $280,000 for Microsoft you miss Wallace a point of clarification this agenda item it's for licenses for email software for the Sheriff's Office through Microsoft the next item that was pulled was 24-42 and we have Miss antoanet is it H or Hayes h you have two minutes for your comments please remember to not.
Name any specific individual or staff member and be courteous of the public charge yes I am a proud member of Durham Community I have been invested in this community as an adult since 1997 which means I've been paying property tax on my property that I own in dur and I am proud that we are a diverse Community I am happy that we are jelling and merging but I want to make sure that we understand that what appears is not always what is and the and the optical illusion that DM is presenting to the vast State the country has an underbelly and we need to address that so I'm asking the sheriff with his 200 some thousand doar going to be and All the Monies that he's getting to assist him in his work you know I'm losing confidence in you and your work in this community and it doesn't feel like it's working for everyone everyone needs to be treated fairly everyone needs representation your comments related to I talking to.
The sheriff about his program and that is what it is speak about 24- that is what I'm here for I want equal representation I want equal consideration for the most and the least and the funds that you get are a lot but we want to see your work we're not seeing it and I'm losing confidence in you in your. Program you miss anet the next item that was pulled was 24- z45 Again by Miss antoinet pause and this is for Budget ordinance amendment number 24 BCC 00000074 appropriating $260,000 in general fund committed fund balance to increase inmate welfare expenditure Authority for the Sheriff's Office and I want to remind you that items pulled for public comment the statements must be regarding the actual item on the agenda again I want to thank sheriff berid for his service what I have noticed and and and and honor in him the fact that he does work hard and he is he has e excelled and put himself up as far as representation for his inmates I mean.
I was really thrilled when you got the non felons registered vote I was really happy about that I'm hoping that we going to do that again but we need everybody but I want to say again that the people who are there didn't have to be there there needs to be Community involvement to preempt these Unfortunate Souls to this degradation of incarceration we need to do some work before they get there and this community has fallen short I mean you you talk about it all the time the youth the youth the youth the youth but the money and the resources the the the time the commitment is not always showing up especially where the money is so we need more action but I thank you again for all your hard work that you do for the inmates and keeping them and making sure they have what they need because they are people too and they need to wash and they need toothpaste and all those necessaries and we appreciate that but we want to get to.
Them before they get to you is all I'm saying thank you you miss an9 we that is the end of the individual signed up for public comment with that I'll bring it back to the board for approval agenda item.
No those are the those are all the items for consent agenda that were. Pulled Madam chair I would approve the I would make a motion to approve item and I hope I get this right 24- 0034 0042 and 0074 0045 okay 0045 and 0074 those three is 24- 0034 0042 and 0045 oh okay 0042 sorry and 0045 mooved by commissioner Jacobs second by commissioner Howton all in favor say I I any opposed eyes have it these three consent agendum our full consent agenda has now been approved unanimously and that brings us to our public hearings for tonight beginning with 24- 0099 public hearing text Amendment remainder lot with for TC 23006 good evening board Madam chair V brinsky with the planning department this is a privately initiated text Amendment case TC 23006 the proposed changes to the Udo paragraph 712b to allow a minimum width of 80 feet in the rs20 district for a remaining lot when a flag lot created the intent of this proposal is to provide more flexibility using the flag.
Lot standards in the rs20 district more housing opportunities for longer that NE might not have all of the like to show just a an example of what's being proposed as you see here this would allow the flag lot to have the same 20 foot hole to the street that we currently require and then a standard lot in the front with go down to 80 or as could go as low as 80 feet minimum lot standards in terms of area would still be required to be met as well as setback Sur here's similar situation what we currently allow 20ft pole wide you have any questions let me know are there any questions or comments on the board Jacob so you noted that it's a privately initiated okay because I wasn't sure from the report that we had in our document it said City County Planning department so I I thought actually that we initiated it okay do we know have any estimate of I know this is something that will be particularly helpful for you know.
Infill development also for you know lots that even in existing developments that may not quite know be 100 feet do we do we have any idea at all how many how many how helpful this could actually be or how many lots that it's been an issue with that have come before us or just just trying to understand yeah so I mean just anecd it is very common for these rs20 lots to be much deeper than they are wide in terms of the amount of Interest or how many folks have come into the plane Department seeking to to do this not many but they haven't been allowed so you know in terms of the uptake I I don't know I I would imagine it would be fairly incremental and I imagine it may even be helpful you know a lot of the older neighborhoods have very deep lots and Durham so it could open up the possibility of not just somebody doing an Adu but actually doing a flag lot and.
Creating a single family home so thank. You then I will move I will open.