Good evening and welcome to our regular session. The board met in closed session earlier. We provided advice to staff with no action taken. We are now back in open session.
As we get started, I will read our public charge. Thank you all for being here. Uh we really appreciate your presence. The board of commissioners asks its members and residents to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous man manner both with the board and fellow residents.
At any time should any member of the board or resident fail to observe this public charge, the chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should the cur decorum fail to be restored, the chair will recess the meeting until such a time that a genu genuine commitment to the public charge is observed. Commissioner Valentine, would you please
read the land acknowledgement? Thank you, chair. As we convene for the Dorm County Commissioners meeting, it's crucial to recognize the painful truth of history. We stand on the stolen ancestral lands of the Kotaba, the Eno, the Okinichi, the Shakuri, and the Tuscora peoples whose deep connection to this land predates our arrival.
We acknowledge with humility the unjust displacement and violence that occurred leading to the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their homelands. Their resilience in the face of such adversity is a testament to their strength and spirit. May we humbly honor the ancestors and elders of these nations, both past and present, by committing ourselves to fostering understanding, healing, and justice for all who have inhabited this land. Let's walk forward together with open hearts, acknowledging the past, and embracing a future guided by compassion, respect, and unity.
Thank you. Um, Commissioner Burton, would you lead us in the pledge? >> Yes.
>> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Uh, next item on our agenda is the agenda approve. Uh, agenda review and approval.
Any adjustments to the agenda? I'll accept the motion for >> some moved. Okay. >> Second.
>> Has been moved and properly second that we approve the agenda as uh presented. All in favor say I. I. >> I.
All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. Uh before we move on to the announcements, I would like to have a motion for an excused absence for our colleague uh Wendy Jacobs. I She is in Arkansas. She just welcomed her first
grandchild, the granddaughter. Yes. Yeah, she she um she rushed out and flew there and got there and I think she got there in time, too. >> So, um we are very excited for her and we want to make sure we uh graciously give her an excused absence.
>> Oh, and she's she's online as well. >> Chair, so moved. >> Second. >> All right.
has been moved and properly seconded that we um provide an excuse absence for Commissioner Jacobs. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
All oppose, please use the same sign. It passes unanimously. >> Chair again, >> if she if she's here, do we have to provide her an excuse absence still? If she's remote, if she's participating in the >> She can't vote.
>> Oh, she can vote. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, she can vote. >> Yeah. So that's why we did the U excuse absence. >> And she would like to make a comment
actually if you give me one second. >> Oh yeah, sure. >> Hey, there she is. >> Um, thank you.
Um, chair. Um, yeah, I just wanted to get clarification because I I'm not sure if I need an excused absence if I'm actually participating virtually in the meeting. If we could get clarification on that. I believe it's only ex Curtis had said previously that it's only excused absence or you can't vote if it's a tiebreaker vote.
You can't vote virtually. >> Correct. >> That is correct. Yeah.
So, you wouldn't be able to vote for any kind of if there is a tie. Um but you should but but you but you're able to vote on in all other circumstances though. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> So then we don't need an excuse. I think. >> Okay. >> You are unexcused.
>> Yeah, you're unexcused, Wendy. >> Thank you. And thank you for your
acknowledgement of my new um identity as grandma. >> All right. Congratulations again. Congratulations again.
Okay. Next item on our agenda are the announcements. Clerk Wallace. >> Good evening.
I will read the announcements published in tonight's agenda. Most Durham County government offices will close in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 19th. All offices reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20th.
gov, for additional information regarding impacts on specific services. The 2026 personal property listing period is January 1st through January 31st, 2026. Those who operate a business, excuse me, are required to list their business personal property with the county by January 31st. govtax. And to um regarding your personal
property, you can contact 919-5603000. Durham County Board of Elections will continue to host free NC voter photo identification card outreach events for registered Durham County voters throughout 2026. Each month, staff will be at one of the Durham County libraries to distribute free IDs, assist with voter registration, and answer any questions. m.
at the main library located on uh 300 North Roxboro Street. gov for additional information. Um, all are welcome to the 21st annual Durham City County Martin Luther King Jr. m.
at the First Presbyterian Church located at 305 East Main Street. North Carolina Central University Chancellor Dr. Carrie G.
Dixon will be the keynote speaker. The program will also include musical selections and remarks from local leaders and elected officials. gov. And lastly, the Durham Planning and Development Department staff will host office hours at the Durham County Main Library where you're invited to bring your questions and talk directly with staff.
m. m. Planning staff will also hold hours at the following dates and locations. m.
at South Regional Library. And Tuesday, February 2nd, 3 to 5:30 at East Regional Library. com. That concludes the announcements in tonight's agenda.
>> Thank you, Clerk Wallace. Uh, next item on our agenda are the approval of the minutes for December 1st, 2025 work session. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> It's been moved and properly seconded that we approve the minutes dated December 1st, 2025 work session. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I.
>> I. >> All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. Next item on our agenda are some ceremonial items.
We have one proclamation and that is recognizing Bulls Academy Life Sciences Day. I'm going to read the pro proclamation and we will um know we'll have come up and speak, you know, if we if we will. and then uh we will take a picture afterwards. Okay. All right. So, I'll I'll read it here.
See here. Okay. Durham Board of County Commissioners proclamation Bull's Life Science Academy Day 2026. Whereas key leaders identified a gap in high-wage high growth careers for un for underserved populations in Durham County and the need among employers in the life sciences industry for tal for a talent pipeline.
And whereas made in Durham was founded as a pro public private partnership with a mission to create accessible pathways for upward economic mobility and community community prosperity for the existence existing education to career system. And whereas in 2021, Maiden Durham along with core partners Durham County, Durham Technical Community College, and NC Biotech launched the Bulls Life Sciences Academy to fulfill this crucial mission. And whereas through the support of the
Durham Board of County Commissioners, students are eligible to receive a $10,000 life stipen to cover living expenses while they complete the program, paving the pathway for residents to attain and build careers in the life sciences industry. 8 million in new wages as the 13th cohort enters the program and the 14th is being recruited. Now, therefore,
I, Dr. Mike Lee, chair, on behalf of the Durham Board of County Commissioners, do hereby realize uh recognize Bull's Life Sciences Academy Day in Durham County this 12th day of January, 2026. signed. Dr.
Mike Lee, chair, Durham Board of County Commissioners. >> Good evening, commissioners. Uh, good evening, commissioners. Uh, my name is Andy Miracle.
I'm the director of economic development with Durham County. Uh thank you for the opportunity to receive this proclamation tonight with our partners from Maiden Durham and Durham Tech, NC Biotech and most importantly a number of Bulls graduates that are joining us tonight to celebrate the first Bulls Academy Life Sciences Day. Simply stated, Bulls is a community partnership with the goal of getting more of Durham's young residents into Durham jobs. But not just any jobs.
Entry level jobs that are part of a career pathway with opportunities for promotion. Jobs that are part of a high wage, high growth industry sector. Jobs that offer good benefits and the opportunity to create wealth. Commissioners, I'm excited to share that since the time this proclamation was originally published in December, we now have over 200 graduates, >> 77 of which are employed in the life sciences industry in a field spanning 22 companies.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge the diligent partnership between Durham Tech and Maiden Durham that has continued to refine and iterate the program over time. We now have graduation rates that have grown from 60% in the beginning to the high 90s. Whereas one in seven graduates originally was connected to industry employment, we now have one in three graduates getting jobs within the life sciences field. This is a success to be
celebrated. To tell you more about the Bulls program, I'm going to hand it over to Maiden Durham executive director and Bull's architect Casey Seinbecker. Oh, that's a new one. BS architect.
Thank you for that, Andy. That Andy, thank you very much, commissioners. It's really an honor to be here. I love coming in front of you and getting to tell these amazing stories about the work that we do.
But if I could first, real quick, and before just in case we don't get a chance because we're going to try really hard to keep on on track, I do would like all of our students that we have with us here. We brought a smattering of all our great students, our brightest and best, if they could stand and just be recognized here today. Thank you guys. Thank you.
Uh you are uh what we are here for. Uh and we really believe in this program. I'd also like Maiden Durham and Durham Tech staff. These are the people that really make this work go. Not always easy, but always works. President Buxon and his
team at Durham Tech. Ladies, stand up. Oh, and you too, JB. Oh, but they they're an incredible partner to make this happen.
We we clearly wouldn't be able to do this without their collaboration and cooperation. And then of course our maiden Durham team. Uh ladies, gentlemen, could you stand up? May also be recognized.
So I think most of you are pretty familiar with the program. You heard a good uh background about it. It's a program that we made in Durham as the education to career ecosystem in Durham. The organization looking at where there's gaps, barriers, and misalignment for our youth and young adults in Durham to actually be economically moable and successful.
Our job is to figure out identify those and figure out solutions. And Bulls was one of those solutions. I want to tell you a little story about the Bulls solution. Um because I think it's really important for people in the audience to understand uh how important the support of Durham County has been. they don't get the
credit that is actually due to them in this process. In 2020 when the co when um COVID hit um there was a bunch of us that got together Durham Tech, the chamber, the city, um the county, uh we worked with uh NC biotech and we said, "Listen, while everyone else is going to go under during COVID, you know, go go home during CO biotech's going to be working. They're going to be putting out drugs. They're going to be working.
There's going to be jobs. " We came together, we raised a bunch of money, we increased just that one year the bowwork admissions by 300% as a collaborative team together. But what we had made in Durham realized after that and and working with our partners at Durham Tech is that what we weren't getting was young adults in Durham, youth and young adults in Durham, specifically young adults of color uh into these programs, students that really needed the opportunity for economic mobility. And so that's how we came together to think about how do we create this Bulls program that's specifically aimed at 18 to 25 year old uh youth and young adults
in Durham who are looking for economic mobility in this community. How do we put that together in a way that makes sense and we can actually form this partnership. We did that through three pieces. We have a large community piece.
Um, thanks to funding that we've received over time, we've been able to engage over two dozen community-based nonprofit organizations to help us create awareness, recruit students into the program, identify good students, support them through the program. We have a partnership with Durham Tech that has not only done their the the typical incredible high level of instruction both classroom and lab, but they've also done this amazing job in co in collaboration with Maiden Durham around success coaching, life coaching. How do we make these students actually be able to address all those barriers that affect their ability to be there? And then on the end, our corporate partners who may have taken a little while to warm up to this program, but now, as you heard, one in three of our graduates are at at the table getting jobs in in these groups.
Why is this important? I I want to end with this. Why is this important?
Back in 2000 when we started this 20201 when we wanted to do this program, we got a small grant from the Oak Foundation for $50,000. It was a gave us f stipens, $10,000 stipens for five students. We collaborated at the time with Durham Children's Initiative to help us identify five students. And we went to Durham Tech and we threw this idea on the table.
Everybody came together and we went through the program, this concept, not fully built out at all, but we let's give it a try. At the end of that that cohort, two students passed. The third one came very close, but just two students passed. But what Durham Techch and Maiden Durham saw in that experience was real opportunity.
Like we could see what we needed to do to make this a better uh program. And so what we did was we came to Durham County. We met with the county manager. We met with the team um and we said we really really want to do this. And the county uh who has always been a funer of maiden Durham in terms of our operating costs put $250,000 on the table and said
okay figure this out and you can do this. And then they put 250,000 into JB's budget at Durham Tech and said, "Okay, here's some stipen money. Go play with it. " After five kids and two passed, we see that this can work.
Every year since then, they have provided us $250,000. They've provided uh Durham Tech $250,000. And then along came ARPA and the federal money and they provided us $3 million to allow us to actually scale this to get to the 250 plus kids that have now young adults, sorry, that have now gone through this program. That takes a lot of courage by elected officials and managers of inside Durham County. And for their courage and their foresight, I would just ask if you could all just help me say thank you to them. So, who you who you really want to hear from, ladies and gentlemen, is our
students. So, tonight we're going to we're going to let you hear from one of our students because we know we're limited on time. Um, it's my >> gonna do the video first. >> Oh, we're going to do the video first.
I'm sorry. Go ahead. We have an economic impact video with one of our students. Call this ROI because it's about resources, opportunity, and impact.
At Denm, we prepare D young people for careers and build that help local companies grow. Through pools, graduates get support, coaching, and a clear path into life sciences. Our team stays with them as they land roles and grow at work. And we stay close to employers so that hiring and onboarding goes smoothly. This is what economic mobility looks like in Durm. We come with that mindset of teamwork.
You know, we're here working with each other already. We get that hands-on lab experience, already learning to partner up, already learning good documentation practices, all the good likes that you may need to succeed in this field. you would get that that feel of community from that person already, that team member that's ready to help everyone. The Bulls team have really pushed me to get into engagement.
Day one since graduation, they've still been in contact. Hey, Alicia, do you want to come to this event? We're doing this career development event or this networking event. They've kept up the communication.
They've always let me know what other events are going on, what other programs are going on, career development things that are going on. you don't get, you know, let go or pushed to the side just because you graduated, you're still involved and mostly even to encourage the new cohorts coming in. You want them to see that this can happen. This can be their end goal as well. North Carolina is a global life sciences leader. NC Biotech enables us to do that through our connections and our partnerships with industry, education,
and training partners. Both Life Sciences Academy and the alumni that come through the program are ready to start work on day one and make a difference. That enables us to ensure that industry partners have the workforce they need and is what makes North Carolina the leading state for life sciences. When I first started the Bulls program, it was my goal to begin a career in biotechnology.
I would say the thing that stood out to me the most in the Bulls Life Sciences Academy program was hands-on and actual laboratory experiments that we got to do with the procedures that we did. It's actually giving you a realistic scenario that you might overcome. The skills that I learned in the program definitely translated to the job. It's very crucial to utilize a CGMP mindset here, which is something that they highlight in the program. The team has always been very supportive, but they were very uh happy to hear that I landed a position in Novo
Nordisk. And since then, I have became a Bull's alumni ambassador to provide a strong foundation for people wishing to pursue a career in biotechnology. >> At Durham Tech, our mission is to support the students on their career journey through life sciences. We do that by preparing them with technical skills through biio manufacturing and soft skills so they can be prepared and confident on day one. We do that with our partnerships with Bulls and we do that by bringing real life experience to our students and they can become confident and thrive on day one and the employers also gain teammates who can grow in their organization. Well, within the program, we were just kind of doing online modules, gaining
knowledge that way, and we hadn't yet applied it. And then after about a month, month and a half time, we're in the lab working with actual machinery. And by the end of the program, finding more confidence to speak out, say, when we aren't quite sure or aware of how things are going to go or what knowledge we might need uh when we come into certain roles, but also being confident in the things you do know. being confident that you've seen these machines before.
You handle pipets before. You went into a lab and had to dawn every single piece of PPE and had to do it sanitarily. And you know you can take that into a job interview or into the workforce and utilize it to propel your life where you want to go. You just heard from our partners and alumni.
Their progress reflects what happens when this community invests in talent. If you are an employer, let's build your bench and welcome more Bulls graduates to your team. If you are a graduate, stay connected with us. Resources open doors. Opportunities
leads to careers. Impact is what we measure in people's lives and in the strength of our local company. Help us help them help you. Um and now please it's my honor to introduce uh Nikita Mahan who is going to be our guest speaker on behalf of our students.
Nikita good evening. Okay. I'm a little nervous, but I'm gonna try to do real good. Good evening, Chairman Dr.
Mike Lee, County Commissioners, and County Manager. Thank you for having us here tonight and recognizing this meaningful moment. It is truly an honor to be here for the first ever Bulls Academy life sciences day.
I am Nikita Mahan and I am proud to stand here representing Bull's alumni alongside others who were part of the 190 students who have completed this program. I discovered Bulls through Durham Tech advising during a season of my life when I was searching for direction, stability, and purpose. As a mother of a three-year-old son, I knew that the choices I made would shape not only my future, but his as well. I joined Bulls because I wanted more than a job.
I wanted a career, a better opportunity, and a future that would allow me to be present, stable, and proud of the example I was setting for my child. One of the most valuable things Bulls gave me was a beginner level knowledge and exposure to the pharmaceutical industry. Before the program, pharma felt unfamiliar and out of reach. Through bulls, I learned the basics of how the
industry works, what roles exist, and what professionalism and compliance look like in a regulated environment. That early exposure made the industry feel possible and gave me the confidence to pursue it. Bulls also pushed me to grow personally, teaching me accountability, communication, and emotional strength. It helped me step into professional spaces with confidence and belief that I belong to I belonged there.
Today, I work at Eli Liy as a process technician in the filling department, and I'm continuing my education at Durham Tech. I'm working towards my associates of science and biotechnology. Everything I am doing now is driven by the example I want to set for my kid. Knowing that growth is possible and hard work opens doors personally and professionally. Bulls
changed my life. It gave me direction, support, and the belief that I could build a meaningful career while continuing my education and also being a mom. Because of this program, I am not only building a future for myself, but I'm creating a better one for my child. I want to thank Maiden Durham, Durham Tech, NC Biotech, our employer partners, and the community organ organizations that make this work possible.
Your investment truly changed lives and families. Thank you to the Durham County for recognizing Bulls and for investing in its students and graduates. I am proud to represent this program and deeply grateful for the opportunities that it has created. Thank you. So, let's go ahead and do the picture.
Let's go ahead and do our picture here. I have the proclamation right here.
So, we're going to do comments about this from the commissioners. >> They're they're all leaving. >> One second, everyone. We're going to do comments.
One one second. >> Maybe I should have done that first. Yeah. Well, we I'll >> Yeah, I'll still allow comments from the commissioners, please.
Commissioner Burton. >> Thank you, Chair Lee. And this is such an amazing program. It's a Durham program and that's what makes Durham such a unique place because we are always thinking about how do we make the pie big for everybody to thrive in our prosperity. And this is just amazing work. And I went to the North Carolina
Chamber of Commerce economic forum um forecast and President Buckton was there. We were there today. And it's a lot of people from business leaders from across the state. So there were a few elected leaders and when I would introduce myself to folks, you know, Michelle Burton, Durham County Commissioner, people would say all the great things that are going on in Durham.
Like they are just so impressed with Durham County and everything that's going on in Durham County. And this is one of the best things about Durham County. Thank you, Casey. Thank you, President Buckston.
Thank you, Joseph. Thank you all of you for pouring into our young people, making sure that people who live in Durham will take advantage are in the position to take advantage of the positions and jobs that come to Durham County. So, thank you so
so much. Commissioner, Vice Chair Long. >> Thank you, Chair Lee. I just want to echo the sentiments of Commissioner Burton and just thank all of you for also believing in this program and enrolling and participating in it because that's what makes it possible for us to keep it going for future students, for future generations.
So, thank you for believing in it and tell your friends to apply and participate in the Bulls program because we want to continue to support it and we want it to grow and we want to see more and more people across Durham uh participating. And I also want to just thank Casey and your team for at the Bulls team for bringing this initiative to us to begin with because so many times we hear people wanting to fill this gap and talking about oh we need to close this career uh education and career pipeline gap but it's not really a space that you make a lot of money of trying to close this gap. So it really takes people with goodness in their heart and pure intentions who are in this to actually
provide a benefit to our community. So, thank you to your entire team for having that and seeing that value in our Durham youth that they are worth the investment that they are worth all of the uh success that's coming for them. So, thank you >> Mr. Valentine.
>> Uh thank you, Chair. Uh so, young lady, what did you say your name was again? >> Nikita. >> Nikita.
Nikita, I know you stood before us this evening and said how nervous you were. You did an excellent job. Yes. And representing Bull's Academy.
I've often said since I uh arrived as one of the county commissioners that every dollar that we invest in our young people is worth the investment. And I think uh you being here today is an example of a wise investment in our youth. And the the Bulls Academy provides a pathway to employment. not only to employment but to future
opportunity um for our young people. And so I couldn't be prouder of the group of students that you brought to the chamber this evening and I want nothing but the best for you in in the out years. So much continued success. Thank you.
>> Commissioner Jacobs, um would you like to say a few words? >> Um yes, I would love to. Um, this is a great celebration. I want to thank everyone who has made the success of the Bull's Academy possible. Um, I remember years ago when when this was a vision that Casey, you know, you this would not have happened without you. I just really want to give you uh your flowers for this because um you uh came to us with this vision and it took partnership, it took leadership, it t took teamwork and it really wouldn't have happened without every single
partner that was has been mentioned tonight. Uh, and I I really want to congratulate all of the Bulls Life Science Academy graduates for wanting to make a change in your life and for uh what you are doing by having been in the program and graduating. Uh and uh Makita, you're really inspiring and um I really wish you the best for you and your son and the career that's ahead of you. Uh I I just want to say this is really one of the most important things that Durham County government has done.
It's a it's systems change. It is a systems approach to addressing economic mobility in our community and share prosperity. And we need to keep investing in this program and investing in the young people who have such potential and make sure they have access
to and are the first ones standing in line for the good paying careers. not just jobs, but careers that we have in RTP and in Durham County. So, let's keep it going. Um, and thank you for this great celebration, everyone.
>> All right. And congratulations. This is exciting. I if if there's one thing that I hear about um when I talk to other leaders around is the Bulls Academy.
And it's just an honor to be able to recognize you all and continue to lift you all up. I'm trying to get my son to join Bulls. Maybe uh if he's watching, I doubt it, but if he's watching, I'll I'll um I could give him some um maybe I'll recruit some of you all to come tell him about it. But uh this is wonderful.
I'm really excited about this. So, congratulations. Okay.
Alrighty. Now you Okay. All right. So, the next item on our agenda is the consent agenda.
We have 11 items. However, we have public comment for one of them. So, we will pull that. After we approve the consent agenda, we will go into that uh um item, have our public comment, and then we'll action that separately.
>> Okay. >> Chair, what what item was that that's being >> the item is 260030. It's the last item on the consent agenda. We have four public comment speakers.
Okay. Okay. So we have 11 items that's been discussed in our work session. Uh that's been moved to our consent agenda. I'll accept a motion to approve the consent agenda with um noted that we are removing 260030
from the consent agenda. >> So moved. Second. >> It's been moved and properly second that we approve the consent agendas absent the item 260030.
Any further discussion or any other items to pull? All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose, please use the same sign.
It passes unanimously. The consent agenda passes. All right. So, moving on to our items that have been um pulled from the consent agenda, the one we just discussed, uh 260030.
We have four speakers. We have Tana Downing, Jessica Saxton, Antinet Halls, and then Mr. Rafi. I can't read your last name, but Mr.
Rafi, you'll be the fourth one. Okay. So, I see Tana Downing first.
Do we have Tana Downing here? >> Yes. Oh, am I saying that correctly? >> It's Tana.
Tana Downing. >> I apologize. No problem. >> Okay.
>> Good evening. My name is uh Tana Downing and I'm a civil rights advocate and litigator out of Washington DC. I need to provide a public notice to all of you. This is in accordance with the USCs rules of civil procedure as well as rule 17 rule 20 of the United States Supreme Court.
So if this budget is going to be used to purchase equipment that's going to facilitate the abridgement of a constitutional obligation then it's important that you guys are made aware of that so that you don't uh fund this because uh that would obviously be uh unconstitutional to do that. So the constitution of the United States of America is the overarching requirements that every state must follow. I trust that we all understand that and agree with that. States cannot enact their own alternative legislation substitute that for the guarantees of the constitution and then go out and enforce that as though that's constitutional.
It's obviously quite unconstitutional. Now in emolement violation is when you pay someone to violate the constitution. You can't do that. So clause one of amendment 52 of the United States
constitution says no person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless off presentment or indictment of a grand jury. That's clear. You got to have an indictment by a grand jury before arresting someone holding someone over for a capital or infamous crime. However, the state of North Carolina has enacted its own alternative legislation that permits your prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement, sheriff's department to execute warrants uh in the form of information as opposed to indictment.
And that is unconstitutional. So again, an emolement violation is when you pay someone to violate the constitution. There's actually two areas of constitution that reinforces this. The first is article 1, section 10.
That's where it says that no state shall create any law that shall impair the obligation of contracts. Police officers, prosecutors, sheriff's department. They're all under contract. That's a contract to perform based upon the oath or affirmation that they took to support and defend the Constitution, United States of America.
So when the state of North Carolina creates a law that directs them to disobey the constitution, that would obviously be a very clear violation of article 1 section 10. Now the second place that reinforces this is the 14th amendment. That's where it says that no state shall create or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges and immunities of United States citizens. The privileges
and immunities of United States citizens are at a minimum those enumerated within the bill of rights. They cannot be impaired. This is affirmed by the United States Supreme Court 2019 Tims versus Indiana unanimous decision. uh and as a result the state has created a law and is directing their agents whom you pay or the equipment that you guys are facilitating here to abridge the constitution United States of America.
As a result there is an inordinate amount of people currently imprisoned here in the state of North Carolina illegally and unconstitutionally. So I'm preparing to litigate this to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of more than 700,000 people are currently in prison here in America illegally and unconstitutionally. I'm here today to let you guys know that if you continue to pay for this equipment or uh pay the sheriff's department to bridge these constitutional obligations that criminal sanctions can come from that. That's not the direction I want to go.
I want to work with you guys to fix to fix this problem because we need to understand that the constitution United States is extremely important in holding together the union. So when the state of North Carolina fails to follow the very basic procedures and processes codified in the constitution that we have a pretty big problem. So I know uh that that you're going to go to the attorney as soon as we're done here. You're going to ask that attorney whether or not what I'm saying is true. That attorney is going
to point you to a case from 1884 called Heradoto vers California. And before you choose to rely upon that is the foundation. I must remind all of you that the constitution of the United States of America is the foundation not a judge made ruling. The Supreme Court of United States has no constituted authority to alter amend or any of the privileges or guarantees constitution.
Thank you. Give to the record. Who should I give us to? >> Thank you very much.
Uh you can give it to the clerk. >> Thank you guys. God bless everybody. >> Okay.
Um we'll have Jessica Saxton. Uh, you have three minutes as well. >> Good evening. My name is Jessica Sax and I'm also here to provide notice.
This is in relation to family court. Um, across this nation, we have children that are being removed unlawfully from healthy, loving, fit parents. Unfortunately, this is um not for any other reason aside from title 4D and title 4E funding. So, as Mr. Mr. Downing just referred to the budget and you guys continuing to
facilitate and and uh send financial um accommodations in order to to allow these courts to operate in the event that children are removed unlawfully. That is a constitutional violation. It is also a deprivation of rights under the color of law according to 18 USC 242. Um, when two or more people conspire, including people that are paying other individuals to facilitate the court, two or more people conspire to unlawfully remove children, that's a violation of 18 USC 241.
Um, unfortunately, when state actors do deprive children and families of their rights that are secured and protected by the constit constitution, including when you all are paying for the operations of these courts to continue. um that unfortunately is a violation of article one section 10. This is also a pattern of rightsbased exploitation in which many cation cases this could um include kidnapping,
extortion, bribery, otherwise known as RICO title 18 subsection 4 that's called missprison of felony. What Miss Prison of Felony states is that whoever, if you look up that code, it literally starts out with whoever, whoever would include you, whoever is made aware of a crime that is cognizable to any court of the United States and does not report that crime to some civil or military authority, commits a felony in itself. Tonight, I am serving each and every one of you with affidavit of criminal conspiracy. Miss Saxton, >> this is primmaashi evidence of crimes that have been committed in these courts in North Carolina.
>> Just one second. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh, can we pause the time? >> Okay. So, we have to make sure that we're speaking on the actual topic of this agenda item. >> The topic of the agenda item is for you guys to to facilitate and supply more financial
um accommodations to your court system. Is that not correct? >> Yes. is about the AV the for remote >> sir >> that's what it's about >> yes sir >> this doesn't sound like this about the remote systems >> anytime that you are facilitating a court that is depriving families and individuals of their rights that are secured by the and protected by the constitution that is in fact an emolement violation it is a crime sir and I'm here to make you aware of that >> yeah that um We're being advised that that's not a part of this item here.
So, um we have to make sure we stick to the uh agenda item here. Is it specifically about a budget ordinance? You know, uh >> uh yeah, it is not your time to speak. It is not your time to speak. Thank you. That it is not your time to speak.
Okay. This is your second warning. If the equipment is going to be used to facilitate the deprivation of rights under the color of law, which I have in my possession today primmaashi evidence of this happening in this county in Durham courts, then yes, this budget cannot continue. This budget cannot be passed.
As a matter of fact, >> okay, continue. We'll discontinue. you you should actually defund the courts entirely until these deprivation of rights under the color of law are are removed and they're fixed. So I am serving each and every one of you tonight with affidavit um of criminal conspiracy.
These affidavit have been signed according to 28 USC 1746. This makes them prima evidence of crimes that have been committed by two judges in this county. Um I'm serving you. This is uh affidavit of criminal conspiracy. So service is being provided um for deprivation of rights under the color of law, conspiracy to private rights, kidnapping and other crimes that are
asert um other crimes as as pertainable by the evidence on the record. Thank you so much. >> All right. Thank you.
Hello, my name is Antonette Hos and of course I was removed for this very subject um last week and basically what your director was t trying to imply to you that even our job here at the county commissioners is to pay you know you you just pay give us your money and we're doing whatever we want to do and however we want to do it uh via our policies and the state regulatory requirements. But when you are putting money into a system that already exists, you're putting $200,000 into a system that already exists. It's ridiculous. That money can be used elsewhere in our community.
We have communities that need that $200,000. The system already exists. There's no need to reinvent this wheel. And plus,
this system is used in Durham County to restrict citizens and oppress citizens and deny them access to their constitutional rights. You're doing this on purpose and you're acting like you're ignorant. And if you're not mistaken, I remember last year the governor said that he's going to put that responsibility back down on the counties. When those lawsuits go to the state, he's going to transfer that financial responsibility back down to the counties.
That would be you, Mr. Lee. That would be you. That would be you, Miss Claudia.
That would be you. and the rest of the commissioners are all responsible for the lawlessness that goes on in Durham County. You are responsible if you are paying. It is your fault.
I rest my case. Okay. Thank you, Miss Hall. And then Mr.
Rafi. My name is Minister Rafi Zadei. I live at 807 South Duke Street. And uh I'mma be real positive tonight.
This item on the agenda is to facilitate courtroom procedures and facilities, but it aligns itself according to your statement on the bottom of page 15. It says it alignment with strategic plan. This item aligns with Durham County's strategic goal, safe and resilient community. We believe that these funds should be
put mostly into foster care. We have children that is coming out of this care age 17 and 18 being turned into the prison pipeline with no funding, no housing, no reun reunification to family members. Yet we can find in the budget $212,000 to facilitate a system that is really not broken. According to the statistics, the psychological toll intensified on these released foster children, disadvantaged children. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network are twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder as US war veterans.
Access to consistent mental health care after leaving the foster care system is limited, leaving more to cope with complex trauma on their own. We are trying to make Durham a safe and resilient community. We are tired of seeing our children being released from foster care without the system that they need. Your priorities are being misplaced in Durham Commission. We are asking you to review what you're about to do and make sure that some of these children that are being released from the foster care system are taken care of regardless whether they are black, white, or brown. We are tired of our foster children being homeless, unhoused, going into the prison system
because after they fade out of the system, you do not care. You do not care what happened to them. But under title 4E, it is your responsibility to make sure they successful successfully enter into this system as a productive citizen. >> Thank you, Min.
Thank you, Minister Rafi. Um, okay. That was the last item for uh citizen comments. Thank you all for your comments.
Um, so now we have this item that was pulled from the consent agenda. It would need its own action. >> So moved. >> Second.
has been moved and properly seconded that we approve item 260030. Um any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
>> All oppose, please use the same sign. Passes unanimously. Next item on our
agenda is a closed session. 11A4. I'll accept a motion. >> So moved second.
has been moved and properly seconded we go into close session for the reasons just stated. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
I. >> All oppose, please use the same sign. We are now in close session.
We we are we good? >> Okay, we are back from closed session. Um direction was given to staff but no action was taken. I'll now accept a motion to adjurnn.
Some second. >> It's been moved and properly seconded that we adjourn for tonight. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> All oppose, please use the same sign. We are now adjourned. Thank you all for watching the millions of people that were watching. All right.