Agenda
25-0176. Letter of Support for Application for Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant
The Board is requested to authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support for application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) for funding under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Funding Program. The funding will support the construction of a bioretention pond and education and outreach associated with the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project. Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, the U .S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to reduce nonpoint source pollution. North Carolina typically receives around $1 million for competitive funding of watershed restoration projects. Funds may be used to conduct watershed restoration projects such as stormwater and agricultural best management practices and restoration of impaired streams. Section 319 grant projects must be used to help restore waterbodies currently impaired by nonpoint source pollution in areas with approved watershed restoration plans. The Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project was identified in the County Stormwater Nutrient Management Strategy as a potential project for compliance with the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Rules. The project consists of approximately 1,500 linear feet of stream restoration and a bioretention pond to treat stormwater on the property. The stream restoration project will remove sources of nitrogen and phosphorous from streambank erosion - helping the County meet the nutrient requirements of the Falls Lake Rules - while also reducing flooding impacts to residents of Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park. The total estimated project cost is $ 2.1 million. The County previously applied for and received a $ 400,000 Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) grant from the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure to cover the planning efforts for the Whispering Pines project. The County also received $500,000 from the Division of Soil and Water ’s Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP). The County continues to seek additional grant funding for the project, an important part of meeting the County Stormwater Program ’s Guiding Principle of “Efficiency with Stormwater Utility Fee revenues .” The County is applying for an additional $ 600,000 in funding from the Water Resources Development Grant Program. The County is seeking $ 240,000 from the 319(h) Grant Program. Applications are due May 30, 2025.
25-0177. Approve Membership Agreement Memorandum of Understanding in the amount of $3,537 with the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP)
The Board is requested to authorize the County Manager to sign the Membership Agreement Memorandum of Understanding for the Clean Water Education Partnership Services provided by the Central Pines Regional Council in accordance with the attached Membership Memorandum of Understanding and fee schedule. The Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) is a cooperative effort between local governments and state agencies to protect water quality in the Tar -Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear River Basins. CWEP aims to protect North Carolina ’s waterways from stormwater pollution through public education and outreach. CWEP helps public entities communicate the important fact that clean water is vital for healthy ecosystems and a high quality of life for area residents. It is our goal to create a unified messaging about stormwater and pollution throughout our partner regions. We accomplish this through two main avenues: in-person education at community festivals, after school programs, libraries, and classroom visits; and mass media outreach campaigns via digital, radio, television, print, and cinema ads in English and Spanish. Durham County has been a member of CWEP since September 2003. The current Memorandum of Agreement will expire on June 30, 2025.
25-0201. Authorize the County Manager to Execute a Contract with Design Workshop, Inc., for Framework Planning Design Services, Including Community Engagement Services, for the Orange Factory Road Nature Preserve and Farm Campus Totaling an Amount Not-To-Exceed $295,658.00.
The Board is requested to authorize the County Manager to execute a contract with Design Workshop, Inc. upon completion of the contract and approval by the County Attorney's Office, for Framework Planning Design Services, including community engagement services, for the Orange Factory Road Nature Preserve and Farm Campus totaling an amount not -to-exceed $ 295,658.00 ($268,780.00 basic services plus 10% reimbursable expenses). Funding for this has been identified and is available in the Orange Factory Road Farm Capital Project budget (4730DC163). The County purchased the 129-acre property at the corner of Orange Factory Road and North Roxboro Road (308 Orange Factory Road) in February 2024 with Open Space Funds and County General Funds. This parcel was acquired for conservation, recreation, agriculture, and education purposes, and specifically to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and connectivity, and provide opportunities for low -impact recreation and agricultural education. Deed restrictions and zoning limit impervious surface development. The site currently does not currently have water or sewer services. Please see the attached AAF Supplemental for additional information about the site. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 25-012 Architectural & Engineering Design Services for Orange Factory Road Nature Preserve and Farm Campus was advertised on October 6, 2024, and received three responses by the November 12, 2024 proposal deadline. These responses were evaluated by representatives from the Open Space and Real Estate and Project Management Divisions of County Engineering, Cooperative Extension Services, and a County Management Fellow . Soil and Water Conservation District staff additionally advised the Evaluation Committee. Design Workshop, Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm for this project. Please see Attachment 2 for Design Workshop ’s Proposal for Framework Planning Design Services, Attachment 3 for the Bid Tabulation, and attachment 4 for the MWBE Compliance Review Form certifying 25% MWBE participation. This Framework Plan development process will include extensive mapping, site analysis, and public engagement in close coordination with prospective partner departments, divisions, and organizations. The resulting Framework Plan will outline the uses and site layout that best addresses the conservation /restoration, agricultural, and education goals of the County, detail operations and maintenance expenses, and recommend phasing to best leverage state and federal funding for construction.
25-0211. Authorize the County Manager to execute a contract amendment for radio tower design services in the amount of $136,304 with O’Brien Atkins Architects, for a total revised contract amount not to exceed $4,956,814 for the Emergency Operations Center, Backup 911, and Sheriff’s Backup Call Center.
The Board is requested to Authorize the County Manager to execute a contract amendment for radio tower design services in the amount of $ 136,304 with O ’Brien Atkins Architects, for a total revised contract amount not to exceed $ 4,956,814 for the Emergency Operations Center, Backup 911, and Sheriff’s Backup Call Center. As the project team went through the stages of schematic design for this project, it became apparent that the new facility would also require a radio tower to facilitate the operational needs of the backup 911 call center. Radio Tower Design is above and beyond the original scope of work for the facility, in which O ’Brien Atkins has provided a proposal in conjunction with Mission Critical Partners (MCP) to provide technical specifications, regulatory & construction oversight, and Microwave implementation. These services are crucial to ensuring that all federal, state, and local codes and requirements are met to maintain secure and expedient 911/emergency communications services. Funding for this amendment is available in the previously approved Capital Project account.
25-0223. Informational Item - Page/Miami Design District is a staff initiated zoning map change for the area southeast of Research Triangle Park (RTP) between NC Highway 54, Davis Drive, Hopson Road, Page Road, and South Miami Boulevard. The proposal also includes a staff initiated text amendment, both the zoning map change and text amendment focus on encouraging multimodal transit-oriented development and supporting future publicly funded transportation projects.
The Board is requested to review and provide comments on the proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendment part of the Page/Miami Design District. The public hearing for this item is scheduled for the May 12, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting. Summary The Durham City -County Planning Department has prepared a zoning map change for the Page /Miami Design District, an area southeast of Research Triangle Park (RTP) between NC Highway 54, Davis Drive, Hopson Road, Page Road, and South Miami Boulevard. The zoning change aims to encourage transit -oriented development, support future publicly funded multimodal projects (like bus rapid transit, passenger rail, or bicycle and pedestrian improvements ), and promote equitable development using the affordable housing density bonus. Staff proposes Place Type Map amendments and a Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment (TC2400002) concurrently with the rezoning. Attachments Attachment A: Current Zoning Attachment B: October Proposal Attachment C: Proposed Zoning Attachment D: Proposed Zoning Context Maps Attachment E: Aerial Attachment F: Current Place Types Attachment G: Proposed Place Types Attachment H: Existing Conditions Attachment I: Engagement Summary Attachment J: Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 - Part III, Session Law 2024-57 (S.B. 382) Excerpted Attachment K: Unified Development Ordinance TC2400002 (Track Changes Version) Attachment L: TC2400002 Consistency Statement Attachment M: Planning Commission Written Comments
25-0224. Ordinance - TC2400003: A Privately Initiated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment
The Board is requested to review and provide comments on the proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendment. The public hearing for this item is scheduled for the May 12, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting.
25-0225. Approval of the FY25 Durham Transit Plan Q4 Work Program Amendment in the amount of $158,000.00.
The Board is requested to approve an amendment to the FY 25 Durham Transit Work Program. As part of the appropriations process for the Durham County Transit Plan, an annual Work Program is developed which includes a budget for the upcoming fiscal year . The Transit Plan Governance Interlocal Agreement (ILA) determines the process by which the annual budget is developed and approved and requires approval by the Durham Board of County Commissioners (“BOCC”) and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees. The Staff Working Group (“SWG”) recommended approval of an amendment to the FY5 Durham Transit Work Program at their meeting held on April 14, 2025. The BOCC is requested to adopt the amendment. A memo from the Staff Working Group Administrator is attached and describing the amendment. A summary of the amendment is as follows: 1. Amendment for Low Income Fare Pass (Transit Assistance Program) a. Net Increase to FY25 Work Program is $118,000 b. Decrease Youth GoPass by $14,000 c. Decrease Fare Collection Improvements by $14,000 d. Increase Low Income Fare Pass by $146,000 2. Amendment for Paratransit Expansion a. Increases FY25 Work Program by $40,000 The total increase to the FY25 Durham Transit Work Program is $158,000.
25-0248. Approval of Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Local Funding Plan Recommendation for FY 2025-2026
25-0252. Transfer of $18,000 Between Approved ARPA Awards from Knox Street Studios to Forward Cities to Provide Additional Small Business Counseling Services
The Board is requested to approve the transfer of $ 18,000 between ARPA approved awards from Knox Street Studios to Forward Cities to provide additional small business counseling services. As part of the Board ’s strategic plan for administering the County ’s American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding, the Board initially authorized the use of $ 1,500,000 to implement a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem that included targeted support for small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic. After the applications were reviewed, staff recommended, and the Board approved the initial award to Forward Cities (FC), as well as a second grant award of $ 750,000 to Knox St. Studios (KSS). Funding for both awards was approved by the BOCC on December 11, 2023. The FC contract was approved on March 25, 2024, and the KSS contract was approved on April 29, 2024. Both contracts have an end date of June 30,2026. The transfer will increase the Forward Cities award to $ 1,518,000. The $ 18,000 will be utilized to provide 300 hours of small business counseling that will be administered by Forward Cities E 3 Durham Navigators. FC Navigators are currently providing general counseling services and are best positioned to deliver this program component that was originally in the KSS contract. As a result, the KSS contract will also be modified with similar offsets that reflect the change in funding award. In September 2023, Durham County issued a Request for Proposal for a Small Business Support Program (RFP) to create and maintain a comprehensive entrepreneurial support system that provides targeted support for qualifying small business operating in Durham County. The two main priorities of the RFP were to (1) Establish and Maintain an Entrepreneurial Support System for Small Business Owners Impacted by the COVID -19 Pandemic, and (2) Provide Targeted Small Business Support for Qualifying Small Business.
25-0142. Presentation from Urban Ministries of Durham (30min)
The Board is requested to receive a presentation from the Urban Ministries of Durham. From our humble beginnings 40 years ago -operating in a gymnasium and classroom owned by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church -to our current campus at 410 Liberty Street, Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) has worked hard to build a network of collaborative partnerships across communities of faith, local government, and other nonprofits. This approach has strengthened partnerships that help us achieve our mission to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter, and a future to neighbors in need. We save lives every day by serving others. UMD is proud to be the lead partner launching a transformative Collaborative Impact Project (CIP)-The Homeless Services Center -to directly address Durham ’s deepening homelessness and housing insecurity crisis. With decades of trusted service and collaboration, CIP partners are ready to take the next bold step: reimagining and expanding physical and service infrastructure to meet growing needs and create lasting impact. Today, homeless service providers in Durham are at a critical point as we respond to the growing needs of Durham ’s unhoused, hungry, and impoverished. With a shared vision for the Collaborative Impact Project, UMD is working with partner organizations like Families Moving Forward, Project Access, Lincoln Community Health Center, Entry Point, and others to reimagine a model of care that includes easier access to vital resources -all under one roof. Thanks to the generosity and continued support of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, this vision is beginning to take root. The Collaborative Impact Project includes plans for a new multi -story Services Center along East Main Street, adjacent to the Department of Social Services (DSS). This state -of-the-art facility is projected to cost $ 72 million in pre -development and construction-but the true cost of homelessness is far greater. An investment in this project is an investment in new, expanded services and trauma-informed care. Financial support will improve provider coordination and effectiveness, reduce the cost burden on the community, and deliver a solution to serve the unsheltered both today and in the future.
25-0166. Durham County Farm Campus Feasibility Study Report and Discussion (45min)
25-0203. County Stormwater Update Presentation (20 minutes)
The Board is requested to receive an update presentation on the activities of the County Stormwater Program. Since the adoption of the County Stormwater Utility Fee, the County Stormwater Program has expanded its efforts in complying with the Falls, Jordan, and Neuse Nutrient Management Strategies through capital projects and enhanced education and outreach. This brief update will provide Commissioners with a look at these expanded efforts.
25-0222. Proposed City-County Planning Department FY26 Work Program Discussion (30min)
The Board is requested to review and provide comment on the proposed FY 26 Work Program in preparation for its approval at a regular business meeting.
25-0227. Approval of the Final Recommended FY26 Durham Annual Transit Work Program
The Board is requested to receive a presentation on the Final Recommended FY 26 Durham Annual Transit Work Program (“Work Program”). As part of the appropriations process for the Durham County Transit Plan, an annual Work Program is developed and includes a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The 2023 Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement (“ILA”) determines the process by which the annual budget is developed and approved. Under the guidance of the ILA, the Work Program requires approval by the Durham Board of County Commissioners (“BOCC”) and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees. The BOCC received an informational presentation at the Work Session held on February 3rd. At the Staff Working Group (“SWG”) meeting held on April 14, 2025, the FY 26 Work Program was recommended for approval by a vote of 4-0. The final recommended Work Program and the public engagement report are attached for reference.
25-0240. Naming Committee Request for William V. “Bill” Bell - Former Durham County Commissioner (20min)
The Board is requested to receive a brief update from the Durham County Naming Committee on the request for William V. “Bill” Bell, former Durham County Commissioner, and provide feedback on the recommendations. Following the recommendations - a public hearing and request for final approval will be scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
25-0254. Citizen Comments (30min)
25-0255. Review of County Commissioner Directives (15min)
The Board is requested to review staff follow -up regarding previously issued directives. Board directives from previous meetings as well as staff follow -up are reviewed at monthly work sessions. Staff strive to have all directives input into the system as accurately as possible as soon as they are issued and to follow -up with the board and/or with other relevant parties in an appropriate time frame.
25-0250. Approval to Allow the County Manager to Enter into a Contract with Pipe Techs Plumbing, LLC to Removal and Installation Backflow Preventers at the Durham County Detention Center in the Amount of $122,359.00.
The Board is requested to allow the County Manager to enter into a contract with Pipe Techs Plumbing, LLC to remove and install two (2) backflow preventers at the Durham County Detention Center. The existing backflow preventer, installed originally in 1992, has become damaged over the course of its life. It is required to be replaced as part of the fire pump replacement directly affecting the Life & Safety of the building occupants. A second backflow preventer will be installed as a redundancy.
25-0257. Closed Session
The Board is requested to adjourn to Closed Session to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or of the United States, or not considered a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1)
25-0249. Approval to Allow the County Manager to Enter into a Service Contract with Sunland Fire Protection, Inc. to Remove and Install New Fire Pump and Control Panel at the Durham County Detention Center in the amount of $266,985.00.
The Board is requested to allow the County Manager to enter into a service contract with Sunland Fire Protection to remove the existing inoperable fire pump and associated control panel and replace both with new units. This system is a critical part of the Life Safety infrastructure of the Durham County Detention Center, providing pressurized water for the fire sprinkler system.
25-0241. Presentation on HEART Framework and De-escalation Practices (45min)
The Board is requested to receive a presentation regarding de -escalation practices, training and information on the City of Durham ’s HEART Program. The Durham County Sheriff ’s Office has previously discussed its current de -escalation practices and trainings, and staff will be available for further discussion and questions. Part of the discussion will lead into framework on next steps for HEART in Durham County. On June 27th, 2022, Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) launched 3 new crisis response units that aim to connect people experiencing non -violent mental health crises or quality of life concerns with the right care by sending new responses that better match residents’ needs. A fourth unit launched at the end of September 2022. The goal with these approaches is to connect Durham neighbors to the right care - starting from the point at which someone calls 9-1-1, to the warm handoff to those prepared to help meet the needs of our neighbors in crisis. These first response teams operate under the name of “HEART”, which stands for stands for Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams. HEART's 4 crisis response units are: 1. Crisis Call Diversion (CCD): CCD embeds mental health clinicians in Durham's 9-1-1 call center. 2. Community Response Teams (CRT): CRT dispatches unarmed 3-person teams as first responders to non -violent behavioral health and quality of life calls for service. 3. Care Navigation (CN): Care Navigators follow up with people after meeting with one of our first responders to help connect to the community -based care they need and want. 4. Co-Response (CoR): CoR pairs clinicians with Durham police officers to respond to certain calls for service that pose a greater potential safety risk.