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Durham City Council worked through a lengthy pulled-items agenda and heard substantive debate on eviction diversion program effectiveness, a proposed law enforcement technology resolution, minimum housing code updates, and city contracting disparities.
Members discussed a draft resolution — modeled on Asheville's approach — that would bind city administration on use of surveillance and law enforcement tech tools, with several council members requesting more review time before the June 15 council meeting.
Public speakers and council members raised concerns that only 11 of 768 Legal Aid cases last year were resolved through mediation, prompting calls for restructured roles, better oversight, and coordination between Housing and Community Safety departments.
Housing and Neighborhood Services staff outlined key changes to Chapter 10, including removing minimum kitchen area requirements to support tiny homes and ADUs, banning interior keyed deadbolts, and clarifying pest elimination responsibilities for landlords versus tenants.
A final report presentation showed disparities in how city contracting dollars reach minority- and women-owned firms, with members urging staff to shift from compliance-driven to performance-driven practices and improve outreach to minority vendors.
Finance staff explained that Durham City Transit Company's legacy high-deductible liability policy from 2022–23 requires a letter of credit with JPMorgan Chase, not to exceed $450,000, to cover open claims while the occurrence-based policy remains active.