Council members sparred over how to spend $249,000 in federal pandemic relief funds before a December 31st deadline, with the mayor proposing "Baby Bonds" savings accounts for kindergarteners but staff raising legal concerns about distributing cash to minors.
Mayor Leonardo Williams proposed $249,000 in Baby Bonds savings accounts for Durham kindergarteners before December 31st, but the City Attorney raised legal concerns about distributing cash to minors under federal pandemic relief rules.
Council approved a sister city relationship with Kunshan, China and is exploring partnerships with Monrovia, Liberia and Freiburg, Germany, though Council Member Carl Rist questioned the necessity of a second Chinese sister city.
Durham will receive 38 new electric school buses through an EPA federal program, and the Southside Revitalization project broke ground on phases 3 and 4, adding 100 affordable housing units in county partnership.