Council approved a contentious $6.755 million transfer of federal pandemic relief funds to Haiti Promise CDC for Fayetteville Street revitalization in a 5-2 vote, with Shanetta Burris and Chelsea Cook opposing the move over equity and accountability concerns. The CDC, despite receiving nonprofit status only in December 2025, has struggled to meet spending deadlines and compliance metrics despite city staff support embedded in the organization. Burris questioned why this group received exceptions unavailable to other organizations. Community speakers were sharply divided: Angel Iset Dozier accused the CDC of forming unethically using another organization's nonprofit status without consent and urged the council to pause and bring back the original coalition, while Victoria Peterson demanded broader audits of all pandemic spending. Nate Baker secured three commitments before voting yes: quarterly metrics reports every six months, public posting of major work products, and meaningful community engagement through the city's Community Engagement Department. Residents referenced Durham's painful history of 1960s urban renewal that displaced over 4,000 families with promises of reinvestment that never materialized.
Council unanimously approved a five-year office lease extension at Golden Belt Complex for approximately $2.2 million, plus a five-year option for $2.8 million. Chelsea Cook questioned the deal, and residents including Jackie Wagstaff criticized the arrangement as effectively subsidizing the property owner's mortgage through city rent payments, particularly given the city's earlier investment in property renovation.
Vote Record (14)
Contract
passed5-2
Amendment to Contract (#20910) with Hayti Promise CDC/St. Jo
$6.8M
To authorize the City Manager to execute a first amendment to the ARPA Revenue Recovery subrecipient grant agreement with Hayti Promise Community Development Corporation to remove St. Joseph’s Histori
Construction Contract for the Environmental & Street Service
$4.8M
To authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement Form – EJCDC Stipulated Sum (Single-Prime Contract) for the Environmental & Street Services Yard Waste Repairs and Upgrades project with FSC II,
Contract
passed7-0
Ratification of Ten FY26 Festivals and Events Contracts
$19632.0B
To ratify the contract for Fiestas en la Calle Durham 2025 with The El Centro Hispano, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $5,310 beginning on August 3, 2025; To authorize the City Manager’s execution of
Contract
passed7-0
Fourth Amendment to Extend Lease between City of Durham and
$2.2M
To authorize the City Manager to execute the Fourth Amendment to extend the existing lease term by five years with LRC-GB, LLC, in the amount of $2,208,440 for office space at Building 2 Suite 300 of
Resolution
passed7-0
Limited Obligation Bonds, Series 2026 A/B
$136M
To conduct a Public Hearing to receive comments and consider the following motions: To adopt a resolution approving an installment financing contract not to exceed $136,000,000 and accompanying deed o