Durham City Council Agenda: Eviction Diversion, New Appointments, Annexations
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The city’s eviction diversion program, some commission appointments, and proposed annexations are on the agenda for the Sept. 3 Durham City Council meeting.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on the first floor at 101 City Hall Plaza.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda features a variety of key appointments and financial decisions. Among the highlights are the appointment of Jess E. Vaughn to the Durham Workers’ Rights Commission and Tai T. Huynh to the Durham Planning Commission, filling vacancies due to recent resignations.
The agenda also includes the acceptance of major grants, such as a $35.4 million FAA Airport Improvement Program grant and a $1 million no-interest loan for lead service line replacement.
The council also could authorize contracts for various city services, including a $2.6 million Microsoft Enterprise Software Licensing Agreement, which aims to enhance the city’s digital infrastructure.
Key Appointments:
- Durham Workers’ Rights Commission: Jess E. Vaughn, representing Low-Wage Industry.
- Durham Planning Commission: Tai T. Huynh.
- Housing Appeals Board: Jenna K. Houchins.
- Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee: Orlander R. Thomas.
- Durham Poet Laureate: Christopher Vitiello.
Major Financial Actions:
- FAA Airport Improvement Program Grant: $35.4 million for airport enhancements.
- Lead Service Line Replacement Loan: $1 million for water infrastructure improvements.
- Microsoft Enterprise Software Licensing Agreement: Authorization of a $2.6 million contract to enhance the city’s digital capabilities.
Other notable items include contract amendments and approvals related to public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and digital equity initiatives.
General Business Agenda and Public Hearings
Council members are expected to deliberate on several significant topics under the General Business agenda. A key item is a $650,000 grant agreement with Legal Aid of North Carolina to sustain the Eviction Diversion Program, which provides crucial legal support to low-income renters facing eviction due to financial hardships. This initiative, funded by the city’s Dedicated Housing Funds, aims to prevent homelessness and maintain housing stability for vulnerable residents.
The council also is scheduled to conduct public hearings on three consolidated annexation proposals that could reshape parts of Durham’s residential landscape. The areas under consideration include Woodlands Preserve on Torredge Road and Koback Drive, as well as Leigh Valley. Each proposal involves annexing these areas into the city, accompanied by rezoning actions that will shift the properties from county to city jurisdiction. This shift aligns with Durham’s broader development strategies and includes measures to ensure the protection of critical watershed areas.
For Woodlands Preserve, the council will vote on motions to annex and rezone the properties, moving them into the city’s Residential Suburban-20 zoning category, which is part of the Falls/Jordan Lake Watershed District B. These moves are designed to support residential development while maintaining the environmental safeguards necessary for the watershed.
Similarly, the Leigh Valley annexation proposal involves rezoning the property to a Residential Compact with a Development Plan, reflecting the city’s intent to accommodate more dense residential development in certain areas, particularly those near major transportation corridors like Interstate 40. This rezoning is expected to allow for more efficient land use while ensuring that development remains consistent with environmental protection guidelines.
