Directed by Chairman MaryAnn Black, staff worked with a group of non-profit homeless service providers to develop a report on Homelessness in Durham concerning: 1) the magnitude of the challenge; 2) the strategies and resources aimed at addressing homelessness; and 3) unmet needs. Staff was also asked to obtain information from other jurisdictions regarding "best practices" for addressing homelessness.

Stan Holt, Executive Director of Genesis Home, representing the non-profit homeless provider community, will present to the Board a summary report entitled "Homelessness In Durham, A Brief Look."

Michael Palmer and Robyn Riley (County staff) will summarize their "best practices" findings and show a 12-minute video on Miami’s Community Partnership for Homeless Inc. (touted as a national model program).

Representatives from many community agencies will be present to respond to Board questions.

County Manager’s Recommendation: As the Board is aware, homelessness is a complex national problem for which there are no quick fixes. Deputy County Manager Michael Palmer has participated in this project on behalf of the Manager’s office. He expects this presentation to raise more items of concern than generate solutions. The Board is requested to direct County staff to work with City staff and develop (for BOCC/City Council approval) the structure for a Durham Homeless Commission to serve as advisors to the BOCC and City Council. This commission could then be given the task of assessing the issue more thoroughly and developing a comprehensive community strategy for implementation and monitoring.

2. Proposed Renovation/Construction Plans for the Emergency Shelter

County staff recommends supporting the proposed renovation/construction plans for the emergency shelter. The proposal was presented to the Board during the
January 4 Worksession. Staff’s recommendation is based on an independent site assessment, a review of architectural drawings, and a review of construction cost estimates.

The proposal comprises the renovation of the existing structure and the addition of a new structure for families. The building renovation will involve 10,389 square feet estimated at approximately $44 per square foot. The facility will be reconfigured to accommodate 46 single men and 24 single women. The new construction will consist of 5,722 square feet estimated at approximately $126 per square foot and be segmented from the existing structure to accommodate 12 families. The total project cost is estimated at $1.55 million.

The proposed funding allocation will include $300,000 from the City’s Housing Bond Fund, $308,704 from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency in the form of zero interest amortizing loans, $250,000 from private donations, and $691,767 from Durham County.

County Manager’s Recommendation: That the Board include the construction/renovation plans in the FY 2000-2005 Capital Improvement Program for future discussion and approval. During the CIP process, staff will investigate alternative funding sources such as 1986 Bond funds and federal HOME funds. However, to ensure North Carolina HFA funds are set aside to support the project, the Manager recommends providing staff with the authority to write a letter to
NC HFA stating the County’s intended support for the project.

3. Durham Regional Hospital Prepaid Lease

The County Manager was directed previously by the Board of County Commissioners to bring forward recommendations as to various options for the maintenance and investment of the prepaid lease proceeds that were derived from the lease of Durham Regional Hospital to Duke University Health System. The Board has received suggestions and proposals from private investment firms, foundations, and the Durham County Hospital Corporation. The County Manager has conducted a review of the options with the County Attorney, County Finance Director, and with the aid of an independent financial overview by Davenport & Company LLC. The results of this review will be presented at this meeting in summary form for Board deliberation.

4. Durham County Board of Elections Voter Registration/Election Management System

The purpose of this item is to inform the Board of County Commissioners of the two alternatives available to the DBOE for implementing a new voter registration/election management system and to reply to the inquires made by the Board on January 11, 1999.

Alternative A--State Board of Elections SEIMS (VoterView--county level application)

Alternative B--Invitation for Bids (contingency plan)

After careful evaluation of the inquiries made by the BOCC, the DBOE conversion project team submits the following documents for review:

1) Project Overview & Time-Line
3) Software Application Function Comparison
4) Software Support Estimates
5) Summary of Compliance and Contingency Issues (derived from survey)
6) Excerpts from Bid Package
7) DG Application Conversion (Perry Dixon to address inquiry)
8) Upgrade to AS400 (Perry Dixon to address inquiry)

Resource persons for this agenda item are Cheryl Todd, Deputy Director, Board of Elections; Perry Dixon, Director, IT; and Bahaa Jizi, Buyer, Purchasing.

County Manager’s Recommendation: To support the implementation of a voter registration/election management system by the DBOE conversion project team through a process of monitoring alternatives A (SBOE--SEIMS) and B
(IFB--contingency plan) and their respective deadlines. The Manager has requested that staff prepare a dual timetable to put the County in a position to go through the State Board of Elections for this software, or through a private firm if the State does not come through again. Staff will also attempt to address the Board’s previously stated concerns.

5. Informational Report on the Draft 2000-2006 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has released a Draft 2000-2006 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which identifies the Federal and State funded transportation projects to be implemented across the state during the next seven fiscal years. For increased public input, the State has implemented an extended public comment and outreach program. To increase fiscal responsibility, the State made significant changes to constrain the project funding commitments to Federal and State revenue forecasts. As a result of the fiscal constraint, the draft TIP proposes project delays and postponements statewide, including Durham. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners receive a report from administration concerning the Draft 2000-2006 Transportation Improvement Program and adopt a "Resolution Concerning the Draft 2000-2006 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)" for submittal to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the NCDOT. A suggested resolution is provided to this report as Attachment C.

Wesley Parham, Senior Transportation Engineer, City Public Works Department, and Bonnie Estes, Planning Manager, Durham City/County Planning Department, will be present at the Worksession to discuss this item with the Board of County Commissioners.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Receive presentation then review and make recommendations concerning the draft of the resolution identified as Attachment C.

6. Discussion of Proposed Items for the 1999 Durham County Legislative Agenda

Deborah Craig-Ray, Governmental Affairs Director, will lead a discussion of proposed legislative items which have been submitted by departments and County Commissioners for possible inclusion in the 1999 Durham County Legislative Agenda. Once items have gone through this discussion period, a final list will be prepared for Board approval and subsequent submission to members of the Durham delegation. The General Assembly convened at noon on Wednesday, January 27 in long session. Deadlines for submitting local bills will be set shortly by the General Assembly. Staff is also requesting consideration of the following dates to schedule a breakfast meeting with members of the Durham delegation:

Monday, February 15 at 8:00 a.m.

Resource Persons: Deborah Craig-Ray and Kim Grantham