THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

 

Monday, May 6, 2002

 

9:00 A.M. Worksession

 

AGENDA

 

 1.    Citizen Comments?Bishop Arnold Harris and Pastor Carol Ayres

 

Bishop Harris and Pastor Ayres have requested time to speak to the Commissioners about crime and violence in the East Main Street area of the Edgemont Community (Northeast Central Durham).

 

 2.    Citizen Comments?Robert H. Dean Jr.

 

Mr. Dean, Acting President of the Hillview Terrace Neighborhood Association, requests time on the agenda to speak to the impact the proposed Sunny Meadows subdivision would have on West Avenue homeowners and adjoining streets, such as Felicia Street.

 

 3.    Budget Presentations for Nonprofit Agencies Applying for FY 2002-2003 Funding

 

The Board is requested to hear the presentations from nonprofit organizations regarding their requests for funding in Budget Year 2002-2003.

 

Resource Person(s): Pam Meyer, Budget Director, and presenters from nonprofit organizations

 

County Manager's Recommendation: The County Manager?s recommendation is that the Commissioners receive input from speakers and incorporate in their deliberations prior to finalizing next fiscal year?s budget.

 

 4.    Teen Outreach Program (TOP)?Durham County Health Department

 

Ms. Annette Carrington will make a brief presentation to inform the Board of County Commissioners of the history and outcomes of the Teen Outreach Program (TOP).  The presentation will include comments from TOP Advisory Board members and students.  TOP is a partnership between the Durham County Health Department and Durham Public Schools to reduce teen pregnancies and school dropout among its participants.  TOP is a youth development program offering weekly classroom instruction and service learning opportunities to 775 DPS middle and high school students.

 

The Teen Outreach Program was started in 1999 and is currently funded through the Community Health Trust Fund at an annual cost of $143,811.

 

Resource Person(s): Brian Letourneau, MSPH, Health Director; Tekola Fisseha, MPH, Health Education Director; and Annette Carrington, CHES, Program Manager

 

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation.

 

 5.    Cultural Master Plan for Durham County

 

In September of 1999, the Board of County Commissioners went on record in support of a grant application from the State of North Carolina for funds to prepare a Cultural Master Plan.  The application was not approved; however, approval of recent amendments to the Occupancy Tax legislation for Durham County provides the $200,000 needed for the study process.  Representatives from the cultural community have developed the process for the development and preparation of the study.  The County will be asked to assist with appointments as well as the preparation and administration of the bid documents to secure the professional services necessary to prepare the study.

 

Resource Person(s): Barker French, Carolina Theatre Board; Sherry DeVries, Durham Arts Council; E?Vonne Coleman, Duke Continuing Education, Cultural Expert; and Alice Sharpe, President, Downtown Durham Inc.

 

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation and advise the staff if any additional information or action may be necessary.

 

 6.     Resolution Endorsing an FTZ Sub-Zone Application for General Electric Aircraft Engines

 

Triangle J Council of Governments, as Grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #93, has been authorized to submit an application to establish a 512-acre special-purpose subzone at 3701 South Miami Blvd. in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) for General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE).  Establishment of this subzone will benefit GEAE, RTP, the City of Durham, and Durham County.  The use of the Federal Trade Zone procedures will enable GEAE to enjoy the same advantages many of its competitors already enjoy, as well as increase the financial stability of the company and allow it to invest more into its permanent presence in RTP.  The approval thereof may also help GEAE to increase its local labor force and provide additional jobs for the community.

 

Resource Person(s): Commission Vice-Chairman Ellen Reckhow; County Manager Mike Ruffin

 

        County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board suspend its rules and adopt the Resolution as presented.

 

 7.    Adoption of the FY 2002-2003 Consolidated Action Plan 

 

The Board of Commissioners, at its April 8, 2002 meeting, had an opportunity to consider the Adoption of the FY 2002-2003 Consolidated Action Plan.  However, the Board had several questions and requested that a written response be provided prior to adoption.  On April 19, 2002, the City provided a written response.  The Plan will be submitted to HUD on May 15, 2002.

 

The adopted Citizen Participation Plan requires that two public hearings be held prior to the submission of the Consolidated Action Plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The purpose of the first public hearing is to receive comments pertaining to HOME program needs in Durham.  The Board of County Commissioners needs public hearing was held on February 25, 2002.  No citizen comments were received.  The purpose of the second public hearing was to receive comments on the use of FY 2002-2003 HOME funds as proposed in the Consolidated Action Plan Draft.  The FY 2002-2003 Consolidated Action Plan Draft was made available for public review beginning March 8, 2002 through April 7, 2002.  The Board of County Commissioners, at its April 8, 2002 meeting, held the Consolidated Action Plan Draft public hearing.

 

The Durham City-County HOME Consortium anticipates receiving total HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program funds in the amount of  $1,351,000.  This amount includes an annual HOME allocation of $1,051,000 and program income in the amount of $300,000.  The use of FY 2002-2003 HOME funds includes substantial homeowner rehabilitation activities for low-income city and county residents, tenant-based rental assistance (HOPE VI Revitalization Area), and acquisition and/or substantial project rehabilitation by a developer.  A Request For Proposals (RFP) for acquisition and/or substantial project rehabilitation will be issued to interested developers during the program year.   The Durham City-County HOME Consortium will be required to provide a 25% match (non-federal funds) to the total amount of HOME funds used directly for affordable housing activities during FY 2002-2003.  The required match will be approximately $287,088 and will be funded with City Housing Bonds and available County funds as outlined in the current Consortium Agreement.

 

Charlene Montford, Director of the City of Durham Department of Housing and Community Development, has reviewed this request and recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the FY 2002-2003 Consolidated Action Plan.  Michael Pullum, Senior Planner, will attend the meeting to answer questions.

 

Resource Person(s): Michael Pullum, Senior Planner, City of Durham Department of Housing and Community Development

 

        County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager?s recommendation is that the Board suspend the rules and adopt the FY 2002-2003 Consolidated Action Plan.  Each of the respective public hearings has occurred, and the plan has been modified from draft status to submission status based on the feedback provided during the public hearings.  The Board had several questions during the April 8, 2002 meeting which are answered in the memo.

 

 8.    Update on 2002 Durham County Legislative Agenda

 

The members of the General Assembly will convene in Raleigh at noon on May 28, 2002 for the so-called ?Short Session."  At a recent meeting with the Durham Delegation on March 14, 2002, the Board discussed possibly placing the following items on the Legislative Agenda for the 2002 Short Session:

 

·      ½-cent sales tax

·      Menu of Local Option Taxes (HB99)

·      Impact Fee/Tax Authority

 

In addition, several items from the adopted 2001 Legislative Agenda that are eligible for consideration will be discussed.  Staff will distribute copies of the proposed legislation at Monday?s meeting.

 

Resource Person(s): Deborah Craig-Ray and Chuck Kitchen

 

County Manager's Recommendation: Review the items and further direct staff in preparing the 2002 Legislative Agenda for the upcoming short session.