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THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA Tuesday, September
2, 2003 9:00 A.M.
Worksession AGENDA 1. Request from Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Regarding the USA PATRIOT Act The Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee will make a presentation to the Commissioners regarding the USA PATRIOT Act. The United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina will be present to respond on behalf of the United States. Resource Person(s):
Joan Walsh, Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee member, and Anna Mills
Wagoner, US Attorney for the Middle District County Manager?s Recommendation:
The County Manager recommends that the Board consider the presentation by the
Bill of Rights Defense Committee and the United States Attorney?s Office, and
give direction to staff. 2. Same-Sex Domestic Partner Benefits In
conjunction with the County Attorney?s legal opinion that only same-sex
domestic partner benefits can be offered to County employees without the
violation of the Commissioners? oaths of office, the Human Resources Department
has completed the actions necessary to make this offering possible. Our two Health providers, Cigna Health and
Wellpath, have applied for and received approval from the Department of
Insurance to provide same-sex health benefits.
They have also agreed to provide this benefit with no additional
increase in premiums. Upon approval by
the Board of County Commissioners, the Human Resources Department will begin
the process for adding same-sex benefit coverage during our annual benefits
enrollment in October/November for implementation on January 1, 2004. Resource
Person(s): Jackye Knight, Human Resources Director, and Debbie
Davidson, Benefits Manager County
Manager?s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that
the Board advise staff if any additional information is necessary. 3. Presentation by the Board of
Elections Director Regarding the ?Help America Vote Act" Michael
Ashe, Board of Elections Director, has requested time on the agenda to speak to
the new Federal and State legislation regarding the ?Help America Vote Act"
(HAVA). He wishes to briefly present
background information and explain the impacts of the Act on Durham County. Resource Person(s):
Board of Elections Director Michael Ashe County
Manager?s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that
the Board of County Commissioners receive his presentation. 4. Bond Fund Report The Board of
County Commissioners requested that the County Manager provide a report for all
bonds that have been issued for public projects since 1986. The report provides summary information for
issuances in 1986, 1991, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Resource
Person(s): Mike Ruffin, County Manager; George Quick, Finance
Director; and Jessica Brown-Linton, Investment Manager County
Manager?s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that
the Board receive the report and advise if any additional action is required. 5. Durham County East and North Regional
Branch Libraries?Project Update (Project Numbers: DC073-48 & DC077-50) The
2001 Bond Referendum included funding for the East and North Regional Branch
Libraries. The East Branch Library is to be located on Highway 98 east of
Nichols Farm Road, and the North Branch Library is to be located on Milton Road
near Carrington Middle School. Property
acquisition of the potential sites and design of the facilities are
underway. On December 9, 2002, the
Board of County Commissioners awarded a design contract to The Freelon Group,
P.A., of Durham to provide architectural services to develop a prototype
regional library for the north and east locations, as well as a future south
location. The regional branches will
contain approximately 25,000 square feet
with 150 parking spaces and a provision for future expansion of a
10,000-square-foot addition. The programming phase of the project has been completed. This phase involved a series of meetings with Library staff to
determine the needs of the facilities.
The project is currently in the Schematic Design Phase and the architect
will provide an update to the Board.
The Library Board of Trustees received a similar update on August 18,
2003. Resource
Person(s): Glen Whisler, P.E., County Engineer; Philip Cherry,
Director of Library Services; and Chris Brasier, The Freelon Group, P.A. County
Manager?s Recommendation: The
County Manager recommends that the Board accept the update and provide
direction to staff as appropriate. 6. Appointments to the Jury Commission
and the Board of Adjustment Mr. William J. Brian Jr. has served
on the Durham Board of Adjustment since Ms. Dominique
Alicia Smith has submitted an application for service on the Durham Jury
Commission. Her appointment to the
commission will fill the vacant position for the county appointee on the
three-member commission. Both Mr. Brian and
Ms. Smith have paid their taxes and are eligible to serve. Their applications are attached. Resource Person(s):
Garry E. Umstead, CMC, Clerk to the Board County
Manager?s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that
the Board suspend the rules and appoint Mr. Brian to the Durham Board of
Adjustment and Ms. Smith to the Durham Jury Commission. 7. Resolution on Appointments to Boards and Commissions At the City-County Committee meeting, an
agreement was reached to shorten from Resource Person(s): Chuck
Kitchen, County Attorney County Manager?s Recommendation:
The County Manager recommends that the
Board receive the information and advise the staff if any additional
information is needed. |
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