Durham public meetings in 2021
15 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Housing Appeals Board
The Housing Appeals Board is meeting to determine if the City should authorize repairs for a property with an inoperable heating system. Staff reports the condition poses an immediate threat to occupant safety.
- Hearing on Docket No. FY22-HAB014 regarding housing code violations at 3609 Abercromby Dr.
Housing Appeals Board
The Housing Appeals Board is meeting to hear six scheduled cases. These proceedings involve specific property addresses in Durham.
- Case CE-19-0180: 1016 Alabama Ave.
- Case CE-16-1269: 1011 Ancroft Ave.
- Case CE-17-5218: 810 S Roxboro St.
- Case CE-19-3746: 2408 Otis St.
- Case CE-19-4525: 613 Burlington Ave.
Housing Appeals Board
The Housing Appeals Board is reviewing five properties for housing code violations to determine if they should be repaired or demolished. Staff recommended that the city authorize repairs and impose civil penalties for two of the properties.
- 1016 Alabama Ave.: Staff recommends city-authorized repairs and $5,000 in civil penalties plus a $250 administrative fee
- 810 S Roxboro St.: Staff recommends city-authorized repairs and $5,000 in civil penalties plus a $250 administrative fee
- 2408 Otis St.: Hearing for housing code violations (Docket No. FY22-HAB008)
- 613 Burlington Ave.: Hearing for housing code violations (Docket No. FY22-HAB009)
- 117 Nelson St.: Hearing for housing code violations (Docket No. FY22-HAB010)
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The committee voted 7-6 to meet in person rather than virtually. Members discussed the 2022 election process and the retirement of Jennie Lunsford and Deborah Giles.
- Vote to return to in-person meetings (7 in favor, 6 against)
- FY21/22 budget listed as $4006.88
- Upcoming nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer in January
- Discussion of National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month awards
- Planning for December 14th Christmas Celebration
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities discussed ongoing service issues with GoDurham Access and reviewed the Ecolane Paratransit software and UZURV adaptive transportation. The committee also voted to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month on October 12, 2021.
- Review of Ecolane Paratransit software and UZURV adaptive transportation performance
- Request for National Express & Ecolane and Durham Access staff to attend the next meeting
- Vote to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month on October 12, 2021
- Reported FY21/22 budget of $4006.88
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The committee will discuss affordable housing in Durham. Members will also receive updates on plans for fiscal year 2021/22 and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
- Discussion: Affordable Housing in Durham, NC
- FY21/22 Budget: $5000
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities heard presentations on federal broadband discounts and the GoDurham Better Bus Project. The body discussed eligibility for internet subsidies and the design of safer bus stop access.
- Emergency Broadband Benefit: discounts up to $50/month for broadband and $100 for devices
- GoDurham Better Bus Project: street, sidewalk, and bus stop improvements focusing on Routes 3 and 5
- Approval of April 13, 2021, and May 21, 2021, meeting minutes
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The committee participated in a Community Healthcare Assessment hosted by the Durham County Director of Population Health Division and Duke Health. Members discussed health priorities including affordable housing, access to care, poverty, mental health, obesity, diabetes, and food access.
- Community Healthcare Assessment discussion
- Discussion on affordable housing availability for persons with special needs
- Review of healthcare resources including Lincoln Community Health Center and Duke Regional Hospital
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The committee heard a presentation on employment and independence services from the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Members also discussed equitable community engagement and received updates on fair housing settlements.
- NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services presentation on employment and independence goals
- Fair housing settlement of $89,000.00 for six national origin cases
- Fair housing settlement of $3,000.00 for a criminal record background case
- Fair housing settlement of $6,000.00 for a disability reasonable accommodation case
- Discussion on the Equitable Community Engagement Blueprint to increase disability community involvement
Recreation Advisory Commission
The commission will elect a Chair and Vice Chair and discuss meeting times. The agenda includes presentations on spring and summer programming, project updates, and the Racial Equity Plan.
- Board elections for Chair and Vice Chair
- Spring & Summer Programming presentation by Assistant Director Jason Jones
- Project updates from Assistant Director Tom Dawson
- Racial Equity Plan presentation by Sharon Williams
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities discussed draft goals for accessible housing in the Comprehensive Plan. Members reviewed updates to the city website's accessibility and heard reports from the Durham Housing Authority and GoDurham Access.
- Discussion of Draft Goals and Objectives for the Comprehensive Plan-Accessible Housing
- Addition of a blue ADA button to the city website to link to accessibility policies
- Report on 252 PDFs fixed for accessibility by the Public Works Department
- Review of Durham Housing Authority application processes and modified accommodations
- Discussion of GoDurham Access scheduling issues and software problems with Ecolane
Recreation Advisory Commission
The commission is meeting to approve previous minutes and review fee waiver requests. The session includes a Parks and Recreation Department presentation on history and an overview.
- Approval of January 13, 2021 meeting minutes
- Review of fee waiver requests
- Parks and Recreation Department presentation: History 101 / Overview
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The committee reviewed COVID-19 vaccination rollout and transportation access for residents. Members discussed sidewalk repair progress and draft goals for accessible housing within the city's Comprehensive Plan.
- Sidewalk repair updates including 6.25 miles of repair and upcoming projects SW-67, SW-75, SW-76, SW-77, and SW-78
- Discussion of free vaccination transportation provided by GoTriangle and GoDurham Access
- Review of Draft Goals and Objectives for the Comprehensive Plan regarding Accessible Housing
- Reported sidewalk accessibility issues on S. Duke Street and Morehead Ave
- Budget balance of $4,281.52
Recreation Advisory Commission
The commission will discuss annual attendance and year-in-review reports to be submitted to City Council. The meeting also includes an engagement presentation by Assistant Director Tom Dawson.
- Approval of December 9, 2020 meeting minutes
- Fee waivers
- RAC Annual Attendance Report to City Council
- Annual Year in Review report to City Council
- Engagement presentation by Assistant Director Tom Dawson
Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities discussed the implementation of an ADA accessibility button on the city website and the need for user testing. Members also received updates on CARES Act funding surveys and social service benefits.
- Review of a proposed ADA accessibility button for DurhamNC.Gov
- Survey on the allocation of CARES Act funds
- Confirmation of a $5,000 committee budget
- Discussion on Durham County Sheriff Department dash camera policies
- Updates on SNAP benefits ($194 per person) and LIHEAP assistance ($300 or more)