Regular Session

close session. Um the board of commissioners met in close session um and conducted our evaluations and have come to the decision of these salary changes for the positions that report to the board of commissioners. For clerk to the board um the board is is introducing a 12.91% increase for county attorney 10.42% increase. Uh, chair 3.36%. Commissioner 1.4%. Manager 6.78%. Register of deeds 1.127%. And tax administrator 12.126%. I'll entertain a motion to approve these changes.

So moved. I'll

second.

Moved by Commissioner Burton, seconded by Vice Chair Dr. Lee. All in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? These changes are approved. Four to zero. Um and then before we get started, I will entertain a motion for an excused absence for Commissioner Jacobs.

I'll um so moved.

Second.

Okay. Moved by Commissioner uh Vice Chair Dr. Lee, seconded by Commissioner Valentine. All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed? Commissioner Jacobs is excused. Now, I'll get us started with the public charge. The board of commissioners asks its members and residents to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner both with the board and fellow residents. At any time, should any member of the board or any resident fail to observe this public charge, the chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should the quorum fail to be restored, the chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to the public charge is observed. Commissioner Valentine, would you like to read the land acknowledgement? So, as we convene for the Dorm County Commissioners meeting, it's crucial to

recognize the painful truth of history. And so we stand on the stolen ancestral lands of the of the Kaba, the Eno, the Okinishi, the Shakura, and the Tus the C the Tuscora peoples, whose deep connection to the land predates our arrival. Excuse me. We acknowledge with humility the unjust displacement and violence that occurred leading to the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their homelands. Their resilience in the face of such adversity is a testament to their strength and spirit. May we humbly honor the ancestors and elders of these nations, both past and present by committing ourselves to fostering understanding, healing, and justice for all who inhabit this land. Let's walk forward together with open hearts, acknowledging the past and embracing a future guided by compassion, respect, and unity. I apologize for that moment. I actually had a moment and so I had the uh occasion to speak to someone whose family has origins in the uh Okanichi nation just recently. And so bear with me on that that moment. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Rhine. Uh, Vice Chair Lee, would you like to lead us in the pledge?

Yes.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice

for all. Thank you, Vice Chair Dr. Lee. Are there now any adjustments to the agenda? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion for approval.

So moved.

Second.

Moved by Vice Chair Dr. Lee. Second by Commissioner Burton. All in favor say I. I.

I.

Any opposed? Agenda is adopted.

Clerk Wallace, would you like to do announcements?

Sure.

I will read the announcements published in tonight's agenda. Most Durham County government offices will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 1st. All off all offices will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please note that the Board of County Commissioners work session will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, not the usual first Monday of the month. For other impacts to services, please visit dcnc.gov. The Durham County Tax Administration mailed out 2025 property tax bills to all real property owners on Tuesday, August 12th. Current year bills are due by September 1st, 2025 and may be paid without penalty through Monday, January 5th, 2026. Property owners may visit dcnc.govtax or call 919-56003000 for more information. You can also search your tax bill online and there is a link. If you were impacted by tropical depression Shantel, you can get inperson help at the Durham County Library North Regional Branch, 221 Milton Road through Saturday, August the 30th at 100 p.m. Apply for disaster aid and loans. Connect with recovery agencies and get information on resources available. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can uh visit durhamnc.gov for more information.

The Durham County Cooperative Extension is holding its annual Briggs Avenue Community Garden fall and plant sale from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th. Come out to 1314 Southbriggs Avenue for free seeds and compost. ask a uh master gardener table, pepper tasting, kids activities, and the plant sale where they are accepting cash and check only. There is a link for additional information. Join Welcome Baby and help smash the goal of 4,000 pair of socks during the second annual socktober sock drive during the month of September. Donate children's socks sizes newborn through children's 9 at 721 Foster Street. All don donations will be shared with families during the weekly giving closet. You can organize your own sock drive in your neighborhood. Uh social club, sports team, work or faith community. Contact Cindy Riley at CK Riley at dc.gov or call 919-5607319. Durham County's 500 East Main Street parking deck. The physical address is 114 South Elizabeth Street is now open to the public as of today, August the 25th. Residents visiting the human services building at 414 East Main Street will be allowed to utilize the deck. Receiving parking validation inside the departmental lobby services area. You must present your parking ticket for validation. Please note, if you do not receive validation, regular parking deck charges will apply. The deck has three entrances. Maine, Dillard, and Elizabeth Street available for use. Mosquito activity is high at this time of year, so it's important to protect yourself from mosquito bites and illnesses carried by mosquitoes like Westnau virus. Prevent West Now virus by avoiding mosquito bites by applying EPA registered insect repellent, wearing

long clothing, using screens on doors and windows, and dumping standing water in objects like bird baths and tires to prevent mosquitoes from breeding near the water. For additional information, you can visit the cdc.gov site. And lastly, Homeshare Durham is looking to help people seeking affordable housing with those who have extra space. This offers companionship support, reduce housing costs, and provide security and stability. You can visit dcia.org/homesharedm or email homesharedhamgmail.com for additional information. That concludes the announcements published in tonight's agenda.

Thank you, Clerk Wallace. Um, are there any additional announcements? Commissioner Burton.

Thank you, Chair Alam. I just wanted to share that um we went to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners this past weekend. It was Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Um it was a really um great conference because we get to learn all the things that are going across going on across the state of North Carolina with other county commissioners. um really enjoyed the fact that we got a lot of data um information about the 100 counties as well as learning about affordable housing and also again what's coming down from the federal government with regards to Medicaid and SNAP and also learning some of the things about what's happening with the Pit County Sheriff's Office with regards to rehabilitation and helping um individuals iduals who are in um incarcerated in the detention center um with getting um their education and getting off um dealing with substance abuse disorder things like that. So, I just wanted to share it was a really good conference and I'm looking forward to the conference next year because it's going to be here in

Durham County.

Thank you, Commissioner Burton. Commissioner Valentine.

Uh yes, thank you for those remarks. Uh, Commissioner Burton, and I'd just like to add that uh, I came away from the conference um, with a better understanding with respect to the bipartisan nature of what all of the county officials um, believe to be true about the impact that uh, the loss of SNAP benefits and also Medicaid is having on all of our communities. And so, uh, I was encouraged by that. Um, so it would appear that uh there are some other people out there who actually care about these issues and we're hoping that uh we can become partners to salvage these benefits for people in our community.

Thank you, Commissioner Valentine. No other announcements. Uh we will then move to approval of the minutes. We have two meeting minutes that need approval. August 4th work session and August 11th regular session. Do I hear a motion for approval?

So moved.

Second.

Moved by Vice Chair Dr. Lee, second by Commissioner Burton. All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed? Minutes are approved. Now move to ceremonial items with the first one being read by Commissioner Burton.

Thank you, Chair Alam. Um this resolution is to honor honor Thomas Henry Krakow whereas Thomas Henry Krakow was born in 1942 in Buffalo, New York to Dr. Hans and Elizabeth Krakow and transitioned on June 17, 2025. And whereas he pursued higher education earning a BS from the University of Rochester, a MS from the University of Miami as well as a PhD in zoologology and physiology from the University of Florida in 1970. And

whereas in 1974 he entered the museum field as the director of the Rono Valley Science Museum in Rono, Virginia. And during his time there, he grew the facility from a 400 square foot children's museum and to a modern regional institution complete with interactive science exhibits and a planetarium. And whereas Tom accepted the position of president and CEO of Durham's Museum of Life and Science in 1985 and increased the museum's annual operating budget from $675,000 to $4.2 $2 million. And whereas under his visionary leadership, beloved additions like the Magic Wings Butterfly House came to life and the museum grew in both scope and impact. During his tenure, he secured six National Science Foundation grants which helped shape the museum's future in informal science education. And whereas he received many awards and honor honors for his work and was generous with donations to various organizations including a permanent endowment in memory of his late wife Janet for support of botanical illustration at UNC Chapel Hills North Carolina Botanical Garden. And whereas after retiring in 2003, Tom devoted his considerable skills and talents to helping to establish and lead the Museum of Durham history. And whereas we pause to honor this remarkable man who will always be remembered as an accomplished burer, butterfly enthusiast, and genealogologist, and for his positivity, energy, and vision. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, do hereby resolve to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Thomas Henry Crackour, an amazing man who was a national leader in a field of museum of science and technology. This the 25th

day of August 2025. Nidol Lam chair, Dr. Mike Lee, vice chair. Michelle Burton, Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, Commissioner Stephen Valentine, Commissioner.

Thank you, Commissioner Burton. Do we have any members of the family here present? No. Okay. Thank you. The next we have a proclamation um that the board has signed and the man clerk will be providing it to our emergency services office. our proclamation on national preparedness month and Dr. Lockheart if you'd like to come and speak on it for a moment.

Good evening. Thank you, Chair Lam. Thank you, Commissioners, Madame Manager, Madame Attorney. On behalf of the Office of Emergency Services, and our emergency management team, we're grateful to you for this proclamation of next month as National Preparedness Month. Hurricane season is here and as mother nature likes to remind us, it is important to be prepared for extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding, and while hard to imagine in late August, ice storms, or even snow. We encourage everyone to use the month of September to assess their preparedness for these situations, identify their needs, and work to close those gaps so that they can be prepared whether at the home or office. Thank you again.

Thank you, Dr. Lockheart and thank you for all the work that you do to keep our communities safe and prepared and then in the event of an emergency. Your rapid response is always so valued um not just by here us here in Durham County but also our neighboring counties as we saw after tropical storm Shantel in Orange County Person. So thank you so much to you and your team that are leading.

Thank you. Okay,

now moves us on to consent agenda. Uh, are there any items that the board would like to pull? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion

for approval.

So moved.

Second.

Moved by Commissioner Burton, second by Commissioner Valentine. All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed. Consent is passed. We now move on to other business. The first being uh we have a resolution supporting the state funding for the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Um do we have Yes, I see Raina. Um our food security coordinator is here as well as our director of DSS Maggie Clap and Dr. Jenkins. I saw you. There you are. And Donna Rewald, you're gonna you're gonna come forward. Yeah. Would you like us? Um, so we need to vote on this item. So, would you like us to go ahead and vote on it first? Man,

you can go ahead and vote.

Okay. So, I'll entertain a motion for approval of this resolution.

So moved.

I'll second.

Okay. Moved by Commissioner Valentine, second by by Sher Dr. Lee. All in favor say I.

I.

Any opposed? Okay. Resolution is approved. And we have this one being read split by us. Um so Commissioner Valentine, do you want to start?

Yes. So resolutions supporting state funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. So whereas the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP serves 13% of households in North Carolina, as of July 2025, there are 1,357,112 SNAP participants in North Carolina and 32,660 in Dorm County. Whereas four or five families participating in SNAP in North Carolina have either a child, a senior, or an adult with disability. And whereas substantial research has shown that SNAP improves both food security and numerous health outcomes for participants. And whereas every dollar in SNAP benefits generates $150 to a$180 for local

economies. And SNAP is especially helpful to the economy during financial downturns. And whereas over 9,000 retailers, including grocery stores and farmers markets in North Carolina, accepted SNAP benefits and redeemed a total of 3 million or 3 billion, excuse me, 974,844,947 in SNAP benefits in 2023. And whereas SNAP uh SNAP initiative programs at farmers markets support agriculture, bringing $500,000 to over 400 North Carolina farmers each year. And research shows that annual health care costs for adult SNAP participants are 1,400 or 25% lower than than lowincome non-participants. And the study of older adults in North Carolina showed that SNAP was associated with annual Medicaid savings of 2000 uh 2360 per person and SNAP participation increases access to school meals for North Carolina students through direct certification and school meals. Uh and school meals support better health, academic performance, and attendance. and HR1 or the one big beautiful bill act of 2025 shifted some SNAP benefits cost to states for the first time in the program's history and whereas the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the cost of North Carolina for this the cost to North Carolina for this policy change will be $420 million. annual dollars annually beginning in fiscal year 2027

2028. And

whereas the SNAP program in North Carolina will be eliminated if the state chooses not to pay the increased cost share. And whereas while SNAP benefits currently provide nine meals for every one meal provided by local food banks and pantries across the state, local food banks already report an increase in individuals seeking essential food items and simultaneous decrease in federal funding for their services. And a reduction in benefit SNAP benefits would further strain food bank and pantry resources. And whereas elimination of SNAP in North Carolina would result in 500,000 children losing automatic qualification for school meals. And according to NCDHHS 2025 and whereas the additional elimination of federal SNAPED funding in October will further compound food security and economic impacts for NC residents as SNAPED returns an estimated $5.36 in health and economic benefits including educational attainment, lifetime earnings, and life expectancy for every $1 spent. And whereas losing SNAP in North Carolina would have devastating impacts on children, disabled individuals, older adults, and working families. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Durham Board of County Commissioners, are in support of state funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and call upon the North Carolina General Assembly to approve the estimated 420 million annual state budget appropriation required to continue the program beginning in FY27 to 28. This the 25th day of August 2025, signed the commissioners Thank you.

Thank you. Um again, thank you so much. Um I'm Raina Goldstein Panug. I'm our county food security coordinator and I'm

here with Maggie Clap, the director of DSS and Dr. Rodney Jenkins, the um director of public health. And um we just really appreciate um to all of you, Commissioners and Manager Hagert, um the support of this resolution. Um, as read in it, we detailed all the ways that SNAP helps our um, helps our residents in Durham um, with food security and health, but it also is so important to our re retailers, including our local farmers, our health care system. Um, and we know that um there's a lot of hard decisions right now um at every level of government and the North Carolina General Assembly is going to be making hard decisions, but um for them to not fund SNAP would be devastating. So, we really appreciate your um support there. So, thank you,

Director Jenkins. Dr. J. Nope. Okay. Thank you all so so much. And I appreciate the way that it's not just, you know, our food security coordinator, but it's our DSS department, our public health department, and cooperative extension standing before us today because I think that really goes to show how this is an issue in a policy area that impacts every aspect of Durham County and our community members lives. So, I appreciate y'all's collaboration on this and the care and love that you bring in to this work to make sure that our Durham County residents, especially our children, have access to food. Um, we take it for granted sometimes, but like this is a resource that folks don't have access to. So, thank you for your advocacy, Commissioner Burton.

Yes. I was just um wondering because this is serious. You know, SNAP, food stamps have been around for a long long

time. And how do we um as a board, as a county government, really get this word out that this is a possibility that this could come to an end because it would be so devastating to us as a community and I don't think it's on a lot of people's radars because you're just used to having it. So, I'm just wondering, is there any way we can get this out or I'm just kind of thinking, you know, how can we do this? because I'm I'm really concerned um that so many of our residents just don't know about it. And at NCACC, the um Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services, he even spoke about the same situation. So, Commissioner Burton, that is a um great question. And I I will say that although there have been communications that we've done as a county and um many across the country is not enough because it's not on everyone's radar and when individuals are food insecure um it impacts everyone. And so I will say with this resolution, we can commit to um doing our part to share even more what those implications are to our residents and to others and to our with our legislators that are um in the general assembly as well as in Congress. make sure this is communicated as another way to um elevate our position and our advocacy for our our residents and those across the country that will be impacted.

Commissioner Valentin.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. uh thank you for leading the way uh in this effort and because SNAP benefits are so vital to our community and I think it's not an exaggeration to say it's a

lifeline for many um that I'm going to make an appeal directly to our residents here in Dorm County and so uh you have an opportunity as a resident in this great county to reach out to your representatives and to let them know that the loss of these these benefits would be be detrimental uh to the people that we serve and so you have a part to play in this as well. So the public officials that you can reach out to the people who are making the critical decisions now is the time and I don't uh I don't believe that people um really understand the impact this will have if these benefits are are lost for our residents. So if you have an opportunity to reach out, please do.

Thank you. And I just want to echo Commissioner Merin and Commissioner Valentine's comments. And I think it's important that, you know, as we look at who how our legislators at the state and federal level make decisions. I think for us as county commissioners to be strategic and also having the conversations with them focused on the economic impact. Obviously, we know the value and importance on people's livelihoods. Um, but I think a lot of our legislators, they hear things and react better to economic um, issues. And I was just doing like a back of the napkin calculations of like this 3.97 billion that came in that was redeemed. If you look at that 1.5 to 1.8 return, that's 4.64.7 billion that comes into North Carolina's economy. And I think we need to emphasize that to our legislators that a lot of these farmers are in rural counties that they represent and their farms are going to hurt. Um so we need them to support this not just for our families but also for our local farmers and economy. And I just wanted to add um Commissioner

Jacobs is not here but of of course as we know her she is watching and she just asked that this resolution be please be shared to the Durham delegation. our lobbyist Kevin Leard with NCACC and also to the school board and city council and we encourage them to also pass a SLAP snapper resolution alongside us. Thank thank you all so much.

Thank you. I just want to say thank you to Rain on behalf of DSS because she put this together. So, thank you Raina.

Thank you. Wonderful. Now we have a public hearing. the public hearing to consider the naming request for William V. Bill Bell lobby and we have Miss Shannon Trap here to present. Good evening commissioners, madame manager, county attorney. Um I am here on behalf of the naming committee to um provide a reminder of the presentation that was provided to you all on May 5th. Um, and then I will after that reminder, I will turn it back over to you, Chair Alone. Here are some reminders of the Durham County naming and renaming policy. The highlights from that policy. We've gone through this a couple times, so I won't go through these again, but we wanted to add them here as a reminder of that policy statement. This is your Durham County naming committee. Um, so the original application was received in October of 2023 to name the Durham Convention Center in honor of William V. Bill Bell. After discussion about the policy, a revised application was received in August 24 uh to name the lobby located on the second floor of admin 1 between the innovation lab and the clerk's office. The request was submitted by Iristen, Dr. Kristen Belladair in honor of William V. Bill

Bell's service as Durham County Commissioner from 1972 to 1994 and chair of the board of county commissioners from 1982 to 1994 and 1996 to 2000. We do want to add that his name is listed on the marker outside of the elevator on the second floor between the chambers and the proposed lobby. The committee recommend recommends that we proceed with the naming of the uh William V. Bill Bilbell lobby. um that will hang above the photo like the board of county commissioner photos that hang here in the chambers. A brass plaque will be mounted beneath the photo with an inscription that speaks to his time of service. The recommendation was originally presented to the board of county commissioners at the May 5th, 2025 meeting of the board. These are the recommended options for placement in the lobby. Our next steps uh today we'll have our public hearing um and the final approval will go before you after that. If approved an unveiling event will be held on a date and time to be determined and I'll turn it over to you chair.

Thank you Shannon. Are there any questions for Miss Shannon before I open up the public hearing? Okay, seeing none, I will now open up the public hearing. Click Wallace there. Right, there's nobody signed up to speak for this public hearing. Going once. Okay, I will then close the public hearing and bring it back to the board for discussion. So we had talked about uh this issue and the manner in which it's been presented tonight

is a little different than the type of recommendation that uh I would ask that this board consider. Um William Bill Bell, we know him uh affectionately as Mr. mayor has given his life to Dorm County, an extraordinary life, I might add, of service and commitment not only to the Dorm County Board of Commissioners, but also to the city of Dorm. To my knowledge, uh, there has not been any other public official or public servant in the case of the Honorable William Bill Bale, that has made the jump from this chamber to the chamber right down the street, which I believe is evidence of that extraordinary life of service and commitment And the recommendation uh that's being presented here before before us today um is not befitting of William Bill Bell. I believe it would be more fitting for this body to honor him, his service, his commitment, and his legacy um by placing his name on a building here in Durham County. um to the extent that it may conflict with the existing policies and procedures, I would ask my colleagues to to consider uh waving those provisions uh in this instance based on William Bill Bell's commitment, his service, and a way of honoring his legacy here in Dorm County. Thank you, Commissioner Valentine and Commissioner Vice Chair Dr. Lee.

All right. So, um I'm going to take a minute to um like with any other uh doctoral person talk about my methodology of getting where I am, any other research person. But I want to start off by saying I think we have an opportunity um to not only make history right now, but to make a statement and give flowers while someone is still alive all at the same time. So, how did I get here? So, um, I was, um, I've always been at the place and I've I've said the same thing from the very beginning. Anyone I've spoken to will say, "Well, no, I said the exact same thing about this this request is I am not for naming three things in our county and city after Mayor Bell. I was never in support of that. And I didn't I really didn't understand the request why I went to the school system, the city, and the county. For each to do one thing. Um, and so I was against it. I was absolutely against doing that. Then when the city went upon themselves to name the street right outside of DPAC after him, I said, "Okay, well, that should be it." and kind of that's where I was. But I decided I I needed to think about this a little bit. And so I reached out to um uh Dr. Bell Adair. Me reaching out to her. She didn't reach out to me to talk. I reached out to her because I was trying to understand the impetus of this whole thing.

And um I purposely and intentionally limited who I spoke to because there were some kind of um um improper things like being sent to me email about what I should do and so forth. So I limited who I spoke to because I think this needed to be a decision within myself after understanding the different sides. I spoke to some of my uh actually all of my colleagues and then Dr. Bell Adair. So I limited the input from the from outside and I took I took time to reflect on um why this request is coming before us. And in my um reflection um I recalled the the point in time when I was chair of a school board and we we renamed the um staff development center after Mini Fort Brown. Now it wasn't necessarily about the amount of time that many spent on the school board 16 years or something like that. I mean, that's not unheard of, but it was about the impact she had herself on Durham public schools over the time in which she served, even after before and after. the amount of attention she brought to Durham public schools, the advocacy on a national level, state level, and locally that she have Durham public schools, and the impact she had on the students and the performance over the time in which she took she joined the board um back when the board was really a it's more of an entertainment show at night than it was a board meeting back when Anne Deninger was superintendent. and left when Dr. Pascal Mubena was

superintendent. So, she saw all of that and she saw the growth. She led the growth in there. So, it was befitting of her, it was befitting of us to as she was rolling off of the board for us to name the staff development center after in my opinion. I I made that motion and and it went forward. Now, this reflection um helped me to kind of put into a framework of why um why Mayor Bell should be um should be celebrated in some way. if it's a lobby, if it's a building or whatever it may be. And similar to what my colleague uh Commissioner Valentine just said, I'm not sure of anyone else who has had the impact. I'm not talking about the years. We have people who served on the county commission for longer than Mayor Bell did. People who served well, I don't know if anybody served as long as mayor as he asked. I'm not sure. But it's not about the time for me. is not about the time spent. It is about the impact of what we call our city and our county. Now, I don't know that we that this city, if we open these these windows and we looked out of this looked out here, um I don't know that our city would be here the way it is, the destination that it is now without Mayor Bell's impact. I don't know that our county would be what our county is, including the schools, what they are without the impact that Mayor Bell, well, commissioner Bell had. And so if I if I reflect on those sorts

of things, um it's hard for me not to support something that represents uh that should represent the work the impact that he has had on Durham. Some of you all may know, I know if my wife and kids are listening, they know Hamilton is my favorite thing to watch. on Disney Plus. I've seen it when it come to DPAC a couple times and I will see it when it comes back and I'll see it on Broadway if I can. But in in the uh show Hamilton, there's an exchange between Hamilton and Burr at towards the end and as you know they say uh did you hear about the news about good old General Mercer? You know, Claremont Street, they renamed it after him. Mercer's leg legacy is secure and all he had to do was die. I don't believe we need I don't believe our leaders or those we celebrate should have to die for us to give them the recognition that in many ways they deserve. Um so our policy our policy says that we cannot name county buildings after individuals. Our staff has presented a plan to name our lobby that because that's within the policy policy that was adopted August 20, 2016. But that's the limits in which our staff can operate in. Our policies are for our staff.

Our policies put the guard rails on our staff and what they can and can't do. So they can't recommend us naming a building because it's outside of policy. But who writes those policies? The people who sit behind this dis writes those policies. We vote policies up and we vote policies down. We edit policies. we suspend policies and we um restore policies. So there was obviously some reason in 2016, August 2016 for that policy to be put in place. I don't know if it's a defensive measure. I don't know if there was somebody who wanted a wanted something named after someone and they said, "You know what? Let's do this policy before." I don't know. I hadn't gone back to check. But that's not long ago. That was nine years ago. So clearly it was okay to name something other than a lobby after someone before 2016. The board of commissioners is the only entity that could suspend a policy and make decisions we feel is in the best interest of our community. So the recommend the recommendation of the staff has to fit those parameters. We don't we don't have to fit those parameters. And that's exactly what happened when I was on the school board. We suspended our policy of not naming buildings after individuals. Now I will say the school board does that kind of frequently. I mean look at our new schools. Lucas is named after someone and um the our new schools and so forth.

So today I am voicing my support in suspending our policy and naming the admin 2 building after William Vbell. Not our lobby but a building. So when we are all done serving and generations are leading our county and our city after us, people will see a name that represents the foundation and the progress of what Durham is and was and that support the success that it that Durham will be at that point and even in the future. So, um I'll end this. Are you gonna speak?

Yeah, I was going to speak.

Okay. So, I'm going to throw out a motion and discussion can continue. Well, I'm gonna stop I'll be there because uh Attorney Williamson did inform me that if the board is going in a direction that's diff substantially different than what was brought before the board and what's on the agenda, another public hearing needs to be held. So, a motion can't be put forward. So the reason why I said that is because our policy has it that if the recommendation substantially is changed from what's put before the board, then another um public hearing is necessary, particularly if the notice to the public specifically stated that the public hearing was for the naming of a lobby. Um, so that's why I brought that to the chair's attention and I don't know and I believe that's what it said in the public notice. [Music]

Just as a point of order during the uh dependency of these uh

discussions regarding this matter, I've made it very clear with respect to the instructions about what it is that uh the board was to be considered. But repeatedly the documents that have gone out was contrary to what it is that uh we're trying to accomplish or at least addressed and be in a position to go up or down. Um so to the extent that that was required um we had an opportunity to do that. I addressed it on more than one occasion. And so to the extent that the notification went out in a way that was much different than what was presented, I don't know how we addressed that issue. Um, but I just want to go on the record and say that repeatedly I talked at uh or talked from this DAS about what it is that we were discussing and what we were not discussing. And my understanding is that it was framed this way because that was the um request that was put before us. I'm not sure the clerk can speak to that.

I mean I clearly I understand that. Um I mean I I I do understand that but again I want to go on record.

Absolutely. And I just wanted my only point was just to make the board aware of what the policy says.

Thank you. I think that we're all aware. Thank you.

So, we're saying we have to this has this public meeting has to go on a different agenda and so that means it can't it can't go on our wait it can't go on the work session. So now we're in the middle of September.

So as long as excuse me the public hearing has to be noticed for 10 days. So if we place it out there tomorrow, I think with the news and observer, it's

like one or two day lap time, but we would have to time it so that it ends prior to the next meeting date. The next regular session meeting date would be the 8th. And I'm not sure that's it includes weekends also. So that does help. It's not just the weekday. Um, but it does have to be publicly advertised for a full 10 days. If we do it tomorrow and it goes out on the 28th, it'll end on the 7th. So, it would be able to be on the meeting on the 8th. Mr. B.

Yeah. Um, I'm glad we're having this discussion and hopefully we can do that so we can um make the decision. Um, I just wanted to um say I know we have this policy, right? and I voiced my support of honoring um Commissioner Bill Bell, Mayor Bell with the building. One of the things I've been living here since Durham County since 1992 and one of the things and I started teaching in Durham public schools in 1994 and merger occurred of the Durham City and Durham County schools in ' 92. Um, it was a very contentious time. I think most people probably weren't here. Maybe you were county manager Hager. Um, intern

94. Okay. And so I was able to see um merger

and I remember that two commissioners who voted for merger lost their seats because of it. And it was a brave it was very brave because there were so many people in Durham County who weren't for it. and being in the schools at that time and hearing parents um being upset about their children being busted to other schools and they didn't want their kids to go to certain schools and trying to make the city schools more palatable for families in the county and turning them into magnets and all of those things. So what I saw that was significant. It was significant. And to have Mayor Bell, Commissioner Bell go on to serve as mayor of Durham, the city of Durham for 16, 17 years. I remember when downtown there was downtown was basically a ghost town. There was nothing. And when people would say disparaging things about Durham and to see it be transformed and he was in his under his leadership to make Durham what it is today. I remember teaching in two other counties and people not understanding why I wanted to continue to live here. Now it's become the it place to be. Everybody wants to live here. So I am a support of that. um naming a building after him and you know if we can get the information out whatever we need to do to make sure we're complying with policy getting the notice you know let's go ahead and do

that so thank you so much

thank you commissioner Burton I think you know everyone here on this das as well as and county administration in this county knows and understands the value um of the service of former commissioner and Mayor Bill Bell. I don't think anyone ever can doubt the impact that he has had on Durham. Um I board is having this uh moving forward going out and advertising it. Again, I would just like to say um just for historical reference, I wasn't here in 2016, but from the conversations we've had cuz we've had naming conversations when we did the Low Syler um naming of the lobby in the other administrative building as well as some of the rooms in cooperative extension. Uh and it's come up about the historical information about why the naming policy was put in place. And it kind of also ties into why the county put forward the nonprofit um funding uh policy which is around to keep these decision-m um like to keep them less political uh in a sense of like uh you know with nonprofits choosing and when naming like who gets what um being less in the hands of commissioners because obviously like we are elected officials. there are political um reasonings behind things people can make decisions and that's my understanding of why the policy was put in place. I would say you know we're here today I would just you know actively say to the board vice chair Dr. Lee um well we had this item and like it's been put on the agenda we knew this was I think it was put on the agenda Thursday gets sent out to us that it's the lobby vice chair Dr. ly is the only one who I had heard from that there was going to be a difference um of their support for the lobby. So I think it's also important for us as commissioners

to work collaboratively with each other and have conversations um so that we can avoid situations where things weren't advertised the way that obviously the majority of the board would have liked them to advertise that if we picked up the phone and had a conversation with each other, texted each other like then we can have those things remedied behind the scenes but that actually takes conversation. So for us moving forward, I would really implore everyone to think about that. Um and I think then we'll have this at our September 8th meeting. Um Clerk Wallace will send out the public hearing. And I also had a question of was the applicant informed that this public hearing was happening? Because I'm just surprised that they didn't that the applicant themselves wasn't even present for the public hearing. Uh Dr. Adair was um aware, but she is a professor at NCCU and had class this evening and couldn't miss class.

Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Clerk Wallace, for advertising this. That concludes our public hearings and we will move to the boards and commissions with attorney Williamson.

Madam Chair.

Yeah.

Uh I seek your indulgence for just a moment. Uh so I just want to make clear with regards to uh the communications between board members. I think we uh interact in quite a collegial manner. Um but to the extent that uh there was some confusion about Commissioner Valentine's position on on this matter, I've been very clear from from the very beginning uh where I stood and what I thought the language uh should uh should uh should indicate in in the notice. Um, and to the extent that uh that it did not, I mean, I'm not sure exactly what else I I could have done in that regard. Um, but I think with regards to our communications, I think our communications are quite cliche. [Music]

Attorney Williamson.

Okay. So, today the board looked at vacancies at the Alliance Board of Directors. We had one vacant position and the board has selected Alexandria Gwyn for that. Um, we have a vacancy on the environmental affairs board. Two vacant positions. The board has selected Astred Cook Dale and Michelle Meech Carter for those positions.

Thank you. So, congratulations to the individuals who've been selected to serve on these boards. Thank you so much for folks for stepping up and leading and serving our community in all these ways. Please continue to look at the different boards and commissions that the county, the city, even the governor's office posts um because we need to hear your voices. So, thank you for that. I will now entertain a motion to adjurnn.

So moved.

Second. Moved by Commissioner Burton, second by Commissioner Valentine. All in favor say I. I. I.

Any opposed? We are adjourned.