[{"_1":2,"_132":-5,"_133":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,96,108,120],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6574122,"mediaKeyId","3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef","parentId",3113456,"title","Council settles agenda; work session adjourns","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",8309000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=8309&end=8309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_8309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574122/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-settles-agenda-work-session-adjourns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574122-2a964e0225c55fdfb17e5caae823255e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=Zroz7N4LUzklWFkOR9ekJMd9clzxnd3WDb3NUwX9fFjD1bMav0EEdS6IGl5KT-PjXsw50mVXCk~xEXhAJHGonc2H-iv9C0-YS~Kq4xBochRA253~Fz-NbwmISrzPprpsba4GpKkEHIksBjIV6f6h7dxzo7E5RIuh-0dRrGy~hfu~6bgrwezyXfFsq4oNDBRDzcKo1eVs5CFnAgp27E-X18p2SNBLwDC7-LNEikQgqgNtw-dD0SlOKNDdhBTPyB1XNtMJ34V4fLh6XZFdRRDcnu0WrL3u0-wdUvsLa7WfkyHdJimdUwqaqrjTRL~2XTCdbujoemoBVzuvL3qIhtpbQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-04-24T20:08:06.107Z","article","The Durham City Council moved to settle the published work session agenda and adjourned after presentations and public comments on April 24.

Procedure and outcome: The city manager read items for the consent calendar and the clerk noted several items had been pulled for discussion. The council then accepted the agenda; a motion to settle the agenda was seconded and the chair called for and received general assent. No roll‑call vote with recorded names was transcribed for that motion.

Adjournment: The work session ended at 3:18 p.m. on April 24; no ordinances or resolutions were adopted during the work session and the major substantive items (water and sewer rates, Durham Central Park concept) were presented for council review rather than final action.

Note: Individual consent items (board and committee appointments, departmental contracts and presentations) were read into the record; several items were marked as pulled for later discussion or public comment, but no final, recorded votes on those consent items were included in the transcript of the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council Work Session April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 24 work session the council settled the published agenda by motion and second and adjourned at 3:18 p.m.; no substantive final votes on ordinances or budgets were recorded during the session.","taxTitle","Durham City, Durham County, North Carolina","taxId",5766,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574127,"Residents press council for stronger pedestrian safety and disaster‑readiness efforts",1010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=1010&end=1010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_1010000.jpg","/articles/6574127/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Residents-press-council-for-stronger-pedestrian-safety-and-disasterreadiness-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574127-8175a4391558c9c7c4dc695c5c0efc93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=TpbFs5sLC~z1GPpBnoArsd1QafW4wWZoU7ISM~XEU5tmjLpve7KF0VPs9rT~Khp5Luzt9nzlSRx9Sn8M8V5w2kK22mSjj6dfTzyGQ3HnIRrb4Sj8BG1aCfSRXUucnu1P4PES6c7ADYcI-PQ7X0yGE-ePn-ud~IkM98s36bjCt65fhlw6VnrbtNswqquQeOMZoahu0XKM9vOjf6xY5B8qD-jpiAdYTOajmVLX5hCIsZ~1iQPdmAgmW3lqZddzKlsFEEDUVoqtCp5l1QOCIJEsGLp1W5S56ZhxW2mAfSPQpmEYNI8roi74uIkgwSzkSYImn~7Jj0fzzGecogziZ2UnRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public testimony at the April 24 Durham City Council work session focused on pedestrian safety on high‑injury streets and community disaster preparedness.

Chris Perilstein described a recent video of multiple vehicles failing to yield in a crosswalk and reported that the incident involved a sheriff’s deputy vehicle leaving the scene without stopping. He told council the city’s Vision Zero action plan and completed steps — hiring a coordinator and approving an action plan — must be followed by engineering changes on dangerous corridors. \"We aren't addressing our most dangerous and problematic streets,\" Perilstein said, noting multiple deaths on Roxborough Street so far this year and saying enforcement alone will not be sufficient.

Separately, Ayesha Abdul Ali, CEO of Summit Environmental Resources, urged support for an initiative started by resident advisory committees (PAC 1 and PAC 5) to expand climate and disaster preparedness training at the neighborhood level. She said her organization will conduct community training and work with PACs and senior centers to increase preparedness.

A caller identified by the clerk as Wagstaff described repeated occurrences of 18‑wheelers and commercial vehicles parking on Dakota Street beside Shepherd Middle School and asked the city for more effective enforcement than the non‑emergency line has produced.

Council response: Members acknowledged the tragedies and the limits of enforcement alone; several council members referenced regional work on a TPO safety action plan and the city's existing Vision Zero commitments. Council asked staff to prioritize safety projects in budget planning and to continue coordination with transportation and public safety staff.

Ending: Commenters asked the council to move from planning to street redesign in high‑injury corridors and to work with community groups on disaster preparedness; staff follow up and budget prioritization were requested.","Public commenters urged the council to accelerate Vision Zero street changes after multiple deaths on Roxborough Street, and called for expanded community disaster preparedness training and enforcement against tractor‑trailer parking near Shepherd Middle School on Dakota Street.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574132,"Neighbors urge renewed funding for parks; Elmira Park tennis courts cited as example of deferred maintenance",420,1410000,1830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=1410&end=1830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_1410000.jpg","/articles/6574132/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Neighbors-urge-renewed-funding-for-parks-Elmira-Park-tennis-courts-cited-as-example-of-deferred-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574132-1357ec2ab492153bd4f80543cd4c3942/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=ILzuFZVx3tvGjZ1j~9EELSKpoIfwZbJsogNrvgJ7C5f3SMn99dI2I66q3bUmOFptq5N1aobEG5DQNriVJCB1wLSrOD7C-hpwuWLYb9V5JPg-OEiGiOanOchmQM6Dh~~svQ7KR4jLP~SuwSucX5r0tEohPPvhILh5lC1I0jiNaZT~RBeGR96usbl2bdMTy6NHO6uSGa40EYYpbJ30fZJghagWlewPKqjZNhxUvv5z7XUGAX-Kk4VBJoun9FyzAyXajauW8~w~xoflmXeDiAU78OSF~1ZCf6EIpV3BhnYrwubmYL0wzV2hchH7nr8Un0HO1s6hybMZMqkQrKvprhW82g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents and advisory commission members used the April 24 citizens matters and pulled‑item portion of the work session to press the City Council for continued and expanded parks funding and to describe the poor condition of Elmira Park tennis courts.

Dale McKeel, a member of the Recreation Advisory Commission, read a statement urging continued support for the half‑penny for parks and trails fund, saying the dedicated funding established in 2015 addresses deferred maintenance but that a backlog remains. \"Without it, aging infrastructure, trails, and outdated park facilities will continue to deteriorate, impacting the safety and usability of these spaces for Durham residents,\" McKeel said.

Tennis players and coaches who spoke urged a focused renovation of Elmira Park’s courts. Chris Foster described cracks, weeds and “craters” in court surfaces and highlighted the courts’ long history as a predominantly African‑American tennis hub and their use by league teams. Melvin Tolbert and Mike Gallagher backed those comments and asked that any resurfacing include professional drainage beneath the courts; Gallagher said water ponding beneath the courts is forcing the surface to rise and crack and urged a drainage system be included in the rehabilitation scope.

Council context: Council members voiced appreciation for the public comments. Parks staff earlier had noted that the Durham Parks and Recreation Comprehensive System Plan and the half‑penny for parks and trails fund are under consideration in the upcoming budget process; several speakers from the parks foundation and park board also urged full funding of DPR capital requests.

Ending: Speakers asked council to prioritize maintenance funding and staff to include drainage work in any Elmira Tennis Court rehabilitation scope; staff indicated the comprehensive parks plan and CIP requests will guide budget decisions in the coming weeks.","Speakers at the work session urged council to support the half‑penny for parks and trails fund and DPR capital requests; residents and courts users said Elmira Park tennis courts are in disrepair and asked that resurfacing scope include drainage improvements.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_46":102,"_48":103,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574137,"Residents press council over resurfacing issues; public works defends inspection approach",361,2129000,2490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=2129&end=2490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_2129000.jpg","/articles/6574137/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Residents-press-council-over-resurfacing-issues-public-works-defends-inspection-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574137-1cc8102dc496696ab1fc66fd37d48166/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=nFVKE-GnfFt9Va9NQINyJJW6zESpNeygLoObeydzObgtx3R5K7ATW~idvacVhwxVfGYCAr9Vxwj4n2OZViZRQeIz5VIOVUhSL-5mdMKARc0dgUyq-diS6TcVLEMT-WItJC~612bn0AKm1w9M9qttEfuPeGZVmpRgCv7L8O~F0lk3apBWDnTDH97QzYCTrp4lE3of52WETwBW5pTF-Y4Gx~Ec5O5l6P~GJRmSodSzG0tNw5R95MJ~LMGLbw8OFCR8bKsfnUWvM4EscGTquvySnLz-if6P3xSu76q4jMQpbqcjrjTb2Zs~NGysqTlu6lA-FFpP5nCl67at7DmZVpUsGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 24 work session several residents and advisory commission members asked the council to review the city's pavement management inspection contract and to explain recurring problems with resurfacing and striping.

Dale McKeel, speaking as a member of the Recreation Advisory Commission, said the contract ST‑335C for Pavement Management Services includes inspection responsibilities and that residents have observed pavement markings and resurfacing problems on Martin Luther King Parkway, Barbee Road and other streets. \"When Martin Luther King Parkway was resurfaced... the pavement markings were not put back in the proper place according to the pavement marking plan,\" McKeel said, and he asked for greater contractor accountability.

Tasha Johnson, Public Works, responded for staff. Johnson confirmed the consultant slated for the contract has been used previously for inspection and project management. On the roadway stripping and peeling that residents showed in photos, she said the department is monitoring those locations but currently believes the failures are linked to “subsurface conditions that were not readily evident” when a treatment was selected rather than to simple workmanship issues. Johnson said staff are adjusting the selection process for future treatment types.

Council discussion and follow up: Council members asked what recourse the city has if workmanship is deficient. Johnson said the contract provides mechanisms to address workmanship problems with contractors and to pursue repairs that minimize cost to the city. Council asked staff to follow up on the specific buffer striping discrepancies McKeel described and to report back on whether the consultant being proposed for ST‑335C had worked on those prior projects.

Ending: The council requested a staff follow‑up with images, a contract history for the consultant, and a description of how the city enforces workmanship and warranty provisions when striping or pavement preservation fails.","Residents raised patterned problems with pavement markings and rapid deterioration after pavement preservation projects. Public Works staff said they monitor the sites, suspect subsurface conditions rather than workmanship, and will adjust treatment selection and hold contractors accountable when workmanship issues occur.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_46":114,"_48":115,"_50":116,"_52":117,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":118,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":119,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574142,"Durham Central Park concept plan proposes flexible festival street, expanded lawn and new playground",1239,5961000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=5961&end=7200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_5961000.jpg","/articles/6574142/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-Central-Park-concept-plan-proposes-flexible-festival-street-expanded-lawn-and-new-playground","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574142-04926bcd6da9f7cd93fab41673393872/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=ixeN-Pibj0~lwTVkeK7dhU1oDWTYpd8k5Gl9PvKZehQECF3ttk9t0s1CU64vwyd6CR3Wbszu3ArsxWObjSzsV6zqzxEthKG2XI92~ETxPD9YaNTsOZ93A07Q0DRaiDuHhTczplFpiX17p1MnyTL2v2gwINTggYlLQpW7H5Iwy7wSmPfcgi1c8jbEwwDszoED~gej73mO-EAu~SHiJFAxy7wRPViZF~PQJM~A6Nh9SCCZLZ8STqP1p7-Mmcof7lyCAJ0~l8XB-HzUXt9EDVliObjJcWvnv0gyH5eXnMpxlZog4-~LKVct0xMmzp2U76lo7BqsiYaEQHy~cO-qeGs1gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham Parks and Recreation staff and design consultants presented a concept plan on April 24 to redesign Durham Central Park with a Festival Street that can close for events, a larger level “great lawn,” an expanded Mount Merril playground, a canopy plaza and improved storm‑resilient landscaping.

Wade Walcott of Durham Parks and Recreation introduced the concept plan and said the design grew from the department’s comprehensive system planning and close collaboration with Durham Central Park Inc. Sweta, a designer from McAdams, summarized an extensive public engagement program that included a three‑day design charrette, pop‑ups at the park, two open houses and focused stakeholder meetings.

Plan highlights and intent:
- Festival Street: designers said the street would remain accessible to vehicles most of the week but be equipped with collapsible bollards and other devices to close it for large events. Staff said transportation staff will continue reviewing options including pavement treatments, raised mid‑block crossings or partial permanent closure if council and staff decide that is appropriate.
- Great lawn and performance space: the plan levels a large central lawn, adds seating walls that double as informal amphitheater seating and includes a temporary or small permanent stage for concerts and film screenings.
- Mount Merril playground: the existing, heavily used playground would be reimagined and enlarged, with designers suggesting nature‑play elements and a potential interactive water feature to provide cooling in hot months.
- Market and canopy plaza: enhancements around the farmers market and the sister‑cities grove would allow more vendor and gathering space while keeping the market operation functionally intact.
- Circulation and accessibility: the plan adds a defined eastern entry, ADA‑compliant routes, and enhanced walking connections toward the western garden parcels.

Council and staff questions focused on implementation details, funding and uses:
- Council member Cook pressed whether the Festival Street could be closed permanently to everyday vehicle traffic; staff replied there is an option to pursue permanent closure but the current recommendation is a shared street with closure capacity to preserve emergency access and flexibility.
- Multiple council members asked about shade and cooling; designers noted tree canopy, the proposed water feature, and seating walls, and said detailed planting and shading plans would be developed in design and phasing.
- Council members and staff discussed phasing: parks staff and Durham Central Park Inc. have identified three logical phases (western gardens and market; Festival Street and canopy plaza; great lawn, skate area and Mount Merril upgrades) and said the plan includes low‑cost “quick wins” and longer‑term work that will be packaged as funding permits.

What happens next: Parks staff said the concept will be folded into the broader Durham Parks and Recreation Comprehensive System Plan and that further design, cost estimating and phasing will follow; staff and the park board will continue outreach to coordinate utilities, transportation and private‑sector partners.

Ending: Council members praised the concept for activating a central downtown space, asked staff to coordinate with transportation on the downtown loop and bike lanes, and suggested adding hookups for food vendors, softening hard edges against adjacent buildings and ensuring the skate park remains an active, supported amenity.","Parks staff and consultants presented a concept plan for Durham Central Park that would create a Festival Street that can close for events, level and expand a central lawn, upgrade the playground and add a canopy plaza and restroom building; staff and council discussed access, shade and phased implementation.",{"_33":121,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":122,"_41":123,"_43":124,"_45":125,"_46":126,"_48":127,"_50":128,"_52":129,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":130,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":131,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6574145,"Durham officials propose modest water and sewer rate increases to fund major capital projects",940,2780000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef&start=2780&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113456-e080d7a013b4be5ee708758bd3e69eef/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","/articles/6574145/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-officials-propose-modest-water-and-sewer-rate-increases-to-fund-major-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574145-c29b5b77fdc2dfba960c4af1cc3852fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185776&Signature=SgPNIdVzdb2eO2AhQyB4xcm5W1~03bnuL4k4xlL59rsJNgakqBgbBkEt~oreVDQZd7xxIVGODTu0vVbvl1QGPs6VrHlQnKaC7AwVmBdZ9v~gm5obpJYXik0rDs2AkWDANIzwcyyf-8OBADX-qDc7VY6X2x3Som6BJNzybBmwLZQ4tkbmfqHip9RhlB-y2Ne6Gc7y5BID8mz8CjpBMbe1ESdSuwSugDTJBW1uzRzJER1dgjIYjWECyHkDnwnE432cIrZnLO2P5yN3Ha8TtJlEewAcwYscPB6TqmhwAG8ahbotnyddFjq13oJv9VL23J4wytYAZt6DOgxnNiPMQFxRFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City officials on April 24 presented proposed water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2025–26 that would raise overall utility charges to support a multiyear capital program, rising construction costs and new treatment and supply projects.

Don Greeley, director of the Department of Water Management, told the Durham City Council that the utility faces large capital needs, notably a Jordan Lake intake, a new treatment plant and roughly 17 miles of pipeline that together are among the largest projects the utility has planned. “We expect that project to cost, when it's all said and done, close to a billion dollars,” Greeley said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The utility is proposing an 8.5% increase overall, with tiered volumetric charges intended to promote conservation. Greeley said the proposed rates are intended to protect affordability for the three lowest residential tiers while spreading borrowing and construction costs to avoid abrupt “rate shock.” For a typical Tier 1 household the staff estimate is a monthly increase of about $2.41 — from $28.17 to $30.58.

Key details from the presentation and council discussion:
- Capital program scale: staff showed a projected capital improvement program (CIP) of nearly $2 billion over the coming years, with roughly half of that total attributable to the Jordan Lake project and associated system upgrades. Greeley said the Jordan Lake work and distribution improvements will be phased over a decade and beyond, with parts of the program expected online by 2031.
- Affordability and customer support: the city continues to operate a hardship fund funded at $150,000 annually; staff reported roughly $100,000 in assistance provided so far this year and said accumulated balances from prior years have built a cushion (~$400,000) that can be used if demand for assistance rises.
- Conservation emphasis: Durham uses a five‑tier volumetric structure. Staff reported about 40% of single‑family accounts are in Tier 1 and roughly 35% in Tier 2, so the council and staff framed affordability primarily around those lower tiers. The utility retains a watershed protection fee of three cents per tier to fund land purchases and buffer protection around reservoirs.
- Regulatory and program drivers: staff cited PFAS and other emerging contaminant rules and ongoing investments at the utility’s four treatment plants, multiple large distribution projects downtown and in the east and southwest, as drivers of the CIP and rate needs.

Council members asked about cost‑recovery for regional partners in the Jordan Lake project and financing options. Tim Flores of the finance department and Greeley said the city expects to use revenue bonds as the primary financing tool, work on governance agreements with partner utilities and explore federal and state loan programs where those terms are advantageous. Greeley said staff will bring governance agreements and more detailed financial models to council when they are finalized.

What happens next: The proposal was presented in a work session with a 30‑minute allocation for the item; staff said the presentation materials would be uploaded for council review and additional information about tier consumption ranges and detailed cost models would be provided on request. The council did not take a final vote on rates at the April 24 work session; further council consideration and public hearings are expected as part of the FY2025–26 budget process.

Ending note: Council members repeatedly emphasized the balance the city must strike between meeting large infrastructure needs and protecting low‑income households, and asked staff to return with additional detail on consumption ranges per tier and financing scenarios.","City staff proposed an 8.5% overall rate increase for the water and sewer utility to cover operating costs, rising construction prices and a multi‑billion dollar capital program including the Jordan Lake project; staff said affordability programs and a hardship fund help lower-income customers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council settles agenda; work session adjourns

Residents press council for stronger pedestrian safety and disaster‑readiness efforts

Neighbors urge renewed funding for parks; Elmira Park tennis courts cited as example of deferred maintenance

Residents press council over resurfacing issues; public works defends inspection approach

Durham Central Park concept plan proposes flexible festival street, expanded lawn and new playground

Durham officials propose modest water and sewer rate increases to fund major capital projects