[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6462760,"mediaKeyId","5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa","parentId",5796887,"title","Students, tenants press council for tenant-protection ordinance; city attorney urges caution over preemption","audioSeconds",3391,"startMs",3443000,"endMs",6834000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa&start=3443&end=6834","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa/thumbnail_3443000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462760/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Students-tenants-press-council-for-tenant-protection-ordinance-city-attorney-urges-caution-over-preemption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462760-721e24f8472309839566783292305c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771230334&Signature=Viw0pD6Vk2b2CLg741hv8z8508Ecny3keEe1JqwTyKdJzQRtfTvwdcDPQV4-cO-r0k5PPi1fh~LlUCjeR1bVD1e5tpUXvJPyCFVEJQ0eWq3R2bnpwErSwB7OSBYaMPmER-9C7~YYtkVmMzi9wT0zxQ6iEUdyHIqpmDIQ6Aw0ki~zYWqUieDsPcBb9EZs6TIEzu4pCuT55ebtIkIMpqbfiCKRvy9J1AmlnGmAgCzQDDHqT~be9wXMk0Sg74y~PfzllArB0ATnSTNHrkiwyKRfEDYmNx0dhXim55L1XSfFq5PIKgL0i7rGEeLEnx5Aie4A309MerbZ4cqEaOplYE9Kdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-09-19T09:11:02Z","article","Speakers from Riverside High School’s Affordable Housing Club, tenant-advocacy organizations and a Durham resident told the City Council on Sept. 18 to adopt a revision to the housing code that would permit tenants to seek rent abatement when their units are found to be “imminently dangerous” to health or safety.

Proponents described cases of mold, lack of heat, sewage backups and pest infestations. Tenant advocates, legal aid attorneys and student speakers said the change would help rebalance the power between landlords and low-income tenants by enabling more immediate remedies and stronger defenses in eviction and civil claims. A tenant who lives at JFK Towers described years of habitability problems.

Council member Cook framed the proposed change as an established tool used by other North Carolina municipalities, including Charlotte and Pittsboro. Several speakers said the Charlotte ordinance had been used successfully by litigants to support claims for abatement and recover damages.

City attorneys, however, cautioned the council about the legal limits of municipal authority over landlord–tenant relations. Deputy City Attorney Sofia Hernandez and other attorneys said North Carolina’s landlord–tenant statutory framework raises preemption issues. The attorneys noted that the Charlotte ordinance has not been enforced by the city itself and that a recent, unpublished Court of Appeals ruling vacated a lower court decision connected to a Charlotte case — creating uncertainty about how a court might treat a local rent-prohibition provision. The city attorney’s office advised the council that a narrower approach — for example, identifying specific imminently dangerous conditions and using that determination to support enforcement actions and tenant litigation under state remedies — may be less vulnerable to legal challenge.

Council members acknowledged the urgency voiced by tenants and advocates but also asked staff to refine the proposal, to clarify enforcement and remedies, and to explore interim actions such as education, expedited code enforcement and how existing state statutes and remedies (for example, unfair and deceptive trade-practices claims) could be used more effectively. Several council members said they wanted the issue returned for further deliberation and a formal council vote in coming weeks. Council did not adopt the ordinance on Sept. 18.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council Work Session September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Durham residents, students and tenant advocates urged City Council on Sept. 18 to adopt a housing-code change that would allow rent abatement when units are found to be imminently dangerous; the city attorney cautioned that state law may preempt certain municipal remedies.","taxTitle","Durham City, Durham County, North Carolina","taxId",5766,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462765,"Council asks staff to draft ordinance on feeding wildlife after residents complain of squirrel damage",1123,4095000,5218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa&start=4095&end=5218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa/thumbnail_4095000.jpg","/articles/6462765/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-asks-staff-to-draft-ordinance-on-feeding-wildlife-after-residents-complain-of-squirrel-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462765-ee91776ec72b442dc66cc955df048251/orig.mp4?Expires=1771230334&Signature=JZRsAlCHIKB3zHzgyG1cRBQN252Lz-dI3zW8XbqIDC0Ak8F~CSZDjG3lf6WZ7tYD7FCzp9Ikl9kHN0UHVaVPr~yeZKP2RW3f--C15KSqbq5lLvGUqEnzulz-x0sGM0zuf4h4HmgsHWFl3WPRoInfxjV-gV4PwH66Khwb-9u1lzjZDmrJeZIP0pt5Q9qHV1CAfVDz1RVZ4UCo9TrRa0GhJ6QUzrcP2Q1rK5D57nppO9tslYVHcsgXEkoUB8uWaHJE35AnEQrflOr1lSM1YfiRTLdFq7dnvcEVvXCfOg9WW7UxGM0F7KZYN0FFtcvyJW6yokEaDuLNOuKEKx6h-LgFgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council on Sept. 18 directed staff to draft an ordinance regulating the feeding of wildlife after council members said residents — particularly from the Trotter Ridge neighborhood — reported damage, public-health concerns and repeated nuisance behavior.

Assistant City Manager Carmisha Wallace, representing the newly formed Housing & Neighborhood Services department, told the council staff research found three North Carolina jurisdictions — the Town of Hillsborough, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County — with rules that address wildlife feeding. Wallace said Hillsborough’s approach is primarily educational and that Asheville and Buncombe County have adopted rules in response to bear conflicts.

Wallace identified key questions for council direction if it wishes to adopt an ordinance: a definition of “wildlife,” what conduct the city would prohibit (for example, feeders placed on the ground or troughs intended to feed animals), who enforces the rule and whether enforcement should be primarily education and notice rather than civil penalties. She recommended code enforcement within Housing & Neighborhood Services as the enforcement arm if council chose to move forward.

Council members emphasized they did not intend to ban bird feeders and that their concern was feeders and food left in manners that attract larger or nuisance wildlife (ground troughs, large quantities of peanuts, etc.). Council member Cook, who brought the matter forward, said the council’s prior commitment was to study the issue and bring back an ordinance; she asked that any ordinance be framed to include an educational outreach approach rather than criminal penalties.

Council also asked staff whether data exist on call volumes; Wallace said the city does not centrally quantify all wildlife-feeding calls but that much related work is routed through the county (wildlife and animal services) and that zoning staff has limited data on related complaints. Staff recommended targeted outreach if the council moves forward and asked whether council would like public notification prior to introducing an ordinance; council directed staff to provide notice as part of the next steps.

Council instructed staff to draft ordinance language and return with a staff report at a future work session; council members emphasized education-first enforcement while acknowledging the need for an enforceable code if the problem persists in neighborhoods.","Following community complaints about squirrels and other wildlife, council asked staff to draft an ordinance regulating wildlife feeding and to consider education-first enforcement. Staff identified three North Carolina jurisdictions with related rules and recommended code-enforcement responsibility if council chooses to adopt an ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462769,"Council debates raising city manager contracting thresholds; decision deferred to GBA",1868,1859000,3727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa&start=1859&end=3727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa/thumbnail_1859000.jpg","/articles/6462769/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-debates-raising-city-manager-contracting-thresholds-decision-deferred-to-GBA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462769-e587b5396ba27df039fbc96a5a0d86da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771230334&Signature=YyqoCYadUU44fZQymkCSQ75Mq~s9hyBBtq3cSynOkdGojDDEvim8D97qZn77-iQRvVLZzTGfdk8zA0xo7BkR5wD8UV3s8IqE2P5H6UuBfdwMry3ksrqcVSE9Y4RAz~YjmEVxzrqansQuXd~wrfYgTwdnhVx2Z9TWrZ5vQuA7LKfPT2YE3GWVmIXFcZFrKZdxVBx~CbFd8AKoSaAZ4uX1hD8QICwqvHja8G2Cna4DVSpdSBKQ8sxeYgtNLxBV5hu4LVPGsETCniCcfSERjdB-j2bKGkralAUkMwr0H8NIbk4t533kQFbOz-1g-aZXxl73xEK17TIn8eoDBb09R5UnlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council spent an extended portion of its Sept. 18 work session debating a proposed rewrite of the city manager contract-approval thresholds that would raise the dollar amounts at which council must review and approve contracts.

Staff said the thresholds have not been updated since 2009 and that benchmarking against peer cities suggested increases across categories. City finance staff said the review included internal-control analysis and peer comparisons. Under the draft changes, thresholds for goods and certain repairs would rise substantially; the largest relative increase proposed was for “services” contracts.

Several council members said raising thresholds would speed routine procurement and free meeting time for other policy issues. Others warned the change would limit council and public visibility into contracts and reduce opportunities for public scrutiny. Council member Cook presented counts showing many previously pulled items were in the midrange that the proposal would remove from council review; she urged a more modest increase for services (she proposed $100,000). Other council members proposed alternatives (for example, $200,000 or $250,000).

City staff said quarterly reporting on executed contracts would continue and that they would expand those reports to list contract awards by vendor, department, amount and type to maintain transparency. Staff also committed to follow-up work on minimum-contract-content standards (benchmarking performance measures, milestones and deliverables) and on possible pre-approval reporting so council and the public could see certain contracts before execution.

Council did not take a final vote. The item was pulled for additional deliberation and will be placed on the General Business Agenda (GBA) for further discussion and a possible vote. Council members asked staff to return with options that preserve transparency while improving procurement efficiency.","Council discussed a proposed rewrite of manager contracting thresholds that would raise dollar limits for goods, repairs, utilities and services. Councilmembers split on transparency and speed trade-offs and asked for further study; item will return to the General Business Agenda for a formal vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462774,"Durham Council authorizes one-year Box.com contract for digital plan submittals",182,288000,470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa&start=288&end=470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6462774/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-Council-authorizes-one-year-Boxcom-contract-for-digital-plan-submittals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462774-ce1ae637da7090b7facd4f207b6a44ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771230334&Signature=iUDUTxO6Dyx7UT1Z1GCBSprCOC-EAVG1ag5m3LsqZFvAwGyUZTd8M1u~i3s-XgsHhh9zQPNRwWxKr8Atk65368tHyJsy47983XxM4YuL1cyyWnqIyTy7ybuPCL9c-SZ2A03KGCVC7F0jOO4Dr66KujPIzsE8imnU3kMj7rntVe8sd7Q2QMyJscJaMVAftuWcwqCzVRLNnWWSVgq22koQWOp7acTtZEze3LXHnLVrwftfP-hixW1ksdUL8c1N8vtoZBmWc4SQ9zJDcpgvkfwMG90plKzGWVkorhuKTSHrJIT1zFqvEUfhpDqiiFYoqwaY26hizojno0kwgUHOS3esUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council on Sept. 18 authorized the city manager to execute a one-year service contract with Box Inc. for digital plan submittal and review services, approving an amount not to exceed $52,212.50.

City staff urged the council to act quickly because negotiations over updated contract language used up the remaining time on the prior agreement. Planning-and-development staff told the council the vendor had been unresponsive at times during negotiations and that delays would “hinder our ability to provide that service.” The council first voted to suspend the rules so the item could be taken up immediately and then approved the contract by voice vote.

The contract covers use of Box to transmit large development-review documents while the city works to move to next-generation development review software. Planning-and-development staff said the Box service has been used for about five years and that a slight price increase was expected; they described the planned Box purchase as likely temporary once the new review system is in place.

Council members asked about vendor responsiveness and whether alternatives had been considered. Staff said Box has performed satisfactorily and that other vendors exist, but the city had an operational need and negotiations had only just concluded with acceptable contract language. The city attorney confirmed the item had moved onto the council agenda in part because the vendor’s price change placed the agreement above the city manager’s contracting authority.

The council’s action was a motion to authorize the city manager to execute the one-year Box contract not to exceed $52,212.50. The council voted by voice; the motion carried and the item was disposed of.

Staff said they expect the Box contract to remain a short-term solution while the city finishes work on its replacement development review platform.","The City Council approved a one-year service contract with Box Inc. to continue digital plan submittals and review while the city finalizes its next-generation review software. Council suspended the rules and voted by voice to authorize the city manager to sign a contract not to exceed $52,212.50.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462755,"South Ellerbe wetland-stream restoration: $41M project advances; construction bids face market challenges",0,12427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa&start=12427&end=12427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796887-2e69dd9e5d829c14a88792246fbe3bfa/thumbnail_12427000.jpg","/articles/6462755/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/South-Ellerbe-wetland-stream-restoration-41M-project-advances-construction-bids-face-market-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462755-05cb289dc59bb55680f7a97ce9c4aace/orig.mp4?Expires=1771230334&Signature=NjHTKGH5O71lN6YPaOFWVLHp5iVVtr8keNx7Niy1uRfrR1Ra5aMMRsCt0uKb6Ov-4OwwqtI9TRMLoU8hwX6xhQk4nGD~tiV3sXCGcJoxii9sJ7VsTTH22onU144C~o29tbAtbnHDryKUOisXguyaiX8um9cTwdHhHLT2jupTkSieq4kL7ldUgGNRuF3D~KuhWvufKz5fAheSBP1fNjOnuc9YfY2NBrNUPBlknPcqRtsWve2ABB03r0DrGZ5ikh6Zx455fFm~lR3oKg5nq7Ar3mezCfiVuvSPqNc7hkAzDT7YtEKaQxk9LANTDDiNUsYX0cTsZo9mLywnGFK0uCKq~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City environmental staff on Sept. 18 provided a progress update on the South Ellerbe Wetland and Stream Restoration project, a multi-phase effort to restore urban wetlands and stream channels, improve downstream flood risk and reduce nutrient loads entering Falls Lake.

Sandy Wilbur of the Environmental and Street Services Department reviewed the project’s scope: roughly 9 acres acquired by the city, with an engineered 4.3-acre wetland, about 200 linear feet of restored stream channel and a half-mile loop trail that will connect to the nearby rail trail and include educational demonstration features. Wilbur summarized grant funding for the project (about $5 million in grants including an ARPA Stormwater grant, state land-and-water funds and a local contribution), and a total project budget reported at roughly $41 million from the stormwater utility fund.

Wilbur described a multi-stage construction plan and explained that initial demolition and remediation work uncovered an unanticipated 10,000-gallon underground storage tank and other hazardous materials, which required corrective action. When staff solicited bids for a construction package, the first round produced a single bid and a later round returned prices approximately twice staff estimates. To respond, staff split the work into two subphases (3a and 3b) to attract the appropriate specialty contractors for utility relocation and for stream/wetland construction. Staff said 3a went back out to bid and returned two bids; staff is seeking additional bidders and expects to rebid as needed to secure a competitive price.

Wilbur said the project will reduce flood elevations for dozens of structures downstream and remove several buildings from the regulatory floodplain. Planned amenities include a demonstration rain garden, interpretive signage, artwork created with local schools and improved public access via the loop trail.

Council members asked whether the project timeline could be accelerated and whether more pieces of the project could be bid in parallel. Staff said they will pursue all practical efficiencies but noted that construction sequencing and the nature of specialized trades constrain how much faster the work can be completed. Council asked staff to continue pursuing cost-effective bidding strategies and to keep council informed as construction contracts are finalized.","Staff updated council on the South Ellerbe Wetland and Stream Restoration project, a multi-phase stormwater retrofit funded partly by state and ARPA grants. Bidding for excavation and utility relocation drew high quotes; staff split later phases to attract competitive bids and expects construction to proceed in sequenced phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students, tenants press council for tenant-protection ordinance; city attorney urges caution over preemption

Council asks staff to draft ordinance on feeding wildlife after residents complain of squirrel damage

Council debates raising city manager contracting thresholds; decision deferred to GBA

Durham Council authorizes one-year Box.com contract for digital plan submittals

South Ellerbe wetland-stream restoration: $41M project advances; construction bids face market challenges