Short votes: council approves downtown service contracts, Legal Aid eviction diversion funding

At Monday's meeting the Durham City Council approved several items with limited debate, including amendments to contracts with Downtown Durham, Inc. (DDI) and a contract with Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide eviction diversion services.

The council authorized a fifth amendment to the FY2022-26 contract funding Downtown Durham Municipal Service District operations in the amount of $2,278,030 for fiscal year 2025–26. Council asked for the record that Councilmember Rist recused from votes related to Downtown Durham and DDI matters; the clerk recorded the recusal before the vote. The motion for the amendment passed as recorded by the clerk.

The council also authorized a contract with Downtown Durham, Inc. to operate economic development programs and services in an amount not to exceed $170,048 for fiscal year 2025–26. That motion carried with the clerk recording Councilmember Rist as recused.

Separately, the council authorized the city manager to enter into a contract with Legal Aid of North Carolina to administer the eviction diversion/mediation program. The manager was authorized to approve and execute a $725,000 contract for mediation, legal assistance and tenant/landlord education for low- and moderate-income renters facing eviction for nonpayment of rent. Council recorded Councilmember Cook as recused for the Legal Aid votes; the motion and the contract amount were approved by the council as recorded.

Other routine procurement and contract adjustments on the consent agenda passed as part of the meeting's consent business.