Durham council authorizes $7.72 million Motorola radio-tower contract and amends budget

The Durham City Council voted during its work session to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. to complete capital improvement project CB 032 — radio tower site additions and relocation — in an amount not to exceed $7,716,701.30. Council also adopted Budget Ordinance No. 16,555 to add the necessary funding to the FY25–26 budget.

The city manager had asked the council to suspend the rules and act at the work session because the bid proposal for the project expires on Feb. 15, and staff said acting now could secure cost savings. The motion to suspend the rules was moved by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Rist; the subsequent motions to authorize the contract (moved by Councilmember Baker, seconded by Councilmember Cook) and to adopt the budget ordinance passed unanimously.

City staff said the change is intended to complete the city’s capital project CB 032. Council did not request further delay; the votes were recorded in open session with no objections. No additional procedural conditions were added by council during the vote; staff will proceed to finalize negotiation and execution of the contract and the budget amendment.

The council’s action was taken as part of the consent agenda after the item was pulled for brief discussion. The item remains on the city’s project list under the Emergency Communications/Radio Tower program and staff will return with contract documents and implementation details as required by procurement rules.