Bill of Rights Day events and union victory in Tar Heel

 

The Chapel Hill and Carrboro governments will make Bill of Rights Day proclamations Monday at 12 and Peace and Justice Plaza, in front of the post office on Franklin Street, opposite UNC.  There will be a reading of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution ad a speech by State Senator Ellie Kinnaird in remembrance of Joe Herzenberg.  I think this was sponsored by the Orange County BORDC.    

 

The Durham City Council is meeting Monday evening.  The City Bill of Rights Defense Resolution will be renewed, but does not appear on the minutes, unless it goes under Ceremonial Items.  

 

There is an item on the agenda about an agreement with Cary on the limits to annexation.  Cary isn't very far from Durham County's southeast corner and there are Stop Cary signs on Wake Road.  Massive development has totally reshaped the formerly rather lonely piney rural area south of where Alston used to meet O'Kelley Church Road.  Deer, turkeys, copperheads, and other wildlife used to be visible along that end of O'Kelley, where there was a private hunting reserve.  Now there are few trees, massively graded developments, and sedimentation.  The roads have been moved around and renamed so that it is easy to get lost.  It is hard to see stop signs while trying to figure out where you are on the four lane yet pretty empty roads.  Going towards Durham from Kit Creek (the waterway, not the Kitt Creek development) there is such a wide paved area over on the right that drivers wonder if they are on the wrong side of the road.  I've been wondering what happens when houses out in the country are annexed by Cary - do they have to follow the Cary appearance rules, and get rid of any livestock? 

 

Below the agenda is a UFCW press release - the workers at the Smithfield Foods plant in Tar Heel, probably still the largest in the world, have voted to unionize! 

 

City Council agenda:

The Mayor calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm

Call To Order

Moment Of Silent Meditation

Pledge Of Allegiance

Roll Call

Ceremonial Items

Announcements By Council

Priority Items By The City Manager, City Attorney And City Clerk

[Consent Agenda]

1. Human Relations Commission — Receive and Accept Applications

To receive and accept applications for a citizen to fill two (2) vacancies on the Human Relations Commission for one (1) Minority Male (term expires on June 30, 2009) and one (1) Non-Minority Male (term expires on June 30, 2010).

(Due to the resignations of Larry Holt and Steve Benkin)

(Resource Person: Laverne V. Brooks — 4166) (Attachment #1 — 6 pages) (PR# 5722)

2. Piggyback Purchase — Three (3) Tandem Axle Cab & Chassis

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with International Truck and Engine Corporation, in the amount of $217,943.00 for providing the City with three Tandem Axle Cab & Chassis; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Persons: Joseph W. Clark — 4132 and Paul Koch — 4101) (Attachment #2 — 5 pages) (PR# 5718)

3. Sole Source Purchase — Tasers®

To approve the purchase of TASERS® without competitive bidding as authorized by G.S. 143-129 (e) (6) "on the grounds that the product is available from only one source of supply";

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Lawmen's Safety Supply Inc., in the amount of $176,842.00 for providing the City with 125 TASER® X26 devices and accessories; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Persons: Joseph W. Clark — 4132 and Lt. Jon Shelton — 4322) (Attachment #3 — 5 pages) (PR# 5719)

4. Bid Report — October 2008

To receive a report and to record into the minutes bids which were acted upon by the City Manager during the month of October 2008.

(Resource Persons: Joseph W. Clark and Lynette McRae — 4132) (Attachment #4 — 5 pages)(PR# 5721)

5. Street Acceptances

To accept the streets on the attached list for maintenance by the City of Durham. (Resource Persons: Edward R. Venable and Nathan L. McHenry — 4326) (Attachment #5 — 2 pages) (PR# 5717)

6. Contract Amendment No. 1 for Janitorial/Cleaning Services at Fire Department Administration Building

To authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment for janitorial cleaning services with Mother/Daughter Cleaning Service, Durham, NC in the amount of $2,100.00 for the Fire Department Training Trailer/Classroom; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Person: Bruce T. Pagan, Jr. — 4242) (Attachment #6 — 5 pages) (PR# 5723)

7. Design Services Agreement for Building Assessment of City Owned Commercial Properties at Five Points (101, 105, 107 and 109 East Chapel Hill Street and 104 and 106 Morris Street)

To authorize the City Manager to execute a design services agreement with BJAC, PA in the amount of $51,000.00 for the purpose of conducting a building assessment for the City-owned building at 101, 105, 107 and 109 East Chapel Hill Street and 104 and 106 Morris Street; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the agreement.

(Resource Person: Lori Blake-Reid — 4197) (Attachment #7 — 17 pages) (PR# 5726)

8. Amendment Number One to Lease at Central Medical Park (Offices of Risk Management and Employee Health Services)

To authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment Number One to lease agreement with Windrose Central Medical Properties, LLC; and

To authorize the City Manager to make changes to the Amendment provided the changes do not increase the lease rate or term, or change the intent of the agreement.

(Resource Person: David Fleischer — 4197) (Attachment #8 — 7 pages) (PR# 5714)

9. Contract for Imagine Durham, A Results Based Accountability Initiative

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a Contract for Imagine Durham, a Results Based Accountability Initiative between the City of Durham, Durham County and Triangle United Way for January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012, with a current fiscal year cost of $20,071.50 and future fiscal year amounts subject to annual appropriation; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Person: Julie Brenman — 4222) (Attachment #9 — 14 pages) (PR# 5684)

11. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment to Increase Funding for Rock Quarry Park Field Renovation

To adopt an ordinance amending the Capital Project Ordinance 2008-09, as amended, the same being Ordinance #13632, for the purpose of increasing the funding of the Athletic Field Renovation project by $695,000.00 and decreasing the funding of the Northern Athletic Park project by $695,000.00.

(Resource Person: Beth Timson — 4355) (Attachment #11 — 8 pages) (PR# 5715)

12. Authorization of Contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates (KHA) for the Development of the its Strategic Deployment Plan

To authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for $376,118.62 with KHA for the development of the ITS Strategic Deployment Plan;

To authorize the City Manager to executed minor amendments and extensions as provided for in the contract; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract prior to execution provided the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the version of the agreement provided to the City Council.

(Resource Person: Felix Nwoko — 4366) (Attachment #12 — 55 pages) (PR# 5728)

13. Setting a Public Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Establishing an Annexation Agreement between Cary and Durham for the Mutual Boundary Line between these two Municipalities

To adopt a resolution setting a public hearing for January 5, 2009, for an ordinance establishing an annexation agreement between Cary and Durham for the mutual boundary line between these two municipalities and other related matters.

(Resource Person: Nancy Newell — 4381) (Attachment #13 — 3 pages) (PR# 5713)

14. Contract SR-44, Chapel Hill Street Outfall

To authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Seaside Environmental Constructors Inc for construction services for the SR-44 Chapel Hill Street Outfall in the total amount $692,357.00;

To establish a contingency fund for the contract in the amount of $138,471.40;

To authorize the City Manager to negotiate change orders for the contract provided that the cost of all change orders does not exceed $138,471.40. The total project cost including change orders does not exceed $830,828.40; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution, provided the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and is consistent with the general intent of the version of the Contract approved by City Council.

(Resource Person: James E. Harding — 4381) (Attachment #14 — 3 pages) (PR# 5711)

15 — 16. These items can be found on the General Business Agenda Public Hearings.

[General Business Agenda - Public Hearings]

15. Merchandise-Based Retail Incentive Grant Contracts with Prestige Automotive Repair Services, Inc., Kishan Enterprises Inc. and Superlative Fine Foods, LLC

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the proposed Economic Development Incentives per GS 158-7.1;

To authorize the City Manager to execute an economic incentives contract with in Prestige Automotive Repair Services, Inc. in the amount of $7,500.00;

To authorize the City Manager to execute an economic incentives contract with Kishan Enterprises Inc. in the amount of $7,500.00;

To authorize the City Manager to execute an economic incentives contract with Superlative Fine Foods, LLC in the amount of $7,500.00; and

To authorize the City Manager to make modifications to these contracts so long as the modifications do not increase the dollar amount or decrease the obligations of the contracting party.

(Resource Person: Chris Dickey — 4965) (Attachment #15 — 40 pages) (PR# 5725)

16. Street Closing — 75 Linear Feet of Cooke Street (SC0800013)

To Conduct a public hearing on the permanent closing of 75 linear feet of Cooke Street, north of Elba Street and southwest of NC 147; and

To adopt an Order permanently closing 75 linear feet of Cooke Street.

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP — 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment # 16 — 8 pages)(PR# 5716)

[Supplimental Items]

18. Street Closing — 295 Linear Feet of Sumter Street (SC0800007)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the permanent closing of 295 linear feet of Sumter Street, north of Maxwell Street, south of West Pettigrew Street; and

To adopt an Order permanently closing 295 linear feet of Sumter Street.

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP — 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #18 — 11 pages)(PR# 5741)

19. Street Closing — 1,067 Linear Feet of Maxwell Street (SC0800008)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the permanent closing of 1,067 linear feet of Maxwell Street, west of South Buchanan Boulevard, east of Campus Drive; and

To adopt an Order permanently closing 1,067 linear feet of Maxwell Street.

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP — 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #19 — 11 pages)(PR# 5742)

[Adjournment]

 

December 11, 2008
 
WORKERS AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION REPRESENTATION
 
Tar Heel, N.C. – Workers at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, North Carolina, chose union representation with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).  Workers voted 2041 to 1879 for a voice on the job.
 
"When workers have a fair process, they choose a voice on the job," said UFCW Director of Organizing Pat O'Neill. "This is a great victory for the Tar Heel workers. I know they are looking forward to sitting down at the bargaining table with Smithfield to negotiate a contract. The UFCW has constructive union contracts with Smithfield plants around the country. Those union contracts benefit workers, the company and the community. We believe the workers here in Tar Heel can achieve a similar agreement."
 
Ronnie Ann Simmons, a veteran of 13 years at the plant said, "We are thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together, and now we have a say on the job." 
 
Workers at 26 Smithfield-owned facilities around the country already have UFCW representation.
 
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The UFCW represents more than 1.3 million members in the U.S. and Canada, including 250,000 workers in the poultry and meatpacking industries.