The drought, water restrictions, and lawns

The drought doesn't seem to be getting worse faster, but the authorities have been getting more concerned this month.  It will probably be hard to reduce water consumption by half, as Governor Easley requested this week.  According to news stories, water managers think even 20% reduction would require major sacrifices at this point.  Cities like Durham might need to take more drastic steps, since we have less than 70 days of water left in the main reservoirs (I'm not sure if this counts unused reserves), but I think some areas have little drought and is the State expecting a dry winter?  I could use a lot less water, but I might be more dirty, since I already follow many of the water saving guidelines, like using graywater for watering plants, reducing the amount of water I use for washing, I never washed my car or watered the grass to begin with, and I already had jugs in the toilet tanks to reduce water usage and I don't flush much.  NPR had a story last Tuesday afternoon about how one Japanese family saves water by using dishwater to wash clothes, reusing bath water (which I think is, or was, common in Japan), and not washing dishes.  That is admirable (and possibly unhealthy), but I'm not sure if we are at that point yet, and using graywater extensively would require plumbing work so we don't have to carry buckets around.  Desalination plants, already in use on the coast, are a possible long-term solution we might eventually have to use, but they have drawbacks, and we should conserve before we look for new sources of water to waste.  We should oppose any plans for large new reservoirs on rivers for environmental reasons and communities that would be uprooted.      

 

I sympathize with wanting to save drought-stricken garden plants and trees, but I don't quite understanding watering of lawns.  They have good qualities, like being 'healthy' green, uniform, probably safe to walk on barefoot, and we probably prefer savanna habitat as a species generally, but lawns are also ugly, and most Americans don't seem to see that ugliness. For the best, or orthodox, appearance, lawns usually require hazardous chemicals and the chemical and oil industries that make them, are not biologically diverse and don't support much wildlife, are planted with non-native and invasive plants, require mowing, mostly by mowers that directly or indirectly pollute the air, lawns don't help reduce heating and cooling costs like trees do, and I think lawns evolved from the mass of people emulating the European rich.  Fertilizer put on lawns runs off and causes algae blooms and fish kills, and globally we are adding more biologically available nitrogen to the biosphere than it had naturally, with uncertain results (note that adding nutrients to a system has been shown to decrease biodiversity).  The atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, but it has to be fixed for organisms to use it, but now we can fix it for use in fertilizer, explosives, etc.  There have been reports that many subdivisions are requiring people to maintain their lawns, even as we are running out of water to drink.  Maybe I am underestimating how long it takes to regrow a lawn (especially in moonscaped new subdivisions, like the one at the corner of Herndon and Scott King roads, or Southpoint Mall), and it probably is a costly loss to lose fresh sod.  If a lawn were allowed to dry out, I assume it would go dormant and eventually develop deeper roots, though.     

 

The place where I live has some lawn, but I am not in charge of how it is managed.  It isn't watered and is mostly weeds other than grass, and is mowed with an electric mower, but if I were in charge, I would reduce the sward and add some more useful plants to the mix, though that might include warm-season or mixed grass seed and non-native plants, like white clover (which I think is better looking than grass during the cool season, and it is edible and useful to wildlife).  Most lawn plants are non-native, because they are weeds that thrive in that kind of disturbed and sunny habitat, and native plants evolved for a mostly forested landscape, although there were large savannas here when the Europeans arrived.  I think Penny's Bend on the Eno River is a surviving fragment of natural savanna.  

 

An unrelated note:

 

Alliance Marxist-Leninist is one of the many local and national co-sponsors (such as the local BORDCs, GRIM, and the Durham People's Alliance) of NC Stop Torture Now's demonstration against rendition, torture, and the war this Saturday in Smithfield and will probably table at the rally.       

BOCC meeting tonight - why support RTI?

 

The County Commissioners are meeting tonight, in fact right about now, and the agenda is below.  Some things I am most concerned about are the proclamations (all of which seem constructive) on adoption, homelessness, local efforts to combat climate change, the apparently good performance of the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant, green buildings in the Library system, and County support for the Research Triangle Institute. 

 

I think that RTI was the subject of a protest against war profiteers a few years ago.  If that is true, why should the County supporting them?  People should know that that protest was very effective in the short term.  I heard that the demonstration was at a distance from the facility, but the target of the protest actually feared terrorism and shut down for the rest of the day.  The warmongers might pause if enough businesses and government offices are paralyzed indefinitely.  This is something to consider since it seems increasingly like the Bush Administration will expand its global war of aggression to Iran.  There should be plans to respond to an unjustified attack, ideally with much more impact than the many but ultimately ineffective actions when the Iraq War started.  There are several powerful anti-war groups in the Triangle, but I'm not sure if they have started making plans, and it is possible that "preemptive" war with Iran, or some other country, will start with little notice, and the US is still occupying Iraq, Afghanistan, and I think also Haiti.  Kosovo is an occupation left over from Clinton, though it might be accepted by all sides.       

 

I am also concerned about any land use decisions, but it is up to people living near Treyburn Village site to comment.

    

1.     Opening of Regular Session—Pledge of Allegiance                                                                    5 min.

 

2.     Agenda Adjustments                                                                                                                   5 min.

 

3.     Announcements                                                                                                                           5 min.

 

The Greater Durham Mentoring Alliance will host its 2007 Fall Mentoring Fair on October 23, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, at the American Tobacco Campus, 318 Blackwell Street, Bay 7, in Downtown Durham.   The public is encouraged to attend to learn about the wide variety of mentoring programs Durham has to offer.   Volunteers may sign up to become a mentor at the Fair.  Refreshments will be served.

 

4.     Minutes                                                                                                                                        5 min.

 

a.  August 19, 2007 BOCC/City Council

b.  October 1, 2007 Worksession

c.  October 8, 2007 Regular Session

 

5.     Adoption Month Proclamation

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

National Adoption Awareness Month is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the 118,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.   For the last seven years, National Adoption Month has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with courts, judges, attorneys, and advocates to finalize adoptions and find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care.

 

In North Carolina, there are more than 10,000 children in foster care, but not all of them are available for adoption.   These children are in the custody of the local Department of Social Services because of abuse, neglect, or because their parents voluntarily placed them for adoption.   Most are in custody temporarily while social work professionals attempt to safely reunite them with their families or place them with relatives.  Some may be adopted by foster parents.   Approximately one-third of the children in foster care will be adopted.  Court action to terminate parental rights is necessary before they are available for adoption.  

 

In Durham County, there are more 244 children in foster care and 23 children are available for adoption but are not currently in an adoptive placement.   Since last November, 25 foster children have been adopted in Durham. 

 

The children most in need of safe, loving, permanent homes include those who are over age 10, are in sibling groups and do not want to be separated, minority children, and special needs children (those with medical, behavioral, emotional, or physical problems).   Most foster children have special needs simply because they have undergone the trauma of abuse, neglect, and separation from their birth families.  Some have physical disabilities and medical problems.  Many children need to be placed with a sibling or siblings.

 

Resource Person(s): Janice Williams, Adoption Supervisor, and Jovetta Whitfield, Child Placement and Supportive Services Program Manager, Department of Social Services

 

County Manager's Recommendation : The Manager recommends approval of the proclamation declaring Adoption Month in Durham County to raise community awareness of the many ways to support our children who are waiting for a loving, permanent family.

 

6.     Proclamation for Project Homeless Connect

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

Through public and private collaboration, Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a one-day, one-stop, on-site center designed to link homeless people with a broad range of needed services.   PHC will work to end homelessness in Durham by providing valuable community-wide services in one location for free.  The event is planned for October 25, 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Urban Ministries Center.  Sponsors have requested a proclamation observing the day.

 

Edy Thompson, Director of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Durham, will discuss the events and receive the proclamation.

 

County Manager's Recommendation : Approve the proclamation and present to Edy Thompson, Director of the 10-Year Pan to End Homelessness in Durham.

7.     Proclamation for National Home and Hospice Care Month

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

November is National Home Care and Hospice Month.  Home care agencies across the nation are working to raise awareness about home care and hospice.   More than
11 million Americans prefer to be treated in the comfort of their own homes when they are ill, rather than a hospital, nursing home, or outside health care facility.   Modern home care succeeds because of diligent home care providers who provide comprehensive services to keep Americans where they belong—in their own homes.

 

Duke HomeCare and Hospice officials have requested that a proclamation be prepared to recognize the vital role of home care in the healthcare continuum.

 

County Manager 's Recommendation: Approve the proclamation and present to
Ms. Carol Ann Mullis, Program Manager of Duke HomeCare and Hospice.

 

8.     Resolution to Reduce the Risks of Climate Change

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

The National Association of Counties (NACO) recently launched a "County Climate Protection Program" to encourage counties to assume the role of "agents of change" in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.   NACo's program will support counties as they work to reduce emissions by providing best practices, tools, and resources to assist in developing and implementing successful climate change programs.

 

On September 19, the Durham Board of County Commissioners and the Durham City Council adopted a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 30% by the year 2030.  In so doing, the City of Durham and Durham County are the first in the state to adopt such a plan.  A key goal of the plan is to set an example for the rest of the community by using resources more efficiently and reducing energy costs.

 

County Manager 's Recommendation: Approve the resolution and forward a copy of the resolution and the Local Action Plan for Emissions Reduction to the National Association of Counties for inclusion in its database.

 

9.     Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant—Performance Gold Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

Each year the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognizes wastewater utilities that achieve 100% compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for an entire calendar year.   Durham County's Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant received a Peak Performance Gold Award from NACWA for 2006.  More than 2,500 tests are conducted on the treatment plant effluent each year to demonstrate permit compliance.

 

This accomplishment is a tribute to the efforts of the Utility Division staff and United Water, the County's operating contractor, and their commitment to maintain a high level of environmental compliance in day to day operation of the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant.

 

Resource Person(s): Glen Whisler, County Engineer

 

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board recognize and congratulate the Utility Division staff and United Water for this award.

 

10.   East & North Regional Libraries LEED Certification

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

The Board is hereby requested to recognize the project team for achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification on the recently completed East & North Regional Libraries.   The East Regional Library achieved LEED Certification on February 1, 2007 and the North Regional Library achieved LEED Certified "Silver" on June 22, 2007.  

 

The United States Green Building Council recognizes projects that achieve LEED certification based on the LEED Green Building Rating System.   The Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.   LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance.  LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:  sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  This comprehensive approach is the reason LEED-certified buildings have reduced operating costs, have healthier and more productive occupants, and conserve our natural resources.  

 

On December 9, 2002, the Board of County Commissioners approved the design contract agreement with The Freelon Group, P.A. to provide architectural services to develop a prototype regional branch library to be located in the eastern and northern parts of Durham County.  All design and construction efforts have been successfully completed.  The 25,000-square-foot East Branch Library was opened to the public on June 16, 2006; the public opening for the North Branch was held on January 30, 2007.  The execution of both projects was within the budget.   The projects were the County's second and third LEED certified facilities along with the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant Administrative Building which obtained LEED Certification in April 2005.  

 

Resource Person(s): Glen Whisler, P.E., County Engineer, Engineering Department; Skip Auld, Director of Library Services; Peri Manns, Assoc. ASLA, Interim Sr. Project Manager, Engineering Department; and Zena Howard, AIA, The Freelon Group

 

County Manager 's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board recognize the project team for obtaining LEED Certification on both the East & North Regional Libraries.

 

11.   Consent Agenda                                                                                                                           15 min.

 

a.   Property Tax Releases and Refunds for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 (accept the property tax release and refund report for September 2007 as presented and authorize the Tax Assessor to adjust the tax records as outlined by the report);

b.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000013—Appropriate Reserved Funds in the amount of $1,158,166 for the Tax Department, Sheriff's Office, Fire Marshal's Office, CJRC, Cooperative Extension, DSS, Cultural Arts Master Plan, and the County Vehicle and Equipment Loan;

c.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000014—Appropriate Reserved Funds for Open Space and Active Recreation in the General Fund and Transfer the Funds to the County Contribution Fund; Capital Project Ordinance Amendment
No. 08CPA000006 (DC083) Open Space and Farmland Preservation—Appropriate Payment-Lieu-Revenue Transferred from the General Fund (appropriate reserved fund balance in the amount of $47,589 to increase the DC083 Open Space and Farmland Preservation Capital Project from $6,507,243 to $6,554,832);

d.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC00015— Social Services—Recognize Additional Revenue in the Amount of $89,408 for Adult Care Home Case Management ($7,062), Crisis Intervention Prevention ($52,842), and State Adult Day Care ($29,504);

e.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000016—Cooperative Extension—Welcome Baby (recognize 2 ^nd Year Grant Revenue in the amount of $53,783 from the US Health and Human Services Department through the University of North Carolina School of Social Work to Establish a .75 FTE Position and to Continue the Strong Couples Strong Children [SCSC] Project);

f.    Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000017— Cooperative Extension—Welcome Baby Grant Funds for Incredible Years Basic Parent Training (recognize $21,374 in grant funding and approve an additional .53 FTE);

g.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000018—Cooperative Extension—Recognize $5,000 in Grant Funding from the North Carolina Department of Insurance for the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP);

h.   Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000019—Cooperative Extension—Durham Kids Voting Administration Grant (appropriate an additional $8,129 from Kids Voting North Carolina for the purpose of administering the Durham Kids Voting program in cooperation with the program's partners and increase the FTE for the community consultant position from .40 FTE to .53 FTE);

i.    Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000020—Technical Adjustment to Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000010—Office of the Sheriff and City of Durham Police Department Acceptance of 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant (JAG) (approve in the amount of $107,139, which combined with Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000010 approved in the amount of $107,139, will budget this grant at the correct total of $214,278; in addition, approve the establishment of 1.0 FTE in the Criminal Justice Resource Center for the
grant-funded case worker for the period of one year);

j.    Request to Execute a Non-Exclusive Revocable License Agreement with NC National Guard at the Durham County Memorial Stadium (approve the Revocable License Agreement Between the County of Durham, the Stadium Authority, and the North Carolina National Guard for use of the Stadium's South Side Parking Lot for Overflow Personal Vehicle Parking for Guardsmen Participating in Weekend NC National Guard Drills at the Armory);

k.   Approve the Sale of County Surplus Property —1327 Clinton Road to Bruno Rodriguez for $15,905; 1412 N. Hyde Park Avenue to P.A.P's Custom Home Building for $6,300; 2300 Fitzgerald Street to William Bright for $4,000; and
10037 Rougemont Road to Cynthia Klenke for $1,730;

l.    Triangle Transit Authority Appointment (approve the reappointment of Commission Chairman Ellen W. Reckhow to the Triangle Transit Authority Board of Trustees in the Durham County representative position; the term is December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2011); and

m.  Terminate the contract by and among the County, Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Durham County Superior Clerk of Court to fund the cost of five deputy clerks; the Clerk of Court has received funding from the State and no longer needs the funding from the County.

 

12.   Public Hearing for Industrial Revenue Bonds – RTI Inc.

                                                                                                                                                             20 min.

The Board of Commissioners is requested to hold a public hearing concerning the issuance and sale by The Durham County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority of its Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $42,000,000.   The proceeds will be loaned to Research Triangle Institute ("RTI"), a North Carolina non profit corporation, and used to: 1) finance the construction of a new approximately 120,000-square-foot office building and approximately 490-space parking deck at a cost of approximately $28,000,000, and 2) to refinance an existing loan from SunTrust Bank of approximately $12,500,000 (the proceeds of which were used to finance the construction of an approximately 78,000-square-foot office and laboratory building known as the Earl Johnson Jr. Building).   RTI is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds.  Neither the County nor the Authority has any financial responsibility for the debt.   The Project is located at 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, and will be owned and operated by RTI.

 

Representatives from RTI will be present at the public hearing to explain further the Project.

 

Resource Person(s): Carol Hammett, Assistant County Attorney, and Mary Nash-Rusher, Hunton & Williams, Bond Counsel

 

        County Manager's Recommendation: Hold the public hearing on the issuance of the bonds for the expansion of Research Triangle Institute whose operations are currently located in Research Triangle Park in Durham County, and approve the issuance, if appropriate.

 

13.   Public Hearing—Plan Amendment—Treyburn Village (A06-13)

                                                                                                                                                             15 min.

To conduct a public hearing on a plan amendment for Treyburn Village (A06-13); and to approve the requested change to the land use designation on the Future Land Use Map of the Durham Comprehensive Plan from Commercial to Low Density Residential
(4 DU/Acre or less).

 

Planning Department Recommendation: Approval, based on the justification and meeting the four criteria for plan amendments.

 

Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, 12-0, July 11, 2006, based on information provided in the staff report, the justification, and meeting the four criteria for plan amendments.

 

Resource Person(s): Steven L. Medlin, AICP, Interim City-County Planning Director

 

       County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board conduct a public hearing and, if appropriate based on the comments received, approve Plan Amendment A06-13.

 

14.    Public Hearing—Zoning Map Change—Treyburn Village (Z06-39)

                                                                                                                                                             15 min.

To approve a request for a zoning map change for a 71.60-acre site located on the south side of Vintage Hill Parkway, east of Sawmill Creek Parkway.

 

Request: CN (42.689 acres) and CC (28.911 acres); F/J-B to PDR 2.240; F/J-B

 

To adopt as support for its action on the proposed zoning map change the determinations that the action is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and is reasonable and in the public interest in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the agenda materials; or, alternatively, in the event that a motion to approve the item fails, the Commissioners adopt as support for their actions on the proposed zoning map change the determination that, notwithstanding its consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, the request is neither reasonable nor in the public interest in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the agenda materials.

       

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval, subject to approval of the plan amendment, based on consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and considering the information provided in this report.

 

Planning Commission Recommendation and Vote: Approval, 13-0, on August 14, 2007.  The Planning Commission finds that the ordinance request is not consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan.   However, should the governing body approve the pending plan amendment, the ordinance request would then be in compliance with the revised comprehensive Plan.  The Commission believes the request is reasonable and in the public interest and recommends approval based on the information in the staff report, comments received during the public hearing, and additional committed elements proffered by the applicant at the meeting.

 

Resource Person(s): Steven L. Medlin, AICP, Interim City-County Planning Director

 

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board conduct a public hearing on the proposed zoning map change and approve it, if appropriate, based on the comments received.

 

15.   Board and Commission Appointments

                                                                                                                                                               5 min.

Vonda Sessoms, Clerk to the Board, will distribute ballots to the Board to make appointments to the following boards and commissions:

 

·     Animal Control Review Board 

·     Design District Review Team

·     Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau

·     Durham County Hospital Corporation

·     Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee

·     Raleigh-Durham Noise Abatement

·     Transportation Advisory Board

 

Resource Person(s): Vonda Sessoms

 

County Manager 's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners vote to appoint members to the above-mentioned boards/commissions.

 

16.   Closed Session

                                                                                                                                                             30 min.

The Board is requested to adjourn to closed session to consider the conditions of initial appointment of a public officer and to preserve the attorney-client privilege and to discuss In Re Fayette Place LLC, 05 PTC 687, pursuant to N. C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(3) & (6).

City Council meeting Monday, with several water quality related items

I am going to start posting City Council and Board of County Commissioners meeting agendas here, to encourage public scrutiny of their decisions, and so I pay more attention myself.  I missed the decision on the Library room use fees, though I think most of that discussion was done in work sessions, which I think are open to the public, but possibly less interactive. Agendas, minutes, and other useful documents are also available at www.durhamnc.gov (City) and www.co.durham.nc.us (County).  Some items in the agenda for the City Council meeting this Monday that catch my eye are sewer and water line extensions near Northeast Creek, apparently in RTP, upgrading or adding ultraviolet sterilization water equipment to the North Durham Water Reclamation Facility, and the Golden Belt Redevelopment Plan, which I think is in NE Creek's basin.    

 

The link for the agenda is:  www.durhamnc.gov/agendas/2007/cm_101507.cfm

 

City Council meeting Monday, October 15, 2007

 

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. Approval of City Council Minutes

To approve City Council minutes for the following City Council meetings: August 23, 2007 - Special Meeting and September 17, 2007 - Regular Meeting; and

To approve City Council action taken at the September 6, 2007 City Council Work Session. (Resource Person: D. Ann Gray – 4166) (PR# 4375)

2. Piggyback Purchase – Construction Equipment

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Gregory Poole Equipment Company, in the amount of $761,240.00 for providing the City with four (4) excavators and one (1) wheel loader; 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 - 6 pages) (PR# 4380)

3. Water and Sewer Extension Agreement with Newhope Church, Inc.

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a water and sewer extension agreement with Newhope Church, Inc. to serve Newhope Church.

(Resource Person: R. Lee Murphy – 4326 ext. 230) (Attachment #3 - 10 pages) (PR# 4382)

4. Water Extension Agreement with T.W. Alexander Properties, LLC.

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a water extension agreement with T.W. Alexander Properties, LLC to serve T.W. Alexander Properties.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Robert N. Joyner – 4326) (Attachment #4 - 10 pages) (PR# 4370)

5. Water Extension Agreement with TMC Associates, LLC.

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a water extension agreement with TMC Associates, LLC to serve Finsbury Phase II.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Robert N. Joyner – 4326) (Attachment #5 - 10 pages) (PR# 4376)

6. Water and Sewer Extension Agreement with Northeastern Partners, LLC.

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a water and sewer extension agreement with Northeastern Partners, LLC to serve Northeast Creek.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Robert N. Joyner – 4326) (Attachment #6 - 10 pages) (PR# 4377)

7. Permanent Loan Using 1996 Housing Bond Program Income for Stewart Circle LLC for Rehabilitation of 20 Low-Income Tax Credit Units at Stewart Heights (Formerly Mutual Heights)

To adopt an Ordinance Amending the General Capital Improvement Project Ordinance, Fiscal year 2007-2008, the same being Ordinance #13428 for the purpose of decreasing the appropriation for the First Time Homebuyer Programs by $160, 000.00 and adding an appropriation for Stewart Circle for $160,000.00;

To determine and find that mortgage loans for this housing project are not otherwise available, wholly or in part, from public or private lenders, upon equivalent or reasonably equivalent terms and conditions;

To authorize the City Manager to execute a Loan Agreement and associated legal documents with Stewart Circle LLC in an amount of $160,000.00 to provide permanent second mortgage financing at an interest rate of 2% with a term of 20 years;

To authorize the expenditure of $160,000.00 in 1996 Housing Bond program income; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement and other related documents before execution, provided that the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and do not lessen the obligations of the contractor.

(Resource Person: Shepherd Smith – 4570 ext. 227) (Attachment #7 - 45 pages) (PR# 4379)

8. Joint Use Facility Agreement for Fire Burning Exercises with Durham Technical Community College

To authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Durham Technical Community College for the joint use of the fire training facilities and grounds; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement and other related documents before execution, provided that the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and do not lessen the obligations of the contractor.

(Resource Person: Bruce Pagan, Jr. – 4242 ext. 222) (Attachment #8 - 9 pages) (PR# 4359)

9. Donation of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to Durham Technical Community College

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Durham Technical Community College to donate twenty (20) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement and other related documents before execution, provided that the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and do not lessen the obligations of the contractor.

(Resource Person: Bruce Pagan, Jr. – 4242 ext. 222) (Attachment #9 - 6 pages) (PR# 4360)

10. 2006 Fire Act Grant

To authorize the City Manager to accept the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of fire-rescue equipment by executing the grant documents; and

To adopt the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Project Ordinance in the amount of $32,900.00.

(Resource Person: Bruce Pagan, Jr. – 4242 ext. 222) (Attachment #10 - 9 pages) (PR# 4392)

13. Lyon Park Management Agreement - Extension

To authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the management agreement for the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park with Calvary Ministries of the Westend, Inc. to extend the term to April 15, 2008; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement and other related documents before execution, provided that the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and do not lessen the obligations of the contractor.

(Resource Person: Ruben Wall – 4355 ext. 234) (Attachment #13 - 19 pages) (PR# 4374)

14. Contract for Reimbursement of Costs Incurred for Law Enforcement Assistance and Accompanying Grant Project Ordinance

To authorize the City Manager to accept the Town of Chapel Hill Law Enforcement Assistance During Halloween 2007 Grant by executing the grant documents;

To adopt the Town of Chapel Hill Law Enforcement Assistance During Halloween 2007 Grant Project Ordinance; and To authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract for Reimbursement of Costs Incurred for Law Enforcement Assistance between the City of Durham and the Town of Chapel Hill.

(Resource Person: Ron Evans – 4322) (Attachment #14 - 10 pages) (PR# 4371)

15. Municipal Agreement for NCDOT Project EB-4707 Old Durham-Chapel Hill Road

To adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a municipal agreement with the N. C. Department of Transportation and the Town of Chapel Hill for Project EB-4707, Old Durham-Chapel Hill Road.

(Resource Person: Dale McKeel – 4366) (Attachment #15 - 17 pages) (PR# 4386)

16. Contract for Engineering Services with Hazen and Sawyer for Ultraviolet Light Facility Upgrade at North Durham Water Reclamation Facility

To authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Hazen and Sawyer for engineering services for the Ultraviolet Light Facility Upgrade at North Durham Water Reclamation Facility in the total amount not to exceed $545, 590.00;

To establish a project contingency fund amount of $27,280.00;

To authorize the City Manager to negotiate change orders for the contract provided that the cost of all change orders does not exceed $27, 280.00 and the total project cost does not exceed $572,870.00; 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 are consistent with the general intent of the version of the contract approved by City Council.

(Resource Person: Nancy Newell – 4381 ext. 254) (Attachment #16 - 47 pages) (PR# 4369)

19 – 21. These items can be found on the General Business Agenda – Public Hearings.

[General Business Agenda – Public Hearings]

Assessments And Improvements

19. Ordering Petitioned Improvement

To receive public comments; and
To adopt a resolution ordering Water Main on Valley Springs Road from Rose of Sharon Road to Rivermont Road and Rivermont Road from Valley Springs Road West to the West Property Line of PIN 0813-01-19-7523.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Nathan L. McHenry – 4326) (Attachment #19 - 2 pages) (PR# 4364)

20. First Amendment to American Tobacco Agreement

To conduct a public hearing to receive comments per GS 158-7.1;

To authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to Development Agreement for American Tobacco; and

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

(Resource Person: Alan DeLisle – 4965 ext. 224) (Attachment #20 - 31 pages) (PR# 4234)

21. Termination of the Golden Belt Redevelopment Plan

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on termination of the Golden Belt Redevelopment Plan; and

To adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Termination of the Golden Belt Redevelopment Plan.

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #21 - 12 pages) (PR# 4387)

[Supplimental Agenda]

[Adjournment]

Elections Tuesday

There are elections around the Triangle Tuesday, 6:30am to 7:30pm. 

 

I haven't researched the candidates as well as I should this time, but there are good reasons for my decisions, even if I am not clear on every position the candidates have staked.  For City Council, I'm leaning towards voting for Catotti, Harris, and Ali.  Catotti is an easy choice, because she is probably the most progressive candidate and has a record as an incumbent, and she is the most responsive Council member to citizens (also if you include the County Commissioners and Mayor) in my experience.  Harris seems like a pretty progressive candidate and has been endorsed by the Independent, the People's Alliance, and I think also by the Herald-Sun.  Ali seems almost as popular with liberals.  I'm embarrassed to say, but I only just found out that Brown is actually a Democrat (and I heard that Clement is a Republican)!  I always thought Brown was a Republican on the more liberal wing, and that I thought that says something about the kind of Democrat he apparently is.  I want to vote against him, although he hasn't been too bad (for example, he supports the annual Bill of Rights resolution), and the only specific decision I can recall as a reason to vote against him is his opposition to the Bush-Cheney impeachment resolution last year.  The Council could have at least voted on it.  This race is not as exciting on its face as the elections for national office, but I think it is important for our future to vote, even though none of the candidates are ideal.         

Some events this weekend

Saturday, 10/6

 

Northeast Creek Stream Watch (www.necreek.org) will hold a cleanup of Northeast Creek and a tributary in the Parkwood area of southern Durham for the annual, statewide Big Sweep ( www.ncbigsweep.org/).  Meet at the group's table in front of the Parkwood Branch Library (on Revere Rd., off of Highway 54) at 9am for orientation.  Parkwood's Fall Flea Market will be going in the parking lot by the Library at the same time.  Stream Watch's next business meetings will be October 24th and I think November 28th. 

 

The Durham County Library's fall booksale is this weekend - Friday (Friends of the Library members only), Saturday, and Sunday (bag sale), at the Main Library downtown.  There is a wide variety of old and new books for a dollar or less at these quarterly sales.  It is also usually a good place to find Marxist works.

 

The Durham BORDC meets at 3pm in the 3rd floor conference room at the Main Library.

 

Sunday

Stop Torture Now meets at 2pm at the Unitarian Universalist on Wade Avenue in Raleigh.

 

GRIM is meeting at 7pm in the usual place in Chapel Hill.

Wednesday

 

Government by the people?  Discussion of reforms for fair and meaningful elections

 

Why does the political system favor business and what can be done to give voters more choice and control at the ballot box? The Triangle Socialist Forum is discussing public financing, campaign finance reform, third parties, and other electoral issues at 7pm at the Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Dr., off of Estes, near the E. Franklin St. intersection). Jenn Frye, associate director of Democracy NC ( www.democracy-nc.org), a non-partisan group working for the principle of one person, one vote, will be a guest. 
 

Saturday, October 27

 

Anti-rendition and anti-war march and rally in Johnston Co., initiated by Stop Torture Now. 

 

On going events:

 

Anti-war and impeachment vigils on Fridays, 5-6pm (until about the end of Daylight Savings Time, when it will start at 4:30) at the corner of Elliot and E. Franklin (Village Plaza shopping center) in Chapel Hill and 12-1 on Saturdays at Brightleaf Square in Durham.  I think there are also weekly events still in Raleigh (maybe Fridays at NCSU's Bell Tower) and Greensboro (on Tate St.?), but I'm not sure about the details. 

 

The October isssue of Triangle Free Press came out today. 

Durham should not settle with the lacrosse players

I have wanted to talk about the Duke lacrosse case, one of the biggest controversies in Durham in the past few years, but I was not following the case closely enough to say much.  I also trusted the judicial system to tell us the facts. This is not to say that justice is impartial in the US, or that it is honest.  As Lenin and others have said, justice is biased by class, and also by ethnicity, culture, and other factors.  I did sympathize with the prosecution, though in general I am suspicious of prosecutors.  There was an accusation and based on what I knew at the time, I thought that it should be investigated.  There are also the issues of how stopping the investigation earlier would have affected race relations and the reporting of sexual violence in the Triangle. It also seems like many of the biggest supporters of the defendants are white conservatives.        

 

I'm saying this because I plan to blog more on this if Durham is sued by the three former players.  The City should not settle with them for $30 million dollars.  They should not get more than people who have been wrongfully imprisoned in North Carolina for years, or the surviving kin of innocent people killed by the government. The players might deserve some compensation, and I feel some sympathy for people like their former coach and players who were disgraced by this investigation.  The justice system should not be used to transfer wealth to people who can afford powerful attorneys and seem to want to punish the people of Durham (as many of our neighbors in Wake County and elsewhere want, judging by their letters to the News & Observer).  I'm not sure Duke was wise in settling with them, and it was a stepping stone to coming after Durham. 
 

October 10th: What happened to government by the people?

The next Triangle Socialist Forum discussion, on electoral reform issues, will be Wednesday, October 10th at 7pm at the Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Dr.).  Why does the political system favor business interests and what can be done to give the public more control and choice? I'm hoping that someone from the Triangle Greens can participate to talk about how the system is rigged against third parties, especially in this state.  Possibly Democracy NC, a non-partisan election reform advocacy organization, will take up our invitation, and I also let the Bill of Rights Defense Committees know about the forum.  As with the discussion of class in America last month, this is a huge topic and we can only scratch the surface, so we will probably be revisiting this topic again soon.     

Graywater and water reclamation in Durham

Using graywater (washing water from sinks, washing machines, air conditioners, etc.) is one way to conserve and fully use water, especially after mandatory limits were imposed last Friday.  I've been using dishwashing water to water plants for the entire summer and even gray treefrog tadpoles seemed to tolerate it.  The soap in the water might also discourage insects and provide fertilizer.  Graywater systems appear to be legal in Durham, but I'm not sure what the rules are.  Reusing water reduces the amount of treated wastewater released into creeks, though that also means less water goes back into the reservoirs directly.  

 

Wednesday the Herald-Sun (front page) reported that the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant could be providing treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial cooling around RTP as soon as next year.  As the article mentions, this will reduce the pollution going in to Jordan Lake.  I think it is a good idea, but I would be careful using it for irrigation because it could contain pathogenic organisms, despite treatment, as well as significant levels of medical and illegal drugs and possibly heavy metals.  I also wonder where the extra infrastructure for this will be placed, since cleared sewer easements already parallel many creeks with otherwise wooded buffers.        

 

Another Library fee update

Apparently the room fees have been changed again.  According to an article on the front of the Herald-Sun Metro section Wednesday, the fees are now $25 dollars for non-profit use of larger meeting rooms (but $50 for the Main Library's Auditorium), and double that for for-profit use. I think the rooms covered are the same as what was in the original press release I posted, and there will be free rooms at the Main, East, North, Parkwood, and Stanford L Warren libraries (but not at Southwest).  Refreshments are prohibited in the free rooms now.  As I said before, I think the County Commissioners need to explain why this is being done and the aim should be to make services as cheap or free as possible for the public.  It is an improvement for some relatively large rooms to remain free for use, and the reduced fee is also better.  I am posting this on both of my blogs because it is relevant for people in Durham and it affects the impeachment movement in Durham, which meets at a library.  

 

On a different note, I blogged about the new State amphibian a while back (on Durham Spark), and the NC Herpetological Society now has an online poll soliciting opinions on the State frog and salamander, at www.ncherps.org. 

Durham Library fee update

I have received more information about the Durham Library
room fees, which were implemented September 4th.  The 

Durham People's Alliance contacted the County
Commissioners and the Library Board of Trustees asking
about the policy and why they think fees are necessary.  

The PA might do more after its next

coordinating committee meeting later this month.  The
Library's advisory Board seems to be in favor of free use, but
the County Commissioners, or some of them, seem to
feel that the fees are needed for expenses associated
with the rooms, and the Commissioners originated this
idea.  There might be further changes, and there

was a working meeting on the 4th.  

Some rooms are still free.  I still think this
is a bad idea and cannot be justified by the charges
to use spaces in the Durham Public Schools, but it is an
improvement to leave smaller spaces free (at least for
now). A press release was sent out August 7th, but
irresponsibly ignored by the media.  The part below is on

 the room fee:

       # # #


       News Release


       Date:  Aug. 7, 2007

       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       CONTACT:  Jana A. Alexander

       560-0151 or jalexander at durhamcountync dot gov

       Durham County Library Policies Change Sept. 4

       . . . Meeting Rooms
During the process to create the library's
2007-2008 budget, the Durham Board of County
Commissioners directed the library to implement fees
for meeting rooms.  In the past, community

organizations could use meeting rooms free of charge
if they were not serving refreshments.  The library
charged a nominal fee of $25 for meeting room use if
the organization served refreshments; the fee was for
facilities maintenance.

Durham County Library will continue providing some
free meeting rooms.  However, effective Sept. 4, 2007,
the library will charge nonprofit organizations a flat
rate of $50 for booking one of the library system's
large meeting rooms for up to four hours.  The fee for
commercial enterprises and for-profit organizations
will be $100 for meetings that last four hours or
less.  There will not be a separate fee for
refreshments.

The meeting spaces that will require a fee include
the Main Library auditorium (capacity 150) and the
meeting rooms at North and East regional libraries
(capacity 100), Parkwood Branch Library (capacity 40),
Southwest Branch Library (capacity 50) and Stanford L.
Warren Branch (capacity 75).

The spaces that will remain available to the community
free of charge include Main Library's third-floor
conference room (capacity 40); and the study/tutoring
rooms at East and North regional libraries (capacity
8), Parkwood Branch Library (capacity 12); and
Stanford L. Warren Branch Library (three rooms, with
capacities of 2, 2 and 6).

"Throughout its history, Durham County Library
facilities have been popular meeting places for a
number of community organizations," said [Skip] Auld.  "The
new fee will help us to better maintain our
facilities."


Late breaking information:  The City Council seems to
be considering changes to its position (stated in a 2003 resolution) of ignoring
immigration status except for those charged with serious crimes,
but the consensus is said to be to modify it, not repeal it. 

This might have come up at the Council meeting earlier in the evening.