REVISED

(Addition of Item 5b)

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Durham County Government Administrative Complex, Commissioners’ Room (2^nd Floor)

200 E. Main Street, Durham, NC  27701

9:00 A.M. Worksession

AGENDA

1.     Citizens Comments

                                                                                                                                                            15 min.

The following citizens have requested to be placed on the agenda:

1.       Barry Ragin—representing concerned citizens about the necessity of modifying Durham County’s Animal Control Ordinance to ban the chaining of dogs.

2.       China Townsend—representing McDougald Terrace to discuss the possibility of extending the hours of operation for the McDougald Terrace Branch of the Durham County Public Library to six days per week.

3.       Ralph McKinney—to discuss various issues.

Resource Person(s): Vonda Sessoms, Clerk to the Board

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board receive citizens’ comments.

2.     Recognize Tax Administration Staff for Excellent Collections Year

                                                                                                                                                            10 min.

At the July 24, 2006 Board of County Commissioners' meeting, the Tax Administrator asked that he be allowed to invite Tax Administration staff to the August worksession to have them recognized for the banner collections year that Durham County and the City of Durham just completed.

        Resource Person(s): Kimberly Simpson, Deputy Tax Administrator

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board recognize tax staff and congratulate them on a job well done.

3.     Presentation of Annual Accomplishments of the Women’s Commission

                                                                                                                                                            15 min.

The Durham County Women’s Commission has requested time on the agenda to present a report to the Board of County Commissioners.  Rosa Anderson, Women’s Commission Chairperson, will share last year’s accomplishments, as well as projected activities for the upcoming year.

Resource Person(s): Rosa Anderson, Women’s Commission Chairperson

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board accept the report from the Women’s Commission.

4.     Cultural Master Plan First Round Spending Initiatives

                                                                                                                                                            45 min.

The Durham Cultural Master Plan was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on August 23, 2004, and the City Council on August 16, 2004.  The plan is currently in the implementation phase, operates under an interlocal agreement, is funded through a portion of the County’s Occupancy Tax, and is led by a Board- and Council-appointed Advisory Board.  As directed in the interlocal agreement, one of the duties of the Advisory Board is to design a process for distributing implementation funding to community partners, which must come before the Board of County Commissioners for approval.  In addition, all expenditures not included in the budget, including the grants to community agencies, shall first be reviewed by the Advisory Board and then be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval before any payment from the Implementation Funds can be made. 

The First Round Spending Initiatives for the implementation of the Durham Cultural Master Plan are before the Board for review and feedback.  The spending plan will come back to the Board for approval at the August 28 regular meeting.

Peter Coyle, working out of the Office of Economic and Employment Development, serves as the Project Manager and oversees the implementation and funding process. 

Resource Person(s): Barker French, Chair, Cultural Master Plan Advisory Board; Peter Coyle, Project Manager; and Heidi York, Assistant County Manager

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board review the Cultural Master Plan First Round Spending Initiatives and provide feedback to staff.

5.     Gang Assessment Study  

                                                                                                                                                            25 min.

        The City of Durham and Durham County solicited a proposal from Drs. Deborah Lamm Weisel and James C. Howell to conduct a comprehensive assessment of gangs in the City of Durham and Durham County.  Drs. Weisel and Howell are nationally recognized gang experts and have agreed to complete the study within one year for $60,000.  The City and County will jointly fund the cost of the study.  Funds for the County’s share have been reserved in Sheriff’s Office budget, pending approval of the proposal by the Board of County Commissioners.

        Resource Person(s): Wes Crabtree, Chief Deputy, Durham County Sheriffs Office

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board place the item on the August 28, 2006 Consent Agenda to approve the proposal and pay $30,000 from the Sheriff’s Office budget for the preparation thereof.

5a.   Proposal for Stage 2 Economic Development Initiative  

                                                                                                                                                            35 min.

        The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce has proposed a three-year initiative to develop and implement a strategy to promote Durham County to employees of new and existing industries and business who are considering relocation to the Triangle area.  The initiative would require an annual contribution of $35,000 from Durham County and the City of Durham.  The Chamber has also pledged to raise an equal amount from the private sector.

        Resource Person(s): Libby Barnes, President and CEO, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and Ted Connor, Vice President for Economic Development, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends the Board support the initiative as proposed.

5b.   2007 Legislative Goals

                                                                                                                                                            15 min.

The Board is requested to have a short, preliminary discussion regarding 2007 legislative goals.  The Commissioners will hold a more thorough discussion at their September 7 Worksession.  The NCACC is requesting that counties submit proposed legislative goals for inclusion in the legislative goals development process by Friday, September 15. 

Resource Person(s): Deborah Craig-Ray, Assistant County Manager, and Chuck Kitchen, County Attorney

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the items and direct staff.

6.     Board and Commission Appointment

                                                                                                                                                             5 min.

Vonda Sessoms, Clerk to the Board, will distribute ballots to the Commissioners to make an appointment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

_________________________

Closed Session (Lunch)—11:45

The Board is requested to adjourn to closed session pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(4) to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of businesses in the area served by the public body.

_________________________

1:15 p.m.

Reconvene to Open Session

Due Process Hearing

                                                                                                                                                            45 min.

The Board of Commissioners has received complaints regarding the conduct of
Douglas Register, an appointee to the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.  The hearing is to determine if there is justification for the complaints, and if the complaints are justified, whether or not to remove Mr. Register from his position.

        Resource Person(s): Chuck Kitchen, County Attorney

County Manager’s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board hold the hearing and make a determination of whether or not the complaints are justified and whether or not to remove Douglas Register from his position.