THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Monday, May 4, 1998

9:00 A.M. Worksession

AGENDA

1. Citizen Comment—Ralph McKinney

Mr. Ralph McKinney has requested time on the agenda to make comments to the Commissioners.

2. Durham Public Schools FY 1998-1999 Budget Presentation

The County Commissioners previously requested that a meeting be scheduled for Durham Public Schools’ officials to present issues related to their FY 1998-1999 requested budget. For Commissioner information, a Durham Public Schools’ budget request had not been received as of the date of agenda preparation. However, Commissioner Bell, Budget Director Walters, and County Manager Thompson met with school officials recently to discuss their request. School officials will be prepared to address recent discussions concerning their financial situation, as well as their budget request. Their presentation should take approximately one-half hour with one hour allocated for questions and discussion.

3. Proposed Revisions to the Durham County Animal Control Ordinance

Mike Turner, Simone Alston, and Kim Willis will present to the BOCC a report on the proposed revisions to the Durham County Animal Control Ordinance. This report is for informational purposes only; no action is required at this time.

On July 31, 1997, an Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) was appointed by the County Manager and charged with identifying all outstanding issues with the existing Animal Control Ordinance, the need for additions or deletions, and the drafting of a proposed revision to the ordinance for the BOCC’s review and consideration. The ORC comprised representatives from Animal Control, Animal Control Advisory Committee (ACAC), Animal Protection Society, Animal Shelter, County Attorney’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of General Services. Since the first meeting on August 12, 1997, the committee has worked very diligently incorporating all issues and concerns into the proposed revised ordinance.

At a special called meeting on March 11, 1998, ACAC received and approved the ORC’s draft of the proposed revision of the ordinance.

Resource persons for this item are Michael Turner, General Services Director; Kimberly Willis, Animal Control Advisory Chair; and Simone Alston, Assistant County Attorney.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Receive the report of the proposed revisions to the Animal Control Ordinance from staff and members of the Ordinance Review Committee.

4. Approval of Contract With Audit Firm for 1997/1998 Fiscal Year Audit

Durham County has requested proposals from accounting firms for audit services to be provided for the 1997-1998 Fiscal Year. The two firms that submitted proposals, Dixon Odom PLLC and Cherry Bekaert and Holland, are both strong regional firms. The proposals were received Monday, April 27, 1998, and are currently being evaluated by staff. Evaluations were not completed by the preparation date for this agenda, thus, are not included in Board packages. Finance Director Gravinese will make a presentation on the particulars of the proposing firms and recommend a preferred firm at the Worksession.

County Manager’s Recommendation: At the conclusion of the Finance Director’s presentation, hopefully, the Board will concur with the recommendation and will allow this contract approval to go forward to the May 11, 1998 consent agenda so audit preparations can be made.

5. Community Defibrillation Program

In May 1997, the N.C. Medical Board deregulated the use of automated external defibrillators. These automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are used to resuscitate a person who is in cardiac arrest. A program is proposed to facilitate the use of AEDs by coordinating the purchase and training of people in the use of the devices through the Durham County EMS unit. This program is designed to be a model program for North Carolina through a cooperative agreement with the American Red Cross and defibrillator manufacturers. The County Attorney and Mickey Tezai, head of EMS, will be present to present the details of the program and answer questions.

6. Discussion of Durham County Legislative Agenda for Upcoming Short Session

Staff is requesting that the Board conduct a discussion of items for the upcoming legislative session as the General Assembly convenes at noon on Monday, May 11 in short session. The Board is asked to approve any appropriate resolutions which will be forwarded to members of the Durham Delegation this week. Proposed legislative items will be summarized and packaged for delivery to the Board prior to the session.

Resource persons for this item are Deborah Craig-Ray, Leslie Moxley, David F. Thompson, and Chuck Kitchen.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Discuss and direct staff to formalize items for the Short Session Legislative Package.

7. Board of County Commissioners' Upcoming Meeting and Worksession Schedule

The regularly scheduled meeting for Monday, May 25, 1998, falls on a holiday. Normally, the Board carries this meeting over to the next night. The Board needs to make a decision on the rescheduling of this meeting.

Efforts have been made to accelerate the presentation of the County Manager’s recommended FY 1998-1999 Budget and staff will seek guidance as to possible worksession dates in May and June so the Commissioners can set their individual calendars. The Budget Director will present recommendations for the worksessions.