THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DURHAM, NORTH
CAROLINA
Monday, February 23, 2004
7:00 P.M. Regular Session
ACTION MINUTES—DRAFT
Place: Commissioners’ Room, second
floor, Durham County Government Administrative Complex, 200 E. Main Street, Durham,
NC
Present: Chairman Ellen W. Reckhow,
Vice-Chairman Joe W. Bowser, and Commissioners Philip R. Cousin Jr., Becky M.
Heron, and Mary D. Jacobs
Absent: None
Presider: Chairman
Reckhow
Chairman Reckhow announced that a joint meeting had been
held between the Board of County Commissioners and Durham Public Schools Board
of Education at 4:00 p.m.
_________________________
Chairman Reckhow led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
_________________________
Chairman Reckhow recognized media representatives from Russia who are
participating in the Open World exchange program. This afternoon, Chairman Reckhow,
Commissioner Cousin, and the County
Manager met with the
delegation and explained the mechanisms of Durham County Government, followed
by a question and answer exchange about Russian and American policies. She asked Dr. Boris Kukso
if he would comment on the exchange program.
Dr. Kukso made brief remarks about
the Open World exchange program, the goal of which is to provide emerging
Russian leaders with significant exposure to the operations of American civic
and cultural institutions.
Chairman Reckhow thanked Dr. Kukso
for the information, stating that the Commissioners are honored to have the
Russian delegation in Durham
County.
Agenda Adjustments
Commissioner Heron asked that the Board revisit the Commissioners’
2004 Meeting Schedule.
Chairman Reckhow asked Commissioner Heron to convey her
concern(s) regarding the schedule to staff, requesting that the item be placed
on a future agenda.
Minutes
Commissioner Cousin moved, seconded
by Commissioner Heron, to approve as submitted the February 9, 2004 Regular Session Minutes of the Board.
The motion carried unanimously.
Presentation of
Outstanding County Program Awards from the North
Carolina Association of County
Commissioners
Durham County was recognized with three
Outstanding County Program Awards from the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners.
The winning programs
include:
·
Durham Dental Van—Public Health, Duke
University, Durham Public Schools
·
Durham City-County
Neighborhood College—Public
Information and City of Durham
·
Color
Me Healthy—Cooperative Extension and Public Health
Todd McGee, Director of Communications, NCACC, made the presentation. He called program representatives forward and
presented the plaques.
The representatives made brief comments about their
programs.
Chairman Reckhow praised the programs, thanking everyone
involved and stating that winning these awards makes Durham County
proud.
Commissioner Heron expressed delight that these projects are
getting well-deserved recognition.
Proclamation for National Athletic Training Month
In 1974, the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association
(NCATA) was launched to support athletic trainers and to advance the profession
of athletic trainers in the state. Ken
Brown, Head Athletic Trainer at Northern
High School, represents District 3 of
the NCATA, Durham County athletic trainers working with Durham Public Schools, North Carolina
Central University, Duke
University, and other
sports related agencies.
Mr. Brown has requested that March be proclaimed “National Athletic Training
Month".
WHEREAS, Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs)
have a long history of providing quality care for athletes and those engaged in
physical activity based on specific tasks, knowledge, and skills acquired
through their nationally-regulated educational processes; and
WHEREAS, quality health care is vital for individuals who
participate in physical activity;
and
WHEREAS, Certified Athletic Trainers provide prevention of
injuries; recognition, evaluation, and aggressive treatment; rehabilitation;
health care administration; along with education and guidance; and
WHEREAS, athletic training was recognized by the American
Medical Association in 1990 as an allied health care profession; and
WHEREAS, the National Athletics Trainers’ Association
represents more than 30,000 Certified Athletic Trainers nationwide who are
employed in professional sports; colleges and universities; high schools;
clinics and hospitals; military branches; as well as in corporate and
industrial settings; and
WHEREAS, leading organizations concerned with athletic
training and health care have joined together in a common effort to raise
public awareness of the importance of the athletic training profession and to
emphasize the importance of quality health care for athletes and those engaged
in physical activity; and
WHEREAS, the theme of this year’s observance is “Injury
Treatment: Early Care Speeds Recovery":
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ellen W. Reckhow, Chairman of the Durham
County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim March 2004 as
NATIONAL
Athletic training Month
in Durham County. I urge all people in Durham County
to learn more about the importance of athletic training.
This the 23rd day of February, 2004.
/s/ Ellen W. Reckhow, Chairman
Mr. Brown received the proclamation, extending gratitude on
behalf of Certified Athletic Trainers within the City of Medicine
and Durham County.
He distributed to each Commissioner a packet of brochures that are being
circulated to students in northern Durham
County.
Chairman Reckhow thanked Clerk’s office staff for the enormous
amount of work they generate.
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Jacobs moved, seconded
by Commissioner Heron, to approve the following consent agenda items:
*(d) Budget
Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000048—Public Health—Community Health Division—$1,921
for Prenatal Care (recognize $1,921 from the March of Dimes for prenatal care);
*(f) Budget
Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000050—Public Health—Health Education
Division—$22,000 for the Syphilis Elimination Program (recognize $22,000 from
the Department of Health and Human Services);
*(g) Budget
Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000051—Public Health—Division of Health
Education—$1,000 for HIV/STD Peer Education Program (recognize $1,000 from Crepe
Myrtle Festival Incorporated for the Division of Health Education);
*(i) Budget Ordinance
Amendment No. 04BCC000054—Cooperative Extension—Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council (appropriate $36,238 of Interlocal revenues
for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council programming);
*(j) Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000055—Cooperative
Extension (appropriate $6,120 of Interlocal revenues
for Million Solar Roof Initiatives);
(k) Cooperative
Extension: Contract Approval (authorization to enter into a contract with
Matchbox Health Services for $58,500 for Juvenile Emergency Shelter Services);
(l) Cooperative
Extension: Contract Amendment (approval to amend the contract with Matchbox
Health Services for Juvenile Emergency Shelter Services to increase the
contract amount by $49,000 resulting in a contract that will not exceed
$107,500);
(m) Appointment of Substitute Trustee (authorize
the County Manager to sign the Substitute of Trustee documents to enable the
foreclosure process to continue on Barbara J. Namkoong
loan # 0600155505; the loan has a current payoff balance of $7,940, with a last
payment on March 1, 2003); and
(n) Set
a Public Hearing on the Acquisition of the YMCA Early Learning Center
(set the public hearing on the proposed financing for the March 8, 2004 Regular
Session of the Board).
The motion carried unanimously.
Consent Agenda
Items Removed for Discussion
Consent Agenda Item No. e. Budget
Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000049—Public Health—Community Health
Division—$20,100 for Sterilization Procedures (recognize $20,100 from the
Department of Health and Human Services for sterilization procedures).
Chairman
Reckhow instructed that this item be deferred until the March 8 meeting, at
which time Mr. Letourneau was directed to include price quotes from various
providers.
_________________________
Item No. h. Budget
Ordinance Amendment No. 04BCC000053—Appropriation of State Mental Health Funds
(appropriate funds for $117,178).
Commissioner Heron moved, seconded by Vice-Chairman Bowser,
to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment
No. 04BCC000053 appropriating state mental health funds in the amount of
$117,178.
The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration
of Ethics Policy
The Board was requested to review the current Ethics Policy
to determine if changes are needed. The County Attorney
has made suggested revisions to the current Ethics Policy. The current laws regulating bidding were
revised in 2002. The Ethics Policy must
conform to existing state statutes.
The Board was further requested to
consider whether it wishes to continue with the current Ethics Policy or adopt
an aspirational policy such as the ethics policy of the Association of County
Commissioners.
Chairman Reckhow asked that the Commissioners take no action
regarding the matter at this meeting. In
concurring with the opinion of Commissioner Jacobs, she directed Attorney
Kitchen to integrate the Ethics Policy and the Model Code for the Board of
County Commissioners. (The amended
Ethics Policy would apply to County officials.)
The two documents were to be brought back to the Board for consideration
and vote at the March 22 Regular Session.
Change of Insurance Provider for Life and Disability
Insurance
The County and UnumProvident
Insurance Company have been unable to agree on contract differences. Standard Insurance Company has agreed to
provide life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance at the
same rates as UnumProvident. A
45-day notification period must be given to employees that a change will occur
in insurance coverage.
The Board of Commissioners was requested to terminate the
County’s relationship with UnumProvident as to life
insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance coverage. The Board was requested further to authorize
the Manager to sign contracts with Standard Insurance Company for insurance
coverage. The effective date for the
change is proposed for April 30, 2004.
For the record, County Manager Ruffin informed the public
and the Commissioners that employee insurability is guaranteed. Employees with pre-existing conditions will qualify
for enrollment.
Vice-Chairman Bowser moved, seconded by Commissioner Cousin,
to approve the change in insurance coverage to Standard Insurance Company
effective April 30, 2004 and to authorize the County Manager
to execute the necessary contract.
The motion carried unanimously.
Capital Project Amendment
No. 04CPA000009—2001 Bond Project—Durham Public Schools
On January 8, 2004, the Durham Public Schools Board of
Education approved an adjustment to two 2001 bond project budgets.
The contingency for Lakewood’s
project is depleted due to unsuitable soils, rock, and renovation
requirements. Bethesda’s project opened on time and is well
under budget.
Chairman
Reckhow directed the County
Manager to write a memo
to Superintendent Ann Denlinger to remind her of the
previous agreement to send quarterly updates on the 2001 Bond Project
status. The updates are to include
projected cost overruns or savings, as well as projected completion dates for
each project. In addition, the 2003 Bond
Projects were to have community involvement as those projects are
finalized. A progress report on that
process for each school project would be useful.
Career and
Technical Education Task Force Mission
Statement—Revisions
At the November 10, 2003 Regular Session, the Board of
County Commissioners approved nominees to the Career and Technical Education
Task Force and adopted the Mission Statement as proposed by County Manager Mike
Ruffin and Durham Public Schools Superintendent Ann Denlinger.
The Career and Technical Education Task Force, at its
February 18, 2004 meeting, made several revisions to the Mission Statement and
requested that the County
Commissioners consider
and approve the revisions.
(Vice-Chairman Bowser and Commissioner Heron represent the Board of
County Commissioners on the Task Force.)
Vice-Chairman Bowser moved, seconded
by Commissioner Jacobs, to approve the Mission Statement as revised by the
Board.
The motion carried unanimously.
The revisions follow:
“To study career and vocational
training needs in Durham County and investigate the feasibility of creating a
vocational/technical center or school
that prepares high school students and others of legal school age in Durham County
to favorably compete for new and existing jobs."
Chairman Reckhow suggested that the amended Mission
Statement be forwarded to the school board.
Board and
Commission Appointments
·
City-County
Planning Commission
·
Durham Appearance Commission
·
Historic
Preservation Commission
·
Juvenile
Crime Prevention Council
·
Nursing
Home Community Advisory Committee
·
Transportation
Advisory Board
·
Women’s
Commission
City-County
Planning Commission
Steven P. Matherly
Durham Appearance Commission
John Wood
Historic
Preservation Commission
Lynn Richardson
Mark J. Laskowski
James L. Leis
Nursing
Home Community Advisory Committee
David N. Blodgett
Gay S. Bonds
Andrea C. Brown
Ethel M. Foote
Marilyn J. Partin
Francis Robbie Willmarth
Robin Deerin
Transportation
Advisory Board
Ozetta Parker
Women’s
Commission
Yvonne Sanford Dunlap
Commissioner Jacobs suggested that applicants not satisfying
the requirements for designated positions should receive courtesy letters explaining
why they could not be selected.
Closed
Session
Commissioner Heron moved, seconded
by Vice-Chairman Bowser, to adjourn to Closed Session to consider the
performance of a public officerpursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6).
The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Reckhow announced that direction was given to the County Manager
in Closed Session. No action was taken.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairman Reckhow adjourned
the meeting at 10:14 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Vonda
C. Sessoms
Deputy
Clerk to the Board
