Durham Celebrates Duke

Duke fans have been celebrating since Tuesday's historic NCAA Championship Men's Basketball win and now the community is invited to Durham to celebrate.

The community will come together to show a little Durham love to the 2015 Duke University Men’s Basketball NCAA championship-winning team with an event on Tuesday, April 14 from 5-6 p.m. at the American Tobacco Campus lawn and amphitheater.

Music and pre-event festivities will start at 4:30 p.m. with the Duke pep band and Duke cheerleaders. At 5 p.m. the team will be welcomed by Durham Chamber President Casey Steinbacher and then recognized by Durham Mayor Bill Bell and Durham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Page. The team will be presented and Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski will give remarks.

The celebration is presented by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Durham Inc., The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, The City of Durham, and Durham County to recognize and thank the team for bringing such tremendous honor to Durham through their excellence as a team.

Durham Seeks Public Art Committee Applicants

Durham residents with a love of art now have another opportunity to serve on the Durham Cultural Advisory Board Public Art Committee.

The Board, charged with advising the City Council on implementation of the Public Art Policy, is searching for three new members to fill Public Art Committee vacancies with two terms to expire on June 30, 2015 and one to expire on June 30, 2016. The Durham Cultural Advisory Board serves as an advisory body to the City Council and the City Administration. The Public Art Committee advises the Board and acts on behalf of the Board on matters relating to public art in the City of Durham.

The committee is charged with assisting the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and advising on the implementation of the Public Art Policy. The committee also reviews proposals for public art projects brought to it by the City Administration and makes recommendations to the Durham Cultural Advisory Board regarding project approvals.

The committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Durham Arts Council in downtown Durham. Members serve without compensation and must reside within the city or work within the city and actively contribute to the cultural and economic sectors. Priority in appointments will be given to city residents. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015 and applications can be downloaded here.

Completed applications should be sent to Senior Economic Development Coordinator Peter Coyle with the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development at 807 East Main St., Suite 5-100, Durham, N.C. 27701. For more information, contact Coyle by email or by calling (919) 560-4965, ext. 15205.

Discover all of Durham's visual art galleries and exhibits and learn how to do #DurhamFreshDaily with the Durham Event Calendar.

Golden Leaf Awards to Honor Properties With Curb Appeal

Everyone knows that Durham is a good looking place; in fact, nearly one in four residents say it should be a high community priority. But if Durham homes were in a beauty pageant, which one should win? Whether it's the landscaping, the historic redevelopment, or just plain old curb appeal, now is the time to submit a nomination to recognize the Durham properties that make looking good seem so easy. 

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc. are seeking nominations from the community for the 2014 Golden Leaf Awards. The awards recognize new developments and buildings in Durham that demonstrate curb appeal. Homeowners, building owners, architects, landscape architects, developers, realtors and anyone involved in design, planning and construction in Durham are encouraged to enter projects completed within the last five years.

Visit the Golden Leaf Awards website to review the complete list of categories, submission criteria and nomination forms. All submissions are due by Tuesday, October 28.

To find out more about good looking places in Durham, check out Things to Do or Durham Dining.

Durham Youth Job Fair

Employers interested in hiring skilled youth ages 16-21 are invited to the Durham Youth Job Fair on April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Holton Career and Resource Center. Candidates have completed pre-employment training in critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communications.  Employers determine their wages and schedule.  

For more details, read the flyer online.  

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Christmas & New Year’s Holidays

The City of Durham has recently announced holiday closing information for residents.

Most City of Durham administrative offices will be closed Monday, December 23, Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, 2013 as well as Wednesday, January 1, 2014 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Police, fire, and rescue services for life-threatening or in-progress emergencies may be reached by calling 9-1-1. Non-emergency problems or concerns may be directed to (919) 560-4600. Residents are asked to take note of the following changes in other City services and programs.

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department will be closed on Wednesday, December 25. Collection for all services, which includes solid waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items, will be delayed by one business for the remainder of this week. Customers who would normally receive their bulky item and yard waste collection on Friday, December 27 will instead receive their collection on Monday, December 30.

The department will also be closed on Wednesday, January 1. All collections for solid waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items will again be delayed by one business day for the remainder of this week. Customers who would normally receive their bulky item and yard waste collection on Friday, January 3 will instead receive their collection on Monday, January 6. For more information, click here.

Residents are reminded to place their carts at the curb by 7 a.m. the day of their scheduled collections and to return garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers back to their home, away from street, curb, and sidewalk. As traffic increases during the holiday season, motorists are also asked to be aware of collection crews working in neighborhoods and other high-traffic areas.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center
The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24 be closed on Wednesday, December 25 as well as Wednesday, January 1. It will operate under its normal schedule on all other dates. For more information, click here.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24 and be closed on Wednesday, December 25 as well as Wednesday, January 1.Since the center is normally closed on Mondays, it will operate under its normal schedule on all other dates. For more information, click here.

Curbside Christmas Tree Collection
The Solid Waste Management Department will collect Christmas trees from all solid waste customers beginning December 26 until March 1. Trees should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on residents’ normal household garbage collection day. Residents are asked to leave the tree at the curb for one week before contacting Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 to report a missed tree collection. Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half. Residents should remove all decorations and hardware, including tinsel, lights, garland, ornaments, nails, and stands. Residents are also asked to not place trees in bags. Trees may also be dropped off at the City’s Waste Disposal & Recycling Center at 2115 E. Club Blvd., Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon at no charge until March 1. Customers are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. Trees delivered after March 1 will be subject to the usual disposal fees.

Remember To Recycle
Residents are encouraged to recycle year-round and particularly during the holiday season when the amounts of trash generated increases. Paper holiday waste, including wrapping paper (non-metallic only), cardboard boxes, and greeting cards may be placed in the blue recycling cart. To learn more about recycling, click here.

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will close its administrative office, all recreation centers, and all indoor rental sites from Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, December 25. The administrative office, all recreation centers, and all indoor rental sites will reopen under their normal operating schedules on Thursday, December 26. DPR will also close its administrative office, all recreation centers, and all indoor rental sites on Wednesday, January 1. Recreation centers will close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.The administrative office, all recreation centers, and indoor rental sites will reopen under their normal operating schedules on Thursday, January 2. For more information, click here, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 560-4355.

Durham Area Transit Authority
On Monday, December 23, all fixed route service on DATA and DATA ACCESS will operate from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. The Bull City Connector will operate from 6:22 a.m. until 10 p.m. However, DATA and DATA ACCESS administrative offices will be closed. On Tuesday, December 24, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and DATA ACCESS will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Bull City Connector service will operate from 7:20 a.m. to 7 p.m. DATA ACCESS administrative offices will be closed. On Wednesday, December 25, DATA, DATA ACCESS, and the Bull City Connector will not operate and DATA and DATA ACCESS administrative offices will be closed. On Tuesday, December 31, all fixed route service on DATA and DATA ACCESS will operate from 5:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Bull City Connector service will operate from 6:22 a.m. until midnight. On Wednesday, January 1 all fixed route service on DATA and DATA ACCESS will operate its holiday schedule from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Bull City Connector will operate from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. However, DATA and DATA ACCESS administrative offices will be closed. For more information on DATA and DATA ACCESS, click here, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 485-RIDE. For more information on the Bull City Connector, visit their website, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Durham One Call
Durham One Call will be closed on Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, December 25 as well as Wednesday, January 1. The center will also close one hour early on Tuesday, December 31 at 5 p.m. However, residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City’s website, or by leaving a message at (919) 560-1200. Durham One Call will forward all requests for City services to the appropriate department on December 2. For information about the City’s holiday schedule and any other services that may be affected, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn more about Durham at www.durham-nc.com.

Durham Among First Government Municipalities in NC to Join "A Healthier NC" Campaign

Durham is getting quite bullish on health and fitness – and 28,000 residents completing 420,000 hours of activity, and losing 280,000 pounds are wanted to lead the charge to beat this challenge.

Elected officials will join Durham’s health advocates on Monday, October 14, during a 10:00 a.m. ceremony at the Durham County Human Service Building to launch “A Healthier Durham.”

The City of Durham and Durham County have partnered to become the first government entity in N.C. to join the parent “A Healthier NC” campaign, which launched in April of this year.

Obesity and chronic illness is no small problem in Durham County. According to Durham County’s 2012 State of the County Health Report, 59% of adults and near one-third of high school students are considered overweight or obese.

“A Healthier Durham” will play a significant role in helping to address these health disparities, which align with key objectives in strategic plan health goals for both the City of Durham and Durham County.

“Durham is honored to be the first city-county government partnership in N.C. to rise to the challenge,” said Public Health Director Gayle B. Harris. “Recently, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) selected Durham as one of 12 finalists for the RWJF Roadmaps to Health Prize, which honors communities that are transforming health by bringing together a broad range of partners to improve health outcomes for residents. This is yet another example of just how committed Durham is to the health and well-being of its residents.”

The “A Healthier Durham” campaign and challenge provides free health journaling tools, access to a variety of Durham-specific health resources and educational materials, and will allow users to submit information about fitness opportunities in proximity to a user’s address at www.ahealthierdurham.com.

In addition to providing access to health resources, the “A Healthier Durham” website is designed to facilitate group participation locally and in the “A Healthier NC” challenge

“A Healthier Durham” is part of the larger “A Healthier NC” campaign, led by NC SPIN and supported by the following sponsors: N.C. Academy of Family Physicians, N.C. Medical Society, N.C. DHHS Office of Rural Health and Community Care, the AARP Decide.Create.Share campaign, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C.

Tom Campbell, creator and producer of NC SPIN, and sponsor of “A Healthier NC”, said, “A Healthier NC is about more than just weight loss—it’s about transforming lives. It's an appeal and call to action for all of us to be active participants in our own health. It's encouraging one another to make smarter choices about what we eat, how active we are, and how important it is to take care of ourselves, and the ones we love. We're thrilled that Durham leaders are using the A Healthier NC platform to encourage citizens to strive for improved health.”

The idea for the “A Healthier NC” initiative arose out of concern for the state’s low rankings in reports that measure health on the national and state level. In 2012, North Carolina was ranked thirty-third for health by the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings®. The Be Active North Carolina 2012 Report “Tipping the Scales” also highlights the extent and cost of poor health choices by North Carolinians.

The campaign was also inspired by a 1940s era campaign called the “Good Health Plan”, which was initiated by N.C. Governor Mel Broughton to improve health services in the state.

Learn more about Durham online.

American Tobacco Trail Bridge Opening Delayed

The long-awaited opening of the American Tobacco Trail Bridge over Interstate 40 has been delayed again.

The public is invited to join American Tobacco Trail aficionados and City and State leaders to celebrate the completion of the trail into Chatham County. While the celebration was initially planned as a ribbon cutting for the bridge opening, the completion of the bridge is delayed due to a combination of construction and design flaws with the safety fence, according to Marvin Williams, director of the City’s Public Works Department.

“The City is as disappointed as everyone else about this delay, but the safety of those using the bridge is always our first consideration,” Williams said. “Despite the bridge delay, the completion of the N.C. Highway 54 southward to the Chatham County line section of the 22-mile long trail is a major milestone of the $11 million project that deserves to be celebrated.”

The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of Southpoint Cinemas at the Streets at Southpoint, 6910 Fayetteville Road. Slated to speak, pending the lift of the federal government shutdown, is Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak. Joining him are City of Durham Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell; U.S. Representative David Price; N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata; and East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano.

According to Williams, an issue with the pedestrian safety fencing was discovered during a recent inspection of the posts that are a part of the fencing. The fabricated angle of the fence posts, constructed by an out-of-state contractor, as well as the condition of the factory-installed paint was unsatisfactory. The repairs could cost anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000, but will not be incurred by the City.

“This is an important safety issue, and we can’t open this bridge until corrections are made by the contractor. At this point, we anticipate opening the bridge in December 2013,” Williams said. “We realize that limiting access to the bridge at this time is unfortunate and will be an inconvenience to all users. However, the ability to protect pedestrians as well as properly maintain this bridge for all current and future users is also important, and we ask for patience and understanding as we make sure this gets done correctly.”

Funding for the construction project was provided from a variety of sources, including federal funds from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO, and the City of Durham Sidewalk Bond fund. Funding for the October 12 celebration is being provided by the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Performance Bicycle, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, and N.C Rails-Trails.

“The American Tobacco Trail spans 22 miles across three counties and, once the bridge is opened, will complete the missing link of this important transportation corridor as well as improve users’ access and connectivity,” said Williams. “While we had hoped the bridge would be open for this event, we still feel it’s important to honor all those that helped make this project a reality as well as celebrate the successful work that’s been completed on the trail.”

For information about the American Tobacco Trail project, click here.

About the Public Works Department
The City of Durham Public Works Department provides a wide range of services, including street maintenance, engineering design, development review and stormwater quality and infrastructure maintenance. The department also oversees street resurfacing and sidewalk projects. The department plans and executes the City’s winter weather and natural disaster plans. Public Works serves as a steward of the City’s physical assets and ensures that residents live in a safe, secure, and thriving community. For more information, visit this website.

Learn more about Durham at online.

Durham Hosts American Tobacco Trail Bridge Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony October 12

The City of Durham Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Transportation Departments with support from the Durham Open Space & Trails Commission, the Durham Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance will host a American Tobacco Trail Bridge Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, October 12, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.at the Streets of Southpoint. Parking is available in a lot behind Southpoint Cinemas at 6910 Fayetteville Road Durham, N.C. 27713.

Fast Facts:

• The celebration for the long-awaited American Tobacco Trail bridge over Interstate 40 is now set with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned, which will also include light refreshments and information tables.
• Speakers include City of Durham Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell, U.S. Representative David Price, N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata, and East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano.
• The 270-foot-long pedestrian bridge is on schedule for completion in late September or early October 2013. The bridge is located just west of Fayetteville Road and the connection to the trail heading south will be located in the parking lot near Southpoint Cinemas at the Streets at Southpoint. 
• This $11 million project also constructed approximately 4.2 miles of new trail and includes the new bridge over Interstate 40, extending the American Tobacco Trail from its current end point on N.C. Highway 54 at Fayetteville Road to the Chatham County line. 
• Funding for the construction project was provided from a variety of sources, including federal funds from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO, and the City of Durham Sidewalk Bond fund. Funding for the ribbon-cutting ceremony is being provided by the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Performance Bicycle, and BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina.
• A limited number of tables will be provided at no cost to organizations interested in providing information at this free event. Organizations interested in reserving a table should complete the form. 
• To learn more about the construction project click here or contact Contract Management Supervisor Edward Venable with the City’s Public Works Department at (919) 560-4326, ext. 30233 or by email.

Learn more about Durham at online.

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Labor Day

Most City of Durham offices will be closed Monday, September 2, 2013, in observance of Labor Day. Police, fire, and rescue services for life-threatening or in-progress emergencies may be reached by calling 9-1-1. Non-emergency problems or concerns may be directed to (919) 560-4600.

The City will operate under normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3. The City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located on the first floor of City Hall at 101 City Hall Plaza. Residents are asked to take note of the following changes in other City services and programs.

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department will be closed on Monday, September 2. Collection for all services, including solid waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items, will be delayed by one business day for the remainder of the week. Collections for yard waste and bulky items on Friday, September 6 will instead occur on Monday, September 9. For more information, click her.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center
The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closed on Monday, September 2. It will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 3. For more information, click here.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is normally closed on Mondays. It will open under its normal schedule on Saturday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 3. For more information, click here.

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation will close its administrative office and all recreation centers on Monday, September 2. However, picnic shelters and sites with confirmed rentals will remain open. Recreation centers will operate under their normal schedules on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. City lakes will be open regular hours Friday through Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The administrative office will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 3. For more information, visit click here, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 560-4355.

Durham Area Transit Authority
On Monday, September 2, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and DATA ACCESS will operate on its Sunday/Holiday schedule in which hourly service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Bull City Connector will operate on its detour Saturday schedule in which service is provided every 25 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to midnight. DATA’s administration office will be closed on Monday, September 2 and will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, September 3. For more information on DATA and DATA ACCESS, visit http://DATA.DurhamNC.gov, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 485-RIDE. For more information on the Bull City Connector, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Durham One Call
Durham One Call will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 30 and be closed on Monday, September 2. However, residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City’s website, or by leaving a message at (919) 560-1200. Durham One Call will forward all requests for City services to the appropriate department the next business day. For information about the City’s holiday schedule and other services that may be affected, residents should contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, click here, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Learn more about Durham at www.durham-nc.com.

Input Needed for County Manager Selection Process

In recent weeks, Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin announced his plans to retire on January 31, 2014.  Efforts to fill the soon-to-be vacant position of County Manager are already underway. The recruitment process will include an extensive search in addition to gathering input from citizens to ensure recruitment of candidates best suited for this leadership position.

The Durham County Human Resources Department will facilitate this information gathering process. According to Human Resources Director Cora Wilson, the survey will seek feedback focusing on the qualities, skills and characteristics valued in the next county manager.

“In all that we do, we recognize and appreciate the importance of the input of our citizens. With that in mind, the survey has been designed so we can expediently gather responses that will assist the County with this significant recruitment decision.”

The survey will be available, from August 13- August 26, 2013, on the Durham County Government website located on the County's website. Hard copies of the survey will be available in the first floor lobby of the Durham County Administration Building, located at 200 E. Main Street. Additional copies will be available at the front entrance to the Main Library, located at 300 N. Roxboro Street, as well as various library branches. A secure drop box will be posted at these downtown locations for convenient submission of responses, or responses can also be submitted to library staff at other locations. After September 1, 2013, citizens can review a summary of survey results online.

The Durham Board of County Commissioners has endorsed this unique element of the recruitment process to encourage maximum citizen participation in the process to find a new leader for the organization.

For more information about the survey, contact the Durham County Human Resources Department, 919-560-7900. Citizens should note that in accordance with North Carolina Statutes, this recruitment process is confidential; therefore, no specific information about the candidates or the process can be made public.

Learn more about Durham as a great place to visit by looking at this website.

Durham Closing Chapel Hill Street Garage for Repairs

Beginning Monday, August 12, construction will get under way to make major repairs to the City of Durham’s Chapel Hill Street Garage and Surface Lot, which will temporarily move both monthly and hourly parking to other City parking garages and surface lots.

The estimated five-month project, located at 326 East Chapel Hill St., will repair concrete deterioration in the ramps, floors, columns, and beams throughout the Chapel Hill Street Garage as well as make the Orange Street pedestrian ramp meet American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards in addition to creating surface lot accessible parking. The City will also increase accessible parking in the garage from four to eight spaces as well as make the pedestrian access to the parking office ADA compliant. The Chapel Hill Street Garage was built in 1970 and currently contains 380 parking spaces.

During the course of the project, non-reserved monthly permit holders will be relocated to the City’s Church Street and Centre Garages as well as City Surface Lots 8, 14, 29, and 40. Hourly parking will be available in City Surface Lots 8 and 14 as well as the City’s Church Street and Centre Garages. Monthly permit holders have been notified by mail of these temporary parking accommodations and this information has also been shared with Downtown Durham, Inc.

Since the work will begin with the first level of the Chapel Hill Street Garage, hourly parking will return to the garage as soon as the first floor of the garage is completed and re-opened in September. The entire project should be completed by January 2014.

The project will cost $736,000 with work being overseen by the City’s General Services Department and performed by the City’s contractor, Progressive Contracting Co. The project is being funded by voter-approved 2005 general obligation bonds and ADA funding.

For more information about the City’s off-street parking services, including the location of the City’s garages and surface lots, click here.

About the General Services Department

The City of Durham’s General Services Department creates, manages and maintains City properties to provide best value to the Durham community. The core business functions include: Administration/Business Services, Facility Operations, Landscape Services, Urban Forestry, Real Estate, Construction Project Management, Cemeteries, Keep Durham Beautiful, and Deferred Maintenance. As guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, General Services serves as a steward of the City’s physical assets. Through annual and long-range facility planning activities, the department plans, provides, and maintains the City’s facilities infrastructure, which supports the community’s quality of life and serves as a foundation of a healthy economy. For more information, click here.

Learn more about Durham!

Durham Recognized for Performance Management Success

As a result of its efforts to improve transparency, accountability and work measures, the City of Durham has earned top honors and international recognition for its performance management success.

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has recognized the City for superior performance management efforts with a Certificate of Excellence from the ICMA Center for Performance Measurement™. Durham is among 28 jurisdictions in the United States receiving this highest level of recognition this year and is the only city in North Carolina to be recognized. Last year, the City received a Certificate of Distinction, which is the second-highest honor.

According to City Manager Tom Bonfield, the key award criteria that was met includes the use of performance data in strategic planning; online dashboard reporting system; leadership in networking, benchmarking, and data sharing; and conducting and reporting of satisfaction surveys for both employees and residents.

“The Strategic Plan guides our decision making and resource allocation in a transparent manner,” Bonfield said. “Performance management ultimately aids in cost reduction, program prioritization, and quality improvement. I’m very proud that this organization won this highest recognition this year and I hope Durham residents are pleased that their local government has been recognized for sound leadership and for our demonstrated commitment to provide an excellent and sustainable quality of life for all who call Durham home.”

According to Bonfield, two of the reasons he believes Durham won this year’s top honor is because the organization is providing more frequent reporting of crime and departmental data to Durham residents and is often asked to share its expertise with other cities. In fact, this committed effort to provide transparent data is one of the reasons Durham was asked to participate in the Alliance for Innovation’s Results Management Collaborative, which provided a forum for Durham and eight other cities from across the country, to share information and best practices in performance management and public reporting.

Certificates are awarded at the levels of Achievement, Distinction, and Excellence. The certificate program assesses a local government’s performance management program and encourages analysis of results by comparing to peers and gauging performance over time. “The certificate program recognizes the principles of performance management,” said Wayne Sommer, ICMA’s director of U.S. Programs. “Jurisdictions meeting the qualifications have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement, and they serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

Criteria for the Certificate of Excellence include operational decision-making; sharing of performance measurement knowledge with other local governments through presentations, site visits, and other networking; reporting of performance data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and/or information provided to elected officials; and data-verification efforts to ensure data reliability.

Several City departments played a major role in the performance management process thus far, including Budget and Management Services, Audit Services, and the Technology Solutions Departments along with receiving extensive support from many City employees across the organization.

According to Budget and Management Services Department Director Bertha Johnson, whose department oversees the Strategic Plan and performance management system dashboard, this award recognizes the City’s dedication to transparency and accountability. “We are committed to sharing our performance with the Durham community and being held accountable for the results of our efforts,” Johnson said.

For more information about the City’s Strategic Plan, visit http://www.DurhamNC.gov/StrategicPlan or contact Strategic Initiatives Manager Jay Reinstein by email at Jay.Reinstein@DurhamNC.gov.

About the Budget & Management Services Department

The City of Durham’s Budget and Management Services Department is responsible for preparing, implementing, and monitoring the City’s annual operating budget as well as the five-year revenue/expenditure projections for all City government services. The department also provides operational and organizational studies as identified by the City Council, City Manager's Office, and department staff. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, which the department established and maintains, the department helps to ensure that the City of Durham is a well-managed city by working with City agencies to build and implement performance measurement monitoring and evaluation. The department is also responsible for preparing the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), coordinating the City's process for petition and City-initiated annexations, conducting resident satisfaction surveys, and evaluating departmental achievement of City goals and objectives. For more information, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/as/bms/Pages/Home.aspx.

About the Audit Services Department

The Audit Services Department provides objective and independent assurance and investigative services of departmental transactions for the City of Durham. The Department reports functionally to the Audit Services Oversight Committee (ASOC); an independent committee comprised of City Council members and residents charged with providing oversight responsibilities for the audit function and ensuring internal controls are in place and implemented.  The Department implements a ten engagement annual audit plan approved by the ASOC to carry out its departmental mission. This mission includes the vetting of 300+ pages of data and text for the City-wide Strategic Plan. The Audit Services Department is staffed with 5 FTEs; and each staff member has specific responsibilities to ensure the integrity of the information in the City-wide or Audit Services Departmental Strategic Plans.

About the Technology Solutions Department

The Technology Solutions Department aligns the City’s information technology infrastructure and systems to the business needs of the City’s departments. It designs, implements, and maintains the technology hardware, applications, and programs. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, Technology Solutions ensures that its services support making Durham a great place to live, work, and play by helping provide a well-managed city and stewardship of the City’s physical assets. For more information, click here.

About ICMA

ICMA advances professional local government worldwide. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and advancing professional management of local government. ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, provides member support; publications, data, and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to nearly 9,000 city, town, and county experts and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect 185 million individuals living in thousands of communities.

About the Center for Performance Measurement

ICMA’s Center for Performance Measurement is dedicated to helping local governments use performance information to better the lives of the people they serve.  Jurisdictions are assisted with the collection, reporting and analysis of data relating to quality, effectiveness and efficiency of government services. The Center encourages the use of performance information in a positive, continuous-learning environment in order to foster organizational cultures that deliver results that matter.  For more information, please click here. 

Learn more online about Durham, NC.

Durham Finance Department Earns National Reporting Honor

Thanks to a recent award for outstanding achievement in government reporting, the City of Durham is the only municipality in North Carolina to have received this year’s prestigious Government Finance Officers Association Award for Excellence in Popular Annual Financial Reporting.

The Citizens’ Financial Report has been recognized for the ninth consecutive year for outstanding achievement by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). Durham is also the only city in North Carolina that currently holds all three national awards for its Budget document, Comprehensive Annual Finance Report, and the Popular Annual Financial Report from the GFOA.

The Citizens’ Financial Report is an annual publication providing an overview of the City’s financial condition and summary of the City’s progress during the previous fiscal year. This year’s award is for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2012.
This national award recognizes the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports. In order to receive this award, the City’s Finance Department had to publish a report whose contents had to conform to program standards of creativity, presentation, understandability, and reader appeal.

“The report is an easy read which is a good indicator of the amount of effort that has gone into preparing it,” said David Boyd, director of the City’s Finance Department. “The aim of the report is to help keep City government transparent and accountable, and I encourage all residents to read the report and visit the City’s Strategic Plan website to learn more about how we’re successfully achieving our goal of being a well-managed city.”

A copy of the Citizens’ Financial Report is on the City’s website. For more information about the City’s Strategic Plan, click here. For more information about the GFOA, click here.

About the Finance Department
Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Finance Department helps to ensure that Durham is a well-managed city that is accountable, transparent, and efficient. The department assists the City Council, City Manager, and City departments with the management of financial resources and activities including debt and cash management, payroll, vendor payment, financial reporting, purchasing, and revenue collection. Finance staff also coordinates risk management activities such as claims administration and employee safety programs. The department is divided into six divisions: the office of the director, accounting services, treasury management, billing and collections, risk management and safety, and purchasing. For more information, click here.

Discover more about Durham by clicking here.

Durham’s Professional Placement Network Academy Hosts Final Workshop in 2012-2013 Series

Career minded and job-seeking professionals have one last opportunity to participate in one of Durham’s best opportunities for job search success.

The Professional Placement Network Academy (PPNA) is hosting its final event of the 2012-2013 series, which offered interactive workshops on topics designed to help every jobseeker. The final workshop topic will be how to create a financial plan in today’s economy. The event will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Spring Hill Suites, located at 5310 McFarland Drive, Durham (on U.S. Hwy. 15-501 towards Chapel Hill).

Participants who attended four classes during the 2012-2013 series will also gain entrance to a unique, invitation-only employment networking event to be planned for later this year.

The 2013-2014 series is anticipated to begin in September 2013 with events occurring the third Thursday of every month. The PPNA is designed to provide opportunities for mid-to-upper level professionals who have earned at least $30,000 per year or have received higher education credentials or professional certifications, PPNA provides a place for professionals to come together to share ideas, employment leads, and current job market information.

Participants interested in learning more about the PPNA or attending the July 18 event should visit the website or RSVP here.

For more information contact Jason Wimmer, adult employment program coordinator with the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, by email at Allen.Wimmer@DurhamNC.gov or by calling (919) 560-4965, ext. 15218.

About the Office of Economic & Workforce Development
Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development helps ensure that Durham has a strong and diverse economy by increasing the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also plans and promotes cultural awareness and events, identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For more information, visit the website, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Independence Day

Most City of Durham offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2013, in observance of Independence Day. Police, fire, and rescue services for life-threatening or in-progress emergencies may be reached by calling 9-1-1. Non-emergency problems or concerns may be directed to (919) 560-4600. The City will operate under normal business hours on Friday, July 5. Residents are asked to take note of the following changes in City services and programs.

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department will be closed on Thursday, July 4. Collection for all services, including solid waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items, will be delayed until Friday, July 5. Collections for yard waste and bulky items on Friday, July 5 will instead occur on Monday, July 8. For more information, visit online.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center
The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closed on Thursday, July 4. It will reopen under its normal schedule on Friday, July 5. For more information, visit online.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4. It will reopen under its normal schedule on Friday, July 5. For more information, visit online.  

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will close its administrative office and all recreation centers on Thursday, July 4. DPR’s recreation centers will operate under normal schedules on the Friday, July 5. City lakes and outdoor pools will operate under normal schedules. The administrative office will reopen under its normal schedule on Friday, July 5. For more information, visit online, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 560-4355.

Durham Area Transit Authority
On Thursday, July 4, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and DATA ACCESS will operate on its Sunday service schedule in which hourly service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Bull City Connector will operate on its Holiday schedule in which service is provided every 20 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to 10 p.m. DATA’s administration office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and will reopen under its normal schedule on Friday, July 5. For more information on DATA and DATA ACCESS, visit online, “like” on Facebook or call (919) 485-RIDE. For more information on the Bull City Connector, visit online, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Durham One Call
Durham One Call will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 and will be closed on Thursday, July 4. The Center will reopen under its normal schedule on Friday, July 5. Residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City’s website online, or by leaving a message at (919) 560-1200. Durham One Call will forward all requests for City services to the appropriate department on the next business day. For information about the City’s holiday schedule and the services that may be affected, residents should contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, visit online,“like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Durham 9-1-1 Access Unavailable - Repair Underway But No Timeframe Available

Most calls placed to 9-1-1 are not getting through to the Durham Emergency Communications Center. Residents and businesses in need of emergency assistance should call the non-emergency number at (919) 560-4600 if a recording is received when dialing 9-1-1.

According to James Soukup, director of the Durham Emergency Communications Center, service providers Frontier and Intrado are now working to find and repair the problem as soon as possible.

As soon as the repair is completed, another notification will be issued to alert the community that the entire 9-1-1 network is operational.

About the Durham Emergency Communications Center
The Durham Emergency Communications Center is the primary public safety answering point for the City and County of Durham. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Center helps to ensure that Durham is a safe and secure community by providing around-the-clock 911 access and services to the residents and user agencies in and around Durham County. Services include, but are not limited to, emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance; dispatch of police, fire, and emergency medical services; other city/county support agencies; and other duties as required. The geographic service area encompasses 296 square miles with approximately 250,000 residents. The Center has earned the internationally recognized APCO Project 33 Certification from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International, Inc.; Emergency Medical Dispatch Accreditation by the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch; and accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement  Agencies. The Center was the first, and currently, one of only two centers in the world to hold these three accreditations simultaneously. To learn more, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/op/911/Pages/Home.aspx or “like” them on Facebook.

Durham Professional Placement Network Academy Hosts Entrepreneurship Workshop

Career minded and job-seeking professionals now have an opportunity to participate in the expansion of one of Durham’s best-opportunities for job search success.

The Professional Placement Network Academy (PPNA) is hosting a series of interactive workshops on topics designed to help every jobseeker. The next event will focus on entrepreneurship and will be held Thursday, June 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Hilton Durham, located at 3800 Hillsborough Rd., Durham (near Duke University).

Events occur the third Thursday of every month and other topics for later this year will include how to a financial plan in today’s economy. New for this year, participants who attend four classes will also gain entrance to a unique, invitation-only employment networking event.

The PPNA is designed to provide opportunities for mid-to-upper level professionals who have earned at least $30,000 per year or have received higher education credentials or professional certifications. PPNA provides a place for professionals to come together to share ideas, employment leads, and current job market information.

Participants interested in learning more about the PPNA or attending these Thursday evening events should visit the website or RSVP.

For more information, contact Jason Wimmer, adult employment program coordinator with the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, by email or by calling (919) 560-4965, ext. 15218.

About the Office of Economic & Workforce Development
Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development helps ensure that Durham has a strong and diverse economy by increasing the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives, including new development efforts in the central city area. The department also plans and promotes cultural awareness and events, identifies and recruits target industries as well as assesses and trains Durham residents to fill new jobs. For more information, visit online, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Discover more about Durham's entrepreneurs by clicking here.

Durham’s Next Generation 9-1-1 Installation Complete

Durham residents now have a new sophisticated way to report emergencies to the 9-1-1 center.

The Durham Emergency Communications Center is now one of the few next generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems in the country, laying the groundwork to enable it to accept text, images, and video once mobile carriers make this an available option to their customers.

The Center is now fully transitioned to NG9-1-1, which uses the latest call-handling technology in a cloud-based solution, and is now capable of making further advancements in its 9-1-1 capabilities in response to the needs of a wireless, mobile society. According to James Soukup, director of the Durham Emergency Communications Center, in today's 9-1-1 environment, people can primarily make only emergency voice calls and teletype calls from the hearing impaired. Only minimal data is delivered with these calls, such as automatic number identification, subscriber name, and automatic location identification, when available. With NG9-1-1, people will be able to make voice, text, or video emergency "calls" from any communication devices that use the Internet.

“The nation's current 9-1-1 system is not capable of handling the text, data, images, and video that are increasingly common in personal communications. That’s why Durham upgraded to NG9-1-1 so we would be ready to move forward with the industry,” said Soukup. “The completed installation of Durham’s system paves the way for future advancements, such as being able to accept videos and photos. Now that we have this technology installed at the Center, we are ready to accept this type of data as soon as mobile carriers make it possible for their customers to send it to us.”

Since August 2011, Durham residents and visitors who are also Verizon Wireless customers have been able to send text messages to 911. The “text to 9-1-1” technology was part of a collaboration between the City of Durham, Verizon Wireless, and Intrado. Intrado, an emergency communications technology provider, installed the NG9-1-1 system at the Durham Emergency Communications Center, which will save the Center approximately $200,000 per year in surcharge funds.

The Durham Emergency Communication Center remains the first 9-1-1 center in North Carolina, as well as the one of the first 9-1-1 centers in the United States, to enable texting technology using 9-1-1 digits and live-call takers.

To learn more about the Durham Emergency Communications Center or Durham’s new NG9-1-1 system, contact Soukup at (919) 560-4191 or by email.

For more information about the nation’s transition to NG9-1-1, visit the National Emergency Number Association’s website.

Learn more about the progressive city and county of Durham.

Applicants Sought for 2013 Durham Neighborhood College

Residents looking to play a more active role in their neighborhoods and the Durham community will get their chance to learn how at the 2013 Durham Neighborhood College, a class designed specifically for residents to learn about the organization, operations, and services of their local City and County governments.

Applications are now available for the 2013 Durham Neighborhood College. This series of classes, co-sponsored by the City of Durham and County of Durham, consists of interactive sessions facilitated by various local government officials, allowing residents to learn about key government operations directly from the elected officials and staff responsible for overseeing key City and County services.

The final day to apply for this year’s session is Friday, July 19, 2013. All applicants must be current in their vehicle and property taxes at the time of application.

The classes will be held on nine Thursday nights beginning September 5, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  Space in the Durham Neighborhood College is limited to 30 people. Applications will be accepted to create a diverse participant population from as many Durham neighborhoods as possible as well as residents living outside the city limits.

A light meal is served prior to the start of each class and sessions are held at City and County facilities. There is a $30 fee for residents accepted into the program and a limited number of scholarships are available if needed. Area high school students ages 15 and up, as well as Latino residents, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Interested residents should submit a completed application to the Durham County Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, located at 200 East Main St., Second Floor, Durham, N.C. 27701.

To download an application or to apply online, visit the City’s website or the County’s website.

Applications are also available at the Durham County Clerk to the Board of Commissioners and the City Clerk’s Office.  Interested applicants may also contact the City’s Office of Public Affairs at (919) 560-4123 or the County’s Public Information Office at (919) 560-0008 for more information.

Learn more about Durham at www.durham-nc.com.

Durham’s Small Local Business Enterprise Program Now Seeking Applicants

Durham small businesses are valued assets to the community and the City of Durham recognizes their important role.

Small business owners in Durham, Chatham, Orange, and Person counties seeking enhanced opportunities to obtain City of Durham contracts can now apply for certification through the new Small Local Business Enterprise Program.

The program is designed for small businesses that specialize in construction, architectural, engineering, and surveying services. Administered by the City’s Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department, the program is for construction of up to $500,000 as well as professional services contracts of up to $100,000.

According to Deborah Giles, director of the City’s Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department, the race-and-gender neutral program is designed to support local small businesses while enhancing the local tax base and providing employment opportunities. “We consider this to be a boost to our small businesses who are interested in City of Durham projects since only businesses that are certified through this program will receive advertisements and be eligible to bid on certain projects,” Giles said.

To apply for certification or for more information about the program, contact Deborah Giles, director of the City’s Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department, at (919) 560-4180, ext. 17243 or by email.

About the Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department
The City of Durham’s Equal Opportunity & Equity Assurance Department is responsible for the implementation of the City's Equal Business Opportunity Program. Responsibilities include implementation of race and gender neutral measures to facilitate the participation of Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE) in City contracting activity, recruitment, certification, and maintenance of SDBE data bank, business development, City project compliance, monitoring, and reporting. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department ensures that its services support making Durham a great place to live, work, and play by focusing on a strong and diverse economy, assuring that City efforts are well managed, and supporting the stewardship of the City’s physical assets. Click here to learn more.

Learn more about Durham at www.durham-nc.com.