JOINT CITY-COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting 9:00 a.m.
Agenda
Presiding – Mayor Steve Schewel
1. Approval of draft Joint City-County Meeting Minutes of August 11, 2020. Attachment: Minutes (6 pages)
2. Approval of the Joint City-County 2021 Meeting Schedule. Attachment: 2021 Calendar (1 page) (5 minutes)
3. Data+ Presentation on Race and Housing in Durham. Presenters: Dr. William Darity, Duke Undergraduate Interns Nicholas Datto, Omer Ali and Pei Yi Zhuo. Attachment: Race and Housing in Durham over the 20th Century. (24 Slides) (20 minutes)
4. Report on Eviction Diversion Efforts, Rental Assistance, and other Critical forms of Assistance for Vulnerable Residents. Presenter: Peter Gilbert, Attorney with Legal Aid of NC, Attachment: Update on Evictions During COVID (10 slides). Presenters: Director of DSS Ben Rose and Janeen Gordon, Assistant Director of DSS, Attachment: Durham County DSS’ Response to the COVID-19 Eviction Crisis (10 slides) (40 minutes)
5. Report from Economic Recovery Committee of the Recovery & Renewal Task Force, Local Key Performance Indicators & Spurring Economic Recovery Plans. Presenters: Susan Amey, Discover Durham Executive Director; Geoff Durham, CEO of Discover Chamber and Anthony Nelson, Dean of NCCU School of Business, Attachment: Durham Recovery & Renewal Taskforce, Economic Recovery Committee Recommendations (5 slides) (30 minutes)
6. Report on Progress of COVID Relief Work jointly funded by the City and County, and Upcoming Funding Requests. Presenter: Ryan Smith, Staff Director of Recovery and Renewal Task Force. (30 minutes)
7. Safety and Wellness Task Force: Next Steps Discussion. Attachment: Durham County Approved Amendments (1 page) (10 minutes)
8. Adjournment
Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 – County Commissioners Chamber – 9 a.m.
Draft - 2021 Joint City-County Meeting Schedule Second Tuesday of every other month 9 a.m. Locations specified below; if virtual, the City or County will host Zoom Meetings, as designated.
February 9, 2021 - City Committee Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall April 13, 2021 - Durham County Commissioners’ Chamber June 8, 2021 - City Committee Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall August 10, 2021 – Durham County Commissioners’ Chamber October 12, 2021 - City Committee Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall December 14, 2021 - Durham County Commissioners’ Chamber
Race & Housing in Durham over the 20th century
Presentation to the joint work session of the Durham City Council and Durham County Board of Commissioners
Omer Ali Nick Datto Pei Yi Zhuo William Darity Jr.
Duke University
October 13th, 2020
1/24 Introduction
I Work started as a summer 2020 Data+ project I Project investigates racial disparities in the trajectory of home values across different neighborhoods in Durham, NC I This presentation links our work to the Final Report of the Task Force on Racial Equity commissioned by Mayor Pro Tempore Jillian Johnson and chaired by Elaine O’Neal and Kaaren Haldeman I Some acknowledgements: I Paul Bendich (Associate Director, Information Initiative at Duke (iiD)) I William Darity Jr. (Director, Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, Duke University)
2/24 Presentation outline
I Overview of findings I Our project and the Report of the RETF I Part 1: Home values by HOLC neighborhood I Part 2: Home values by census tract I Part 3: Contemporary changes in demographics and home values
3/24 Overview of findings
I We examined the relationship between race and home values across several units of analysis (address, HOLC rating area, census tract) in Durham, NC I Across all geographies, we find that home values are strongly associated with racial composition: I Historic disparities created by redlining persist today I Black homes would have been worth $100,000 more had they appreciated at the same rate as white homes I Over the past 30 years, home values rose in black neighborhoods, as they lost black residents.
4/24 Our project and the Report of the RETF
I "If a family is priced out of its home due to gentrification in a neighborhood, their main source of wealth will likely vanish."
(pp. 2, Report of the Durham RETF: Introduction) I Over the past 30 years, home values rose in black neighborhoods, as they lost black residents.
I Request for racial wealth gap data (pp. 7, Report of the Durham RETF: Let the Record Show) I Across all geographies, we observe disparities in home values between Black and White homeowners I Black homes would have been worth $100,000 more had they appreciated at the same rate as white homes
I Historically trace the effect on housing prices and rents. (pp. 8, Report of the Durham RETF: Let the Record Show) I Historic disparities created by redlining persist today
5/24 Part 1: Home values by HOLC neighborhood
6/24 Home values by HOLC neighborhood
I How did the trajectory of home values differ by race of home-owner and neighborhood in 1940? I We collect data from the 1940 decennial census on addresses in Durham that: I were owner-occupied in 1940 I within the boundary of the HOLC map I unambiguously within one of the HOLC rated neighborhoods I still exist today I structures have not been rebuilt I have been sold between 1997 and 2020 I We find significant differences in the amount of accumulated value over time by neighborhood rating
7/24 Home values by HOLC neighborhood
Figure: Map of Durham + areas rated by the HOLC + sample addresses
8/24 Home values by HOLC neighborhood
Figure: Home values in 1940 and the present by HOLC area rating
9/24 Part 2: Home values by census tract
10/24 Home values by census tract
I How did the trajectory of home values differ by neighborhood composition? I We divide census tracts into three categories: I White: remained >50 % white, 1970-2016 I Black: remained >50 % black, 1970-2016 I Mixed: all other tracts I We collect data from the 1940 decennial census on addresses in Durham that: I were owner-occupied I within the boundary of the HOLC map I matched exactly to a census tract I still exist today I structures have not been rebuilt I We find significant differences in the amount of accumulated value over time across tract categories
11/24 Home values by census tract
Figure: Map of Durham + census tracts + sample addresses
12/24 Home values by census tract
Figure: Home values by by census tract type (1940-2020)
13/24 Home values by census tract
Figure: Percent change in home values relative to 1940 by census tract type
14/24 Home values by census tract
Figure: Home values in 1940 and the present by census tract type
15/24 Home values by census tract
Figure: Disparities in home values between black and white tracts since 1970
16/24 Home values by census tract What if homes in black tracts appreciated at the same rate as homes in white tracks?
Figure: With identical appreciation rates as white tracts, home values in black tracks would have been $98,074.40 higher in 2016.
17/24 Part 3: Contemporary demographic and home value changes
18/24 Contemporary demographic and home value changes
I How do home values change as neighborhood composition changes? I We divide census tracts into three categories: I White: remained >50 % white, 1970-2016 I Black: remained >50 % black, 1970-2016 I Mixed: all other tracts I We collect data from the 1940 decennial census on addresses in Durham that: I were owner-occupied I within the boundary of the HOLC map I matched exactly to a census tract I still exist today I include structures that have been rebuilt I We find that home values in black census tracts rise as they lose black residents
19/24 Contemporary demographic and home value changes
Figure: Racial composition of census blocks in 2010 census data 20/24 Contemporary demographic and home value changes
Figure: Demographic changes in each Durham census tract (1970-2016)
21/24 Contemporary demographic and home value changes
22/24 Contemporary demographic and home value changes
Figure: Demographic and home value changes in black tracts
23/24 Thank you
24/24
THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS FACING EVICTION ARE GONE
The effective legal moratoriums are over; the CDC moratorium is not effectively limiting evictions – The NC Governor’s moratorium, the Chief Justice’s partial closure of the courts, and the CARES Act partial eviction moratorium are essentially expired, but still have some affect on ongoing cases • Payment plan and no late fees for June rent per Gov’s order • Chief Justice’s orders require a CARES Act Affidavit • CARES Act may still apply to covered properties in 30-day notice requirement and prohibition on evictions while mortgage payments deferred under CARES
– CDC is not a really a moratorium • Landlords are filing cases • Clerks are accepting those filings and courts are hearing them • Sheriffs are executing writs CDC “Moratorium”
– Covers non-payment of rent • Not Criminal Activity or threats to health and safety • Law is unsettled as to “holdover” and other breaches – Operates as a defense for tenants – Prohibits eviction if Tenant signs a declaration and provides a copy to the landlord • Tenant must state that they lost income or had health expenses due to COVID-19 and can’t pay rent • That they would become homeless if evicted • That they are making efforts to pay • That they have applied for government assistance • That they received a stimulus check or make below $99K/year – Criminal penalties for fraudulent declarations, but eviction courts should not inquire as to accuracy – Tenant must go to court to assert this as a defense – Durham courts are generally not dismissing these cases even if the tenant is in court with the declaration; often just continuing two weeks Eviction Filings and expected filings
– We saw very few filings from April through June due to prior legal protections – “Evictions began to creep back up in July and August with around 200 summary ejectments and writs of possession occurring each month. Before the pandemic, Durham typically had between 500 and 1,000 eviction filings each month.”- John Killeen, DataWorks – Approximately 400 summons issued for September – Applications to Legal Aid (many pre-filing) are up – a bellwether of filings • Averaged 35-40 per month for first 7 months of the year • 184 new files in August, 208 in September, and 35 for October (through the 6th) • Funded for 840/year, 70/month – currently opening files at 2.5-3 times what is sustainable capacity – Properties with highest filing rates in 2020 are mostly owned by out of state private investment firms (see DataWorks handout) • DHA was previously one of the biggest filers; we have not seen DHA filings for non-payment since the pandemic began. • We also see large numbers of filings by local property management firms who manage properties at a variety of locations
Durham Courthouse Operation – Chief Justice’s orders regarding safe operation of the courthouse are still in effect – Small Claims Court, where majority of evictions happen, was business as usual, some improvement in the last two weeks • During August and September, we saw crowded small claims court dockets, over 100 cases set for one ½ hour docket in a very small courtroom. We regularly saw 50-60. Each case may have multiple tenants, not including witnesses and attorneys. – Met with the Clerk and Chief District Court Judge on October 2 • Now limiting dockets to no more than are allowed in courtroom, not counting lawyers and magistrates • For Small Claims courtrooms, this is 6 parties (can be one landlord with up to 5 tenants in a 30-minute docket) • They may begin to use larger court rooms for evictions to accommodate larger dockets • No staff to enforce social distancing in hallways • Continuing issues with directing tenants to appropriate courtroom; courtroom is not listed on summons; posted on the wall the day of court – Local chief judges have discretion to postpone cases until they can be held safely. – Practice of continuing cases with CDC declarations only two weeks is exacerbating the situation. Eviction Filings and Dispositions from AOC Data January-August 2019 v. January to August 2020
Disposed Disposed Filed 01Jan2019 Filed 01Jan2020 01Jan2019 - 01Jan2020 - COUNTY - 31Aug2019 - 31Aug2020 31Aug2019 31Aug2020 Pending
DURHAM 6518 2774 6707 3211 348
GUILFORD 11105 5785 11653 6455 601
MECKLENBURG 23004 10891 23827 11706 1647
ORANGE 741 396 731 438 57
WAKE 12856 6115 12848 6906 355 Existing Durham Rental Assistance • Department of Social Services had several sources of money pre-COVID: – Funds for specific populations – Eviction Diversion money: $180,000/year • Additional $90,000 in late Spring 2020 • Prior CARES Act $ from State – Administered through community action agencies; locally through Central Piedmont Community Action – Up to 2 months; has been slow to process applications • CDBG-CV grant from City to County DSS – In partnership with LANC; legal review combined with financial assistance – Model program for others in NC; – Working more smoothly after some initial hiccups • BETWEEN 10% AND UP TO 1/3 OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT • Most tenants in Durham were already cost burdened before the pandemic • There are about 60,000 tenant households in Durham County, so between 6,000 (10%) and 20,000 (1/3) households can’t be their rent each month during the pandemic. • With an average rent of $1000 per month, that amounts to $6-20 MILLION IN UNPAID RENT for each month. • Durham rents continue to increase: “ In Durham, the average rent for a one bedroom was $995 in March [2020] and $1,333 by August [2020]—a striking 34 percent increase.” – Independent Weekly, October 6, 2020 DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY NEED HELP WITH EVICTION OR HOUSING SECURITY?
FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
CALL OUR HOTLINE: 866-219-5262 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.legalaidnc.org/
FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
CONTACT DURHAM SOCIAL SERVICES: 919-560-8000
Central Piedmont Community Action: 919-797-0888, https://www.cpcanc.org/caresnc Durham County DSS’ Response to the COVID Eviction Crisis October 13, 2020 Presented by: William Rose, Director & Janeen S Gordon, Assistant Director Durham County Social Services
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov In FY18, DSS partnered with Duke Civil Justice Clinic and Legal Aid to refer individuals seeking assistance from DSS after receiving a Summary Ejectment from their Landlord.
How has In FY19 DSS was given $90,000 to assist in funding Eviction Diversion Durham County In FY20 DSS was given $120,000 to assist funding for Eviction Diversion, and DSS added DSS been an additional $60,000 for a total of $180,000 responding to
In order to receive Eviction Diversion assistance, the client has to be represented by, and Evictions? referred from either Legal Aid or a Duke Civil Justice Clinic attorney
When the COVID Pandemic was declared, Durham County BOCC made an additional allocation for COVID Eviction Diversion, as well as for Distressed Tenants
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov Durham County has partnered Durham with the City of Durham and Legal Aid of NC to use special County Community Development Block DSS’ (CDBG-CV) funding from federal CARES Act for emergency rental Response assistance during the COVID to COVID Pandemic.
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov COVID-CV The CDBG-CV Rental Assistance Program serves low-income individuals and families Funding for significantly impacted by loss of income Eviction during the COVID– 19 Pandemic. CDBG-CV Diversion funds can be used for rent and utility assistance (except for City of Durham water hardship funds).
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov . $1,077,601 in CDBG-CV funding for emergency rental and utility assistance COVID-CV . Must reside in the City of Durham with a household income at or below 80% Area Median Income Funding for . Must be able to certify that their housing problems arise from income loss related to the COVID 19 pandemic (CDBG-CV requirement). Eviction . Up to 3 months of assistance for a maximum of $6,000 Diversion . Must be receiving legal assistance with their housing situation from LANC, the Duke Civil Justice Clinic or another LANC approved legal provider.
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov The HOPE Program is a partnership between NCORR and NC DHHS
NCORR is charged with managing $28.3 Durham million in CDBG-CV funds and $66 million in County DSS Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). Continues to Respond to COVID
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov HOPE will provide up to six months of rental and utility assistance directly HOPE Program to the vendor on behalf of the applicant. So if someone has 4 months of arrearages, we will pay the 4 months and the upcoming 2 months. Within Funding for that time, we will not cap the amount that we will pay for rent or utilities. Eviction The program will be first in, first out—funds are limited so we expect this to Diversion move quickly.
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND HOPE Program Funding for Eviction Diversion
. As a condition of receiving funds, the landlord will have to agree to not evict the tenant for the remainder of the lease, and not impose new service fees, charges, penalties, or legal fees for the remainder of the lease
. Utility payments will only be for back-owed utilities
. Applicants will be encouraged to contact 2-1-1 to begin the application process.
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov DSS Eviction Diversion Programs
Typical reasons why a client might not receive assistance: • Clients did not follow up after initial screening • Client resolved their own crisis • No loss of income related to COVID • Over the 200% income limit
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov Eviction Diversion
• Questions?? • Comments…
Durham County Government www.dconc.gov Durham Recovery & Renewal Task Force
Economic Recovery Committee Recommendations
October 2020 Discussion Objectives
• Present concepts and key performance indicators • Overview opportunities for investment • Answer questions Overarching Priorities for Economic Recovery
Durham’s strong growth and development over the past 15 years have happened largely without coordinated, intentional efforts.
Aligning economic development efforts will more efficiently: • Expand proactive recruitment and attraction • Fortify and expand support programs for small businesses • Ensure all programs and initiatives are inclusive • Support and encourage innovative talent development • Promote resident and visitor reengagement • Track key performance indicators and market analysis Key Performance Indicators
Consumer Spending Business Strength Employment by Industry Unemployment Wages Immediate Opportunities for Investment in Recovery Efforts
1. Small Business Consulting & Training 2. Durham Delivers Expansion 3. Rediscover Durham Package Development & Promotion 4. Festival & Event Recovery 5. Small Business Marketing Co-Op Back on the Bull Advertising Report
October 2020 Overview
• Without funding for media placement, the outputs of the Durham Recovery & Renewal Task Force’s work will reach only a fraction of Durham’s residents and businesses, and the impact will be limited • The RRTF Communications Group received approval by the City/County to move forward on a $278K marketing and advertising proposal to support the “Back on the Bull” campaign • An interlocal agreement was finalized with Discover Durham to manage marketing efforts, advertising, and other campaign elements identified in the plan through the end of December • Advertising is segmented into three phases: • Inspire Confidence (July-September) • Building Momentum (September-October) • Continued Confidence and Momentum (November-December) • Each phase has messaging considerations, KPIs and various opportunities/concerns based on time of the year (e.g. broadcast media costs skyrocketing leading up to the election) • Funds received are committed to fixed advertising costs – all creative, planning, and administrative duties are to be completed pro bono • As equity is a shared value in Durham, the advertising plan has prioritized reaching minority and traditionally disadvantaged groups – of the 24 media outlets included in the media plan, 13 of them specifically target minority audiences Campaign Goals and KPIs
• Reach Durham and Triangle area residents with Back on the Bull messaging multiple times throughout the remainder of the calendar year • Increase brand awareness and maintain engagement with the website • Serve an estimated 9.6M advertising impressions within the media market, following a strategic plan designed to reach target audiences • Reflect the RRTF's commitment to equity by targeting numerous audiences and delivering messaging in English and Spanish • Supplement messaging by sharing organically via owned channels to reach engaged audiences Advertising Flowchart
July August September October November December Print Social Media Digital Bus Advertising Billboards TV Broadcast Radio
• Darker colored cells indicate months with heavier impressions served • Creative across all mediums contracted in English and Spanish • Of the 24 media outlets included in the media plan, 13 of them will target or reach minority audiences Media Contracted to Date - Print
• Indy Week • La Conexion • Que Pasa • Durham Herald-Sun • The Carolinian • Triangle Tribune • Durham Magazine Media Contracted to Date – Social
• Facebook (English and Spanish) • Instagram (English and Spanish) • Facebook Video (English and Spanish) • Instagram Video (English and Spanish) Media Contracted to Date - Digital
• Google Search Network (English and Spanish) • Google Display Network – banner ads served to users as they visit websites across the Internet (English and Spanish) • Google Display Retargeting – banner ads served to users after they visited the Back on the Bull website (English and Spanish) • Durham Herald-Sun • Spectacular Magazine • Chapelboro.com Media Contracted to Date - Television • WTVD-TV • Advertorial interviews • Website pre-roll and banner ads • :30 TV spots streaming across ABC11 and ABC apps • Univision • :30 TV spots • WRAL-TV • TV ads across WRAL & Fox50 • Website pre-roll and banner ads • :30 spots streaming across network of apps Video Creative Media Contracted to Date - Radio
• La Ke Buena • Radio 96.1 • K97.5 • Foxy 107.1 • The Light 103.9 • WCHL-AM Media Contracted to Date – Outdoor/Misc.
• City of Durham bilingual water bill insert • I-85 billboard • GoDurham bilingual bus advertising • Printed flyers Advertising Impressions*
Impressions 7,826,638 9,000,000 7,826,638 8,000,000 7,134,111 7,152,111 6,162,656 7,000,000 5,965,461 6,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 1,662,805 3,000,000 2,000,000 491,332 1,000,000 491,332 - 5-Jul 12-Jul 19-Jul 26-Jul 2-Aug 9-Aug 16-Aug 23-Aug 30-Aug 6-Sep 13-Sep 20-Sep 27-Sep Weekly Impressions Total Impressions *Advertising impressions contracted as of September 27 Remaining Advertising Plan: 10/1-12/31
• La Conexion • Google Display • WCHL-AM • Que Pasa Retargeting • La Ke Buena • The Carolinian • Billboards • WNCU-FM • Triangle Tribune • WRAL-TV • WRAL-FM • Facebook and • WTVD-TV • Print collateral Instagram (English and • Univision • Restaurant coasters Spanish) • Radio 96.1 • Social media video • Pins (English and Spanish) • K97.5 • Stickers • Google Display • K97.5 Network (English and • Foxy 107.1 Spanish) • The Light 103.9 Unique Web Visitors
Web Visitors 25,000 23,361 21,791 20,134 20,000 18,823 17,379
15,506
15,000 13,489 12,638 12,161 11,481
10,000 8,746
4,512 5,000
1,795
- 5-Jul 12-Jul 19-Jul 26-Jul 2-Aug 9-Aug 16-Aug 23-Aug 30-Aug 6-Sep 13-Sep 20-Sep 27-Sep
Weekly Visitors Total Visitors By comparison, Discover Durham’s well-established website receives 45K monthly visits *Unique visitors are the number of unduplicated (counted only once) visitors to the site during the specified period Pageviews
Pageviews 70,000
60,000 63,207 59,875 55,876 50,000 53,294 50,609 46,778 40,000 41,147 42,824 37,965 39,998 30,000 31,441 20,000 18,847 10,000 8,731 - 5-Jul 12-Jul 19-Jul 26-Jul 2-Aug 9-Aug 16-Aug 23-Aug 30-Aug 6-Sep 13-Sep 20-Sep 27-Sep Weekly Pageviews Total Pageviews Sample Public Relations Coverage
• ABC11 • Interview with Mayor Schewel and Commissioner Jacobs (link) • Interview with Rod Jenkins and Mariel Beasley (link) • Interview with Pilar Rocha-Goldberg (link) • Feature and interviews about The Streetery (to air 10/17) • WRAL • Interview with Ryan Smith and Mariel Beasley (link) • Story and interview with the Durham Food Hall, early BotB participant (link) • Story and interview with Susan Amey and Da Kine’s Kava, early BotB participant (link) • Spectrum News • Story and interview with Ninth Street Flowers, early BotB participant (link) • Indy Week • Story and interview with Ryan Smith, Mariel Beasley and the Durham Food Hall (link) Sample Public Relations Coverage
• Triangle Business Journal • Interview with Susan Amey about hotels and lodging industry (link) • Feature on the campaign in TBJ Plus (link) • N&O/Herald-Sun • Coverage of an RRTF meeting (link) • Triangle Tribune • Two upcoming interviews in October • Spectacular Magazine • Article about the campaign (link) • Video interviews with Zweli’s and Boricua Soul • WCHL-AM • Interview with Susan Amey Supplemental Organic Outreach
• Early July: Soft launch/outreach to businesses • Mid-July: Public-facing launch with social posts, emails, media stories, etc. in collaboration with Durham partners • August: More one-to-one pitching and following up as advertising started • September-November: planned second public-facing push with additional content pieces, graphics, etc. • Spanish speaking community ambassadors and health workers will also begin canvassing in September • The Communications Group will share sample messages, graphics, links, etc. with elected officials asking for help to spread the word • Bilingual print collateral distributed throughout the community Organic Outreach Examples Durham Ambassadors Contract with UNC Gillings Monthly Report to Durham October 9, 2020
Timeline • Proposal and budget submitted to UNC Office of Sponsored Research – preliminary approval • Contract is currently under review by OSR and Office of Contracts • Will have hired 6-8 ambassadors by 10/15 • Training will be 10/15 (Zoom) and 10/16 (In-person, practice visits to 2 establishments) • First visits will start week of 10/19 (pending revisions to the online checklist)
Partnership with El Centro Hispaño • All of the paperwork for subcontract with El Centro has been submitted to UNC and accepted. • Pilar Rocha-Goldberg has identified all of her ambassadors. They are current “community health ambassadors” at El Centro who will be repurposed for the Back on the Bull campaign. These extant El Centro ambassadors already have experience in the Latinx community in Durham. • El Centro will host the in-person portion of our training, as they have a large enough space to provide social distancing. Sra. Rocha-Goldberg also has contacts nearby who can provide accessible businesses for training purposes.
Pilot • On 9/11/2020 we pilot tested the BOTB checklist with businesses during El Centro Hispano’s health educator training. • Key finding #1: The checklist was too long. We estimated that without revision it would likely require 1.5-2 hours from business management, which is more than they can realistically spare. • Key Finding #2: There are issues with the Spanish version of the website that created barriers to accessibility regarding both the language used and the interface of the website. The issues with the website have since been addressed. • Please see the attached PowerPoint for our full list of recommendations and further elaboration on these points.
Back on the Bull checklist revisions • The UNC team condensed the BotB checklist from approximately 116 questions to 51. Ryan Smith accepted these changes after discussion and plans to have them implemented into the survey, including in the Spanish version, by 10/15/2020. • We retained all the requirements by the State of North Carolina. Many of the items we took out were either combined into one question (e.g., 6 feet apart in various situations) or will be included in a handout to be given to businesses upon leaving, after the visit. • We removed the risk assessment at the beginning, as most businesses could be deemed somewhat risky and most businesses types would receive a similar rating (e.g., restaurants would get medium to high risk given customer contact volume). • Mariel Beasley at Duke will give us access to the Qualtrics in order to download the survey data ourselves. This is helpful to ensure ambassadors do not repeat visits to the same business. • Please see the attached document for a list of the revised checklist items.
Hiring • UNC has partnered with several trusted agencies to ensure that we are hiring as many people as possible from the populations most affected by COVID19 in Durham. • As stated, El Centro already has 5 Spanish-speaking ambassadors ready to go. • UNC is hiring most of its ambassadors (this is all the “regular ambassadors,” and potentially the Lead Ambassador) via University Temp Services, so that we can quickly hire both part-time and full-time employees. We also have a temporary position posted within UNC for the Lead Ambassador. Calling them “temporary” employees will make the process go much faster. • UNC started Ambassador interviews with candidates on October 8 and should finish by Monday, October 12. We have at least two very strong candidates for the Lead Ambassador role (both with master’s degrees) and a dozen other candidates for the regular ambassador roles.
Training • We plan to hold a Zoom training on October 15, followed by an in-person training at El Centro on October 16. • During the in-person training, Sra. Rocha-Goldberg will coordinate a visit to a nearby business that will allow our ambassadors to ask the BotB checklist questions and become familiar with the process of surveying via tablet, as well as the verbal/social aspects of the position.
Branded BotB items from Durham • We plan to have branded polo shirts with the BotB logo on them for our ambassadors. We are coordinating with Shannon Delaney. • Ryan also mentioned 6-ft floor stickers, which would be useful to distribute in person. • Another idea is large stickers for affixing onto the bag in which we distribute Community Protective Equipment (CPE) to the businesses. If we change the bag format over time, we will the stickers could attach to any bag.
CPE purchase • We have put in an order at Gillings for 3000 pairs of gloves (1000 each of small, medium, and large), 15 pairs of eye protection and 75,000 masks. This will be our initial order for the next few months and we will determine how much to order and in what sizes/quantities, going forward, depending on the necessities of the visits.
Technology purchase • We have ordered 6 tablets so far: 3 Samsung Galaxy Tabs and 3 Apple iPads. They should arrive Tuesday, October 13. We will see how the ambassadors like them and order more of either (or both) following our training on the 16th. The UNC in-kind funding allowed these purchases.
Mapping • We have asked our Geography Department for help in identifying a student who could help us with putting the businesses into a usable map so that we can visit them more efficiently. We are still looking into it, but would love any help that Duke might be able to provide; Ms. Beasley has said they might have someone who can help us.
Durham Ambassadors Meeting September 16th, 2020 Today
• BOTB Checklist • Pilot Insights • Priority Business Types
Pilot/Site Visits • 5 Site Visits on Friday • Engaged 2 establishments with the checklist, and spoke to a third about it BOTB Checklist
The checklist is great at what it was designed to do
• Biggest Concerns in adapting: • Length of Checklist • What is "Compliance"/"passing" etc.? • What is our goal in assessing sites? • To service high volume of sites? We will need to cut back on the time. Which will mean streamlining this assessment. • To thoroughly engage with sites? We will need to expect a lower volume of visits. BOTB Checklist ENGLISH SPANISH
• Based off of the experience with the Pilot... • With no changes made, estimate 1.5 - 2+ hours at a site where management has the time, and is willing to sit with us • Introduce self and program • Take establishment through entire survey • Print/Provide materials at the end Time: Multiple Levels Accessibility: Concepts and of Assessments Spanish Translation Navigation: Hyperlinks and Time: Unable to Advance Accessibility: Amount of Text Linear Flow Recommendations
Hard Copy (Paper) assessments for site visits (Endorsed by Trainer from El Centro Hispano) • Technology is a Barrier for both Community Health Workers and Establishments • One manager had tried to fill out the survey, and the system (unclear if a glitch or navigation issues) didn't let him • If we get tablets this may be a barrier to El Centro to join in on this work? • Linear flow of online survey is not conducive to reality of visit • It does not allow us to make note of the things we are able to observe before taking up managements time
Streamline survey items • Asking about similar things in different categories was confusing and added to the time it took to explain items. • Focus on most important items (e.g., items that are local mandates or have greater impacts on risk) Communication: Public Information Communication
"Only check the things that Survey gives 3 your specific business will Recommended actions doing" be • Reasoning for If they are not doing it • recommendations are during our visit, but say unclear to the user that they will be... what which makes it seem becomes our criteria for random. follow-up if that is still • I think it makes more on the table? sense to engage Maybe they're not • management in doing something choosing up to 3 things because they they will work to can't? (e.g., install implement automatic doors) Communication
• Follow-up Items: • Printing on site will be more time • Instead of a personalized poster, something that they are a "star" establishment that completed this assessment and customers should go to backonthebull.com Other Pilot Insights
• Avoid duplication of Efforts • Coordinating with El Centro Hispano to maximize reach • Visiting "clusters" of businesses • Some businesses are not on list • Some businesses were closed temporarily or permanently • Community Health Worker presence/attitude is critical • In one case we could tell they were going to turn us away, but then they didn't Prioritizing Businesses
Question: Can an employee be the person to fill this out? Plan for visiting businesses • Visiting Clusters of Businesses • Visiting a place twice if necessary • Once to do that introduction (critical) • Second to fill out the survey at a more convenient time if necessary • Order of visitations • El Centro Hispano's Latinx Businesses (350) & Friendly sites (350) • Then other clusters (Ryan mentioned providing us with some streets/areas to target) Prioritizing Businesses
Small Business Recovery Fund: Program Update October 9, 2020
Highlights
• As of October 8, the program has funded 150 Durham businesses since its launch on June 18th. • This amounts to approximately $1,440,000 in funds distributed since program launch.
Grant Program
• Reminder: The grant fund originated with a $1 million contribution from Duke University’s Office of Durham and Community Affairs. The goal was to target small businesses that may have been missed by some of the larger federal and state relief program. Thus, grant fund was only available for businesses with $500,000 in annual revenue and below. • To date, we’ve distributed $950,000 to Durham businesses in the form of grants. • We’ve received 239 applications. Of those, 131 were approved. • The average grant award is approximately $7,500 (maximum award is $10,000). • The grant awardees continue to be demographically diverse: o 56% of the grants went to businesses owned by women. o 62% of the grants went to minority-owned businesses. • Primary industries that received grant awards; food and hospitality businesses; arts, entertainment and recreation businesses; service businesses; and retail trade. • The primary reason for declinations is that the business did not show a 25% or greater revenue decline. Program required at least a 25% decline after March 2020.
Loan Program
• The loan program is for businesses with up to $5 million in revenue. • Since June 18th we’ve distributed $490,000 to Durham businesses as loans. • 19 businesses have been approved and granted funds as of October 8. • Loans recipients are also diverse: o 68% of the loans have gone to Minority-owned businesses, o 58% of the approved loans have gone to Women-owned businesses. • The average loan amount is $29,000 (the maximum is $35,000). • The main reason for denials has been an inability to show sufficient income to repay debt obligations.
Remaining Funds
• Grant Program: There is $50,000 still available in the grant program. Funds are expected to be depleted by end of the month. • Loan Program: There is approximately $1.3 million available for distribution. • Note: loans may pick up once there is clarity about PPP forgiveness from the federal government. Durham County Approved Amendments
At the September 28, 2020 Regular Session meeting the Board of County Commissioners approved the following amendments for the Community Safety and Wellness Task Force:
Durham County Appointments The County of Durham shall appoint five (5) members from the following categories: Parent of a murdered child -1- Community organization leader -1- Justice involved -1- At-large -2-
Community Resource Panel Text Update A Community Resource Panel shall be formed to assist the work of the Task Force, with the understanding that the Task Force can add members to the Panel as they see fit.
Durham County Sheriff Durham Police Chief Criminal Justice Resource Center Director Durham Public Schools Superintendent Public Health Director Alliance Behavioral Health Administrator Crisis Response Center or Family Justice Center Director Juvenile Prevention Council Administrator EMS Community Paramedicine Director Durham District Attorney Durham Department of Social Services
Termination VI It is anticipated that the Task Force shall complete its mission within twenty-four months of the initial appointment of its members. However, this work is critically important and should be completed with due care and all needed time and attention. In light of that, the Task Force could bring forward short term actions as appropriate. However, if at the end of twenty-four months, the Task Force has not fully completed its work, the Task Force may by two-thirds vote of the membership add six months to its period of work.