Farewells, New Oaths, And A Historic First

The council honored departing members, navigated a brief protest during swearing-in, and seated new representatives and a mayor for fresh terms. The board then made history by selecting its first Hispanic mayor pro tem and unanimously approved a 22-townhome rezoning, while the mayor outlined a possible shift to even-year elections and a longer term. 30mins

Elections Municipal Services Planning & Zoning
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Original Meeting

Monday, December 1st, 2025
11887.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the City Council Meeting for December 1, 2025.

Agenda: https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4

How to participate: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

Contact the City Council: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

NOTE: Comments left on this livestream will not be read or entered into the meeting record.

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Wes Platt
Durham, NC
Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access in Durham.
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In This Video
  • Mayor Williams presented a token of appreciation recognizing Councilmember Friedman’s eight years of service to the community.
  • Council Member Freeman reflected on the importance of peaceful transitions that maintain community trust and relationships to sustain ongoing work.
  • Council Member Freeman closed with a message of affection for Durham and signaled a temporary farewell, expressing that the journey would continue.
  • Council Member Freeman reflected on the length and variability of council meetings and expressed gratitude for over 4,203,360 minutes of service to the City of Durham.
  • Council Member Freeman acknowledged challenges during their tenure and affirmed a commitment to continue advocating for the city, its people, and principles of fairness, truth, and justice.
  • Council Member Freeman urged residents to stay engaged, learn how city government works, and hold it accountable as stewards of their tax dollars.
  • A speaker led a brief call-and-response chant affirming that Deidriana was 'for the people.'
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton honored Council Member Freeman’s continued voice, urged the community to reject conflict and focus on governing, and asked residents to respectfully support and engage with incoming leaders as fellow humans serving the city.
  • Council Member Cook praised Council Member Freeman’s legacy of representing working-class residents, especially people of color, and pledged to carry that mantle forward for all Durham residents.
  • Council Member Baker praised Mayor Pro Tem Middleton’s strong advocacy and noted that the council would feel the loss of two departing members’ institutional knowledge even as new voices joined.
  • Council Member Rist thanked departing colleagues by praising Council Member Freeman’s equity-focused leadership and acknowledging Mayor Pro Tem Middleton’s governance lessons and call to move from campaigning to governing.
  • Javiera Caballero recalled shared crises and transitions that forged council relationships, expressed confidence that departing members would remain active, and noted the relief often felt after leaving office.
  • Mayor Williams recounted receiving blunt advice before entering local politics and credited Mayor Pro Tem Middleton’s example and commitment to Durham for shaping a deeper personal dedication to the community.
  • Mayor Williams praised Mayor Pro Tem Middleton for steadfast leadership through difficult times and thanked them for serving as a guiding example for young residents and the wider community.
  • Council Member Kopac started taking the oath affirming the City of Durham code of ethics and commitment to uphold the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions before the meeting recessed due to interruptions by protestors.
  • After a brief recess, Council Member Kopac completed the oath of office for the City of Durham’s Ward One seat.
  • Council Member Burris completed the oath of office for the City of Durham’s Ward 2 seat, affirming adherence to the code of ethics and support for the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions.
  • Council Member Cook completed the oath of office for the Ward 3 seat, affirming adherence to the code of ethics and support for the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions.
  • Mayor Williams completed the oath of office, affirming adherence to the City of Durham code of ethics and support for the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions.
  • Council Member Kopac pledged to be accessible and transparent, to listen to residents’ concerns, prioritize vulnerable neighbors, and work to earn the trust of all Durham voters.
  • Council Member Burris thanked more than 30,000 voters, highlighted winning despite limited fundraising, and emphasized perseverance, integrity, and faith.
  • Council Member Cook expressed pride in a collaborative campaign focused on transparency and prioritizing working residents, pledged to center community over profit, and welcomed public accountability moving forward.
  • Mayor Williams thanked attendees and emphasized prioritizing love for the city over personal feelings, affirming respect for differing views when rooted in commitment to the community.
  • Mayor Williams emphasized mutual respect while pledging that the city would continue to move forward with growth and development, noting that participation in that progress was a choice.
  • Mayor Williams nominated Council Member Javiera Caballero to serve as the first Hispanic Mayor Pro Tem, noting a history of differing views and praising their persistence and effectiveness.
  • Mayor Williams announced the council’s vote result, marking the selection of the first Hispanic Mayor Pro Tem in Durham’s history.
  • The Clerk administered the oath of office as Javiera Caballero was sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem, affirming adherence to the City of Durham code of ethics and support for the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions.
  • Mayor Williams requested an analysis of election costs, schedules, and voter turnout to inform potential changes such as extending the mayoral term to four years and moving elections to even years.
  • Mayor Williams clarified that neither the mayor nor the city manager had authority to direct arrests of ICE officers, described federal interactions and limits on ICE transparency, and cautioned against misinformation amid community fear.
  • Aaron Cain reported a zoning map change request to rezone two parcels on E Gear Street to Planned Development Residential 6.573 to permit up to 22 townhouses.
  • Council Member Cook asked about potential I-85 cut-through access and traffic calming, and Aaron Cain responded that NCDOT would not allow direct highway access and that traffic calming is addressed outside the zoning process.
  • Nil Ghosh described a 22-townhome infill project on 3.35 acres, emphasized its small scale and alignment with the comprehensive plan, and noted a $20,000 contribution to the Dedicated Housing Fund in lieu of on-site affordable units.
  • A speaker used sarcasm to criticize gentrification, wealth influence in politics, and reliance on market-rate housing, while briefly thanking the council for enforcing decorum.
  • The council unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning property to Planned Development Residential 6.573 within the Falls/Jordan Watershed Overlay and I-85 Major Transportation Corridor.
  • Mayor Williams announced that the council recorded its first unanimous vote on a case.
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