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minutes meeting date 2025-11-04 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 10837 characters · official file · plain text
November 4, 2025 This regular meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was also held by video conference. The video conference was conducted via Zoom and was made available to all members of the public in a format that allowed all participants to hear the meeting, including all deliberations by members of the Council and other speakers addressing the council, whether in person or via virtual connection, and to comment if so desired, all of which was noted in the agenda, email, and notices at council chambers and on the city’s website. Present: Mayor David M. Davis, Councilman Chris Barber, Councilman Bryan Craig, and Councilman Dale Ross. Councilman Jason Peterson joined via Zoom. Also present were staff members: City Clerk Bernadette Coderniz, Legal Counsel Ted Larsen, City Administrator Mike Williams, Water Lead Supervisor Danny McCullough, Wastewater Superintendent Brad Henry, City Engineer Tyson Carpenter, Library Director Linda Mecham, Accounting and Budget Manager Lori McCrae, Planning and Zoning Manager Ida Clark, Human Resources Director Esmeralda Chavez, IS Director Carlos Hernandez, and Police Chief Duane Rubink. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Davis led the audience in recitation of the pledge of allegiance. INVOCATION: An invocation was given by Reverend Harriman Randle with Overcomers Church. CONSENT CALENDAR: Those items contained in the consent calendar are as follows: 1. Approve the minutes of the October 21, 2025 regular meeting Councilman Barber made the motion to approve the consent calendar as presented. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Barber, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Ross, and Councilman Craig. NAYS: None. 2026 CITY OF JEROME BENEFITS PACKAGE: Ms. Chavez appeared before Council to present the 2026 benefits package, renewal results, key updates and benefits committee recommendations. She stated staff worked with HUB Insurance to review renewal options from several different carriers. The benefits committee considered Pacific Source, Regence, Blue Cross and St. Luke’s with the primary focus of maintaining quality coverage for employees while managing cost increases. The budget originally included a 7% increase in premiums, however the initial quote from Pacific Source came in at 11.6% and they ultimately settled with 10.5% and included a $25,000 wellness credit to the city. Ms. Chavez stated that employees are offered either a PPO plan or HSA plan, and a medical plan comparison was shown to Council. Plan deductibles, office visits and prescription costs were briefly reviewed along with out-of-pocket comparisons. Wellness/preventative visits will be covered at 100% with either plan. An overview of the employer HAS contributions was also shown to Council, and monthly premium increases were briefly reviewed. Ms. Chavez stated the following were recommended by the benefits committee: • Continue with Pacific Source for medical coverage, offering both PPO and HSA options • Reduce the deductible buy-down by 50% • Update the HSA employer contributions to 10% of the PPO premium for all enrollment tiers • Continue with Blue Cross for both dental plans, PPO and Willamette (both had slight rate increases) • Continue with MetLife for life insurance, long-term disability, and vision coverage (7% increase in life insurance rates, 3.9% increase in vision coverage) • Continue with E Benefits for administration of the Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Health Savings Account (HSA), COBRA, and deducible buy-down programs • Maintain the $50 monthly medical premium for employees, with potential reduction to $0 for meeting wellness and tobacco-free criteria • Maintain the $300 HRA wellness contribution for employees, and covered spouses, who complete their annual wellness exam. • Continue with BPA Health for administration of the Employee Assistance Program (slight increase in rate per employee per month) • Transition the benefits renewal to align with the fiscal year • Update dependent eligibility to prevent duplicate coverage. Dependents with coverage through their own employer will not be eligible under the City’s plan Ms. Chavez spoke of the budget deficit of $19,946.35 due to the unplanned cost increases and stated that the Pacific Source incentive of $25,000 will cover the deficit. Upon inquiry by Councilman Craig, Ms. Chavez stated the budget will not be affected by the new plan year dates; the new plan year will start in January through September. Upon inquiry by Councilman Barber, Ms. Chaves stated the $25,000 credit to the city will offset the unbudgeted premium increases. Councilman Barber made the motion to approve the benefits package for medical, dental, life, long-term disability, and vision insurances; approve E Benefits Administration to administer the FSA, HRA, HSA, COBRA, and the deductible buy down program; approve BPA Health to administer the Employee Assistance Program and authorize the Mayor to execute the contracts. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Craig. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Barber, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Ross, and Councilman Craig. NAYS: None. FLASHING BEACON CROSSWALK LIGHT: Mr. Williams spoke of the request to install a pedestrian crosswalk light on Main Street at Fillmore and inquiries from citizens regarding the need for the light. Staff considered traffic flows at the intersection, specifically pedestrian traffic i.e. children walking to school, and the need to cross the busy road. Safety features including sidewalks have been implemented at or near school zones and cross walks. Mr. Williams stated this expense was not included in the FY2025-26 budget. The permit process to install the light on Main Street includes Council’s approval for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) to issue a permit. The light will be similar to that on S. Lincoln and Avenue E whereby pedestrians would activate the stop light. Mr. Williams confirmed that the public works staff will be installing the solar light equipment if a permit is issued. Other safety features will be added to that corridor upon ITD approval. He noted that ITD is doing a traffic impact study to considering reducing the speed limit from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Upon inquiry by Councilman Craig, Mr. Williams stated the cost of the solar light will be $10,000. Councilman Ross inquired about installing a similar lighting system near the water park, and Mr. Williams stated those areas should also be considered in future budgets; the same permit application process would be required, and Councilman Barber spoke of a solar light near the Jerome Annex. Mayor Davis inquired if the ITD study were considering the southbound Tiger Drive lane, and Mr. Williams stated several options are considered for the area. Councilman Barber spoke of reducing the speed limit in front of Frontier Elementary, and Mr. Williams confirmed a traffic or impact study would be required for changes to the speed limits. Regarding funding for the project, Mr. Williams stated funds could come from the Street Fund Master Plan in the Capital Outlay Construction budget, or from the Council Discretionary fund. Upon inquiry by Mayor Davis, Mr. Williams stated the Capital Outlay Construction fund ($500,000) was earmarked as a contingency for the S. Fillmore project. Additionally, the Council Discretionary fund is $15,000. Councilman Craig inquired about adding a light at Buchanan since that stretch of Main Street will be reconstructed by ITD next year, and Mr. Carpenter spoke of the new sidewalk project and seeking approval when working through the permitting process for the ramps project. Councilman Craig made the motion to approve the purchase of a pedestrian safety flashing light for the intersection of Main Street and Fillmore. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Barber. Mr. Williams confirmed the funds will come from the Streets Master Plan fund. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Barber, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Ross, and Councilman Craig. NAYS: None. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Craig inquired about B. Jackson Constructions repair work and gravel placement, and the need for cones. Mr. Carpenter stated staff has been working with them and will follow up on recent repair and patch efforts. He further stated it appeared that the company was still pulling fiber, hence the need for cones. Regarding concrete near the library, Mr. Williams stated staff could patch the area with permanent material before the winter season hits. He spoke of other sidewalk areas, and Mr. McCullough spoke of concrete projects planned. Councilman Barber spoke of the damages and reimbursement to the City. Regarding potholes, Mr. McCullough confirmed that the streets crews have been working on getting potholes patched before winter. Councilman Craig spoke of notations when crews are driving, and Mr. McCullough stated that the department already has a system in place for identifying and reporting issues. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Ms. Coderniz reminded Council of Resolution No. 15-25 passed on August 19th pertaining to the application of a grant for next year’s Freedom Fest. She announced that the City was awarded the America250 grant for $2,500 that will assist with the fireworks show at next year’s Freedom Fest. Mr. Williams commended Ms. Coderniz and Management Assistant Katie Elliott with their efforts in seeking the funds. Mr. Williams commended the Community Spirit Committee and staff involved with this year’s Main Street Trunk or Treat event, and stated that he received positive feedback regarding the event that was very well attended. Public Works crews have been working on Fillmore repairs, and they will be on Yakima to do extensive work on the road until the reconstruction can take place next year. The road is in dire need of repairs and waiting will only cause further damage. A public service announcement will be released for the public to be aware of the work and the plans for next summer’s reconstruction project. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Davis adjourned this November 4, 2025 regular meeting of the Jerome City Council at 6:04 p.m. By: Mayor David M. Davis Attest: Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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