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minutes meeting date 2026-03-03 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 14717 characters · official file · plain text
March 3, 2026 This regular meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Barber at 5:30 p.m. While council chambers were open to the public, the meeting was also held by teleconference and the public was encouraged to continue with social distancing. 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 Christopher Barber, Councilman Jason Peterson, Councilman Bryan Craig, Councilman Dale Ross, and Councilwoman Jeri Ahrens. Also present were staff members: City Clerk Bernadette Coderniz, Legal Counsel Ted Larsen, City Administrator Mike Williams, City Engineer Tyson Carpenter, Public Works Director Jon Caton, Wastewater Superintendent Brad Henry, Building Official Kortnie Kent, Finance Director Ross Hyatt, Accounting and Budget Manager Lori McCrae, Library Directory Linda Mecham, Planning and Zoning Manager Ida Clark, Human Resources Director Esmeralda Chavez, IS Director Carlos Hernandez, Fire Chief Mike Harrison, and Police Chief Duane Rubink. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Barber led the audience in recitation of the pledge of allegiance. PUBLIC HEARING: This being the time and place published to consider a request from the Jerome Recreation District for annexation and zoning of parcel no. RP08S17E196602A more commonly known as the east portion of Candlelight Park on South Davis St., the Chair called the public hearing open at 5:32 p.m. and briefly reviewed the procedures that will be followed. Staff Presentation: Ms. Clark spoke of the property in question and the annexation request submitted by the Jerome Recreation District first introduced to the Council in January. She stated a public hearing was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Ms. Clark identified the parcel for clarification. She stated the parcel consists of 1.27 acres and, upon annexation, the initial zoning would be Public/Semi-public. The parcel is surrounded by residential and Public/Semipublic zones. Utilities are available should the applicant choose to extend them to the property, and Ms. Clark noted a storage shed currently sits on the property. She further noted that there was no testimony in favor, neutral, nor in opposition to the request and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the annexation and zoning. Upon Council approval, Ms. Clark stated a resolution to adopt an ordinance for the annexation will be drafted for review at a future meeting. There being no testimony to be heard, the Chair declared the public hearing closed at 5:36 p.m. ANNEXATION REQUEST: Councilman Craig made a motion to approve to draft a resolution adopting an ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Jerome to annex 1.27 acres of real property and assign initial zoning. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: Those items contained in the consent calendar are as follows: 1. Approve the minutes of the February 17, 2026 regular meeting Councilman Craig 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 Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. RESOLUTION NO. 04-26: Chief Rubink spoke of the resolution as part of a request to adopt the Idaho Policing Policy Manual for 2025 as updates were received to stay current with existing laws. He spoke of the changes including a new policy regarding automated license plate readers soon to be implemented around the City; the updates will allow for the operation of the cameras within state code requirements. Chief Rubink also spoke of other housekeeping items regarding search and seizure and Amber Alert Activation. Supplemental policies specific to Jerome are also included in the manual to bring the Jerome Police Department into conformance; the Code Compliance Officers were added to the organizational chart and the field training in-house academy was added to the manual. A policy for the Idaho Public Safety and Security Information System (ILETS) audit was also added per their request for a destruction policy of digital media and documents. Upon inquiry by Councilman Craig, Chief Rubink stated that the new license plate readers will take pictures of license plates that pass them and that they could only be used for law enforcement criminal investigations and traffic analysis. He further stated the readers are set up all over the state and that there are a few in Jerome County and in surrounding communities. The clerk read Resolution No. 04-26 in full as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 04-26 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEROME, IDAHO, ADOPTING THE REVISED 2025 JEROME POLICE DEPARTMENT IDAHO POLICING POLICY MANUAL WITH SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Jerome Police Department Idaho Policing Policy & Procedure Manual with supplemental polices was adopted by the City Council on January 7, 2025, Resolution 01- 25; and WHEREAS, additional policies are needed to guide police operations and stay current with recommended practices; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police for the City of Jerome Police Department wishes to make an amendment to the Police Department Policy & Procedures manual by the addition of 2025 edition of the Idaho Policing Policy Manual, Supplemental Policy 209: Disposal of Sensitive and Classified Data/Media WHEREAS, the amending policy has been reviewed by the City Attorney; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Jerome, Idaho, that: Section 1: Adoption of 2025 Edition of Idaho Policing Policy Manual, and addition of Supplemental Policy 209:Disposal of Sensitive and Classified Data/Media The attachment to Resolution as Exhibit “A” is hereby adopted as additions to the Jerome Police Department Policy & Procedure Manual. Section 2: Effective Date. The effective date of this resolution shall be March 3, 2026. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL this 3rd day of March, 2026. SIGNED BY THE MAYOR this 3rd day of March, 2026. By: /s/ Christopher J. Barber Christopher J. Barber, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Bernadette Coderniz Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk Councilman Craig made the motion to approve Resolution No. 04-26, a resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Jerome, Idaho, adopting the revised 2025 edition of the Jerome Police Department Idaho Policing Policy Manual and adopting updated supplements to the Jerome Police Department Supplemental Policies and providing an immediate effective date. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. DECLARE ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER VAN AS SURPLUS: Chief Rubink stated the department recently purchased an animal control van to replace the existing vehicle. The existing 2008 Chevy minivan was purchased used in 2009, it currently has approximately 89,000 miles and is no longer reliable for long-distance shuttling of animals from one shelter to another. Chief Rubink stated the request is to declare the existing vehicle as surplus and sell by auction. Councilman Ross made the motion to declare the following City property listed below as surplus property and authorize the Chief of Police and City Clerk to sell the items by auction: Unit #170 2008 Chevrolet Venture mini-van VIN: 2GNDV23188D112138. Second to the motion was made by Councilwoman Ahrens. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. ARDURRA GROUP, INC. - WASTEWATER IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM: Mr. Carpenter spoke of the agreement that marks the first step in making improvements to the Wastewater treatment facility. He stated there are numerous needs for improvements based on City growth and the aging plant. Staff has met with the Ardurra Group representatives and determined that the best course of action would be to develop a Master Services Agreement and start with Task Order 1 which is creating a technical memo. They will take an in-depth look at the needs of the plant, improvements that can be made to improve the processes in place and increase capacity at the plant. The results of the technical memo will determine what options are available for moving forward with plant improvements, design and construction. Upon inquiry by Councilman Craig, Mr. Carpenter confirmed that the total cost is $65,000 although $40,000 was budgeted in this fiscal year. Upon inquiry by Councilman Ross, Mr. Carpenter stated this firm was selected based on their experience with the membrane bioreactor (MBR) and the extensive experience in wastewater treatment specific to membrane facilities in the western states. Extensive discussion ensued, and topics included: the plan as an executive summary for recommendations based on observations; the length of the agreement (short-term); other firms engaged in the past; additional funds to come from fines collected from industrial customers; the option of seeking a bond; surrounding communities making extensive improvements to their wastewater treatment facilities; keeping the debt service payment as level as possible; the City’s history of funding projects with cash and setting up successful urban renewal areas where growth was anticipated; the voting requirement to pass a bond (half plus one); the amount of land required for an additional pond; issues with the industries resulting in fines and ensuring compliance; industries with their own pretreatment facilities; what is being received into the plant; and, compliance within the perimeters of the City permit. Councilman Craig made the motion to approve an Engineering Services Agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. for Wastewater Engineering Services Task Order 1 for the Wastewater Implementation Plan Technical Memorandum with a not-to-exceed amount of $65,000.00. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Peterson. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. MOU BETWEEN THE CITY OF JEROME AND THE JEROME URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY: Mr. Williams spoke of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Jerome and the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency (URA) for the redevelopment of Lots 1-9 of Block 76 (the northwest corner of Main and Lincoln). Similar MOU’s have been approved in the past for third-party transactions, and Mr. Williams showed a map to the Council to identify which portions of the property were City-owned and which were owned by the URA. The property owned by the City is currently used for public parking. Staff has recommended that the City enter into the MOU to allow the URA to conduct business pertaining to the parcels in question. A Request for Proposals has already been issued and one proposal was received by Starr Corporation. Mr. Williams explained that development of the entire block was sought so that the parcels would not be developed and potentially sold by individual entities. He stated the URA was aggressive in acquiring the parcels on Main Street with the idea of enticing the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) to exchange properties. The new CSI educational facility will be located on property at Lincoln and 3rd, property formerly owned by the City. Mr. Williams stated a workshop would be held on March 4th to review the proposal received at length, and that the MOU would allow for the URA to enter into an agreement to negotiate exclusively with Starr Corporation. They have proposed the City as a partner on the development, and Mr. Williams would like the Council’s thoughts on the proposed design concept. Designs will be brought to Council before moving forward with the final development agreement, and Mr. Williams stated the MOU will also allow for the surveying of the property and to clean up lot lines. Should the project be a success, a public parking area would be owned by the City for ownership and maintenance. Regarding a timeline, Mr. Williams stated the process to get a final design could take between 4-6 months and then be followed by a fair reuse appraisal and development agreement by the end of the year. Councilman Craig made the motion to approve the 3.3.2026 MOU between the City of Jerome and the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency. Second to the motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Craig requested an update on the H Street gravity sewer line, and Mr. Carpenter stated the project is progressing; work on the line is near the east end of the cemetery. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mr. Williams spoke of the workshop to be held tomorrow 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. to review the proposal received from Starr Corporation for a new development on the corner of Main and Lincoln and to discuss potential City participation in the project. He also sent an email to the Council with a report on key initiatives and updates. March 11th will be Mayor Barber’s first State of the City address sponsored by the Jerome Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Williams advised those wishing to attend to reach out to Ms. Elliott for registration. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Barber adjourned this March 3, 2026 regular meeting of the Jerome City Council at 6:07 p.m. By: Christopher Barber, Mayor Attest: Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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