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minutes meeting date 2026-01-06 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 11060 characters · official file · plain text
January 6, 2026
This regular meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis at
5:34 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 David M. Davis, Councilman Chris Barber, Councilman Jason Peterson,
Councilman Bryan Craig, and Councilman Dale Ross.
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,
Library Director Linda Mecham, Finance Director Ross Hyatt, Accounting and Budget Manager
Lori McCrae, Planning and Zoning Manager Ida Clark, Human Resources Director Esmeralda
Chavez, IS Director Carlos Hernandez, Fire Chief Mike Harrison, Deputy Fire Chief Lane
Sickles, 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 Associate Pastor Curtis Neilson with the High Desert
Christian Church.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Those items contained in the consent calendar are as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the December 16, 2025 regular meeting
2. Approve the following payments:
J-U-B Engineers – Water Distribution System Lead Project, $47,776.28
TLC Rental – 14” gas saw, $2,190.50
Councilman Barber made the motion to approve the consent calendar as presented.
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 Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None.
Councilman Barber acknowledged Mayor Davis and the exceptional work he has done
over the last twelve years as Mayor. He spoke of Mayor Davis as a husband, father and leader in
the community whose efforts have carried the City of Jerome forward over the years.
Councilman Barber also acknowledged Mrs. Davis and her support throughout the years, and he
spoke of the positive relationship between Mayor Davis and Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams
presented a plaque of appreciation to Mayor Davis for his years of service and leadership. Mayor
Davis spoke briefly on his time as Mayor and expressed appreciation to everyone.
INSTALLATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Judge John B. Lothspeich administered the Oath of Office of Mayor to Christopher
Barber.
Judge John B. Lothspeich administered the Oath of Office of Councilor to Jason Peterson,
and the Oath of Office of Councilor to Bryan Craig.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT:
Mayor Barber stated this would be postponed to a later date.
APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Mayor Barber reappointed Councilman Peterson and Councilman Ross to serve on the
finance committee with the intention of revisiting the positions once the vacancy is filled.
OATHS OF OFFICE:
Chief Rubink stated that Mr. Lee recently graduated from the College of Southern Idaho
law enforcement program, is retired from the United States Coast Guard, and is a welcome
addition to the department. Mayor Barber administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer
Daniel Lee.
Chief Rubink stated that Ms. Orozco graduated from Jerome High School and completed
the law enforcement program at Idaho State University and is also a welcome addition to the
department. Mayor Barber administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Tanya Orozco.
COUNCIL SEAT VACANCY:
Mayor Barber announced that those interested in filling the vacant Council seat submit a
letter of interest, noting that the vacated seat has two years remaining in the term. The letters
will be accepted for two weeks, and the process for filling the vacant seat will include interviews
of those individuals who meet the criteria to serve on City Council. Names will be shared with
Council, and Mayor Barber stated an appointment will be recommended at the following City
Council meeting in February. Mr. Williams stated a press release would be sent to the local
news source and posted on the City’s website and social media page.
PROCLAMATION:
Mr. Williams spoke of the proclamation as a way to acknowledge former Mayor Davis’s
efforts in serving the community through personal service. Former Mayor Davis established the
City Wide Clean Up Day and the Carl Nellis Day of Service along with the Community Spirit
Committee. The proclamation in full is as follows:
PROCLAMATION
David M. Davis Community Service Award
WHEREAS, David M. Davis has served the City of Jerome honorably for 12 years; and
WHEREAS, he led the effort to establish community service days such as the City-Wide
Cleanup Day and the Carl Nellis Day of Service; and
WHEREAS, the Community Spirit Committee was established at his direction, which has
resulted in improved community pride and community involvement; and
WHEREAS, he personally donated many hours participating in community service events
throughout his tenure; and
WHEREAS, throughout his term, he participated in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge where he
personally walked several hundred miles to earn grant funds to donate for improved exercise
facilities at Jerome elementary schools; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Christopher Jon Barber, hereby establish the David M. Davis
Community Service Award to be granted to a Jerome citizen on an annual basis who exhibits the
traits of a true community servant and selflessly gives their time, energy, and effort to serve their
community and neighbors.
PROCLAIMED THIS 6th DAY OF JANUARY, 2026
/s/Christopher Jon Barber, MAYOR
Council signified support of the proclamation by unanimous “ayes.”
SIDEWALK GRANT PROGRAM:
Mr. Caton spoke of the Sidewalk Grant Program and stated that the program was put
together by staff and that Ms. Clark played a significant role in researching other communities for
similar programs. He reminded Council that property owners are responsible for the maintenance
of sidewalks in front of and adjoining their property. Mr. Caton stated the cost can be costly, and
the program is intended to offer a financial incentive to property owners with the opportunity to
replace existing sidewalk that has failed. Additionally, in-fill areas and curb/gutter work could
also qualify for the program. He stated the program would be available to both commercial and
residential properties within the City limits; commercial properties would receive a 50%
reimbursement of their costs up to $3,000, and residential properties would receive a 75%
reimbursement of their costs up to $3,000. Mr. Caton stated funds have been set aside in the
‘replacement fund’ and the program would initially be funded with $25,000.
Extensive discussion ensued, and topics included: this program versus the in-house
program discussed but never implemented a few years ago; sidewalk savings fund in the budget;
a formal process needed to approve expenditures for sidewalk repairs; promoting the program to
solicit interest; offering assistance to benefit property owners; approximately $300,000 in the
sidewalk fund as of today’s date; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps that would be
fully funded by the City and not the property owner; the Local Improvement District (LID)
downtown which was a separate item altogether; property owner participation in the program;
implementing the program and varying costs depending on the improvements needed; the
property owner’s responsibility of hiring a licensed contractor; sidewalks on private property
ineligible for improvements; sidewalks along the City’s right of way and investing in City
infrastructure; sidewalks outside of the public right of way; funds for the Fillmore project; and,
bringing awareness to the program.
Councilman Craig moved to approve the administrative policy implementing the
Sidewalk Repair Grant Program and set an amount for yearly reimbursement. Second to the
motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously by
the following vote: AYES: Councilman Peterson, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross.
NAYS: None.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
Councilman Craig inquired about the following: the need for one garbage can on the west
side of Veteran’s Memorial Park near the ‘dog bag’ post for those who take their dogs to that side
of the park; the need for a patrol officer near Jefferson Elementary for those who turn left at the
area where left turns are not allowed; lighting options for the new park’s parking lot and walking
path (may be funded through the Urban Renewal Agency after engineering designs are complete
and funding is further discussed); the fallen tree on W. Avenue A and the concern that it is not
thriving and may need to be replaced; missing sidewalk between the historical museum and post
office and the fence installed (Mr. Williams stated he would research this); an update regarding
the new crosswalk light at Main Street and Fillmore (light has been ordered but permit has not
yet been approved by the Idaho Transportation Department); the crosswalk light on the east side
of Jefferson Elementary that does not work; information regarding the ITD traffic study on Tiger
Drive and Highway 25 and if a timeline is known (neither Mr. Williams nor Mr. Caton were
aware of the timeline); and, the sewer project on W. Avenue I regarding the pipes above ground
and the temporary fence with the gate open. Mr. Carpenter stated he met with the contractor and
that a schedule for completion was requested.
Councilman Ross and Councilman Peterson congratulated Mayor Barber.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mr. Williams congratulated Mayor Barber, Councilman Peterson and Councilman Craig
on their newly elected and re-elected positions.
Ms. Coderniz reminded Council that City Officials Day at the Capitol would be held in
Boise on Thursday, January 29th 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to hear House and Senate leaders speak
on issues of concern and upcoming legislation. The event will conclude with lunch with
legislators. She asked that those wishing to attend to contact her by January 15th to get registered.
The agenda has not yet been released but will be forwarded once available.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Barber adjourned this January 6, 2026
regular meeting of the Jerome City Council at 6:24 p.m.
By:
Christopher Barber, Mayor
Attest:
Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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