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minutes meeting date 2026-09-01 · fetched 2026-10-13 · 18995 characters · official file · plain text
September 1, 2026
This regular meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Barber at
5:30 p.m. The meeting was also held by teleconference, 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, Wastewater
Superintendent Brad Henry, Building Official Kortnie Kent, 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, and Police Chief Duane Rubink
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Barber led the audience in recitation of the pledge of allegiance.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Those items contained in the consent calendar are as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the August 18, 2026 regular meeting
2. Approve the following payments:
• Ardurra – Fillmore project, $5085,00; and Membrane Improvements, $2,528.75
• Idaho Materials & Construction – Main Street project, $732,769.87
• J-U-B Engineers – Main Street project, $18,966.67
3. Keller Associates – Sewer Modeling, $2,515.00
Councilman Peterson 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: Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Peterson,
Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None.
CITIZEN CORRESPONDENCE, ISSUES & REPORTS:
Kellie Wilkins appeared before the Council with concerns about neighborhood safety.
She spoke of speeding and inattentive drivers in the Jerome Estates subdivision and requested
speed bumps at the cost of the Homeowner’s Association (HOA). Ms. Wilkins also requested
posted speed limit signs at the entrances to the subdivision for both the residents of the
subdivision and those passing through to drop off their children at the nearby schools. She also
spoke of trailers that are parked on the streets that obstruct the view of traffic at intersections,
and requested that law enforcement tag or ticket those who are out of compliance with the
Jerome Municipal Code for parking. Upon inquiry by Councilwoman Ahrens regarding parking
restrictions, Ms. Wilkins stated their restrictions follow City code. Brief discussion ensued, and
topics included: the issue with camp trailers parked on the streets; the City’s policy for parking
trailers on the street i.e. warning issued followed by citation if not removed within a timely
manner; the Code Enforcement Officer frequenting the streets for violations and notifying them
of this concern; previous concerns with semi’s and large tractor trailers in that subdivision;
traffic control implementation i.e. signage, crosswalks, flashing beacon lights, and additional
patrolling in the area; concerns regarding speed bumps i.e. snow removal; portable speed bumps
as an option; the sidewalk connecting the subdivision to the schools; and, collaborating with the
schools to ensure safety of the students walking. Mayor Barber recommended that Mr. Williams
reach out to Public Works Director Mr. Caton regarding signage, and he requested of Chief
Rubink that additional patrolling be provided in the mornings. The Council requested that Ms.
Wilkins update them on the situation in the near future.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-26 MASTER CITY-WIDE FEE SCHEDULE:
Mr. Hyatt spoke of the public hearing held on August 18th to consider rate increases that
were either exceeding 5% or were new. He stated that the resolution is required to formalize the
changes and noted that the Jerome Municipal Code allows for fee increases via resolution. He
briefly reviewed the recommended increases including utility rates and other fees for various
departmental services. The rates will take effect on October 1, 2026. Upon inquiry by Mayor
Barber, Ms. Kent recommended the additional plan review fee be increased from $47 to $50 and
that this fee represents time spent on the inspections. Additionally, the current plan review fees
are 40% of the residential building permit fees and 65% of the commercial building permit fees,
neither of these are changing. Mayor Barber inquired about the $125 plan review fees for
Planning and Zoning, and Ms. Clark stated that there are no current fees for plan reviews within
her department despite the number of plan reviews conducted regularly.
The clerk read Resolution No. 09-26 in full as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 09-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEROME,
IDAHO, REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS, ADOPTING AN INCREASE
TO CERTAIN FEES FOUND WITHIN THE CITY MASTER FEES SCHEDULE, AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Jerome adopted City Ordinance No. 1227 Bill No. 712, which
authorized and adopted a City Master Fee Schedule which may be amended or revised by a
resolution passed by a majority of the full city council; and
WHEREAS, the City of Jerome has reviewed fees within the existing City Master Fee Schedule
to determine whether they are sufficient to offset the associated costs of service and expense; and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Jerome as
follows:
SECTION 1. All resolutions in conflict with this resolution are hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. The Jerome Municipal Code 3.15.010(b) allows for future rates and fees included
in the Master City-Wide Fee Schedule to be amended or revised in the future by a resolution
passed by a majority of the full City Council.
SECTION 3. The Master City-Wide Fee Schedule is to be updated from the existing schedule to
include the following changes:
Utility Fee increases for irrigation, sanitation, water, and wastewater:
• Irrigation assessment to increase by 6 percent.
• Sanitation Fees to increase by 4 percent.
• Water Fees to increase 5.5 percent.
• Wastewater Fees to increase 5.5 percent.
Fire Department Fees:
• Food truck inspection fee - $40, new
Building Safety Department Fees:
•
Building permit fee - expired permit reinstatement fee - $50, new
•
Additional plan review fee - $50, $47
•
Permit to move a building – Projected Value based, $45
•
Re-inspection fee - $50, $47
•
Inspections for which no fee is specified - $50, $47
•
Inspections outside of business hours - $50, $47
P&Z Department Fees:
•
Plan Review (past 2 reviews) - $125, new
•
Commercial Site Plan Review - $325, new
•
Multi-Family Plan Review - $325, new
•
Planned Unit Devel. Application - $400, new
•
Preliminary Subdivision Plat, ten lots and under - $400, $250
•
Preliminary Subdivision Plat, eleven lots and over - $600, $400
•
Final Subdivision Plat application and review, ten lots and under - $200, $150
•
Final Subdivision Plat application and review, eleven lots and over - $200, new
•
Special Use Permit - Commercial or Industrial Signs - $150, $125
•
Annexation - $600, $500
•
Vacation - $300, $150
•
Comp Plan Amendment - $600, $500
•
Development Agreement - $225, new
•
Plat Amendment - $200, $150
Engineering Department Fees:
• Construction Drawing Review – Subdivision - $225 + $10/Lot, new
• Construction Drawing Review - Commercial/Industrial - $200 + $20/Lot, new
• County Parcels for City Utility Connection - $200, new
• Subd. Construction Inspection - $50 per lot up to $500, new
• Phased Subdivisions (per phase) - $175 per phase, new
PW Street Department Fees:
• ROW Permit (With a cut) - $200, new
• ROW Permit (No cut) - $20, new
PW Water Department Fees:
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 3/4" - $695, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 1" - $962, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 1 1/2" - $1,836, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 2" - $2,700, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 3" - $6,225, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 4" - $9,262, replace
•
Water Meter & Connection Fee - 6" - $18,193, replace
SECTION 4. This resolution shall be in effect October 1, 2026 after approval from the Mayor
and Council.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL this 1st day of September, 2026.
SIGNED BY THE MAYOR this 1st day of September, 2026.
By:
/s/ Christopher J. Barber
Christopher J. Barber, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Bernadette Coderniz
Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
Councilman Craig made the motion to pass Resolution No. 09-26 (City Master Fee
Schedule Change). Second to the motion was made by Councilwoman Ahrens. After
consideration, the motion passed unanimously by the following vote: AYES: Councilwoman
Ahrens, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None.
CONTRACT AWARD – EXTREME EXCAVATION, INC.:
Mr. Williams spoke of the project to reconstruct E. Yakima Drive from Lincoln to Tiger
Drive, and also reconstruct the intersection of Lincoln and Yakima due to the deteriorating
conditions. He stated the City will partner with the Urban Renewal Agency to fund the project;
$4.7 million will be funded by the URA. The project includes 1,300 linear feet of water line and
sewer line along with the road reconstruction. The design of the projects were completed by an
engineering consultant, and the bid was released with two different schedules. Bid Schedule A
was for an asphalt finish to the roadway, and Bid Schedule B was for a concrete roadway. Mr.
Williams spoke of the current environment for projects and that the engineer’s estimate exceeded
the bids that were received. The low bid for the asphalt roadway was approximately $1.85
million while the low bid for concrete was $2.2 million, both bids below the engineer’s estimate,
and staff recommended awarding the contract to Extreme Excavation for the concrete roadway as
the lifespan is approximately 50 years. Additionally, Mr. Williams spoke of the high traffic
roadway with wear and tear caused by larger trucks.
The intersection portion of the project will be presented for approval at a later date as
additional information is needed (i.e. right of way acquisition, etc.). Mr. Williams stated the
underground work will commence in late summer/early fall, and then the reconstruction work
should begin in the spring. Upon inquiry by Councilman Peterson, Mr. Williams stated the
intersection at Lincoln and Yakima will be similar to the intersection of Lincoln and Nez Perce,
and that work on the signal lights will also be needed.
Councilman Craig made the motion to award a contract to Extreme Excavation, Inc. for
construction of the Yakima Ave E., Bid Schedule B (Concrete), for $2,227,453.61. Second to
the motion was made by Councilman Ross. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously
by the following vote: AYES: Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Peterson, Councilman
Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT – CLEARWATER FINANCIAL:
Mr. Hyatt appeared before the Council with the request that the City enter into an
agreement with Clearwater Financial for financial advisory services. Financial advisory services
assist with bond refunding and issuances, and the finance team includes bond council,
underwriters, trustees, bond registrars and paying agents. Mr. Hyatt stated they would represent
the City in obtaining lower rates for bonds. Fees for their services were briefly reviewed, and
Mr. Hyatt stated other services would require an engagement letter with upfront pricing. Upon
inquiry by Mayor Barber, Mr. Williams stated the finance team would prepare the bid documents
and reach out to as many groups as possible to get the best rate with multiple options. He further
stated that they also work with bank lenders for the best possible rates.
Councilman Ross made the motion to approve the entering in of the Agreement for
Financial Advisory Services between the City of Jerome and Clearwater Financial. Second to the
motion was made by Councilman Peterson. After consideration, the motion passed unanimously
by the following vote: AYES: Councilwoman Ahrens, Councilman Peterson, Councilman
Craig, and Councilman Ross. NAYS: None.
DISCUSSION – ADU’S AND STARTER HOME SUBDIVISION CODE:
Ms. Clark spoke of legislation pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) and
starter home subdivisions that took effect on July 1, 2026; municipalities were given until
February 1, 2027 to add the changes to their respective codes. She stated a committee would be
meeting on September 10th, and she invited a member of Council to participate in the meeting
along with developers, a County commissioner and staff. Ms. Clark stated previous discussions
at Council opposed ADU’s within city limits, but new legislation supersedes those discussions.
The legislation applies to cities with 10,000 or more in population, and Ms. Clark confirmed that
ADU’s could not be banned in residential zoning. They are considered to be self-contained units
with cooking, sleeping and sanitation facilities located on the same lot as a single-family primary
dwelling. Ms. Clark spoke of the following changes: cities must allow either one internal ADU
or one detached ADU; cities cannot limit the size of an ADU to less than 1,000 square feet or less
than 75% of the primary dwellings; cities cannot require that the owner occupy either the primary
dwelling or the ADU; cities cannot charge excessive fees for service connections; ADU height
limits cannot be lower than the height of the existing primary dwelling; ADU standards cannot be
more restrictive than those for single-family homes within the same district; ADU’s must be
administratively approved without requiring a Special Use Permit; and, unreasonable costs
cannot be added. Ms. Clark stated new legislation will not override building and fire codes. She
noted that if water and sewer capacity is unavailable for an ADU, it must also be unavailable to
the existing home. Ms. Clark stated a draft of the code will be reviewed during the meeting
scheduled for September 10th.
Brief discussion ensued, and topics included: HOA’s and their ability to limit ADU’s;
considering lot sizes when approving an ADU and requiring that they meet setbacks; the
definition of a “tiny house” versus an ADU and the definition of an ADU as a “self-contained
unit with cooking, sleeping and sanitation facilities located on the same lot as a single-family
primary dwelling”; ADU’s required to be on a foundation; the inability for cities to prohibit
ADU’s; height limits and requirements; setbacks for an ADU (20’ rear, 25’ front, 7’ interior and
15’ street side); the ability to reduce setbacks; several inquiries from those with larger lots
seeking to add an ADU; lot splits and home values; and, adjustments to the existing code.
Ms. Clark also spoke about starter home subdivisions and the changes that have taken
place including the following: cities cannot ban starter home subdivisions in any residential
zoning area; subdivisions must be four acres or more and for detached single-family dwellings
compact in size; efficient site design that reduces development costs; and, cities cannot require
lot sizes greater than 1,500 square feet nor front/rear setbacks greater than 15’ and interior 5’.
Ms. Clark stated starter home subdivisions cannot supersede state or local laws that protect public
health, safety and welfare, including building codes and fire safety standards. She further stated
that cities may condition or deny approval of a starter home subdivision where the city
determines that existing or planned infrastructure is inadequate to support the subdivision to the
same extent and under the same standards the city applies to other subdivisions. Extensive
discussion ensued, and topics included: current lot size requirements (5,000 square feet
minimum); the ability to sell smaller lots; minimum lot widths of 30’; the requirement that each
single-family dwelling have a primary entrance with a porch or landing and two parking spaces;
local residential streets will still require the 56’ right-of-way; the intention of creating small
subdivisions for purchasing opportunities; Ms. Clark reaching out to surrounding cities for their
input; amendments to the recently passed legislation; small home sizes considering the small lot
sizes; two-story starter homes; deed restrictions; utilizing the normal subdivision process with
creating smaller lots; mixing larger and smaller lots within a subdivision; increasing the number
homes with smaller lots; 4-acre lots within Jerome city limits; the ability for subdivisions to
apply for changing pre-approved plats through the plat process; and, the possibility of having 116
starter homes within a 4-acres subdivision. Ms. Clark requested one Councilperson to attend the
committee meeting on September 10th, and stated that a workshop could be held if more than one
Councilperson wished to attend.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
Councilman Craig inquired about the heart project for a senior project, and Ms. Clark
stated the heart is nearly complete. It will be unveiled at the homecoming football game on
Friday, September 11th. Councilman Craig inquired about the senior project for the skatepark
project; the downtown project in terms of costs and progress (the cement area for parking and
drainage would remain the same, and curbing was examined with areas needing replaced
identified); working with El Sombrero on replacing the brick on her building; and, the issue with
recent flooding at properties on E. Main (ICRMP adjuster met with the occupants, and contractor
information i.e. agreement and insurance information was sent to ICRMP).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mr. Williams said staff would be reaching out to schedule a meeting to review a
wastewater rate and sewer study for the purpose of discussing industrial rates and issues. He also
stated the annual City-wide meeting would be held in mid-October and requested that Council be
in attendance.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Barber adjourned this September 1, 2026
regular meeting of the Jerome City Council at 6:21 p.m.
By:
Mayor Christopher J. Barber
Attest:
Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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