Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, April 08, 2025 07:00 PM Council Chambers, Jerome Town Hall

1.CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chairperson to call meeting to order
Town Clerk to call and record the roll.

2.PROCLAMATIONS

1. A.Proclamation Proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month in the Town of Jerome

   Mayor Barber will read or summarize the proclamation. 

2. B.Proclamation: April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

   Mayor Barber will read or summarize / paraphrase the proclamation. 

3. C.Representatives from Colby and Powell will Present the Firm's Audit of Jerome's Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024.  

   Council may make a motion to accept the FY 2024 Audit findings.

3.FINANCIAL REPORTS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Financial Report and Detail Invoice Register Report for March, 2025

   Council will consider and may approve the financial reports for month ending March, 2025.

4.STAFF AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Reports by the Town Manager / Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Utilities Clerk, Accounting Clerk, Public Works Director, Building Inspector, Library Director, Municipal Magistrate, Police Chief, Fire Chief and Council Members, Which in the Case of Council Member's Reports will be Limited to a Summary of Current Events and will Involve no Action

   Council will consider and may approve the staff reports.

5.ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/PLANNING & ZONING AND DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
Information/Council Review

1. A.Report Provided by the Zoning Administrator.  Minutes are Provided for Information Only and do Not Require any Action

6.PETITIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted on matters not listed on the agenda, but the subject matter must be within the jurisdiction of the Council. All comments are subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions. All petitioners must fill out a request form with their name and subject matter. When recognized by the chair, please step to the podium, state your name and please observe the three (3) minute time limit. No petitioners will be recognized without a request. The Council’s response to public comments is limited to asking staff to review a matter commented upon, asking that a matter be put on a future agenda, or responding to criticism.

7.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consider Approval of the March 11th, 2025, Regular Council Meeting Minutes

   Council will consider and may approve the March 11th, Regular Council Meeting minutes. 

8.ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consideration of First Reading of Ordinance No. 493 Amending the Town Zoning Map in Accord with the Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation to Rezone 537 School Street from C-1, to the Dual Zone of C1/R2

   Council will consider and may approve first reading of Ordinance No. 493.  

9.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consider Taking the Item from the Table and Discussion and Update / Possible Direction Regarding the Proposed Community Garden and the Community Garden Shed Along with Updated Discussion on Fruit Trees for the Community Garden

   Council will be provided an update regarding the proposed community garden and shed, and may provide staff direction, along with discussing fruit tree additions to the community garden.

10.NEW BUSINESS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consider Proposal and Agreement from Southwestern Environmental Consultants (SEC) for Engineering and Design  Plans for Verde Central Line and Deception Water Improvements (WIFA Grant Funded)

   Council will consider and may approve the proposal and agreement from SEC. 

2. B.Consideration of a Special Event Permit Application for Jerome Chamber's Art in the Park

   Council will consider and may approve the permit for the Special Event.

3. C.Consideration of a New Tenant for 500 Main Street and Setting Terms of the Lease Agreement

   Council will consider and may select a new tenant, along with setting the lease terms (duration and rent amount) for 500 Main Street unit.  

4. D.Consider Approval of the Design Review Board's Recommendation of Design Guidelines for the Town of Jerome

   Council will consider and may approve the Design Guidelines. 

11.TO AND FROM THE COUNCIL
Council may direct staff regarding items to be placed on a future agenda.

12.EXECUTIVE SESSION On a public majority vote of the members, Council may enter into executive session in accordance with ARS § 38-431.03 (A)(4) Discussion or consultation with the attorneys of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its attorneys regarding the public body's position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation; and 

ARS § 38-431.03 (A)(7) Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property.

1. A.Discussion and Negotiations for Easements for the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

   The Council may provide its representatives and legal counsel with instructions regarding negotiations for easements for completing the wastewater treatment plant upgrade. 

2. B.Return to Regular, Open Session and Consider Action to be Taken from the Executive Session

   Council may make a motion to take necessary action as a result of the Executive Session discussions, to include, but not limited to the approval of settlement terms of litigation with Verde Exploration, Ltd. and Jerome Verde Development Co., and a potential settlement agreement.    

13.ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council may recess the public meeting and convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussion or consultation for legal advice with the Town Attorney, who may participate telephonically, regarding any item listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03 (A)(3). The Chair reserves the right, with the consent of Council, to take items on the agenda out of order.

CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF NOTICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that this notice and agenda was posted at the following locations on or before 7 p.m. on ______________________________________ in accordance with the statement filed by the Jerome Town Council with the Jerome Town Clerk: (1) 970 Gulch Road, side of Gulch Fire Station, exterior posting case; (2) 600 Clark Street, Jerome Town Hall, exterior posting case; (3) 120 Main Street, Jerome Post office, interior posting case.

_________________________________

Kristen Muenz, Deputy Town Clerk