Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2026 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, Proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

   Mayor Barber will read or summarize / paraphrase the proclamation. 

3. C.Proclamation Proclaiming: April 11- April 17, 2026, as the Week of the Young Child 

   Mayor Barber will read or summarize / paraphrase the proclamation. 

3.FINANCIAL REPORTS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Financial Report and Detail Invoice Register Report for March, 2026

   Council will consider and may approve the financial reports for month ending March, 2026.

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.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consider Approval of the March 10th, 2026, Regular Council Meeting Minutes

   Council will consider and may approve the March 10th, Regular Council Meeting minutes. 

7.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.

8.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consideration of Responses to the Town's Issuance of a RFP for Real Estate Brokerage Services Regarding its Notice of Intent to Sell 655 Holly; and Awarding of a Bid and Authorizing the Town Manager and Town Attorney to Review and Execute all Applicable Documents

   Council will consider the responses received and may approve a bid, and / or provide staff direction.

9.NEW BUSINESS
Discussion/Possible Action

1. A.Consideration of Jerome Historical Society's Special Event Permit Application for Jerome's 150th Anniversary

   Council will consider and may approve the permit. 

2. B.Consider Removing from the Table (From November, 2025) and Consideration of a Tour Company Business License Application for US Ghost Adventures LLC

   Council will take the item from the table and then consider and may approve the Tour Company Business License.

3. C.Discussion Regarding the Town's Notice of Intent to Increase Certain Existing Fees

   Staff will update Council regarding the timeline and process. 

4. D.Consideration of Contract Wastewater Operations, LLC, Proposal for Continuation of the Agreement for Wastewater Treatment System and Water System Consulting, Operation and Maintenance with a Price Adjustment

   Council will consider and may approve the proposal.

5. E.Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Work Session - Continued

   Council will continue their discussions regarding the 2026-2027 budget, including a review of an initial draft budget. All aspects of the budget may be discussed and Council may provide staff direction regarding the 2026-2027 budget.

6. F.Consider Approval / Award of the Deception Water Line Improvements Project (CDBG Funded) to the Lowest RESPONSIVE Bidder, Longfellow Excavating, LLC, with a Bid Amount of $424,879.00, and Approval of a Contract with Longfellow Excavating, LLC

   Council will consider and may approve the bid and contract between the Town of Jerome and Longfellow Excavating, LLC. 

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

11.EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a public majority vote of the members, Council may enter into executive session in accordance with ARS § 38-431.03 (A)(3);(4); and (7)

1. A.Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session

   On a Public Majority Vote of Council Members Constituting a Quorum, the Town Council May Enter into an Executive Session pursuant to  ARS § 38-431.03(A)(1) Discussion or consideration of employment, assignment, appointment,  promotion, demotion, dismissal, salaries, disciplining or resignation of  a public officer, appointee or employee of any public body, except that,  with the exception of salary discussions, an officer, appointee or  employee may demand that the discussion or consideration occur at a  public meeting. The public body shall provide the officer, appointee or  employee with written notice of the executive session as is appropriate  but not less than twenty-four hours for the officer, appointee or employee to determine whether the discussion or consideration should occur at a public meeting

   Discussion regarding the leadership of the Fire Department, involving Assistant Chief Carl Whiting and Fire Chief succession / appointment planning. 

2. B.Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session

   On a Public Majority Vote of Council Members Constituting a Quorum, the Town Council May Enter into an Executive Session pursuant to  ARS § 38-431.03(A)(3) Discussion or consultation for legal advice with the attorney or attorneys of the public body. 

   Discussion regarding the email received from legal counsel for Verde Exploration, Ltd. concerning streets and rights-of-way.  

12.Return to Open Session - New Business Continued

1. A.Consideration of Any Action to be Taken from Executive Session Discussion

   Council may take action through a motion and / or may direct staff to prepare an action item for a subsequent meeting.

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