Special Council Meeting and Budget Work Session

TOWN OF JEROME POST OFFICE BOX 335, JEROME, ARIZONA 86331 (928) 634-7943 www.jerome.az.gov MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AND BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE TOWN OF JEROME COUNCIL CHAMBERS, JEROME TOWN HALL 600 CLARK STREET, JEROME, ARIZONA FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023, AT 11:00 AM Due to the length of this meeting, Council may recess and reconvene at the time and date announced. Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.02 notice is hereby given to the members of the Council and to the General Public that the Jerome Town Council plans to hold the above meeting. Persons with a disability may request an accommodation such as a sign language interpreter by contacting Kristen Muenz, Deputy Clerk, at 928-634-7943. Requests should be made early enough to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TYY access, call the Arizona Relay Service at 800-367-8939 and ask for the Town of Jerome at 928-634- 7943. A copy of the full public meeting packet may be reviewed at the offices of Jerome Town Hall during normal business hours, and on the Town’s website at www.jerome.az.gov. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor/Chairperson to call meeting to order Town Clerk to call and record the roll. Mayor Barber called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. Council members present: Mayor Barber, Vice-Mayor Moore, Councilmember Harvey and Councilmember Sheffield. Councilmember Dillenberg was unavailable and not present. NEW BUSINESS Discussion/Possible Action Discussion and Possible Direction for the Potential Design, Layout Options and Plan for Renovations to the Hotel Jerome Council will discuss with and may respond to questions from the design team for potential Hotel Jerome renovations. Contractor Steve Knowlton who will be providing preliminary design possibilities for the Hotel Jerome was on hand to receive input and feedback from the Council prior to drafting design options. Mr. Knowlton had a series of question to ask, but started off by explaining the potential to having to redo construction and uproot any residents in the bottom floors if the Council desire to start the Hotel Jerome residential renovations in the bottom floors. Knowlton stated that he understood it is more feasible at this point to obtain renters in a timely manner for the bottom floors, but wanted the Council to be aware of this concern and the potential future problems it can cause. Knowlton then asked a series of logistical questions in order to gage how he should focus the design. The questions included how many apartments in the space, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether or not there should be a full-size kitchen and appliances, where the washer / dryer should be located, potential for ADA accessibility, and the hotel lobby design elements.  Special Council Meeting and Budget Work Session of Friday, March 31, 2023 In summary, the Council would like 2 bedroom / 1 bath, full kitchen apartments with options to consider for clothes washer and dryer, and some historical design elements incorporated into the lobby. Knowlton discussed needing access and the process that he would follow to bring back designs to the Council for further consideration. Council Will Begin Discussions on their FY 2023-2024 Budget Priorities Staff may present and Council may provide direction related to personnel and capital improvements, along with all budget funds and functions possibly being discussed. Town Manager Brett Klein discussed personnel related budgetary items for Council consideration and feedback. Council supported attempting to bring the 457(b) employer contribution from 8-10% if the budget can sustain it. Council were also in support of a proposed longevity incentive that will be added to the base wage rate at the following intervals and amounts: After the 2nd year = $500.00; after the 5th year= $1,000; after the 10th year= $2,000; after the 15th year= $3,000; after the 20th year= $4,000 and after the 25th year= $5,000 Klein and Town department heads discussed capital project priorities. Planning and Zoning Administrator Will Blodgett discussed: GIS / GPS software and tools for asset mapping; Zoning Code update and Historic Preservation Office project funds. Fire Chief Blair discussed: re- roofing the fire station; a new condensing unit (HVAC); and two new fuel abatement employees. Public Works Director Marty Boland, Town Manager Klein and Chief Blair discussed: parking improvements (Town Hall, sliding jail, restroom area and middle park); roadway improvements to Deception and Holley; the need for a new inclinometer; the need for repairs to several retaining walls in particular below School Street; refinishing the Council Chambers flooring and the cantilevered sidewalk. Boland discussed water improvements / repairs including the Verde Central Syphon line. The Council indicated support for all the initiatives depending on if there are budgeted funds. Klein explained that with this feedback, plus feedback from the last meeting and the November goal setting session, staff would prepare a preliminary, first draft budget for Council input and further direction. Discussion Regarding the Code Enforcement Process for Dilapidated Buildings Council may discuss and provide staff direction on the nuisance and dilapidated building abatement process Due to time constraints, this item was not covered and will be added to the upcoming April 11th regular Town Council meeting agenda. ADJOURNMENT  Special Council Meeting and Budget Work Session of Friday, March 31, 2023 The meeting was adjourned at 12:37 p.m. ____________________________ Christina "Alex" Barber, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Brett Klein, Town Manager / Clerk EnterTextHere 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