Alerts

THE JEROME TOWN COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED AN EMERGENCY ORDER REQUIRING THE WEARING OF FACE MASKS IN JEROME. 

It goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2020.  

Here is the entire text of the emergency proclamation:

AN EMERGENCY ORDER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF JEROME, ARIZONA REGARDING THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC

WHEREAS, the Town of Jerome (the "Town") is continuing to respond to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") in order to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare of the Town, its residents, businesses, visitors, and employees; and

WHEREAS, this Emergency Order is intended to provide additional assistance in these efforts; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the Governor of the State of Arizona declared a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States of America declared a national emergency due to the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, Mayor Alex Barber declared a State of Emergency to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the Town and its residents, which declaration remains in effect; and

WHEREAS, on June 17, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-40 entitled "Containing the Spread of COVID-19" ("Executive Order 2020-40") that, among other things, authorized the Town to adopt policies regarding the wearing of face coverings in public in order to limit the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arizona Department of Health Services recommend the use of face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare for the Town Council to adopt this Emergency Order; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to A.R.S. §26-307 and §26-311 and Executive Order 2020-40, the Jerome Town Council has the authority to issue this Emergency Order with the force of law.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Jerome Town Council, as authorized by A.R.S. §26-307 and §26-311 the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-40, hereby issues the following Emergency Order:

Section 1. Definitions.

1. A "Face Covering" means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material that covers only the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. A covering that hides or obscures the wearer's eyes or forehead in addition to the nose and mouth is not a Face Covering. Examples of Face Coverings include a scarf or bandana; a neck gaiter; a homemade covering made from a t-shirt, sweatshirt, towel, or other fabric held on with rubber bands or otherwise; or a face mask, which need not be medical grade. A Face Covering may be factory-made or handmade and improvised from ordinary household materials. The Face Covering should fit snugly but allow the wearer to breathe easily. The face mask may not have a one-way exhale valve on it. “Face Covering” may also mean a face shield, provided that it fits snugly around the nose and mouth.
2. "Public Place" means any place the public is allowed, including but not limited to restaurants, cafes, taverns, tasting rooms, brew pubs, museums, yoga studios, markets, food banks/food pantries, retail shops and other businesses. “Public Place” includes both indoor and outdoor spaces, including the public sidewalks of Jerome.
3. "Social Distancing" means keeping six feet distance between individuals who are not in the same household.

Section 2. Face Coverings required.

All persons 6 years of age and older shall wear Face Coverings when in a public place in the Town of Jerome, except as follows:

1. Those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or mental health condition or developmental disability.
2. Children under 6 years of age.
3. People whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face covering.
4. Restaurant patrons while they are eating or drinking. If a patron is not seated at their table, a face covering is required.
5. When a person is in a personal or work office or vehicle (or similar space) where others are not present, as long as the public does not regularly visit the space.
6. Outdoors, when able to maintain social distancing as defined herein.
7. When a person’s use of a face covering is exempted under any federal or state regulations, including but not limited to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and standards.
8. Public safety employees and/or emergency responders and/or field employees engaged in essential functions, when wearing the face covering would interfere with or limit their ability to carry out their duties or functions.
9. When complying with directions of law enforcement.
10. In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services, such as the receipt of medical treatments.
11. Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 

Section 4. Effective Date, Limitations, and Area.

This Emergency Order shall become effective at 11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2020 and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded or until the Governor declares an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Arizona, whichever occurs first. This Emergency Order is effective within the entirety of the territory of the Town of Jerome.

Section 5. Posting of Emergency Order.

Each business in the Town that is open to the public shall post signage at its entrances and at other appropriate locations stating that customers (or visitors) are required to wear face coverings by order of the Jerome Town Council. Other appropriate locations shall include alternative entrances (back doors, etc.) and transaction locations such as registers.

Section 6.  Compliance and Enforcement.

1. This proclamation shall be enforced by the Jerome Police Department and/or designees of the Jerome Police Chief.
2. In compliance with Executive Order 2020-40, enforcement of this proclamation shall focus first on education and providing guidance issued by the CDC and Arizona Department of Health Services to promote health and safety as well as to further contain the spread of COVID-19. Individuals shall also be given an opportunity to comply with the proclamation before any enforcement action is taken. Continued failure to comply with this order shall be deemed a civil violation pursuant to Chapter 18 of the Jerome Town Code.
3. Private businesses and venues shall enforce this proclamation by asking any person failing to comply with the emergency proclamation to leave their premises. If a business does not request a person to leave when that person is refusing to comply with this proclamation, the business will be in violation. However, if the business has requested a person to leave and that person refuses, the individual refusing will be in violation and not the business.
4. The current public health crisis related to COVID-19 is being monitored as it is evolving, and additional regulations may be forthcoming as needed. 
5. If any provision of this proclamation or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity affects no other provision or application of this proclamation. Those provisions that remain valid shall be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this proclamation are declared to be severable.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED by a unanimous vote of the Jerome Town Council on the 23rd day of June, 2020.

Jerome fire Department is implementing Stage II fire restrictions as of May 15th 5:00 PM in the Town of Jerome. This action are in line with other Fire Departments in the area and the Prescott National Forest.

Stage II Fire Restrictions:

 NO burn permits will be issued

 Use of model rockets is PROHIBITED

 Use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are PROHIBITED except by commercial special events permit

 NO smoking outside of vehicles, outside of residential yards, or outside of designated smoking areas

 Welding, cutting, grinding and chain saw use is PROHIBITED (Permission may be granted under special circumstances and repair situations as approved by the Fire Marshal)**

 Warming fires and camp fires are PROHIBITED in single and multi-family residences and Town parks. This also prohibits the use of other devices that produce open flame such as tiki lamps.

 The use of propane, natural gas or other gas flame-producing barbeque cooking grills MAY BE USED at single and multi-family residences as long as they are constantly attended and are in an enclosed device.

** Certain activities including welding, cutting, grinding, chainsaw use, (any spark/flame producing activity) outdoors shall require the following:

o A Fire Department Permit for a specific time period, location, and activity granting permission to conduct such activity in a safe manner.

o A fire watch, an individual for the sole purpose watching for any sparks and/or ignition.

o Firefighting tool(s) such as a shovel.

o Approved water supply available from a hose, water truck, etc.

Thank You

Rusty Blair, Fire Chief

Jerome Fire Department

Jerome Town Hall (600 Clark Street) will be closed to the public from March 18, 2020 until further notice in accordance with the Emergency Proclamation issued on March 17, 2020 by Mayor Alex Barber.

During this time, we will make every effort to seamlessly accommodate the needs of our citizens.

PHONE ACCESS:

Town Hall phones will continue to be answered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday thru Thursday. At other hours, you can leave a voice message and your call will be returned on the next business day.

EMERGENCIES SHOULD ALWAYS BE CALLED INTO 9-1-1.

EMERGENCY SERVICES will continue to function as usual and the police station and fire station will remain open as in the past.

PUBLIC WORKS functions will continue as usual. There will be no changes in that schedule or in their availability.

WEDNESDAY AND WEEKEND SHUTTLE SERVICES are discontinued until further notice.

We are initiating a FREE PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE FOR OUR AT-RISK RESIDENTS. Call Town Hall to make arrangements for us to pick up groceries or other needed items and deliver them to your residence.

In addition, if any residents have any EXCESS SUPPLIES that you would be willing to share with those that need them, please let us know and we will help distribute them where needed.

THE JEROME HUMANE SOCIETY intends at this time to continue to provide clinic services at 600 Clark Street. You will need to enter from the rear (clinic) side of the building rather than through Town Hall.

THE JEROME TOWN LIBRARY will be closed to the public until further notice.

TOWN STAFF:

Town Manager/Clerk Candace Gallagher and Zoning Administrator John Knight will remain available for consultation by phone or email during this time. To reach either by phone, call Town Hall at 928-634-7943 during normal business hours. Email can be sent at any time to Candace Gallagher at c.gallagher@jerome.az.gov and to John Knight at j.knight@jerome.az.gov and they will respond as soon as possible.

Other staff may also be reached by leaving a message at Town Hall or emailing them. Full contact information is on our website, www.jerome.az.gov.

COUNCIL AND BOARD MEETINGS will continue as scheduled but will address only essential matters. We are currently looking into live streaming options to facilitate public access without the need to be physically present. More information on that will be posted as it becomes available.

UTILITY PAYMENTS by check can be dropped off in the dropbox located just outside the main entrance to Town Hall. Payments can also be made via credit card by phone by calling Town Hall during normal business hours. If you must pay in cash, call Town Hall for further instructions.

For questions regarding BUILDING PERMITS OR INSPECTIONS, call Town Hall during normal business hours.

If you have any other questions, call Town Hall at (928) 634-7943, or email Candace Gallagher at c.gallagher@jerome.az.gov.

Mayor Alex Barber has issued a proclamation declaring an emergency with respect to the coronavirus. The Town Library is closed to the public until further notice, and Town Hall will be closed beginning tomorrow until further notice. Essential services will not be interrupted. Emergency services and public works will continue to function as usual. Phones will be manned at Town Hall during regular operating hours. Additional information will be posted here soon regarding other services and how to access them during this time. Our goal is to minimize the impact on our residents while safeguarding them and our staff. 

Here is the text of the proclamation:

DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, A.R.S. § 26-311 authorizes the Mayor of the Town of Jerome, Arizona or his/her designee to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the Town of Jerome is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and

WHEREAS, the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan Town, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers this virus to be a significant public health threat that has, and continues to spread globally; and

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 illness a public health emergency of International concern and on January 31, 2020 the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 illness; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the Governor of the State of Arizona, Douglas A. Ducey, determined that the COVID-19 outbreak presents conditions in Arizona that justified his declaration of a State of Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020 President Donald Trump declared a National Emergency due to the COVID-19 illness; and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020 the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arizona Department of Health Services recommend that (1) for the next 8 weeks organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more, (2) statewide closures of Arizona schools through Friday, March 27, 2020 and (3) recommend telework and other alternatives when available; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 President Trump issued his “Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread” which provides guidance to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people and direction to “listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities”; and

WHEREAS, prudence requires that precautionary measures be taken proactively due to the widespread nature of COVID-19 and its threat to public health, safety, and welfare as referenced in the Governor's Declaration of Emergency, and that impacts from the same threaten public health and safety and the economic recovery of Jerome; and

WHEREAS, the widespread nature of COVID-19 constitutes an immediate threat to life, public health, safety, and welfare, and to the economic recovery of Jerome; and

WHEREAS, this local declaration of emergency will help ensure the economic recovery of Jerome; and

WHEREAS, the immediate threat of COVID-19 is a growing problem in the State and precautionary measures are necessary to curtail the imminent impact on homes and businesses in Jerome because it is a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the general public in Jerome; and

WHEREAS, the above facts give credence to the conditions of extreme peril and public health emergency; and the declaration of a local emergency will enable the Town of Jerome to provide emergency resources, request additional resources and receive mutual aid from other political sub-divisions and entities.

NOW THEREFORE, lT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A local emergency exists in the Town of Jerome due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
2. As a result of said emergency, I hereby impose the following regulations to preserve the peace and order of the Town:
   1. Closing public access to the Jerome Town Library located at 600 Clark Street until further notice; and
   2. Closing public access to Jerome Town Hall located at 600 Clark Street until further notice while preserving essential services for Town residents;
   3. Strongly encouraging our bars and restaurants to observe CDC guidelines, to restrict groups to 10 or less individuals, to provide seating at least six feet apart, and to encourage take-out rather than dine-in orders.

IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said local emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this Town shall be those prescribed by State Law and by Ordinances and Resolutions of Town of Jerome. Citizens are urged to cooperate with this emergency declaration and, to every degree possible, abide by the safety announcements, advisories, and restrictions established by the Town, by Yavapai County, and by the State of Arizona and to cooperate with the community's public safety agencies and emergency services personnel.

Additional information for those needing Town services will be provided soon on the Town’s website at www.jerome.az.gov.

DATED this 17th day of March 2020

Christina “Alex” Barber, Mayor