Bullhead City Community Update and Information Session – September 7, 2023
Bullhead City Community Update and Information Session – September 7, 2023
This session consisted of a series of pre‑recorded informational segments presented by city staff and officials, covering community services, public works, public safety, and upcoming events. No formal council discussion, public comments, or votes were recorded in the provided transcript.
Senior Services & Activities
- Kim Cool, Senior Services Program Manager, described the Bullhead City Senior Campus for active individuals aged 50 and older. Daily activities include exercise classes (Zumba, chair exercise, fall prevention), creative arts (beading, painting, quilting), games (bingo, poker, Mexican train), and support meetings (veterans benefits, Medicare, caregiver support, dementia education, amputee support).
- Congregate lunches are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to noon with a suggested donation of $3 for those aged 60+ or disabled, and $4 for those under 60. The Meals on Wheels program provides homebound seniors with meals and wellness checks.
- The campus houses the Angels Essential Area, where donated durable medical equipment is available at no cost. Contact: (928) 763‑0193, 2275 Train Road (off Highway 95 between Marina Blvd and Hancock Rd).
Wastewater System Issues
- John Ferqueto, Wastewater Division, stressed that only human waste, toilet paper, and gray water should be flushed. He displayed a drying bed contaminated with wipes, plastic applicators, razors, and other debris, stating that improper disposal causes pump failures requiring replacement at a cost of $40,000–$50,000 per pump, with two to three pumps replaced annually.
- He emphasized that “flushable” wipes are not flushable and urged residents to dispose of all wipes, paper towels, and non‑paper products in the trash to avoid costly sewer backups.
Solid Waste & Recycling Updates
- Residential recycling has been discontinued citywide. Blue and green carts are now both used for trash. Republic Services collects trash Monday through Thursday, with specific area schedules provided:
- Monday: Silver Creek Rd north, west side of Highway 95 between Silver Creek and Raymar Rd, airport area, McCormick Rd, north of Highway 68.
- Tuesday: West of Highway 95 between Hancock Rd and Riverview Dr to the Colorado River, plus Chaparral Terrace.
- Wednesday: Riviera area from Hancock Rd north to the Colorado River, south of Raymar Rd to Mojave Dr.
- Thursday: Chaparral Golf Course, Fox Creek, Arroyo Vista, Clearwater Hills.
- Residents are allowed six bulky‑item pickups per year. Contact Republic Services at (928) 758‑000 to schedule.
Parks, Recreation & Events
- Beach Cleanup & Barbecue: Scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 6:30–10:30 a.m. at Community Park. Free hot dog provided; trash bags supplied. Sponsored by Wiener Schnitzel, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, Riverside Hotel Resort & Casino, and Aquarius Casino Resort. Contact Kenny Propes at (928) 763‑940 or kpropes@bullheadcityaz.com.
- Pirate Jack Scavenger Hunt: From September 8 to September 18, 15 treasure chests hidden in local parks. Finders can redeem at the Recreation Office (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Enter daily drawings by emailing a photo with your crew to recreation@bullheadcityaz.gov. Sponsored by Quail Construction, Wasteland Games and Hobbies, Scooters Family Fun Center, Aquarius Casino Resort, Avi Resort & Casino, and Laughlin Ranch.
- Rotary Park: Premier sports destination with 300+ acres, six softball fields, eight lighted pickleball courts, disc golf, and over one mile of free beach along the Colorado River. Open daily 4:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Reservations available for 28 small/medium ramadas and two large ramadas.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Safety
- Chief Robert Treves of the Bullhead City Police Department introduced a mandatory safety video for rental PWC operators. Operators must wear a wristband and sign a consumer protection form attesting they have watched the video. Failure may result in fines.
- Key rules: maintain at least 60 feet from other watercraft; counterclockwise traffic pattern; no‑wake zones near marinas and launch ramps; no PWC in the swim beach at Community Park (buoy line) or south of Davis Dam (orange barrier).
- Safety tips: wear life jackets, goggles, and footwear; attach the engine lanyard; avoid alcohol/drugs; hydrate; watch for monsoonal activity.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 110°F. Water levels vary with Davis Dam releases; check the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation website.
Community & Economic Overview
- Mayor Tom Brady welcomed viewers, stating Bullhead City has just over 40,000 residents and hosts more than three million visitors annually. The city is the retail and economic hub for Mojave County and southeastern Clark County, Nevada.
- In the last 10 years, over one million square feet of retail space has been added. The Laughlin Bullhead International Airport continues to grow. The city offers incentives for new retail startups and state incentives for new industries.
- Housing is diverse and affordable, with baby boomers relocating for low costs. Education from preschool through college is available, including Mojave Community College and a Northern Arizona University distance learning site.
Mojave Community College (MCC) Highlights
- More than 600 graduates earned degrees and certificates in 2023. The commencement ceremony featured graduate Casey Frank singing the national anthem. Adam Romano received the Kathy Hodel Most Outstanding Student $10,000 award. Student speaker Ian Fleming and nursing instructor Beth Hooven were recognized.
- MCC student Jasmine Garcia was selected as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Vice President for Division IV, the first from Northwestern Arizona to achieve this level.
- Spring events included the Kingman Campus Computer Club recycling drive, Phi Theta Kappa talent show benefiting Mojave County Animal Shelter, Bullhead City Campus spring college days, Science Club science fair, and a dueling pianos event.
- 19 MCC employees graduated from the second annual Bighorn Leadership Academy. Six staff members were recognized for a K‑12 pipeline project that educated fifth graders about higher education.
Upcoming City Meetings
- City Council meetings: first and third Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
- Planning and Zoning: first Thursday.
- Parks and Recreation: third Wednesday.
- All meetings are available for viewing on the city’s website: www.bullheadcity.com.
Key Outcomes
- The session was informational only; no votes, resolutions, or public testimony occurred. Residents were encouraged to follow proper flushing practices, participate in park events, and stay informed through city channels.
Meeting Transcript
Don't worry, we've got you covered with bingo, pinnacle, poker, hand in foot, past the trash, bunko, Mexican train, and skip bow. There's also computers, puzzles, games, books, videos, and DVDs to keep you entertained. Plus, we offer meetings to include veterans benefits, Medicare information, technology tutoring, document preparation assistance, men's support group, caregiver support, bereavement support for those recovering from loss, cancer support, gamblers anonymous, dementia education, and amputee support. You owe it to yourself to come in and check us out. Lunches are served at eleven thirty, and last lunch is at noon, with a suggested donation of three dollars from those age sixty and above, or disabled individuals. We are located off Highway 95 between Marina Boulevard and Hancock Road, right next to City Hall. We've had many, many problems. You've heard me talking about the wipes and the flushable wipes that are really not flushable. We've had to replace two or three uh pumps at the beginning of that plant to the cost of about 40,000 apiece just about every year. First up. MCC graduate Casey Frank set the stage with a terrific national anthem solo as graduates, their families, friends, and college employees celebrate the class of 2023. More than 600 graduates earned degrees and certificates this year. The commencement ceremony at the Anderson Field House was filled with cheers and tears as everyone recognized the memorable moment marking a major life accomplishment. You have challenged yourself and found success. Continue to challenge yourself and find ways you can give back to your community. And as always, remember you are Bighorns. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate this special occasion. Let's go have some fun. Congratulations, graduates. Congratulations also went out to Adam Romano. He was the recipient of the Kathy Hodel Most Outstanding Student 10,000 award. Also, hats off to student speaker and all Arizona Academic Team Member Ian Fleming, as well as Lakari's Service to Students Award winner, nursing instructor Beth Hooven. And of course, one of the many fun highlights, MCC President Dr. Stacey Klippenstein Selfies with students and faculty. Prior to commencement, graduates in the health professions held their special pinning ceremonies, including this one at the London Bridge Resort in Havasu. Students are recognized for successfully completing their programs. These ceremonies are traditionally smaller, more personal events for family friends and employees to celebrate the graduates. For more information about starting on the path to a great career in the health professions, like all of these graduates did, just head to Mojave.edu. Then, in the middle of the home page, click Health and Public Services. Then you can browse all the college programs and click those that interest you. Congratulations to MCC student Jasmine Garcia. The Lake Havasu City Campus student has been selected as a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International Officer. She's the Vice President for Division Four, which is one of the highest leadership positions a student can achieve in the Honor Society. She is the first ever from Northwestern Arizona to earn a position at this level. A lot of great events helped finish a strong spring semester, including the Kingman Campus Computer Club MC4's annual recycle drive in partnership with the City of Kingman. People throughout the region brought old computers and other technology items to recycle. It was another wonderful and successful service for the community on behalf of MCC students and college partners. Students with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society held a talent show on the Kingman campus. People with a variety of special skills were able to show them off, and proceeds from this event helped benefit the Mojave County Animal Shelter. The Bullhead City Campus held its annual spring college days. A lot of fun activities on campus for students, including jousting, playing Frisbee golf, and of course, plenty of good food. The College Bighorn Science Club held a science fair. Community members were able to learn all about telescopes, see robots built with Legos, and much more to help boost the interest in the field of science. A terrific time at the very entertaining dueling pianos event. The student activities council brought the duo to the Kingman campus from Phoenix. These musicians performed a lot of songs and took requests from the audience. Keep an eye out on social media and the local media for the next Booster Club Fundraiser, as well as the college website, Athletics.mojave.edu, where you can also find contact information for the Booster Officers. And Mascot Blaze was on hand to congratulate the 19 MCC employees who graduated from the second annual Bighorn Leadership Academy. The Academy puts college employees through a series of classes during the year in which they learn to become successful leaders in higher education. And last but not least, a round of applause for Tracy Gift, Abigail Gomez, Caitlin Morris, Stacey Gilbert, Chuck McCune, and Michelle Martin.
openpublica.com