Bullhead City Council Meeting - December 20, 2023

The Bullhead City Council met on December 20, 2023, at 5:30 PM. The meeting opened with a moment of silence and prayer for the five children who tragically lost their lives in a recent fire, followed by a presentation from Veterans United and the Pledge of Allegiance. All seven council members were present.

Veterans United Presentation

• Veterans United presented a check for $2,570 to the Meals on Wheels program, which was raised at an event that also supported the Senior Nutrition Center. The program provides about 40,000 meals annually to homebound clients and serves congregate lunches at the Senior Center located across the street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen Lee (Voices for Freedom) – Expressed opposition to "medical or political tyranny" and urged residents to visit preventgenocide2030.org to support bills by Chip Roy and Mike Lee. He offered a flag to be displayed in council chambers, which he described as a version of the American flag. He stated his reasons for not pledging allegiance to the flag with tassles, which he called the "corporate flag of the United Nations."
• Gary Finkelstein (Colorado River Historical Society and Museum) – Announced a honey-baked ham fundraiser benefiting the Colorado River Historical Society and Museum. Orders could be placed by calling Susanna van Sloten at 928-234-807 by noon Thursday. The ham would be available for pick-up at his house.
• Jim Fuller – Spoke about scripture and emphasized that the local forum is an "awesome place" to fix national problems, expressing hope that freedom to speak at meetings continues.
• Rolf Vetter – Appeared with a group of his tenants and indicated his item (Item Number 3 on the consent agenda) was on the agenda; the mayor directed him to speak when that item was called.
• Eva Corbett – Promoted the Mojave High School Choir's "Decades" event on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 6 PM at the Mojave High School auditorium.
• Harvey Pryor – Extended condolences to the family of the five children lost in the fire and criticized A&G Wing for allegedly condoning an employee who took photos at the accident scene and posted them. He demanded that the city put on the agenda an update on the Bullhead City app to show working fire hydrants.
• Scotus from Bald – Demanded that the city fix nonfunctioning fire hydrants and ensure that the Bullhead City app provides a list of working hydrants. He also mentioned animal issues and referenced the subject of civil grand juries.
• Chief Moore (Fire District) – Rebutted social media rumors that fire hydrants were not working at the recent fire, stating that two hydrants functioned properly and urged the community to focus on supporting victims and first responders.

Discussion Items

• Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement (Item 3) – The Council unanimously (7-0) approved a settlement agreement of $231,000 from Miracle View Condo Homeowners Association and principal owner Rolf Vetter regarding a failing septic system at 1690 Marble Canyon Drive. City Manager Cutter explained that the city forcibly connected the property to the sewer and worked to prevent homelessness. Rolf Vetter spoke against the settlement, alleging that the city refused to permit a $4,000 septic repair, which instead led to over a million dollars in costs. The mayor responded, saying the city acted to keep residents housed and that Vetter had attempted an insurance claim to deem the building condemned.
• Purchase of Police Department Equipment (Item 6) – The Council unanimously (7-0) approved the purchase of 38 Taser 7 basic bundles for $108,856 (with a 5-year warranty) to replace the outdated X26P models. Captain Harms stated that the new technology provides better performance.
• Fishing Pier Rehabilitation Grant Approval (Item 7) – The Council unanimously (7-0) adopted Resolution 2023-R56 to apply for up to 750,000 in grant funds from the Arizona State Parks and Trails State Lake Improvement Fund for rehabilitating the fishing pier at Rotary Park. The pier, over 25–30 years old, needs structural repairs and is used by public safety officers. If awarded, construction is expected to be completed before July 1, 2024.

Consent Calendar

• The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the consent agenda items (all items other than those pulled from the consent agenda).

Key Outcomes

• Taser Replacement Approved: Purchase of 38 Taser 7 bundles for 108,856, with a 5-year warranty, to replace outdated models.
• Fishing Pier Grant Approved: Application for up to $750,000 from the Arizona State Parks and Trails Lake Improvement Fund for the rehabilitation of the fishing pier at Rotary Park.
• Settlement Litigation Approved: Mutual release and settlement agreement for the public nuisance case at 1690 Marble Canyon Drive, requiring the city to pay legal costs and receiving up to $231,000 from the defendant.
• Year-End Summary presented by the City Manager: The City Manager highlighted the purchase of building material for a new animal shelter, new police cars, new police boats, new SWAT vehicles, a new bell at the city's Community Park, an agreement on the optimum community center, and numerous infrastructure and grant projects.
• Highway 95 & Veteran Peninsula Updates: The mayor described a trip to Winslow, Arizona, where $27 million was secured for repaving Highway 95, and two trips to Phoenix to secure ownership of the Veterans Peninsula, which stopped the $13,000 annual payment to the state. The mayor also noted trips to Phoenix to lobby for $8 million for right-hand turn lanes and to Las Vegas for a Coast Guard luncheon to patrol beaches.
• Mojave County Partnership: The mayor noted that the city paid $13,000 per year for the Veterans Peninsula, but is now owned and will never pay the state another penny.
• Maintenance: The city will be pursuing a contract for a $750,000 water infrastructure project.
• Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for the first regular meeting of 2025.

Mayor's Report & Responses

• The mayor defended multiple business trips, detailing a trip to Winslow ($27 million for Highway 95 reading), two trips to Phoenix (transfer of the veterans peninsula and $8 million for right-turn lanes), a trip to a Coast Guard lawyer to help with beach patrols, a trip with tourism division to secure funds for the air show, and a recent trip to D.C. for $300 million for water infrastructure.
• The mayor also encouraged the public to donate to the River Fund to help victims of the recent tragedy.
• The Council member also extended condolences and thanked the community for support of Toys for Tots and holiday charities.
• The meeting concluded with best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.