Bullhead City Council Meeting - July 17, 2024
Bullhead City Council Meeting - July 17, 2024
The Bullhead City Council met on July 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. (Note: The provided agenda was for a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting that was cancelled; the transcript reflects a City Council meeting. The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on July 16, but the assigned date is July 17.) The council approved a construction contract for a new animal shelter, an engineering amendment, and a senior services contract. The meeting included extensive public comment on local politics, campaign conduct, and animal shelter needs.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) after item 5 was withdrawn due to insufficient public notice.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gabrielle Tate accused a candidate (Grace Hecht) of asking her to place a spiteful billboard sign under her name and criticized a postcard attack on Rich Lettman. She urged voters to reject Hecht.
- Stephen Lee urged voters to oppose Grace Hecht, citing campaign lies, support for Catholic charities, and alleged misuse of city funds. He also called for local action following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
- John Regan complained about police intimidation (officers positioned in front of the room), alleged targeting by a specific officer, and lack of support from the council for his no-kill animal shelter. He expressed fear for his safety.
- Debbie Russell Miller expressed outrage at Grace Hecht's postcard attacking Rich Lettman, calling it a hit piece filled with half-truths. She questioned Hecht's motives and judgment.
- Terry Constantino promoted a Stars and Stripes Bunko Fundraiser for Live Love Bark on July 26 to support the city animal shelter.
- Scotty (multiple speakers with this name) criticized city council candidates, raised campaign finance comparisons, and urged a “no” vote on Proposition 416. He also alleged a deal between MEC and city officials and threatened to report to the attorney general.
- Sue DeMarco praised animal rescue efforts and promoted the upcoming Mimosas, Mosaics, and Mutts event.
- Wegman Wood called for an end to personal attacks in local politics and expressed support for Rich Lettman for Mojave County Supervisor.
- Nick Parsons invited the public to a solar propulsion workshop at the library on July 24.
- Christy Phoulitz announced a monthly free food drive-through on July 20.
- Nicole Tracy (VP of Make Bullhead Better) promoted a back-to-school teacher appreciation event on August 3.
- Gary expressed frustration with Mojave Electric Co-op for imposing a tariff on solar panel owners and asked the city for guidance. The city manager later clarified that the city has no regulatory control over MEC.
- Aaron Fox commended Assistant City Manager Travis Pruitt for engaging with a speaker and requested more guidance from the council on solar issues.
- Additional speakers promoted a meet-and-greet for Rich Lettman and a fundraiser for Last Chance to Run sanctuary.
Discussion Items
- Manager's Report – Proposition 416: Assistant City Manager Travis Pruitt and City Manager Toby Cotter explained Proposition 416, which would raise the state-imposed spending limit from 1980 to allow the city to spend cash on hand rather than borrowing. They emphasized it is not a tax increase and would allow avoiding interest costs on loans. A video was shown. Public comments on the proposition were mixed.
- Police & Beach Safety Statistics: Lieutenant Marv Harris reported Fourth of July weekend stats: 926 calls for service (down from 1,033), 15 criminal arrests, 5 DUIs, 12 motor vehicle accidents, 58 firework calls, and 647 beach public contacts.
- Ken Fovarg Park Upgrades: New shade structure over the Little Tykes playground and benches donated by the Kiwanis Club were noted.
- Colorado River Water Levels: City Manager Cotter explained that water releases from Davis Dam are set by the Bureau of Reclamation for power generation and farming, with recreation as a lower priority. Daily schedules vary.
- Animal Resource Center (BARK) – Item 3: The council discussed approving a $3,856,336 construction contract with Precise Builders, Inc. for the new animal shelter at 2435 Miracle Mile. Human Services Director Jeff Tipton presented the project history, design process, and community survey results (800 responses). Council members and public commented. Some speakers opposed the cost and scope (e.g., dog wash, crematorium, vet clinic), while others strongly supported it as needed for animal welfare. The mayor noted that park revenue is legally restricted to parks and cannot be redirected.
- Engineering Amendment – Item 4: An amendment to the engineering agreement with Salberg Associates for an additional $7,800 (total not to exceed $207,060) for expanded crematorium and freezer space was discussed and approved.
- WACOG Senior Services Contract – Item 6: The council approved Resolution 2024 R-37, accepting a five-year contract with Western Arizona Council of Governments for senior meals and caregiving outreach, totaling $232,078 for the first year. The city will not impose a waitlist, unlike other agencies in the region.
- Council Comments: Council members discussed the need to reduce political rancor, condemned personal attacks, and expressed support for civil discourse. One council member announced he would file a police report regarding a threat made in a video from city hall.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3 (Animal Shelter Construction): Approved unanimously (7-0) with a $3,856,336 contract to Precise Builders, Inc. The project is expected to be completed by August 1, 2025, with liquidated damages for delays.
- Item 4 (Engineering Amendment): Approved unanimously (7-0) authorizing an additional $7,800 to Salberg Associates.
- Item 6 (WACOG Contract): Approved unanimously (7-0) adopting Resolution 2024 R-37 and authorizing the city manager to execute agreements through June 2029.
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0), with item 5 withdrawn.
- Next Steps: The city will continue to operate under the current spending limit unless Proposition 416 passes on July 30. The animal shelter construction will commence with a groundbreaking in the near future.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is Tuesday, July sixteenth, twenty twenty-four, five thirty PM, our regular scheduled council meeting. All council members are present. If you'd like to join us, please stand. Father God, we come before you today with grateful hearts and thank you for all that you have done in and for our city. We are blessed to have you in our presence and seek your guidance and wisdom in all that we do. As we read in Ephesians one, verse eighteen, it says, The eyes of our understanding be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches and glory of his inheritance in the saints of the Lord. We pray that you enlighten the eyes of our understanding. Grant us the clarity to see beyond our own perspectives. And then may we work together in harmony. Jesus mighty name we pray. Please be seated. All right, we start the night off with a call to the public. If you're an individual, you have three minutes to speak. If you're a group, you have five minutes, your group must be with us, and you must let us know ahead of time. With that being said, uh Gabrielle Tate, Bullhead City. Gabrielle, Bullhead City. I have never spoken publicly about what I'm going to tell you tonight. But it's the honest to God truth. About two years ago, actually it was two years ago yesterday, I received a call from Grace Hecht asking me to place on her behalf a sign on the Lamar Electric Signs on the 95. I asked her why she couldn't put the sign in her own name under her own credit card. And she said, No, I need you to put it under your credit card. I said, Why? She said, I just can't. Why? I just can't. Okay. I called Lamar. Lamar refused to put the sign saying that it was spiteful and unkind and they weren't going to do it. It was against Wahid Siri. She wanted to expose some things and put an 800 number for people to call who had been affected. As I said, Lamar refused to do it. My opinion is that you obviously didn't want a trail, and you threw me under the bus asking me to be your scapegoat. I forgave you. Things moved on, and we never talked about it. Did you care that you put me in danger? No, I don't think you did. I never spoke of this until about three days ago on a Facebook page. Because I think that everybody really needs to know what you're about and how you conduct business and get other people to do your work for you, your dirty work. What pushed me over was the terrible hit you put out on Rich Lettman in the postcard that was mailed to Bullhead City voters. I had to say you really outdid yourself. That was horrible. It was terrible, it was vicious, it was full of lies. Not a bit of it was true. Why you did it? It's because you're desperate to win. And you stoop pretty low when you did that. That's terrible, Grace. That was absolutely awful. You know the backstory on Rich Lettman.
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