Bullhead City Council Meeting – August 7, 2025 – Formal Session
Bullhead City Council Meeting – August 7, 2025
The Bullhead City Council met on August 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The agenda had indicated the meeting was cancelled, but a regular meeting was held. The meeting included public comments on water pressure issues, street lighting, school performance, and other community concerns; manager’s reports on the Golden Vertex mine restart, recreation programs, Mojave College rebranding, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s public participation plan; and action on several contracts, agreements, and resolutions. All votes were unanimous (7-0) except on item five (Boys & Girls Club funding), which passed 5-2.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes (not available), liquor license for Migliado’s Mexican Food, and other routine items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ashlyn and friends (Bullhead City residents): Presented a brief performance from music camp, thanking the city.
- Riverview Park HOA representative: Stated that on July 24, 2025, the city shut off water without notice; upon restoration, the pressure reducing valve was stuck open, sending 120 PSI into the park (normal 60–65 PSI). They requested reimbursement for water bills for July 24–26, re-examination of denied claims, and future monitoring of valves by city utility workers. They noted this was the second such occurrence in 2025.
- Janice Johnston (PFLAG Bullhead City): Announced a meet-and-greet on August 16 at the library and a membership drive at $15 for the first year. Also noted the Mojave County Democratic Central Committee opened a district two office.
- Paula Fontes Hambian (La Puerta area): Expressed concern about potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP; quoted John F. Kennedy on unity.
- Stephen Brown (Bullhead City): Requested improved lighting or flashing red lights at the four-way stop at Clearwater and Marina, citing a near-accident with his son on e-bikes at night.
- Scotty (Bullhead City): Complained about a new $1 fee at the utility kiosk, water pressure issues at Riverview, traffic light synchronization, cool pavement, and tree planting. He also referenced a $300 water bill due to a break-in.
- Eva Genevieves: Promoted Republican women’s luncheon with Congressman Paul Gozar.
- Council Shaunery (Bullhead City): Quoted Lord Acton on limited government; criticized the school district’s low test scores (fifth and eighth graders below 30th percentile in math and English) and questioned the city’s funding of teacher housing as a reward before improvement.
- Scott (additional): Repeated support for Boys & Girls Club but raised concerns about management inefficiencies and thrift store pricing.
- John Reading: Supported Councilmember Ring’s reporting requirements for Catholic Charities and urged flexibility on shelter stay limits during extreme heat.
- Tina Nunez: Emphasized the need for youth programs; urged increased funding for Boys & Girls Club.
- Anonymous speaker: Supported increased funding due to Terry Tomlinson’s involvement.
Discussion Items
- Golden Vertex Mine Update: General Manager Jamie Bond and HR Manager AJ Pompos reported that the mine was acquired by Mako USA on March 26, 2025. Staff has grown from 32 to 62 employees, 90% from Bullhead City. Target is 97 employees by Q2 2026. The mine restarted crushing 10,000 tons per day and will hire local mining contractors. They are offering competitive benefits (85% medical coverage, 6% 401k match) and plan to partner with Mojave Community College for welding internships.
- Recreation Programs: Dave Heath listed numerous free/ low-cost programs: senior softball, aging-in-reverse exercise, horseshoes, pickleball, indoor walking, basketball, Fun Fridays, RC racing, Senior Citizens Day (Aug 21), volunteer fair (Aug 28), and Golden Games training. The city manager noted Lake Havasu copied Bullhead’s Splash Bash idea.
- Mojave College: City Manager announced that Mojave Community College has been renamed Mojave College and will offer bachelor’s degrees. This includes potential teacher education and other four-year programs at the Bullhead City campus.
- Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Public Participation Plan: Steve DiMico presented the Title VI public participation plan for federally funded transportation projects. The plan requires a 45-day public comment period (starting Aug 7), with town halls on Aug 11 and Sep 8. The plan is available online and at city facilities.
- Catholic Charities Agreement (Item 4): The council approved the fifth amendment to the MOA with Catholic Charities for the Legacy Foundation’s Christine Stamper Center. Councilmember Ring added reporting requirements for monthly data on clients in PATH program, veterans, age groups, and last known residence. The agreement changed payment from a lump sum to monthly installments of $127,000. The motion passed 7-0.
- Boys & Girls Club Funding (Item 5): Terry Tomlinson (Legacy Foundation) explained a $100,000 request (up from $50,000) due to fundraising deficits during merger discussions with Scottsdale. Legacy also provided $250,000 ($50k operational, $100k no-interest loan convertible to grant, $50k for CEO recruitment, $50k salary enhancement). Interim CEO Kari Gunsless described programs (Power Hour, workforce readiness, STEM, sports). Councilmember Alfonso opposed, citing management issues (lack of inventory, poor staff empowerment, reduced fundraising). Councilmember Ring supported, noting new board involvement. The motion passed 5-2.
- Hancock Road Paving (Item 6): The city received $1.5 million from the state for repaving Hancock Road (total project ~$3 million). Councilmember Alfonso asked about non-availability clause; staff said funds will be transferred upon signing. Public works noted they will repair valves/hydrants before paving, and a no-cut street ordinance will apply for three years. Motion passed 7-0.
- SWAT Equipment (Item 7): Chief Robert Treves requested $63,075.67 for new Project 7 protective equipment (15 operators). Lieutenant Rigor clarified quantities. Motion passed 7-0.
- Asphalt Emulsion (Item 8): Contract with Ergon Asphalt at $771.68/ton, total not to exceed $926,001.74. Motion passed 7-0.
- Slurry Seal Sand (Item 9): Contract with SNS Concrete at $33.29/ton, total not to exceed $199,735.20. Councilmember Alfonso noted a $3.84/ton increase from last year. Motion passed 7-0.
- Wastewater Membranes (Item 10): Utilities Director Mark Clark requested $809,830 for replacement membranes at Section 18 wastewater plant (sole source from Xenon). Two of four trains will be replaced this year, two next year. Motion passed 7-0.
- Davis Dam 75th Anniversary (Item 11): Resolution inviting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to attend the January 8, 2026 celebration and an intergovernmental summit. Motion passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items approved except Boys & Girls Club funding (passed 5-2). All other votes were 7-0.
- Directives: City manager to execute various agreements; staff to continue monitoring Riverview water pressure and coordinate with property owners on Hancock Road improvements.
- Next Steps: MPO public comment period through Sept 20; town halls on Aug 11 and Sep 8; Boys & Girls Club board to improve thrift store operations; city to pursue additional funding for Hancock Road; SWAT equipment ordered; wastewater membranes installed.
- Calendar Change: The next city council meeting is moved to Monday, August 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Today is Tuesday, August fifth, twenty twenty-five. It is five thirty time to call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk can have a roll call. Thank you. If you would like to, please stand and join us. Thank you for the opportunity to gather in unity and serve our community. Lord, we acknowledge that all wisdom comes from you. As we begin this meeting, we ask for your presence to guide our thoughts, our words, the decisions that we make tonight. Let us lead with integrity and the courage to stand for what is right. May everything discussed here tonight bring peace, progress, and prosperity to our city. Help us work together in harmony. Lord, we entrust this meeting to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge the five of the city of America. And another project. Vice and Vice Alfonso, City Council members, and city staff. My name is Ashlyn, and I'm a Bullhead City resident, along with my friends Daniel, Jalen, Leilani, Captains John, and Misty. If I might for just one moment, I assume you're a group. Yes. Okay. We are here tonight to show you a little bit of our great opportunity of going to music camp this summer. I have the opportunity to take drama, and as if you may be able to tell, and my friends were able to learn guitar and recorders. We do not have a lot of time left, so we'll let it we'll leave it to them to do the rest of the show. It was a little cooler up there. Sorry for you guys that stayed behind and suffered in the heat. God bless you all, and thank you. Thank you. Residents incurred damages to their homes, water heaters, and water lines due to the negligence of the water department and not adjusting and monitoring the amount of water pressure coming into our park. On July twenty-fourth, twenty twenty five, the city shut off the water to the entire park without notice. Once the city did the repairs, the water was turned back on without any city worker checking the pressure reducing valve coming into the park. No one in the park can get to this valve, only the city workers have access. This valve was wide open. PSI came into the park at 120 without any reduction down to the normal 60 to 65 PSI. It wasn't until the next day that we reached the city to have this valve inspected and turned down if possible. We could not even begin to make repairs until someone came and turned down the pressure from the stuck open PRV. That would not happen until the next day when we called the city to get help. This is the second time this year. This occurred for 24-25 also. The HOA had several homeowners filed claims for water hammering but were denied. We would like these claims to be re-examined. HOA and homeowners at Riverview Park have sent claim forms again to the city for reimbursement pertaining to this water issue. This is a worry for our snowbird residents that are gone in the summertime. Riverview called the homeowners that are not in the park to advise them that we should shut off the water to their houses because of the leaks. Now these folks have to arrange to get their homes repaired without being in the park. We are requesting assurance that the city utility works will adjust the monitor and monitor this valve when returning water to the park. We would like the water bill and the sewer bill to be looked at during these dates. 724, 725, 726, 2025, for reimbursement of water use billing, which directly ties to sewer billing.
openpublica.com