Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - July 2, 2024

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, call to the public, manager's report, reports from council members, and action on consent and regular agenda items. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from May 13, 2024 Special Budget Meeting, June 18, 2024 Special Council Meeting, June 18, 2024 Special Budget Meeting, and June 18, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.
• Adopted Resolution No. 2024R-32 appointing Finance Director Robert Drexler to submit the Annual Expenditure Limitation Report to the Arizona Auditor General.
• Approved the Thirteenth Amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of the Colorado River for $50,000 for FY 2024-2025.
• Approved a 5.67 acre-foot water allocation for the Bullhead City School District’s DEN (District Employee Neighborhood) under Ordinance No. 2023-16.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen: Urged the council to study threats from a DHS whistleblower, referencing FEMA camps, illegal aliens, and World War III. Stated, "eternal freedom requires eternal vigilance."
• Daniel Rodebeck: Expressed concern about a new development blocking Merrill Avenue, forcing residents to drive through a strip mall to reach Highway 95. Cited safety worries about criminal elements and border crossings. Requested that Merrill Avenue remain open.
• Jim Fuller: Discussed his experience with city staff when flying flags at Hancock and 95, and read scripture from John 15. Expressed frustration about being "chased out" by a city cabinet member and not being allowed to express his candidate choice at a Republican committee picnic.
• Barbara Pape: Announced a Colorado River Republican Women meeting on July 3rd and spoke about freedom of speech, citing Article 19 of the ICCPR. Stated that freedom of speech is not absolute and has limitations.
• Kathleen: Addressed a prior incident with the police chief and Donna Doyle. Accused the council of taking advantage of her absence at the June 18th meeting and calling her a liar. Asked for a formal apology to Donna Doyle, stating the chief's response was "unprofessional, rude, and absolutely no bearing on the subject at hand."
• Donna Doyle (President of SAINT): Rebutted the chief’s implication that she was involved in Kathleen’s complaint. Stated she had met with Chief Trebes on January 18th to discuss ordinance changes, contrary to his claim that she never reached out. Called the council’s applause at the chief’s response "appalling and very disappointing."
• Sean (veteran): Criticized the chief’s behavior, including climbing over a chair to confront a speaker. Defended citizens' free speech rights. Questioned why a citizen’s request to change a flag was met with hostility while another request was quickly fulfilled. Stated, "as a veteran, I'm disgusted" and suggested turning the flag upside down as a sign of distress.
• Nick Parsons: Discussed solar propulsion systems and urged the council to create comprehensive legislation for residential solar and EV charging. Proposed buying one EV and building a charging station to reduce reliance on fuel. Noted that Bullhead City is 300 miles from a port and that high gas prices stop the economy.
• Scotty: Complained about losing almost 50 campaign signs, accusing the city of holding two of his signs. Discussed Proposition 416 and criticized Mayor Brady’s sign placement. Claimed Councilmember Grace Heckt signed nomination papers twice, calling it a felony. Said, "she's not gonna get elected anyway."
• Hilda Angus (County Supervisor and State Senate candidate): Listed ARPA-funded projects in Bullhead City, including the ADA playground, Davis Camp improvements, Boys & Girls Club, Veterans in Motion van, and the Gary Keith Amphitheater. Thanked the council for their help.
• Eva Corbett: Promoted a WeCare for Animals fundraiser on July 7th at Mojave Steakhouse.
• Nicole Tracy: Thanked the city for permitting a walk for her husband, which raised funds for school music instruments and nonprofits. Presented checks of $1,500 each to Bullhead City Morning Kiwanis and SAINT.
• Gary Genovice: Made a humorous remark about the 4th of July: "Don't celebrate the fourth with a fifth on the third."

Manager’s Report

• Summer Camp: Recreation Superintendent Dave Heath reported the second year of summer camp concluded with a theater performance. Attendance grew from 500 registrations in 2023 to 761 registrations in 2024, with about a dozen more camp types. Registration for 2025 opens in March. A video with testimonials from parents and campers was shown.
• ADA Playground at Rotary Park: Assistant City Manager Eddie Kajirwa announced the ribbon cutting for the new ADA-accessible playground. Funding sources: $20,000 from Rotary Park, $30,000 from BHHS Legacy Foundation, and over $100,000 in ARPA funds secured by Supervisor Hilda Angus. A video of the ribbon cutting was shown.
• Summer Safety on the Colorado River: City Manager Cotter noted that Father’s Day Saturday was busier than Memorial Day Saturday. For the 4th of July weekend, increased enforcement from Arizona Game and Fish, Nevada Wildlife, and possibly the U.S. Coast Guard is expected. Police will enforce fireworks laws; only safe-and-sane fireworks from Safeway are legal. The city does not shoot off fireworks. Police will respond to all fireworks calls.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Auditing Services: Awarded contract RFP 2024-215 to Baker Tilly US, LLP for $231,885 over three years (FY2024-2026), with an option to extend two additional audit periods. Unanimously approved.
• Item 6 – Bus Stop Amendments 2024: Adopted Ordinance No. 2024-21 and Resolution No. 2024R-33 making it unlawful for any person to remain at a bus stop shelter or bench after hours. Unanimously approved.
• Item 7 – Improvement Districts Assessment: Approved the total annual assessment of $105,056 for all lighting districts for FY2025, authorized the City Manager to sign tax levy forms, and forwarded to Mohave County. A public commenter asked about dark sky alternatives; staff responded that new developments use case-by-case lighting, including lower-mounted solar lights. Unanimously approved.
• Item 8 – Lake Improvement Fund Restroom: Adopted Resolution No. 2024R-34 to apply for and receive Arizona State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) program funds from Arizona State Parks and Trails for an additional restroom facility at Community Park (six stalls, ADA accessible). Unanimously approved.
• Item 9 – Water Conservation Grant: Ratified receipt and execution of a $3 million Water Conservation Grant from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA). The grant will remove non-functional turf at HOAs (Pelverdi Meadows, Arroyo Vista) and city parks. The Mayor and Assistant City Manager made two trips to Phoenix to advocate for the grant. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and action items were approved unanimously (7-0).
• The council heard extensive public comment on free speech, animal welfare, signage, development concerns, and community projects.
• The council acknowledged the successful summer camp program, the new ADA playground, and the upcoming summer safety enforcement.
• No items were withdrawn from the consent agenda, and there were no agenda modifications.