OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:38:15

Transcript — Verbatim
0:31

Good evening, everybody.

0:32

This is Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, 5:30 p.m., our regular scheduled council meeting.

0:37

I call this meeting to order.

0:39

Could I get a roll call, please?

0:40

All council members are present except for Council Member Lettman.

0:44

Um, Councilmember Hecht is joining us via Zoom tonight.

0:48

Councilmember Heck, are you with us?

0:54

Councilmember Hecht.

1:00

All Council members are present except for Council Member Lettman and Council Member Hecht.

1:05

All righty.

1:06

We're going to start this evening with an invocation from Stephen Brown from Preeschapel.

1:10

If you'd like to join us, please stand.

1:15

Thank you very much.

1:16

Father God, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to put you first in today's meeting.

1:20

I ask today that you give our community leaders supernatural insight.

1:24

I just asked for wisdom from you, Lord, that their decisions set before them today are of you.

1:30

I ask for your will to be done and your hand of favor move on the behalf of our citizens here in Bullhead City.

1:36

I know that when we follow you, grace and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

1:40

So, Father God, I ask you to be that lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

1:45

In Jesus' mighty name I pray.

1:48

Amen.

1:49

Please join me in the fledgling.

2:03

Libertarian Tustice RO.

2:06

Please be seated.

2:10

All right, we start this evening with a call to the public.

2:13

If you're speaking with a group, your group must be with you, four people or more, and you must let us know ahead of time.

2:19

We'll give you five minutes.

2:20

If you're speaking on your own, you get three minutes.

2:22

With that being said, who'd like to come up first?

2:27

Mayor, City Council, uh, thank you for the final for finally getting back to me, Steve.

2:33

Uh I really hope we can talk more than the two minutes.

2:37

Uh based on, but first off, happy Constitution Day to everybody.

2:42

Uh last night I had the privilege and honor of speaking with uh blank.

2:52

Uh John Eastman, uh, who both uh clerked for the Supreme Court is one of Trump's legal team and advisors.

3:01

Uh and uh he really liked uh some of my ideas.

3:06

I can't get into them all in this amount of time.

3:10

I've had the mute button pushed on me.

3:12

Uh I'm not able to send out emails to large numbers of people anymore.

3:18

Uh, but I would like to re-establish contact with those who have been and are in my group.

3:25

One thing that Major General Vallile, uh, who our communications have been disrupted by third parties.

3:33

Um we are all being censored right now.

3:38

And that's something we all need to recognize.

3:41

And I know there's a lot of infighting going on right now.

3:46

And I don't see how anybody that lives here can be as against the people as they seem to be.

4:08

But I feel like this is just more and more being divided.

4:16

We're we're being invaded by illegal aliens in small towns across the country.

4:22

Another one today came to the forefront.

4:24

A small town much smaller than Bullhead in western Pennsylvania has had a 2,000 percent increase in their population 20-fold with Haitian and African immigrants in an area that used to be all white.

4:43

And they are trying to make it a crime to offer any minority group.

4:52

In your free speech, this is how they're attacking the First Amendment.

5:00

We need to come together as a group and we need a defense plan that the public is involved in so that if something happens which I think it inevitably will here that we have the ability to mobilize unite and take action to stop the spreading here of illegals coming in taking over and ending our way of life and I thank you very much happy Constitution Day to everybody.

5:31

Thank you.

5:32

Next Barbara Pape uh good evening Mayor and Council people I'm here to announce our Colorado River Republican women upcoming monthly meeting is Wednesday October 2nd the location is at Chaparrail Country Club 1260 Mojave Drive Bullhead City our time is 11 a.m to 1 p.m.

6:02

The this is a luncheon meals are a are $15 and you don't have to be a member or you don't have to buy your buy this lunch and everyone in our community is welcomed.

6:17

Our guest speaker will be April Smith American Freedze she will be talking about propositions and the candidates also I'd like to mention or and inform our community that voter registration deadline is October 7th at 5 p.m early voting starts at onto 9th early voting location is at Mojave County Library in on Hancock.

6:53

The library will be open from Monday through Friday 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

7:01

And the library will be closed on Columbus Day which is October 14th all I can say to everyone please vote and I know and I'm sure everyone knows this election is very important.

7:19

Thank you and good night.

7:21

Thank you.

7:23

Next evening council mayor staff uh Pamela Smith with DAR Fort Mojave chapter we would like to invite everybody to attend our unveiling and dedication of the memorial that will be at the Veterans Memorial that's on August excuse me October 12th 9 a.morial and hopefully we'll see you all there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Human Services████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Zoning Regulations█████████9%
Public Safety███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Community Events████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024

The Bullhead City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. All six council members were present (Councilmember Hecht participated via Zoom, Councilmember Lettman was absent). The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, a manager's report, consent agenda, and action on 20 agenda items. Key decisions involved zoning changes, infrastructure contracts, liquor license recommendations, and grant awards.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Constitution Week Proclamation: The Mayor proclaimed September 17–23, 2024, as Constitution Week in Bullhead City, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Manager’s Report

  • Boys & Girls Club of the Colorado River: Executive Director Autumn Boyle Robinson reported on the club's impact, serving approximately 1,100 children directly and 400 through outreach, charging an average of $0.53 per hour. The club's three thrift stores support other nonprofits. Upcoming fundraisers: Speakeasy (Sept 20), golf tournament (Oct 5), Halloween bash (Oct 5), and off-road poker run (Nov).
  • Labor Day Weekend River Statistics (presented by Capt. Harms, representing Police Chief Trebes): From Aug 30–Sep 2, 2024, total calls for service were 771 (police, fire, ambulance). Police handled 501 calls; 15 accidents (13 non-injury, 1 injury, 1 fatality under investigation); 29 criminal arrests; 4 DUIs; 5 OUIs (19 for the waterway season since May 1); 2 watercraft accidents (1 injury). The city extended boating season and coordinated with other agencies.
  • Cameras in City Parks (presented by Recreation Superintendent Dave Heath): 9 cameras installed at Rotary Park, 5 at Community Park, 4 portable cameras. System online 24/7; one arrest attributed to camera use. Additional cameras planned.
  • Skate Park Rehabilitation: Concrete rehab underway at Rotary Park; expected to open late next week or the following week. Artificial grass added to manage water runoff.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Multiple Speakers: Topics included Constitution Day, voter registration deadlines (Oct 7, early voting Oct 9), POW/MIA ceremony (Sept 20), DAR memorial unveiling (Oct 12), suicide awareness walk (Sept 21), drone technology and job creation, criticism of county officials, and promotion of Colorado River Concerts season. A speaker urged support for the police department. Questions were raised about the food bank’s religious affiliation (clarified as secular 501c3 with city-held deed of trust). A speaker alleged a conflict of interest regarding Councilmember Grace (she is a volunteer, not compensated; city attorney stated no legal conflict).

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the September 3, 2024, Special Work Session and Regular Meeting.
  • Adopted Resolution 2024R-43 authorizing abandonment of a 16-foot public utility easement in Tierra Grande Tract 4023-C.
  • Adopted Resolution 2024R-44 appointing Finance Director Drexler to submit the Annual Expenditure Limitation Report for FY2023-2025.

Discussion Items

  • Item 4 – BATS Commission Appointments: Two applicants for two seats. Appointed Livia Hendrickson (term ending Sept 30, 2025) and Cindy Frizzell (term ending Sept 30, 2026).

  • Item 5 – Planning & Zoning Commission Appointment: One applicant (Boyd Kramer) for partial term; appointed to term expiring June 30, 2026.

  • Item 6 – Public Hearing: Voodoo Cove Liquor License (Series 12): Recommended approval for a new restaurant license at 2247 Clearwater Drive. Motion carried 6-0.

  • Item 7 – Public Hearing: Optimum Community Center Liquor License (Series 5): Recommended approval for city-controlled alcohol service at special events only. Motion carried 6-0.

  • Item 8 – Zoning Map Change: Ordinance 2024-22 to rezone 18.55 acres at 1625 Goldrush Road from R2MF to RP-PAD for a 124-unit manufactured home rental park with amenities (dock, pool, pickleball, etc.). Deviations requested and approved (reduced setbacks, no perimeter landscape buffer). Approved 6-0.

  • Item 9 – Code Amendment (Hay Bales): Ordinance 2024-23 adding requirements to replace hay bales used for erosion control every 3 months, based on EPA guidance. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 10 – CityCentre District Conceptual Plan: Resolution 2024R-46 approving a conceptual plan for a 246-acre mixed-use development at 2541 Highway 95, to include commercial, residential, and downtown area. No zoning changes at this time. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 11 – Emergency Bypass Pumping Ratification: Ratified expenditures from $49,000 to $137,359.85 for emergency bypass pumping at the 10-1 lift station, covering new pumps and electrical equipment. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 12 – Generator Purchase: Approved $171,768.08 for a 600kW Cat diesel generator as backup power for the new 20-1 well site, including 5-year factory warranty and 1-year maintenance. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 13 – Aeration Basin Construction Contract: Approved $8,938,046.91 contract with Kay Constructors for Section 10 wastewater treatment plant improvements (new aeration basin to increase capacity from 4 to 6 million gallons/day). Funded from enterprise fund and general fund. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 14 – Police Vehicle Upfit: Approved $138,517.70 contract with Arizona Emergency Products to equip five Ford Expeditions with police packages. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 15 – Fingerprint Submission Agreement: Adopted Resolution 2024R-47 for intergovernmental agreement with AZ DPS for non-criminal justice fingerprint submissions. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 16 – Food Bank Expansion Construction Contract: Approved $976,061 contract with Redmond Construction for a 40'x100' metal building, driveway, and hardscape at 590 Hancock Road. $818,367 from CDBG grant; $157,694 from city contingency. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 17 – Food Bank Funding Security Documents: Approved Funding Agreement, Deed of Trust, and Promissory Note to secure city investment in the food bank facility (20-year term with 5% annual forgiveness). Approved 6-0.

  • Item 18 – Merrill Avenue Intersection Improvements Contract: Approved $3,334,273 contract with Perco Rock Company for intersection improvements (new traffic signal, grading, paving, utilities) on SR95 and Merrill Avenue. Developer Elio Khalif confirmed support; project duration ~6 months. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 19 – Right-of-Way Grant and Easement: Accepted grant and dedication of fee title and easements for Merrill Avenue project. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 20 – Economic Strength Projects Grant: Ratified application and award of $500,000 from Arizona Commerce Authority for a deceleration lane on Highway 95 for the CityCentre project. Approved 6-0.

  • Item 21 was pulled from the agenda.

Key Outcomes

  • All action items were approved unanimously (6-0) except where noted.
  • Infrastructure investments: Over $13 million in contracts for water/wastewater, police equipment, roads, and food bank expansion were authorized.
  • Planning approvals: A major mixed-use conceptual plan (CityCentre), zoning change for manufactured housing, and code update on hay bales were adopted.
  • Liquor licenses: Two recommendations to the state were approved.
  • Board appointments: Three citizens appointed to BATS and Planning & Zoning Commissions.

Meeting adjourned after item 20.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. This is Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, 5:30 p.m., our regular scheduled council meeting. I call this meeting to order. Could I get a roll call, please? All council members are present except for Council Member Lettman. Um, Councilmember Hecht is joining us via Zoom tonight. Councilmember Heck, are you with us? Councilmember Hecht. All Council members are present except for Council Member Lettman and Council Member Hecht. All righty. We're going to start this evening with an invocation from Stephen Brown from Preeschapel. If you'd like to join us, please stand. Thank you very much. Father God, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to put you first in today's meeting. I ask today that you give our community leaders supernatural insight. I just asked for wisdom from you, Lord, that their decisions set before them today are of you. I ask for your will to be done and your hand of favor move on the behalf of our citizens here in Bullhead City. I know that when we follow you, grace and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. So, Father God, I ask you to be that lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen. Please join me in the fledgling. Libertarian Tustice RO. Please be seated. All right, we start this evening with a call to the public. If you're speaking with a group, your group must be with you, four people or more, and you must let us know ahead of time. We'll give you five minutes. If you're speaking on your own, you get three minutes. With that being said, who'd like to come up first? Mayor, City Council, uh, thank you for the final for finally getting back to me, Steve. Uh I really hope we can talk more than the two minutes. Uh based on, but first off, happy Constitution Day to everybody. Uh last night I had the privilege and honor of speaking with uh blank. Uh John Eastman, uh, who both uh clerked for the Supreme Court is one of Trump's legal team and advisors. Uh and uh he really liked uh some of my ideas. I can't get into them all in this amount of time. I've had the mute button pushed on me. Uh I'm not able to send out emails to large numbers of people anymore. Uh, but I would like to re-establish contact with those who have been and are in my group. One thing that Major General Vallile, uh, who our communications have been disrupted by third parties. Um we are all being censored right now. And that's something we all need to recognize. And I know there's a lot of infighting going on right now. And I don't see how anybody that lives here can be as against the people as they seem to be. But I feel like this is just more and more being divided. We're we're being invaded by illegal aliens in small towns across the country. Another one today came to the forefront. A small town much smaller than Bullhead in western Pennsylvania has had a 2,000 percent increase in their population 20-fold with Haitian and African immigrants in an area that used to be all white. And they are trying to make it a crime to offer any minority group. In your free speech, this is how they're attacking the First Amendment.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com