OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, March 18, 2025
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:32

Transcript — Verbatim
0:59

Good evening.

1:00

This is Tuesday, March 18th, 2025.

1:02

It's 5 30 p.m.

1:03

Here we're here for our regular scheduled council meeting.

1:06

I call this meeting to order.

1:07

Can I get a roll call, please?

1:08

All council members are present.

1:10

Start with the imitation from Pastor Nicholas Greener from Hope United Methodist Church.

1:15

Please stand if you'd like to join us.

1:20

I invite you each to adopt an attitude most prayerful for you.

1:24

And after a moment of silence, we'll pray.

1:29

Holy one, known by many names and in many ways, we lift before you all who govern at the national, state, and county levels, and particularly those of this council of Bullhead City.

1:43

Bless all these public servants that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, justice, and mercy.

1:53

Amen.

1:56

Please join me in a pledge of allegiance.

2:14

Please be seated.

2:19

We have a proclamation to give out.

2:21

Could I get uh Larry and everyone from Kawanas up front?

2:40

Testing.

2:42

Whereas the children of our community are the future and of the utmost importance importance, excuse me.

2:48

And whereas healthy habits and res regular physical activity are essential to maintaining children's physical, mental, and academic health.

2:57

And whereas research shows that communities with programs directed toward healthy habits and safe places to be physically active can have positive effects on children's mental health and emotional well-being.

3:09

And whereas our community is committed to promoting activities directed at children and creating a supportive environment for physical activity and healthy habits.

3:18

And whereas the City of Bullhead City and the Bullhead City Kawanas Club are committed to assisting with the growth, development, education, safety, and security of all children in this community.

3:30

And whereas the free seventh annual Cawanas Kids Expo will take place on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, from 10 a.m.

3:38

to 2 p.m.

3:39

at Kenfogart Park.

3:41

Now, therefore, I Steve Diamico, mayor of Bullhead City, to hereby proclaim Saturday, March 29th, 2025, as Kawanas Kids Expo Day.

3:50

In the city of Bullhead City, and call upon community leaders, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and all residents to join in promoting child involvement and create a culture of health and activity in our community.

4:03

And witness there, if I hearunto set my hand this 18th day of March, 2025, Steve D.

4:08

Amico, Mayor Bullhead City.

4:09

Thank you.

5:02

SWAT vehicle.

5:03

We're having a jail bus from the sheriff's office.

5:05

Sergeant Eddie Espinoza with the police department have us motorcycle there so kids can get on the motorcycle and get a picture taken.

5:12

All kinds of clubs, mental health agencies will be there, a lot of children's organizations.

5:18

So come out, it's all free.

5:20

We do sell hot dogs for a whole buck, and also cotton candy and snow cones.

5:25

Other than that, we're glad to be a part of this and put this on for the community.

5:29

Thank you.

5:47

All right, now we move on to our call to the public.

5:49

If you're an individual, you get three minutes to speak.

5:51

If you're a group, you get five minutes.

5:52

Your group must be with you five four or more people.

5:55

Let us know ahead of time.

5:56

We'll make sure you get your five minutes.

5:58

With that being said, Steve, you want to start?

6:00

Stephen Lee, Bullhead City.

6:02

I apologize to everyone on council and members of the public that usually get the Patriots Free Press.

6:11

I gave out the last of my copies at the Lincoln Day dinner in Kingman.

6:16

Uh for anyone who really wants one for this month.

6:20

Uh, there may be some left at uh D'Angelo's uh at uh the GOP office or at Hayes Chiropractic.

6:31

Um so if you really want one, pick up one there.

6:35

Um for those who aren't aware, and I realize there are some who aren't as astutely aware as they should be in our government uh and police department.

6:48

Uh there have been nationwide huge numbers of SWATing incidents, specifically where conservatives were targeted and uh they were called out of their house in the middle of the night, their family members were swatted by calling the police department with various scamming tools, uh, some just making false claims, some actually using AI to impersonate the individuals and uh getting them called out of the house.

7:19

There have been prominent journalists that this have happened to, uh Nick Fuentes and one of the InfoWars journalists as well.

7:27

Uh so this is something that everyone needs to be astutely aware of uh so that when responding to these types of calls, and I already mentioned it to the chief and uh to one of the lieutenants that uh this is going on.

7:44

Um the chief didn't seem keenly aware until now.

7:48

Uh I know that he's gonna take action on it, but the whole department and the whole city really needs to be aware of this.

7:56

Um another note, uh the communication system with the radios has not been anywhere near as successful as I had hoped.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████20%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Senior Services████████████12%
Procedural█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Zoning Regulations█████5%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 2025

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, a manager's report, and action on several agenda items. All votes were unanimous 7‑0.

Proclamation

  • Mayor Steve D’Amico proclaimed Saturday, March 29, 2025 as Kiwanis Kids Expo Day, celebrating the free seventh annual expo at Ken Fogt Park on that day.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Stephen Lee urged the council to be aware of nationwide SWATting incidents targeting conservatives and proposed installing Starlink communication uplinks for emergency internet and 911 backup.
  • Wayne Colburn (Needles resident) announced a chili cook‑off on April 19, 2025 and invited council members to serve as judges; his new 501(c)(3) aims to assist tri‑state residents who earn slightly too much to qualify for other aid.
  • Ron DeVall (Desert Shores Community Baptist Church) promoted a free Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University program starting the next evening.
  • Jeremy Brunk (TWN Communications) gave a brief update on fiber‑optic construction in Holiday Highlands and Holiday Shores, noting a small delay in Hancock Ranch and River’s Edge areas.
  • Rose Jacobs invited the community to the final concert of the Colorado River Concert Series 50th‑anniversary season on March 26, 2025 (swing band Good Shot Judy) and announced early‑bird season‑ticket sales.
  • Harvey Pryor questioned city policies on employee investigations and resignation, alleging investigation stops after resignations; he requested a public records request for mayor and chiefs’ communications.
  • Tammy (from 314 Meander) accused the city of covering for Kim Cole and causing her heart attack; she vowed to fight.
  • Supervisor Rich Lutman (Mohave County) reported two upcoming Board of Supervisors resolutions: (1) asking the Mohave County Airport Authority to expand its board to include a county representative and a Bullhead City seat, and (2) requesting the Bureau of Reclamation open Davis Dam for public visits on National Public Lands Day (September 27, 2025), with related school field trips.
  • Grace Hecht thanked the council for the new senior center and announced a free food distribution on Saturday and an adult egg hunt on April 12 benefiting River Fund’s Cancer Fund.
  • Harry Genevis (Colorado River Historical Society) promoted a honey‑baked ham fundraiser for the museum.
  • Eva Genevieves announced a bingo fundraiser on March 28 benefiting Casa Council and Bullhead City Saints charities, and the America First Victory Gala on April 26 featuring Congressman Andy Biggs as keynote speaker.

Manager’s Report

  • RC Track (Rotary Park): Parks and Recreation Director Dave Heath reported that volunteer groups are actively improving the track. Donations include five loads of clay from SNS Concrete, a new pit lane and timing system (valued over $11,000) from Gaswaldo Racing, and heavy‑equipment operation by a volunteer. Four lights will be installed this week, power is being run to the driver’s stand, and an oval concrete track is staked out. Parking improvements (millings with slurry) are planned.
  • Summer Camp: Summer camp runs May 27–June 27, 2025 with 45 camps (sports, drone, science, media, baking, arts, etc.). Registration opens April 1 on BullheadCity.com/rec; an early‑bird discount of $5 per camp is available through April 13.
  • Senior Enrichment Center: A short video highlighted the new 7,700‑sq‑ft facility (addition to the existing nutrition center) funded by a CDBG grant and city general fund. It features an exercise room, library, game room, great room, craft room, and computer lab. The center is open to residents aged 50+.
  • Community Park Summer Parking Fees: City Manager reported that the daily entry fee for non‑residents will increase from $20 to $25 (first increase since 2020) to generate additional revenue (estimated $150,000) for park maintenance. Bullhead City residents remain free. Councilman Newland suggested expanding the $50 annual pass to include Mojave Valley and Needles residents and reducing the price to $35, and also considering free entry for non‑resident city employees. The City Manager agreed to bring these options to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the March 4, 2025 Regular and Special Council Meetings.

Action Items

  • Item 2 (Liquor License): Public hearing – Approved recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for a Series 12 (Restaurant) license for Meoni’s Pizzeria at 2350 Miracle Mile #306. (Unanimous)
  • Item 3 (Zoning Change): Public hearing – Adopted Ordinance 2025‑4 to rezone a 0.17‑acre parcel at 1540 Turquoise Road from C1 (Commercial Neighborhood Sales & Service) to R2MF (Residential Multiple‑Family) to allow three residential units. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 6‑0. (Unanimous)
  • Item 4 (General Plan Amendment): Public hearing – Adopted Resolution 2025R‑9 to change the land‑use designation of an approximately 33.7‑acre portion of land west of the Mohave Crossroads shopping center from Regional Commercial to Medium High Density Residential for a mixed single‑family and multifamily development. A resident, Catherine Watkins, voiced concerns about traffic congestion, noise, dust, and the size of the project. Staff noted traffic and drainage studies will be required during future zoning and plat approvals. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 6‑0. (Unanimous)
  • Item 5 (Well Contract): Approved a contract with Kay Constructors for the “20‑1 Well Completion and Transmission Main” project in an amount not to exceed $2,694,466.61, and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract and issue payments. The project was bid under an IFB (Invitation for Bid) as a pre‑designed project; two bids were received and the engineering estimate was within 5% of the winning bid. (Unanimous)

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were 7‑0 in favor.
  • The City Manager will bring back to a future meeting a proposal to expand the discounted annual park pass to include Mojave Valley and Needles residents at $35 (instead of $50 for Laughlin/Fort Mojave) and to possibly allow non‑resident city employees free park entry.
  • For the General Plan amendment (Item 4), additional traffic, drainage, and environmental studies will be required before final development approvals.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. This is Tuesday, March 18th, 2025. It's 5 30 p.m. Here we're here for our regular scheduled council meeting. I call this meeting to order. Can I get a roll call, please? All council members are present. Start with the imitation from Pastor Nicholas Greener from Hope United Methodist Church. Please stand if you'd like to join us. I invite you each to adopt an attitude most prayerful for you. And after a moment of silence, we'll pray. Holy one, known by many names and in many ways, we lift before you all who govern at the national, state, and county levels, and particularly those of this council of Bullhead City. Bless all these public servants that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, justice, and mercy. Amen. Please join me in a pledge of allegiance. Please be seated. We have a proclamation to give out. Could I get uh Larry and everyone from Kawanas up front? Testing. Whereas the children of our community are the future and of the utmost importance importance, excuse me. And whereas healthy habits and res regular physical activity are essential to maintaining children's physical, mental, and academic health. And whereas research shows that communities with programs directed toward healthy habits and safe places to be physically active can have positive effects on children's mental health and emotional well-being. And whereas our community is committed to promoting activities directed at children and creating a supportive environment for physical activity and healthy habits. And whereas the City of Bullhead City and the Bullhead City Kawanas Club are committed to assisting with the growth, development, education, safety, and security of all children in this community. And whereas the free seventh annual Cawanas Kids Expo will take place on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kenfogart Park. Now, therefore, I Steve Diamico, mayor of Bullhead City, to hereby proclaim Saturday, March 29th, 2025, as Kawanas Kids Expo Day. In the city of Bullhead City, and call upon community leaders, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and all residents to join in promoting child involvement and create a culture of health and activity in our community. And witness there, if I hearunto set my hand this 18th day of March, 2025, Steve D. Amico, Mayor Bullhead City. Thank you. SWAT vehicle. We're having a jail bus from the sheriff's office. Sergeant Eddie Espinoza with the police department have us motorcycle there so kids can get on the motorcycle and get a picture taken. All kinds of clubs, mental health agencies will be there, a lot of children's organizations. So come out, it's all free. We do sell hot dogs for a whole buck, and also cotton candy and snow cones. Other than that, we're glad to be a part of this and put this on for the community. Thank you. All right, now we move on to our call to the public. If you're an individual, you get three minutes to speak. If you're a group, you get five minutes. Your group must be with you five four or more people. Let us know ahead of time. We'll make sure you get your five minutes. With that being said, Steve, you want to start? Stephen Lee, Bullhead City. I apologize to everyone on council and members of the public that usually get the Patriots Free Press. I gave out the last of my copies at the Lincoln Day dinner in Kingman.

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