Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025
Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025
The Bullhead City Council met on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a consent agenda, and action on 11 items. Key decisions included approval of engineering services for the CityCentre development, multiple utility infrastructure contracts, a resolution to urge public access to Davis Dam, and a contentious 4-3 vote to add elected officials to the group life insurance policy.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the March 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
- Accepted a Grant and Dedication of Right of Way in Fee Title for Bullhead Commons/Highway 95.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2025R-10 authorizing a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant application.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several speakers announced community events: Colorado River Republican Women’s monthly meeting (April 1, 2025 at 11 AM), Mohave County Republican Central Committee fundraiser (April 26, 2025), Bullhead City Elks Lodge Easter egg hunt (April 19, 2025 at 9 AM at Dean Hackett Park), and a rescue animal fundraiser (April 12-13, 2025 at Mojave Trading Post).
- Sean Regan expressed concerns about lack of transparency regarding the local nonprofit BARC (animal shelter) and the veteran treatment court, alleging grant funds were misused on attorneys and testing. He requested audits and accountability.
- A speaker criticized the council for starting a meeting before posting a proper agenda and taking action without a quorum, stating it was "on tape."
- A representative from the Colorado River Historical Society promoted a honey baked ham Easter fundraiser (orders due April 17) to support the museum.
- Harvey Prayer requested that the police chief provide regular monthly updates on river safety, mini-bike legality, and electric bike regulations.
- Several residents opposed Item 11 (adding elected officials to group life insurance), arguing it was a bad look and that part-time city employees do not receive similar benefits. One speaker vowed to publicly shame council members who voted yes.
- A local teacher expressed support for the Davis Dam tour resolution, emphasizing the educational value for students, and called for respectful discourse.
Discussion Items
Item 5 – Engineering Services for CityCentre Improvement District
Assistant City Manager Kajirwa explained the $489,000 agreement with Anderson-Nelson, Inc. to begin engineering for a 270-acre development. The developer will front the cost, and the city will be reimbursed before spending any funds. The improvement district will create a $12–14 million infrastructure improvement (including a third lane on Highway 95), with the city holding a lien on the property.
Item 6 – Section 10 WRP Pipe Replacement
Utilities Director Clark noted a $71,775 contract with Kay Constructors, LLC to replace a deteriorating 24-inch sewer inflow line, after a previous break caused flooding. The work is needed to prevent further failures.
Item 7 – Purchase of WesTech Oxystream Aerators
Clark requested $711,430 for two aerators for the oxidation ditch at the Section 10 wastewater plant, plus a waiver of competitive bidding because the same equipment is already installed and staff are familiar with it. The equipment has a 9-month lead time; funds are budgeted for FY2025-26. The city is under an ADEQ consent decree to repair the ditch.
Item 8 – SCADA Services Amendment
Clark presented an $82,000 amendment with Southwest Automation Services for on-call SCADA support over three years. The previous contract was not fully expended, and staff now rely less on outside help.
Item 9 – Justice Center Chiller Replacement
Public Works Director Johnson reported the $525,239 contract with Yavapai Mechanical, LLC for two chillers at the Justice Center. The project was competitively bid; the vendor will replace chillers one at a time to maintain HVAC. Mayor D’Amico noted the chillers are past their life and budgeted via reserve funds.
Item 10 – Parking Pass Fee Reduction (Resolution 2025R-11)
City Manager Cotter explained the resolution reduces the annual non-resident parking pass from $50 to $35 and expands eligibility to Needles and Mohave Valley, in addition to Laughlin and Fort Mohave. Councilmember Heid supported it as an incremental change with future adjustments possible.
Item 11 – Group Life Insurance for Elected Officials
Cotter noted that life insurance was inadvertently omitted when other benefits were added for council members. The cost is about $1,500/year total for seven members. Council members can opt out. After public opposition, the vote was 4-3 in favor.
Item 12 – Rename Merrill Road to Brady Boulevard
Cotter stated the renamed portion will be a ceremonial street (no addresses) honoring former Mayor Tom Brady, who contributed to community park, Davis Camp, and street projects. Scott Merrill, son of original developer, was supportive. The council unanimously approved.
Item 13 – Resolution Urging Public Access to Davis Dam (2025R-12)
Assistant City Manager Pruitt presented the resolution urging the Bureau of Reclamation to allow limited guided tours. Supervisor Lettman had earlier described efforts for a 75th anniversary celebration and safety improvements on trails. A few public speakers raised security concerns post-9/11, but the teacher countered with the educational need. The council passed unanimously, with a condition that security measures be implemented.
Item 14 – Turf Reduction Water Conservation Grant – Palo Verde Meadows
Assistant City Manager Kajirwa explained the grant from WIFA for removing approximately 275,000 sq ft of turf (6.3 acres) at Palo Verde Meadows HOA. The city will contribute $250,000 from its water conservation fund, with a 50% match from the HOA. The HOA president Dan Houck spoke in favor of the project to reduce maintenance and water use. The council approved.
Key Outcomes
- Approved (unanimous): Items 1-10, 12-14
- Approved (4-3): Item 11 – adding elected officials to group life insurance policy (Council members Heid, ?, ?, ? in favor; three opposed)
- Directive: Staff will order the Oxystream aerators immediately to meet the 9-month lead time; no money spent until July 1, 2025.
- Directive: City Manager to execute contracts and agreements as authorized.
- Next Steps: County Supervisor Lettman noted a similar Davis Dam resolution will be considered by the Mohave County Board on April 7, 2025. The city will coordinate with county and Clark County for a 75th anniversary celebration in 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is Tuesday, April first, twenty twenty-five, five thirty PM, our regular scheduled council meeting. I'm going to call this meeting to order. Could I get a roll call, please? All council members are present. All right, we're going to start with the invocation from John Burks from Salvation Army. If you'd like to join us, please stand. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for all our elective officials for our police for our fire department as well that uh help uh protect and save us. Lord, I also lift up those in the community that uh come together and help one another in order to lift up Bullhead City uh as a shining star. We thank you so much uh for all those who help. We love you in Jesus' name. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation, under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. Um tonight will be uh the one of the last um updates I'll give for the construction that's been going on over in the um well, I call it Hancock uh riverfront area. So uh right now, uh, what we have going on, we do have a small area that is delayed. Um I'll try to explain to the area so everybody can can understand. It's uh Holly Street East uh to Page, uh and West Holly Street East, Page West, Cairn Way South, and uh Church Street North. It's that little corner right there. I think some call it Hancock Ranch. And then we have a sm another area um Taylor East to Riverfront, and then it's west on uh Church Street, south the terrace uh north. So it's just that little corner there at the Hancock and Frontier or Riverfront. So wouldn't that and that area will be up and going by uh May seventh. So that'll be Monday. Um since we are wrapping up with construction, um, our restoration teams are in there now. Um we'll be done with restoration sometime around the end of May. So if you do happen to see things that you have questions about or concerns, um you can come up to our office at twenty twenty silver creek road, um, unit one one D, or you can call nine two eight four four four eight two three two. And we'll uh we'll address the situation. Um also tonight we do have a small presentation that we'd like to play. Um, and also if anybody has any questions, I'll be here in the audience if anybody wants to ask. So we can play our video, please. Okay, thank you. So while they're working on that, does it council or anybody have any questions? Okay, like I said, I'll be here in the audience if anybody else has anything. The only question I have is why is the sound not working? question I have is voice of sound working out in communication we're building more than just a network we're building a stronger more connected future for our communities with one hundred percent fiber internet now available in bullhead city for Mojave Mojave Valley and all the way down to Tolpach we're expanding access and bringing high speed connectivity to more homes and businesses every day service is now available in our latest neighborhoods holiday shores and riviera north of Hancock as well as any areas west of Lakeside and Hancock to Riverfront Drive with our newest area over twenty six thousand Mojave electrical cooperative members now have access to TWN fiber internet driving expansion and creating new opportunities across the region from families and small hometown businesses to large enterprises restaurants insurance companies and even government entities we provide reliable fiber internet that fuels economic growth supports local businesses and enhances daily life making the communities we serve stronger than ever TWN is more than just an internet provider we're a dedicated community partner through local sponsorships event participation and direct community support we're investing in the future of our region plus with a local store and team we're here when you need us if you're ready to experience the power of fiber internet visit us in person give us a call or reach out online to learn more TWN communications making progress strengthening communities powering economic growth thank you thank you all right next to call the public if you're individual you have three minutes if you're with a group you get five minutes there must be four or more of you here and let us know that you're as a group so we can make sure you get the time with that being said who'd like to come up first evening mayor and council people I am to here to announce our Colorado River Republican women's monthly meeting our guest speaker will be our Mojave County assessor Jeannie Kinch as we know our tax payments will be due on May first twenty twenty five I'm sure if you decide to come and attend you will be able to ask questions and hear the latest changes in our government assessments our location is chaparral country club 1260 Mojave Drive time is 11 a.m to one p.m this is a luncheon and our community is welcome even though you're not a m member we are providing information for everybody also I want to announce Mojave County Republican Central Committee is having our 2025 annual fundraiser American first victory gala event on Saturday April 26th at the Riverside Resort Hotel and Cino we will be in the Starview room we will also have the famous Riverside prime rib chicken chicken cordon blue and dessert dessert buffet our keynote speaker is candidate for Arizona's governor congressman Andy Biggs and candidate for Arizona's attorney general Rodney Glassman our legislators will be attending even our mayor and uh Congressman Paul Gosar Center uh Senator Hilde Angus representative Leo Baez Ducci Representative John Gollette Board of Supervisors Rich Littman Lettman and Sunny Barelli at this event we will have live and silent actions options there is an opportunity to also there's an opportunity to bid a lunch with Congressman Paul Gosar and maybe Congressman Andy Biggs believe me this is a chance to meet and chat with our legislators representatives and top business executives tickets are available online www dot Mojave County G-O-P dot and There is an opportunity to also there's an opportunity to bid a lunch with Congressman Paul Gosar and maybe Congressman Andy Biggs. Believe me, this is a chance to meet and chat with our legislators, representatives, and top business executives. Tickets are available online. WWW dot Mojave County County GOP dot. And at our District 2, uh Bullhead City Office, 1185, Hancock Drive. Phone number is 928 758 4467. Tickets are ticket ticket prices are 75 dollars. Thank you. Next evening, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Diana with Diana Lestat with the Willhead City Elks Lodge, and I just wanted to announce about our annual uh Easter egg hunt that we're gonna be having April 19th at 9 a.m. at Dean Hackett Park for two to nine-year-old children and grandchildren. So it's always been a great time. We've done it for many years, and what I'm asking the community for is for donations of Easter candy and Easter baskets.
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