Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - May 20, 2025

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard, Bullhead City, Arizona. All seven council members were present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Stephen Brown of Praise Chapel and the Pledge of Allegiance. There was no consent calendar. The council heard a call to the public, staff reports on the ICSC convention, summer camp registration, and customer service training, and took one action item: a public hearing on Resolution No. 2025R-25 adopting the Comprehensive Fee Schedule for fiscal year 2025/2026, which was approved 7-0.

Call to the Public

• Raymond White, site director of Nation's Finest Bullhead City Office, acknowledged that he had fallen short as a leader in ways that affected the organization he represents and the community, asked the council for the opportunity to continue the partnership, and expressed commitment to learn, grow, and become a better leader.
• Diana Lestat of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 2408 invited the public to the annual Flag Day ceremony on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the lodge, located at the corner of Emerald Road and Hancock. She said the Elks began Flag Day ceremonies on June 14, 1911, and that President Harry S. Truman, himself an Elk, signed the law designating June 14 as Flag Day on August 3, 1949. She asked the mayor to proclaim the week of June 8-14, 2025, as a week for every home and business to display the American flag.
• Barbara Pape of the Colorado River Republican Women announced the group's monthly luncheon on June 7, 2025, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Chaparral Country Club, 1260 Mojave Drive, with a $15 menu; guest speakers are Vice Mayor Dan Alfonso and AZRFW chair Pam Ford, who will discuss the biennial convention in Mesa, June 19-21. She also promoted a bingo and burgers fundraiser on Monday, June 23, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m., last call for burgers at 5:30 p.m., and games at 6 p.m.; $20 pre-sale tickets are available through Robbie Adams at 928-715-3557, and proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations.
• Stephen Brown, executive director of Bullhead Regional Food Bank, thanked the council and Jeff Tipton for the Community Development Block Grant that made the new food bank building possible, and invited the public to a ribbon-cutting on June 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. at 590 Hancock Road.
• Grace Hecht announced the Little Sprouts Farmers Market on May 29, open to children ages 6 to 18 who want to start their own businesses without needing a business license or paying taxes; it is a partnership with Mojave Community College, with sign-up at MakeBullheadBetter.com. She also promoted a community baby shower on June 19, 5-7 p.m. at Laughlin Ranch, for expecting mothers giving birth between May and August, noting that 25 mothers were already registered and that diapers, breast pumps, and furniture would be provided.
• Paula Pontes Hambi, a La Puerta-area resident, expressed concern about federal cuts hitting veterans, citing a planned VA cut of 83,000 jobs (17 percent of the agency), that one quarter of the VA's 482,000 employees are veterans, and an estimate that 800 to 900 of the 1,130 crisis line workers who worked remotely are being cut. She listed five concerns: eroding the federal workforce, gutting VA health care, de-staffing the suicide hotline, losing research, and looming cuts to other benefits, and urged the public to contact their representatives.
• A speaker (Scotty) disputed the previous testimony, asserting veterans are not losing benefits and that the federal government is eliminating waste and fraud; he reported receiving a 40 percent disability rating and receiving a check. He also criticized the local fire district for voting 4-1 for a preliminary budget tax rate of 351 per $100 and referenced a $17 million bond for an Altair fire station that he said has no fire engine, EMT, or staff, arguing the district's unelected, self-appointed board should be elected officials.
• Eric Dalakon, a Bullhead City resident for several years, said he has never seen allocated money for the local river washouts, opposed the recent closure of one washout, and asked when the Holiday Shore side of Bullhead City would receive upgrades such as proper lighting and trash services.
• Brian Driscoll, a Bullhead City resident, complained about a planned gate at the river access at the end of Yale, stating that if there is a problem it is a police problem and that people should not gate up river access; he noted he bought a home 15 years ago two blocks from the river and deserves the chance to enjoy it.
• Pamela Smith clarified the fire district discussion: the board voted on its preliminary budget at a rate of 351 per $100, the final budget vote will occur at the next meeting on June 24, and while the highest rate went from 350 to 375, the district is not at the highest rate but is still taxing too much.

Waiver Motion

• The council voted 7-0 to waive the full reading of all ordinances and resolutions presented for adoption at the meeting.

Manager's Report

• International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Convention: City Manager Cotter reported that he, the mayor, Development Services Director Billy, and staff attended the Las Vegas convention, which drew 30,000-plus people. He said major corporations from across the country are now coming to Bullhead City's booth, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, new businesses, and general developers, and while economic development takes time, the city is well positioned for the future.
• Summer Camp: Dave Heath reported 567 campers signed up, far and away surpassing any previous year. Sold-out camps include drone camp, Chef Masters cooking camp (taught by Public Works Director Angie Johnson), the first week of Lego camp, and the first week of gymnastics. Almost full are the second week of Lego, the first week of baking, junior theater, and cooking camps. Registration closes Sunday at 5 p.m.; first-week camps include track, soccer, beginner and advanced painting, volleyball, music, bracelet making, and intro to photography. Contact Claire Adams at 928-763-0158 or register at bullheadcity.com/recdesk.
• Customer Service Training: Assistant City Manager Travis Pruitt reported that the city partnered with Mojave County Community College to design a custom half-day customer service training for all full-time employees, approximately 350 to 360 staff over three days. Attendance included the judge, the city manager, and police staff; the police chief said his staff has the same responsibility as everyone else to provide good customer service. Feedback was positive, and the training covered service to the public and internal customer service between employees.
• City Manager Cotter responded to earlier public comments about river access, stating each access point is being handled on a case-by-case basis and that staff can provide interested residents with additional information; he noted multiple workshops on the topic over the years.

Mayor and Council Member Reports

• Vice Mayor Alfonso announced, on behalf of Linda Saldana, the annual Memorial Day ceremony at 12 p.m. on Monday, May 26, at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Park at the Eternal Flame, with special guest speaker Major AJ Pompus, followed by free hot dogs and hamburgers and an American Legion BHC event at 2 p.m.
• A council member announced the Bullhead City Pest Abatement Caddisfly Community Forum on Thursday, May 22, 6-7 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, highlighting new nuisance abatement projects and initiatives planned for this year.

Public Hearing: Resolution No. 2025R-25 - Comprehensive Fee Schedule FY 2025/2026

• City Manager Cotter explained that the annual fee review began at the March budget workshop, with very few changes recommended and no significant changes to development services fees or other general fees.
• Assistant City Manager Eddie Kajirwa (referred to as 'Eddie Kajero' in the transcript; the agenda reads 'Kajirwa') presented key changes: a new $1,000 fee for private events at the Gary Keith Buck / Olivia McCormick Pavilion; new lost-water recovery fees in response to water line breaks caused by contractors or residents; municipal court prosecution recovery fees updated to $275 and $125; annual community park passes for neighboring communities (Fort Mojave, Laughlin, and surrounding areas) reduced from $50 to $35, effective May 9; a new $25 fee for budget books; and elimination of council chambers and conference room rental fees, given the new optimum community center and available hotels in the area.
• Vice Mayor Alfonso recommended increasing the warrant fee and the order-to-show-cause fee on page 66 from $50 to $75. Staff responded that those changes would require a 60-day public notice and a future council action, so they were not included in the resolution as adopted.
• City Manager Cotter defended the $35 park pass, noting Nevada residents pay no state income tax and Fort Mojave/Mojave Valley residents pay 2 percent less sales tax, while the three months of free community park access is a benefit for Bullhead City citizens; he called $35 for an annual pass very reasonable.

Public Comment on the Fee Schedule

• Janice Johnston, a Lakeside-area resident and MAPT member, asked whether the council chambers and conference rooms would still be available for specific purposes after the rental fees were eliminated. The city manager said the rooms are best reserved for municipal purposes and public meetings, but the city remains open to working with nonprofits and community organizations.
• A speaker thanked the city for allowing nonprofits to use city parks for free, contrasting an event at Davis Camp that cost $500 with a $200 refund after a cleaning fee (net $300). The city manager responded that he has authorized Dave Heath to waive all nonprofit utilization fees in every city park, a policy in place for 15 years that does not exist in Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Lake Havasu, representing hundreds of thousands of dollars in waived fees; the mayor echoed that nonprofits do vital work for the community.

Key Outcomes

• The council voted 7-0 to approve Resolution No. 2025R-25, adopting the Comprehensive Fee Schedule for fiscal year 2025/2026, with new fees effective July 1, 2025.
• The council voted 7-0 to waive the full reading of ordinances and resolutions.
• The proposed warrant fee and order-to-show-cause fee increases from $50 to $75 were noted but deferred to a future 60-day public notice process.
• The meeting adjourned immediately after the vote.