Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – July 15, 2025

The Bullhead City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard. All council members were present. The meeting began with an invocation by Pastor Tim Eighmy of Community Lutheran Church, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Council actions included the swearing-in of a new council member, election of a mayor and vice mayor, recognition of former Mayor Steve D'Amico, approval of consent items, approval of two road-maintenance equipment purchases, and approval of a contested preliminary plat for the CityCentre District.

Seating of New Council Member and Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor

• Pamela Smith took the Oath of Office as Bullhead City Council Member.
• Councilmember Rodney Head was elected Mayor to serve through the end of the 2026 election cycle; the vote was 7–0. The transcript spells the name 'Head', though former Mayor D'Amico later referred to him as 'Rodney Hood'.
• Councilmember Alfonso was designated Vice Mayor for Fiscal Year 2025–2026; the vote was 7–0.
• Mayor Head then took the oath of office as Mayor.

Presentation to Former Mayor Steve D'Amico

• Former Mayor Steve D'Amico, now executive director of the Bullhead City Metropolitan Planning Organization, received a certificate of appreciation from the City, a letter from U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, and a congressional recognition and challenge coin from U.S. Representative Paul Gosar's office.
• The recognition highlighted D'Amico's more than a decade of service on the City Council, his work on Highway 95 improvements, the Silver Copper Crossing bridge, and land transfers, as well as his service on regional boards and committees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Pape announced the Colorado River Republican Women's monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 6, at the Chaparral Country Club, 1260 Mojave Drive, Bullhead City. She said anyone could attend and join the membership.
• Eva Genevievs announced the 81st annual Republican picnic on Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at Hualapai Mountain Park, with a slate of candidates; she stressed that 2026 would be an important election because Arizona will elect a new governor and encouraged everyone to vote.
• Grace Hecht invited the community to the final Little Sprouts Farmers Market of the summer on July 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., partnering with Mojave College, featuring 35 young entrepreneurs ages 6 to 18. She also invited teachers to the Back to School Teacher Party at Laughlin Ranch, noting 169 teachers were registered and that teachers from every school from Needles to Laughlin would participate. Information was available at MakeBullheadBetter.com.
• Paula Fontis Hambi expressed concerns about freedom of speech, saying people in the community were afraid to speak out or put up signs. She also expressed concern about issues involving veterans' care, immigration, and schools, and said she loved Bullhead City but was disappointed.
• During the CityCentre preliminary plat discussion, Hart Anderson of Bullhead City urged the Council to vote against the change. He said a 155-home parcel with a single owner would be a 'slippery slope' and could set a precedent for corporations owning neighborhoods.

Manager's Report

• Skate Park Enhancements: The City highlighted recently completed skate park improvements, including shade, picnic tables, more amenities, and an expanded skate park. Staff thanked Dave Heath, Angie Johnson, and community members who participated.
• RC Park Improvements: The Manager highlighted improvements to the remote control vehicle track in Rotary Park, including an oval track, a dirt track, and a grand viewing area. A Saturday night event drew a large crowd, and the RC community continues to grow.
• State of Arizona Budget: The Manager reported that Arizona passed its state budget. The City was awarded a $1 million grant for a water transmission line and $1.5 million for Hancock Road; the county was also granted $1 million for Mountain View, just south of the City. State shared revenues were on target. The Manager thanked Senator Hilda Angus and Representatives John Gillette and Leo Biasiucci.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the consent agenda without item 5 on a 7–0 vote. This included the minutes of the July 1, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and the Final Condominium Plat for Toy Shack Storage Fox Creek, Tract 5159.
• Item 5, the Amended Final Plat for Montano Ridge Estates Tract 5165, Unit 2, was removed from the consent agenda at a council member's request due to a personal conflict. It was then approved separately with six votes in favor; the conflicted council member did not vote on the item.

Discussion Items

• CityCentre District Lots 4 and 5 Preliminary Plat (Action Item 7): Staff presented the first preliminary plat for the CityCentre development. The plat would create a 20.85-acre residential parcel on Marina Boulevard south of City Hall, with approximately 155 residential units, and a 1.96-acre commercial lot at the southeast corner at Highway 95 and Riverview Drive, intended for a car wash that was not yet final. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval by a 5–1 vote. The developer, Jacob Quarta, explained that the single-parcel approach was intended to allow a build-to-rent concept, which he said was a multifamily-style rental community built as detached homes, rather than large investors buying existing homes. He said the CityCentre site could ultimately have up to 2,400 units over the next five to ten years, and the project could later be converted to individual for-sale lots if necessary. Council discussion addressed R1L zoning, private streets, future street dedication standards, eventual platting options, and typical unit types, likely one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, most with garages and backyards. A council member said they disagreed with the approach and would like a study of this development model's success and possibly a workshop. Councilmember O'Neill noted that the Council had previously approved a similar build-to-rent concept behind the Chevron station, and Century Complete later bought and built out that subdivision. The motion to approve the preliminary plat carried with five votes in favor.
• Crac-Vac 2 Purchase (Action Item 8): The Council approved the purchase of a new Crac-Vac 2 from CRAFCO of Chandler, Arizona, for $83,119.05 plus applicable taxes and freight, per quote BBBQ69810-01 dated May 12, 2025, and authorized the City Manager to issue resulting payments. Public Works Director Johnson said the machine vacuums cracks before crack sealing, reducing dust and debris compared to the current blow-out method. The item was budgeted, purchased under a Sourcewell contract, and carried a two-year warranty. Councilmember Smith asked about the Sourcewell discount; staff said the discount was included in the quoted price and could be shown on future invoices.
• E-Z Series II 1500 Diesel Melter Purchase (Action Item 9): The Council approved the purchase of a new E-Z Series II 1500 Diesel Melter from CRAFCO of Chandler, Arizona, for $147,629.33 plus applicable taxes and freight, per quote BBBQ69930-01 dated May 12, 2025, and authorized the City Manager to issue resulting payments. Public Works Director Johnson said the melter replaces more than 15-year-old equipment used to heat crack-filling material, that the current unit's pot had cracked multiple times, and that the City had rented replacements for the last two seasons. The item was budgeted, purchased under a Sourcewell contract, and carried a two-year warranty.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to waive the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions presented for adoption passed 7–0.
• Consent agenda, without item 5, approved 7–0.
• Amended Final Plat for Montano Ridge Estates Tract 5165, Unit 2 approved with six votes in favor after one council member's personal conflict recusal.
• Preliminary Plat for CityCentre District Lots 4 and 5 approved with five votes in favor.
• Purchase of the Crac-Vac 2 from CRAFCO approved 7–0 in the amount of $83,119.05 plus applicable taxes and freight.
• Purchase of the E-Z Series II 1500 Diesel Melter from CRAFCO approved 7–0 in the amount of $147,629.33 plus applicable taxes and freight.
• The meeting was adjourned following the action items.