Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – November 18, 2025

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting included a consent agenda, public comments, and action items on zoning, a well drilling contract, a food bank contribution, code amendments, legislative priorities, and dog beach hours. The council approved all items unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the October 31, 2025 Special Council Meeting and the November 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
• Approved the preliminary plat for Dunton Estates, a single-family subdivision at 135 Landon Drive.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diana Lestat (Bullhead City Elks Lodge #2408): Announced the annual Hoop Shoot free throw competition for children ages 8–13 on December 13, 2025, at the Boys & Girls Club.
• Unnamed resident: Expressed frustration with Mojave Electric Cooperative (MEC) for rude treatment during a financial hardship, cited utility monopoly concerns, and urged the council to consider residents struggling with rate increases. Stated that a 2.8% increase is insufficient when utility costs rise disproportionately.
• Unnamed resident (“Scotty”): Criticized small flags at City Hall as inappropriate, complained about steel plates left by gas companies creating hazards, and requested a new road from the field house to Rainbow Drive, asking two council members to place it on the agenda.
• Gary Genevieves (Colorado River Historical Society): Promoted the Thanksgiving honey-baked ham fundraiser; hams available for pickup on November 25. Emphasized that donations are tax-deductible.
• Eva Genevese (Mojave High School drama): Invited the community to the school’s drama performances on November 20–22; ticket prices noted.
• Julie Hassett (Colorado River Concerts): Reported a successful season opener with 550 students from eight schools attending a mini-concert. Encouraged support for performing arts and noted upcoming concerts in January, February, and March.
• Unnamed resident (later in meeting): Commented on the food bank contribution, praising Stephen Brown and Terry Tomlinson and supporting the allocation; also referenced utility assistance needs.
• Scotty (later): Questioned why the food bank’s building renovation ($1 million) did not address clients waiting in extreme heat or rain; urged fixing that issue.
• Terry Tomlinson (Legacy Foundation): Responded that a solution for the waiting area is near completion.
• Unnamed resident (on Item 4): Asked about cyanide contamination from gold mining and testing of well water; utilities director confirmed over 3,000 tests annually and new-source sampling for new wells.

Manager’s Report (City Manager Toby Cotter)

• Veterans Peninsula: Reported a successful Veterans Day celebration on November 11, with two new Jeeps unveiled, about 200 attendees, and General Spicer as a speaker. The deuce-and-a-half vehicle is expected soon.
• Veterans Day Parade: Held the Saturday before Veterans Day on Miracle Mile with hundreds of participants and spectators.
• Chaparral Golf Course and Restaurant: Announced that the liquor license was issued that day, allowing alcohol service in a family-friendly setting. The course is being used as a flood retention basin and is currently holding significant water from rains, functioning as designed. Golfers report the course in best condition in over a decade.
• Public Outreach: A session on utility rate increases and discounts will be held on November 19 at 5:30 PM in council chambers.

Mayor and Council Members’ Reports on Current Events

• Councilwoman: Congratulated Mojave College Bighorns soccer team for defeating defending national champions and advancing to national semifinals.
• Councilman: Acknowledged students from Desert Light Christian Academy and Malk Key Club for a difficult trash cleanup.
• Mayor Head: Thanked Veterans United for invitation to speak at Veterans Day ceremony; also spoke at National Honor Society inductions at Malk; encouraged attendance at Mojave High School football playoff game.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Zoning Map Change (Sun River Mesa Townhomes): Public hearing to rezone 6.778 acres from R2MF (Multifamily) to R1L-PAD (Single-Family Limited – Planned Area Development) and approve a preliminary plat for 66 townhome lots (33 two-story duplex buildings), abandoning an existing condominium plat. The original plat allowed 150 units; 30 are built and 11 under construction. The new plan reduces potential units by 43. Home prices estimated at $260,000–$350,000. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Council approved 7-0.
• Item 4 – Well Drilling Contract: Authorized a contract with KP Ventures Well Drilling and Pump Company, LLC, for $838,033.86 for the 6-1 Well Drilling Project in the Lake Mojave Highlands area. The well is needed due to high demand (existing wells run over 23 hours/day) and anticipated future construction. Engineer’s estimate was about $1.6 million; KP Ventures was $200,000 less than the next bidder. Drilling anticipated 400–1,000 gallons per minute. Council approved 7-0.
• Item 5 – Food Bank Contribution: Authorized a one-time $25,000 contribution to Bullhead Regional Food Bank from contingency funds for holiday food assistance and to offset increased demand from the federal government shutdown. Food bank representatives reported serving 34,103 families (77,466 individuals) in the past year, with 53% of clients over 60. In the last month, 7,121 families (17,231 individuals) were served. Council approved 7-0.
• Item 6 – Code Amendment (Administrative Review of Plats): Adopted Ordinance 2025-13 and Resolution 2025R-50 to comply with state law requiring more efficient planning processes. Staff noted Bullhead City already has efficient processes and will maintain its existing review through Planning Commission and Council. Council approved 7-0.
• Item 7 – Legislative Priorities for 2026: Approved a list of priorities including pursuing roadway funding (right-turn lanes on Highway 95), public safety funding (police communications systems), state lake improvement funds (SLIF), improving short-term rental legislation for local control, and pursuing any available funding/grants for water and wastewater improvement and replacement (added as priority #2 by amendment). Council voted 7-0 to approve with the addition.
• Item 8 – Leash-Free Hours at Sandy Toes Beach: Approved extending off-leash hours from 4:30–8:00 AM to 4:30–9:00 AM daily, with authorization for the city manager to make further adjustments as needed. Discussion included concerns about pet waste enforcement; staff committed to increased enforcement and education. Council approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All action items (Items 3–8) were approved by unanimous 7-0 votes.
• The consent agenda was approved without discussion.
• The legislative priorities list was amended to include water/wastewater grants as priority #2.
• The city manager is authorized to adjust Sandy Toes Beach hours as needed.