OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - January 6, 2026

City CouncilTuesday, January 6, 2026
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:11:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Craft under the influence carries fines and jail time, just like a DUI on the road.

0:05

We encourage you to have a designated operator any time you go boating.

0:11

Thank you for taking the time to watch this video.

0:14

It is our goal to help you avoid tragedy by being an educated and safe operator.

0:19

I encourage you to continue your education by taking boating safety courses.

0:23

There are several great options to choose from online.

0:26

Thank you and stay safe.

0:29

Hi, I'm Kim Cool, Senior Services Program Manager for Bullhead City.

0:34

And I'd like to tell you about the senior campus.

0:37

The senior campus is a hot spot for active individuals ages 50 plus.

0:42

We offer daily activities, including various exercise classes, like Zumba, eccentrics, commonly known as aging backwards, body moves for brain power, arthritis pain exercise, fall prevention classes, relaxation, and mindfulness exercise, and chair exercise.

1:03

If you're creative or would just like to learn, we've got lots to offer with beating, crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, painting, drawing classes, and card making.

1:17

Perhaps you're a game player.

1:18

Well, don't worry, we've got you covered with bingo, pinnackle, poker, hand in foot, past the trash, bunko, Mexican train, and skip bow.

1:29

There's also computers, puzzles, games, books, videos, and DVDs to keep you entertained.

1:37

Many people just need support or resources, and we're your hub for giving you the contacts you need.

1:44

Plus, we offer meetings to include veterans' benefits, Medicare information, technology tutoring, document preparation assistance, men's support group, caregiver support, bereavement support for those recovering from loss, cancer support, gamblers anonymous, dementia education, and amputee support.

2:09

There are just so many opportunities for making new friends by attending our parties, ice cream socials, line dancing, karaoke, monthly birthday celebration, and happy hour.

2:23

Most importantly, we make sure you're educated through monthly lunch and learns and our free mini clinic.

2:31

You owe it to yourself to come in and check us out.

2:34

Perhaps during our Monday through Friday nutritious congregate lunch.

2:38

Lunches are served at 11:30 and last lunch is at noon, with a suggested donation of $3 from those aged 60 and above or disabled individuals, and $4 to those who are under 60.

2:54

All this said, the senior campus also extends our reach with the Meals on Wheels program, delivering lunches and a wellness check to many area seniors who are homebound.

3:05

Plus, we are home to the Angels Essential Area, where individuals can shop freely for durable medical equipment donated by our local community.

3:15

If you have any questions, please call 928-763-0193 or stop and see us at 2275 Train Road here in Bullhead City.

3:29

We are located off Highway 95 between Marina Boulevard and Hancock Road, right next to City Hall.

3:37

We've had many, many problems.

3:39

You've heard me talking about the wipes and the flushable wipes that are really not flushable.

3:44

We've had to replace two or three uh pumps at the beginning of that plant to a cost of about 40,000 apiece just about every year.

3:58

Bullhead City was incorporated in August of 1984.

4:02

The police department took over in 1985.

4:05

We are in the Northwest area of Arizona, and we sit right on the Colorado River, right across the river from Laughlin, Nevada.

4:14

Our mission here is to make sure that we provide the service that the citizens want and deserve by getting out into the community and listening to them, carrying what they want out of their police department, and then changing our practices accordingly.

4:29

The way the system of government is set up in America, the citizens give us our power and authority.

4:35

And so it's really important that we get out and we listen to them.

4:39

So getting out in the community gives them a chance to come up and tell us what they want and ask us questions and get to know us.

4:47

My focus on constitutional policing is keeping it at the forefront.

4:52

The Constitution is such an important document in our society in our way of life that uh you understand that our authority to police comes from the consent of the government.

5:06

So if you understand that principle, it gives that document a different dimension.

5:10

So constitutional policing for me is keeping it at the front, making sure my decisions are in line with the principles of the Constitution.

5:18

And you also have to evaluate how has the Constitution been interpreted by the courts.

5:30

They're waterway patrols.

5:31

They do a lot of OHV, which is the off-highway vehicle or the UTV patrols as well.

5:37

So through the deserts on like Can Ams or side by sides.

5:40

We do a lot of those patrols and enforcements as well.

5:43

They do a lot of homeless uh outreach because in our area, there's because of the weather.

5:50

You can have a lot more homeless than say somewhere cold.

5:53

So we have a lot that are out in the desert that we can go out to with those UTVs and those side-by-sides, and we can reach out to them and provide them some of their resources.

6:04

Our officers, every every year, coming back from summer vacation and from Christmas vacation.

6:10

We have officers get out in the school zones, every school zone in town, uh for about two, three weeks.

6:16

And we have them get in the center lane, turn on their lights, uh, let citizens know hey, school's back in session, slow down.

6:22

You got kids walking around.

6:24

Uh so it's a safety aspect.

6:26

But then the other cool thing that happens is our officers get out, they start interacting with the kids, you know, doing some high fives, handing out stickers, just encouraging them to get back in school.

6:36

And the reason why that's so important is because you know, with kids, you never know what background they come from.

6:43

When you get out and you interact with them, these kids get to see, man, these guys are they're just they're normal people, normal men and women, and uh inspiring.

6:54

Backup is our mobile crisis unit, and it stands for Bullhead Area, Community Crisis Unification Program.

7:02

We serve the general service area of Bullhead City.

7:07

The mobile crisis unit is important for our community members who suffer from uh middle health diagnosis and or acute crisis.

7:16

The piece is geared towards uh assisting our public safety, both our law enforcement and our EMS uh individuals, so that when they identify on scene someone who has an acute crisis or email health diagnosis, we can come in, take command of that scene when it's safe, and get our public safety and our EMS personnel back on the street doing the US.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████26%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Education and Workforce████████████12%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Senior Services█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Economic Development████4%
Arts And Culture████4%
Tourism Promotion███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - January 6, 2026

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, manager and council member reports, and action on a consent agenda item and a budget amendment. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m., with all council members present.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A representative from the Bullhead City Elks Lodge announced a "Sweet Celebration" fundraiser on January 10, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (1745 Emerald Road), featuring chocolate treats, drinks, chili, raffle prizes, and a 50/50 drawing for $10 at the door.
  • A speaker announced a Republican Women meeting on January 7, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with speakers Alex Culadin (candidate for Secretary of State) and Catherine Lopez Rajanimi (candidate for State House District 30).
  • A speaker reported on a planned canine program at the Mojave County Animal Shelter by GEO Group and discussed a potential veteran program using incarcerated veterans to train dogs for veterans. The speaker thanked the council and invited them to visit the shelter.
  • George Lyman from Desert Shores Community Baptist Church announced a free workshop called "Project Ready or Not" on January 17, 2026, at the church (2625 Landon Drive), covering crisis readiness, medical emergency preparation, planning for eternity, and healthcare directives.
  • Rose Jacobs of the Colorado River Concert Series announced three remaining concerts: January 15 (classical vocalist Lauren Jelikovich), February 5 (The Brothers Doobie), and March 17 (Swan Brothers). Season tickets are $100, single tickets $35, student tickets $5. Information at crconcerts.com.
  • Sue DeMarco, speaking on behalf of S.A.I.N.T. (an animal rescue group), announced "Bowling for Pets" on January 17 at Riverside in Laughlin ($20 buy-in) and a free spay/neuter clinic on January 30–February 1 (200 animals, registration at bhcsaint.org).
  • A citizen observed that the static no-right-turn arrow at Silver Creek and Oatman Road is frequently violated and suggested a flashing arrow might improve compliance.

Manager’s Report

  • City Manager Toby Cotter reported on three items:
    • Homeless Outreach Event (December 18, 2025): Jeff Tipton detailed the outreach, which began at 3 a.m. with three teams covering the city. Nineteen homeless individuals were contacted; twelve were transported to Catholic Charities for resources, and six enrolled in housing. One warrant arrest occurred. The city reiterated its no-camping ordinance and commitment to enforcement.
    • Chaparral Golf Course and Restaurant: The city officially closed on the acquisition on January 5, 2026. The deeds were signed by the mayor and recorded, making the city the owner after managing it since November 2025 in partnership with CCC Inc.
    • Holiday Video: A video highlighting December 2025 holiday activities was shared.

Mayor and Council Members’ Reports on Current Events

  • Councilmember reported participating in the third annual New Year's Day Polar Plunge at the Nature Center, noting great attendance.
  • Councilmember wished everyone a happy new year.
  • Councilmember Ring wished a happy new year.
  • Councilmember Dalman wished a happy new year and announced the 11th annual Slaborama barbecue contest at Rotary Park on January 16 (5–9 p.m.) and January 17 (11 a.m.–5 p.m.), a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Motion to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2025 Regular Council Meeting. (Seconded and carried with 7 votes in favor.)

Discussion Items

  • Item 2: Discussion and possible action to authorize a budget amendment from the general fund general services contingency to the Risk Management fund in the amount of $187,000. Finance Director Drexler explained that three claims from the last fiscal year were settled in the current fiscal year, and the insurance carrier processes payments upon settlement. Year-to-date, 31 claims have been paid, 60 are pending, with the oldest dating to 2018. No council questions. A public hearing was opened with no speakers. The council voted to approve the motion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Consent agenda (meeting minutes from December 16, 2025) — unanimous.
  • Approved: Budget amendment of $187,000 from general fund contingency to Risk Management for claims and damages — unanimous (7-0).
  • Note: No items were withdrawn from the consent agenda, and no ordinances or resolutions required full reading.

Meeting Transcript

Craft under the influence carries fines and jail time, just like a DUI on the road. We encourage you to have a designated operator any time you go boating. Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. It is our goal to help you avoid tragedy by being an educated and safe operator. I encourage you to continue your education by taking boating safety courses. There are several great options to choose from online. Thank you and stay safe. Hi, I'm Kim Cool, Senior Services Program Manager for Bullhead City. And I'd like to tell you about the senior campus. The senior campus is a hot spot for active individuals ages 50 plus. We offer daily activities, including various exercise classes, like Zumba, eccentrics, commonly known as aging backwards, body moves for brain power, arthritis pain exercise, fall prevention classes, relaxation, and mindfulness exercise, and chair exercise. If you're creative or would just like to learn, we've got lots to offer with beating, crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, painting, drawing classes, and card making. Perhaps you're a game player. Well, don't worry, we've got you covered with bingo, pinnackle, poker, hand in foot, past the trash, bunko, Mexican train, and skip bow. There's also computers, puzzles, games, books, videos, and DVDs to keep you entertained. Many people just need support or resources, and we're your hub for giving you the contacts you need. Plus, we offer meetings to include veterans' benefits, Medicare information, technology tutoring, document preparation assistance, men's support group, caregiver support, bereavement support for those recovering from loss, cancer support, gamblers anonymous, dementia education, and amputee support. There are just so many opportunities for making new friends by attending our parties, ice cream socials, line dancing, karaoke, monthly birthday celebration, and happy hour. Most importantly, we make sure you're educated through monthly lunch and learns and our free mini clinic. You owe it to yourself to come in and check us out. Perhaps during our Monday through Friday nutritious congregate lunch. Lunches are served at 11:30 and last lunch is at noon, with a suggested donation of $3 from those aged 60 and above or disabled individuals, and $4 to those who are under 60. All this said, the senior campus also extends our reach with the Meals on Wheels program, delivering lunches and a wellness check to many area seniors who are homebound. Plus, we are home to the Angels Essential Area, where individuals can shop freely for durable medical equipment donated by our local community. If you have any questions, please call 928-763-0193 or stop and see us at 2275 Train Road here in Bullhead City. We are located off Highway 95 between Marina Boulevard and Hancock Road, right next to City Hall. We've had many, many problems. You've heard me talking about the wipes and the flushable wipes that are really not flushable. We've had to replace two or three uh pumps at the beginning of that plant to a cost of about 40,000 apiece just about every year. Bullhead City was incorporated in August of 1984. The police department took over in 1985. We are in the Northwest area of Arizona, and we sit right on the Colorado River, right across the river from Laughlin, Nevada. Our mission here is to make sure that we provide the service that the citizens want and deserve by getting out into the community and listening to them, carrying what they want out of their police department, and then changing our practices accordingly. The way the system of government is set up in America, the citizens give us our power and authority. And so it's really important that we get out and we listen to them. So getting out in the community gives them a chance to come up and tell us what they want and ask us questions and get to know us. My focus on constitutional policing is keeping it at the forefront. The Constitution is such an important document in our society in our way of life that uh you understand that our authority to police comes from the consent of the government. So if you understand that principle, it gives that document a different dimension. So constitutional policing for me is keeping it at the front, making sure my decisions are in line with the principles of the Constitution. And you also have to evaluate how has the Constitution been interpreted by the courts. They're waterway patrols. They do a lot of OHV, which is the off-highway vehicle or the UTV patrols as well. So through the deserts on like Can Ams or side by sides. We do a lot of those patrols and enforcements as well. They do a lot of homeless uh outreach because in our area, there's because of the weather. You can have a lot more homeless than say somewhere cold. So we have a lot that are out in the desert that we can go out to with those UTVs and those side-by-sides, and we can reach out to them and provide them some of their resources. Our officers, every every year, coming back from summer vacation and from Christmas vacation. We have officers get out in the school zones, every school zone in town, uh for about two, three weeks.

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