OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:25:11

Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

Good evening.

0:16

Today is Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.

0:19

It's 5 30 p.m.

0:21

Time for the regular city council meeting of the Bullhead City Council.

0:26

I call this meeting to order.

0:27

Can I get a roll call?

0:28

All council members are present.

0:30

Thank you.

0:31

Pastor George Lyman of Desert Shores Community Baptist Church is going to lead us in our invitation.

0:36

If you would like to join us, please stand.

0:52

I pray that you'll give them wisdom and understanding.

0:57

Sorry about that.

0:58

In every way to know what they can do to make it so that our city is uh reaching its potential, doing all the things it can do to take care of its citizen and just watch out for the people that you've entrusted to them.

1:12

So, Lord, we thank you for this uh their willingness to do this civic duty to make a difference, and Lord, as we go through all these uh uh different proclamations, help us just to remember how grateful we are for all the things you have done for us, and we just give you thanks and praise in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

1:30

Amen.

1:30

Amen.

1:31

Thank you, Pastor.

1:32

Please join me in a Pledge of Allegiance.

1:48

Thank you.

1:48

Please be seated.

1:51

Before we start the meeting tonight, we have a couple of proclamations and a presentation.

1:57

So first off, if the folks representing the VFW post would meet me up front, I would appreciate it.

2:19

If it's all right with you guys, I want to invite any of the Vietnam or a veteran, I'm gonna use that right on that.

2:25

That's part of it.

2:26

That's what it's for.

2:27

Even if you are not here representing the VFW, if you are a Vietnam era veteran, please join us up here.

2:44

And of course, I set the wrong one down here.

2:53

Exactly.

2:58

This is a proclamation, whereas on March 29th, 1973, the last troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam, thus ending military involvement in what was the longest war in this country's history.

3:13

And whereas, due to the cultural climate of the era and the unpopularity of this 15-year conflict, the returning veterans did not receive the respect and gratitude they richly deserved for serving their nation.

3:27

And whereas it is time for all of us in the spirit of pride and gratitude to recall the heroic accomplishments of the 58,318 service men and women whose names are listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

3:44

And whereas we also wish to recognize the 621 men and women from the great state of Arizona who gave the ultimate sacrifice and thank them for their unselfish devotion to duty.

3:58

And whereas the city of Bullhead City, Arizona, a welcoming and thankful community, gratefully desires to pay tribute to all Vietnam veterans throughout the nation.

4:10

Now, therefore, I Rodney Head, mayor of the City of Bullhead City, do hereby proclaim March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day in Bullhead City, Arizona, and invite all citizens, both in public ceremonies and in private thoughts and prayers to gratefully acknowledge this special group of veterans.

4:32

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of March 2026.

4:56

One three.

5:10

One, two.

5:12

Three?

5:15

Would you like to say something, Commander?

5:18

Yes.

5:18

Yes.

5:19

Please go right ahead.

5:22

I'm uh Leland Gilmore.

5:25

I'm the commander of the VFW Post 1005.

5:28

I want to thank the mayor for um making this proclamation to our post for all the Vietnam veterans.

5:38

And one thing I want to say, welcome home.

5:44

Thank you for your service.

5:46

And one thing I say to all Vietnam veterans, and it comes from Bob Mark, you were not treated the way you sh you should have not been treated the way you were treated when you came home.

6:02

It was totally uncalled for.

6:04

So from me, I apologize for this country for the way you gentlemen and folks were treated when you came home.

6:16

And that's all.

6:17

No, tell them about the difference.

6:19

The barbecue barbecue.

6:22

Yes, we also have a barbecue coming up on the 28th.

6:28

It's open to all veterans.

6:36

And you'll be all the veterans are welcome to come.

6:41

The family members, they'll pay a little donation or fee uh price to get a dinner.

6:51

And we're just wanting to have a great day for the Vietnam veterans that are still around.

6:59

There's a couple of flyers on the back table.

7:02

And if you need a flyer, there's some on the back table over here in the corner.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Veterans Affairs█████████9%
Animal Welfare█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Public Transportation██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Bullhead City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on boating safety, public comments, a manager's report, and action on several items including approval of a preliminary plat for Olive Garden, utility contracts, a bus stop ordinance, and a general plan update process. Mayor Rodney Head announced his resignation effective March 23 due to the resign-to-run law, as he files for re-election.

Presentations and Proclamations

  • Vietnam Veterans Day Proclamation: Mayor Head proclaimed March 29, 2026, as Vietnam Veterans Day in Bullhead City. VFW Commander Leland Gilmore accepted and invited the community to a steak barbecue dinner on March 28 at the VFW post.
  • Kiwanis Kids’ Expo Day Proclamation: Mayor Head proclaimed March 28, 2026, as Kiwanis Kids’ Expo Day. A representative described the free expo at Ken Fovard Park from 10 AM to 2 PM, featuring 80 vendors, a Truck of Palooza with 24 vehicles, free swimming, bounce houses, and more.
  • Boating Safety Team Presentation: Corporal Danny Crawford presented 2025 boating season statistics for the Colorado River from Davis Dam to the south city limits. Highlights: 413 extra patrols, 117 citations, 158 warnings, 21 arrests, 1 fatal collision, 19 injury collisions, 29 non-injury collisions. Statewide, Bullhead City accounted for 57 of 117 OUI arrests (nearly 50%). Officer Alexander Gutierrez was named Arizona Boating Officer of the Year for 2025, having personally issued 31 OUI citations, conducted 326 safety inspections, and logged 208 on-water hours.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the March 3, 2026 regular council meeting.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026R-5, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Mohave County Flood Control District for fiscal year 2026-2027 flood control fund disbursement.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Nancy Emsley (831 Glenn Drive): Expressed concern about a neighbor playing loud music daily and nightly. She stated that police responses only temporarily reduce the noise, and she requested a solution.
  • Jeff Graham (local artist): Expressed support for adding murals and public art to add color and character to the city, creating spaces for residents and visitors.
  • Julia Hamilton (Vice President, River City Community Theater and Ghost Light Youth Theater): Expressed strong support for funding a permanent community theater. She noted that Ghost Light has served over 500 children for free since 2019 and highlighted the economic and cultural benefits of a dedicated indoor performance center, arguing it is an unmet need compared to a new pool.

Manager’s Report

  • Golden Games/Recreation Programs: Recreation staff reported upcoming events including Pokemon Fun Friday (March 20), women's senior softball Spring Classic (20 teams), Kids Expo (March 28), adult Easter egg hunt, and the 9th Annual Golden Games (April 5-12) with 16 sports for ages 50+. The opening ceremony is April 6 at 5:30 PM at Rotary Park.
  • Center Median Removal on Highway 95: Completed on time and under budget. No immediate plans to remove medians at other locations (e.g., Corwin, Target, Home Depot) but subject to future council discussion.
  • Right Turn Lane Project near Safeway: Construction progressing rapidly, expected completion in 60 days or less.
  • 2026/2027 Budget Process: Budget workshops scheduled for April 20-21, with final adoption in June. Public hearings will be held.
  • Southwest Gas Construction Project: Jack Jolly reported on replacement of a high-pressure gas line, with completion expected by August 7. Temporary road closures include southbound Highway 95 between Marina and Riverview (night work), Black Mountain Road closed between Highway 95 and Gold Rush, and other closures. Local traffic will have access.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3: Preliminary Plat for Olive Garden (Tract 5181): Approved by Planning and Zoning Commission. Council approved the plat unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 4: Removed from agenda without discussion.
  • Item 5: 7th Street Sliplining Contract (Kay Constructors LLC): Approved for $542,091.99. Utilities Director Mark Clark explained the project to replace a major sewer line crossing Highway 95 at 7th Street by slipping a new pipe inside the existing one. Traffic will be slowed but not fully interrupted. Only two bidders; the other was over $1 million. Council approved (7-0).
  • Item 6: Water Storage Tank Repairs (Professional Piping Systems LLC): Approved for $409,027.50 for rehab of two tanks at Sites 1 and 2. This is part of a rotation to maintain all 22 tanks. Six bidders; the lowest was from Farmington, New Mexico. Council approved (7-0).
  • Item 7: Hancock Road CDBG Contract (McCormick Construction): Approved for $916,784.00 for ADA ramp improvements on Hancock Road from Highway 95 west. 12 vendors downloaded, but only McCormick bid. Project is funded by a $1 million state appropriation and CDBG grant. Council approved (7-0).
  • Item 8: Bus Stop Amendment Ordinance No. 2026-4: Adopted by reference. The ordinance makes it unlawful for a person to remain at a bus stop shelter or bench if not waiting to board the next scheduled bus. City Manager Cotter stated this is a tool to address nuisances and is consistent with recent ordinances on sidewalk blocking. Council adopted (7-0).
  • Item 9: General Plan Public Participation Plan (Resolution No. 2026R-7): Approved. The plan outlines engagement strategies for the 2026 General Plan update, which must be adopted by July 7, 2026, and ratified by voters in November 2026. A dedicated webpage and survey will go live March 18. Council approved (7-0).
  • Item 10: BARC Building Construction Update (Discussion Only): Human Services Director Jeff Tipton presented the timeline: construction completion by end of April, public tours and ribbon cutting in May, animal move-in and opening to the public in June. Council members praised the facility, calling it the "Rolls Royce of animal shelters."

Key Outcomes

  • Approved unanimously (7-0): Consent Agenda items (minutes, flood control IGA); Preliminary plat for Olive Garden; 7th Street Sliplining contract with Kay Constructors; Water tank repairs with Professional Piping Systems; Hancock Road ADA contract with McCormick Construction; Bus Stop Amendment Ordinance; General Plan Public Participation Plan.
  • Mayor's Resignation: Mayor Rodney Head announced he will resign effective March 23, 2026, upon filing nomination papers for re-election under Arizona's resign-to-run law.
  • Safety reminder: City Manager urged drivers to slow down in construction zones, noting police will increase enforcement.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Today is Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. It's 5 30 p.m. Time for the regular city council meeting of the Bullhead City Council. I call this meeting to order. Can I get a roll call? All council members are present. Thank you. Pastor George Lyman of Desert Shores Community Baptist Church is going to lead us in our invitation. If you would like to join us, please stand. I pray that you'll give them wisdom and understanding. Sorry about that. In every way to know what they can do to make it so that our city is uh reaching its potential, doing all the things it can do to take care of its citizen and just watch out for the people that you've entrusted to them. So, Lord, we thank you for this uh their willingness to do this civic duty to make a difference, and Lord, as we go through all these uh uh different proclamations, help us just to remember how grateful we are for all the things you have done for us, and we just give you thanks and praise in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. Please join me in a Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Please be seated. Before we start the meeting tonight, we have a couple of proclamations and a presentation. So first off, if the folks representing the VFW post would meet me up front, I would appreciate it. If it's all right with you guys, I want to invite any of the Vietnam or a veteran, I'm gonna use that right on that. That's part of it. That's what it's for. Even if you are not here representing the VFW, if you are a Vietnam era veteran, please join us up here. And of course, I set the wrong one down here. Exactly. This is a proclamation, whereas on March 29th, 1973, the last troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam, thus ending military involvement in what was the longest war in this country's history. And whereas, due to the cultural climate of the era and the unpopularity of this 15-year conflict, the returning veterans did not receive the respect and gratitude they richly deserved for serving their nation. And whereas it is time for all of us in the spirit of pride and gratitude to recall the heroic accomplishments of the 58,318 service men and women whose names are listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. And whereas we also wish to recognize the 621 men and women from the great state of Arizona who gave the ultimate sacrifice and thank them for their unselfish devotion to duty. And whereas the city of Bullhead City, Arizona, a welcoming and thankful community, gratefully desires to pay tribute to all Vietnam veterans throughout the nation. Now, therefore, I Rodney Head, mayor of the City of Bullhead City, do hereby proclaim March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day in Bullhead City, Arizona, and invite all citizens, both in public ceremonies and in private thoughts and prayers to gratefully acknowledge this special group of veterans. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of March 2026. One three. One, two. Three? Would you like to say something, Commander? Yes. Yes. Please go right ahead. I'm uh Leland Gilmore. I'm the commander of the VFW Post 1005. I want to thank the mayor for um making this proclamation to our post for all the Vietnam veterans. And one thing I want to say, welcome home. Thank you for your service. And one thing I say to all Vietnam veterans, and it comes from Bob Mark, you were not treated the way you sh you should have not been treated the way you were treated when you came home. It was totally uncalled for. So from me, I apologize for this country for the way you gentlemen and folks were treated when you came home.

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