Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included public comment, a city manager’s report, consent agenda approval, the appointment of an interim mayor, a traffic study discussion, and several public hearings on development items. All votes were recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved the minutes of the April 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.
• Item 2: Approved Resolution 2026R-8 authorizing abandonment of a 16-foot utility and drainage easement at 1496 Arena Court.
• The consent agenda was approved by a 6–0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bullhead City CERT Team: Will and Mary presented the CERT program, highlighting community support roles such as firefighter rehab, smoke detector installation, and event first aid. They encouraged volunteers.
• Dennis Rogers (Elks Lodge): Requested blood donations for Vitalent, noting 40,000 pints needed daily in the U.S.
• Diana (Elks Lodge): Announced the annual Memorial Day Chili Cookoff on May 25, 2026, at the Elks Lodge.
• Carol Nelson: Announced upcoming events: bingo at Laughlin Ranch (April 23), GOP District 2 Lincoln Day Dinner (April 25), and Colorado River Republican Women meeting (May 6).
• Bob Arp (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary): Emphasized water safety, noting a recent drowning and that Lake Mead is the deadliest national park; offered free boat safety checks.
• Dr. Soy Ramsimir: Introduced the new AZ Health and Wellness Clinic on Ramar Road, offering chronic disease management and wound care.
• Mike Nesbitt (Boys & Girls Club): Announced summer basketball league and a camp instructed by Desert City Prep, with an open practice on April 23.
• Paula Pontes Hambi (La Puerta resident): Raised concerns about election integrity, quoting the Arizona Constitution on free and equal elections.
• Tom Dolman (Rotary Club): Announced the Burro Barbecue on May 2, 2026, at Community Park, with proceeds funding scholarships.
• Grace Hecht (Make Bullhead Better): Thanked parks department for the adult egg hunt; announced a free clothing exchange (May 1–2) and community baby shower (June 18).
• Diane Hernandez (River City Community Theater & Ghost Light Youth Theater): Pleaded for city funding for a permanent theater, citing benefits to youth development, reduced crime, and tourism.
• William Hoyt McClure: Complained about nomination paper challenges and claimed 22 duplicate votes; criticized Council members.
• Rich (Supervisor): Announced America 250 exhibit at Mojave County Library starting April 30, with a ticketed kickoff event ($20).
• Greg Valdez: Promoted upcoming music events celebrating America 250 and Route 66.
• M. Azarmi (Builder/Developer): Spoke in support of the accessory structure code amendment, citing demand from retiring baby boomers for larger garages.

Manager’s Report

City Manager Cotter reported:

• Summer Camp: The “Star-Spangled Celebration” summer camp runs May 26–June 26, with 68 camps and 520 campers already registered.
• Right Turn Lane (Safeway): Construction on Highway 95 expected to be complete in 30–45 days.
• Right Turn Lane (Highway 95/Marina): Gas company work nearly done; McCormick Construction awarded the project.
• Summer Water Safety: The city spends over $500,000 annually on river patrols; mandatory safety video for jet ski rentals.
• Leadership Program Graduation: 16 city employees graduated from the Bullhead City Leadership Excellence Academy; a second cohort has started.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Mayoral Appointment Procedure: Council approved the procedure to appoint the mayor from among council members not running for re-election (O’Neill, Newland, Dolman) via paper ballot. Motion passed 6–0.
• Item 3 (cont.) – Mayoral Appointment: After two rounds of balloting, Councilmember Karen Dolman received 5 votes to Councilmember Jason Newland’s 1. Council then voted 6–0 to appoint Dolman as interim mayor effective immediately until the 2026 election winner is seated. She was sworn in by Magistrate Rod Gillio.
• Item 4 – Greenlight Traffic Study for Ramar Road: Engineer Scott Kelly presented findings. The study did not warrant four-way stops at any of the four intersections (Monte Vista, Rio Vista, Colina, Arcadia) due to low cross traffic. The 85th percentile speed was 33–35 mph (8–10 mph over the 25 mph limit). The expert system recommended raising the speed limit to 30 mph, but this was not endorsed. Options included regulatory (additional signs, speed feedback signs), enforcement, and physical design (lane narrowing, three-lane cross-section). Council discussed concerns about a bus stop at Rio Vista and school children. After public input, Council voted 5–1 to table the item for 30–45 days to allow staff to return with a plan of action incorporating low-cost regulatory and enforcement measures.
• Item 5 – Final Plat for Olive Garden (Tract 5181): Approved 6–0. The 17-acre parcel will be split into three lots; Lot 1 (2.1 acres) will host the Olive Garden restaurant. Water allocation of 3.2 acre-feet approved. Mayor authorized to sign the plat.
• Item 6 – Preliminary Plat for Hideaway Haus (405 Lee Avenue): Approved 6–0. The project converts three existing buildings (11 storage units) into storage condominiums with an HOA.
• Item 7 – Extension for Emerald Bay Conceptual Plan: Approved 6–0. The two-year extension (Resolution 2026R-9) allows the developer time to acquire adjacent state land via auction.
• Item 8 – Code Amendment for Accessory Structures (Ordinance 2026-5): Approved 6–0. The amendment allows greater height for accessory structures (garages, RV garages) in residential districts if setbacks are increased: for every one foot beyond the minimum 5-foot setback, one additional foot of height (up to 25 ft). Structures over 15 ft must follow architectural guidelines (stucco, tile roof). Builder Matt Azarmi spoke in support.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 6–0.
• Mayoral Appointment Procedure: Motion 1 passed 6–0.
• Interim Mayor Appointment: Karen Dolman appointed by 6–0 vote.
• Ramar Road Traffic Study: Tabled 5–1; staff to return with a regulatory/enforcement plan in 30–45 days.
• Olive Garden Final Plat: Approved 6–0.
• Hideaway Haus Preliminary Plat: Approved 6–0.
• Emerald Bay Extension: Approved 6–0.
• Accessory Structure Code Amendment: Approved 6–0.