Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Bullhead City Council met on June 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation from Southwest Gas, public comments, manager and council reports, and action on several items including a traffic study for Ramar Road, preliminary plat approval, financial audits, equipment purchases, and acceptance of a military aircraft for the veterans memorial park. All action items were approved, with one amendment to add a stop sign at Rio Vista and Ramar Road.

Presentations & Manager's Report

• Southwest Gas Update: Operations supervisor Jack presented ongoing and upcoming gas line replacement projects, including high pressure replacements along Silver Creek, Gold Rush, Black Mountain (lane restrictions till early July), and Bullhead Parkway work from late June to late August. Additional replacements on numerous streets throughout the year. A council member inquired about removing an overhead gas line over the river; the presenter could not comment.
• River Valley Artists Guild: President Victoria Valdemar and Sheila Barger presented on utility box painting projects. They noted positive community response, free classes, and partnerships with Ghost Light Theater and local organizations. All proceeds support grants and scholarships for local schools. The boxes have eight layers of UV and graffiti coating.
• Manager Cotter announced upcoming events: BARC (new animal shelter) grand opening June 16-18; Freedom 250 museum at Optimum Center June 17-19 (celebrating 250th anniversary); Olubi Family Football Camp with Las Vegas Raider Shiqua Lube on June 19; and a Finley-sponsored backyard barbecue with fireworks at Community Park on July 1.
• Council Members' Reports: Vice Mayor reported attending WACOG retirement ceremony and boot camp in Yuma; encouraged public input on the general plan survey and upcoming Planning & Zoning meeting. Mayor Dolman recognized four neighbors (Christian Guerrero, Robert Andrade, Austin Hanson, Tim Clow) who helped extinguish a roof fire on Riverfront Drive before first responders arrived. Homeowner Belinda LaRoche thanked them.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of May 19, 2026 meeting.
• Adopted Resolution 2026R-17 accepting a quit claim deed (APN 214-16-055).
• Approved final condominium plat for Hideaway Haus, Tract 5182.
• Approved $210,000 for sludge disposal to Mohave Valley Landfill for FY2027 and authorized city manager to approve payments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Pape questioned whether a county supervisor can direct an employee to serve on a nonprofit board, citing conflict of interest concerns regarding the Mohave County Airport Authority.
• Carol Nelson invited council to Colorado River Republican Women’s meeting on June 3 and promoted a candidate forum on June 9.
• Supervisor Rich Lettman updated on Opportunity Zone 2.0 applications: The county can designate five zones; two downtown Bullhead City tracts (airport and city center) will be submitted on June 15, along with tracts in White Hills and Colorado City. He praised city staff.
• Paula Fontes Hambi discussed comparing presidential records on veterans' benefits, citing the VA Mission Act and Accountability Act.
• Harvey Pryor criticized Southwest Gas patchwork on Gold Rush Road, calling it a liability for motorcyclists; also requested visible park ranger phone numbers in parks. He later spoke against business practices of a car shop on Ramar Road, accusing the owner of encouraging burnouts.
• Scotty alleged $100,000 missing from a Marina area grant and questioned term limits and nomination signature integrity. Vice Mayor responded calling him a liar and stating the matter was closed.
• Diane Kirkland, Alicia Bullhead, Ashley Lambert (Ramar Road residents) urged reinstating a four-way stop at Rio Vista and Ramar, citing speeding, school bus safety, and accidents. They noted the traffic study did not include recent crash data.
• Harley Phillips (car shop owner) acknowledged issues with speeding and car meets, requested collaboration with police, and suggested speed bumps. He clarified he does not encourage dangerous driving.
• James Reynolds noted the bus stop is less than 300 feet from the intersection and called for enforcement.
• Harvey Pryor (second appearance) accused Harley Phillips of inciting burnouts and donuts on Ramar Road, demanding accountability.
• Gene (speaker from audience) argued against adding stop signs, favoring enforcement and slurry seal; noted the study recommended 33-35 mph, not 25 mph.

Discussion Items

• Item 9: Ramar Road Traffic Study (moved to item 5 earlier in agenda): Public Works Director Johnson presented recommendations: narrow lanes to 10 feet, slurry seal, add speed limit signs (from 8 to 12), refresh stop bars, and move school bus stops 300 feet from intersections. Deputy Chief Harms and Lieutenant Espinoza described enforcement efforts: department-funded overtime, STEP program (562 stops, 457 citations, 11 arrests since Jan 1), speed display signs, mobile speed trailer (pending), and a new DPS Strategic Enforcement Squad. An incident Sunday night involved a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop and crashing. Council debated adding a stop sign at Rio Vista and Ramar. Councilman Smith motioned to approve staff recommendations with addition of a stop sign at that intersection. After discussion, motion passed 5-1. The stop sign was added despite the traffic study not recommending it.
• Item 5: CityCentre Districts Preliminary Plat: Planning manager presented. Previous approvals for conceptual plan, pad zoning, and final plat for phase one. This plat shows development pattern with main street, parkside, and North Elman. Commercial uses along Highway 95 and Main Street; residential west of Main Street. A typo in the condition (final plat for phase one due by today's date) was corrected to 2028. Approved unanimously.
• Item 6: Audit Engagement Letter: Finance Director Drexler presented three-year agreement with Baker Tilly (year 3 of 3) for financial statement audit, not to exceed $80,830. City manager noted clean audits for 16 years. Approved unanimously.
• Item 7: Programmable Logic Controllers: Utilities Director Clark requested $89,213.96 to replace four obsolete controllers at the Section 18 wastewater treatment plant. They control pumps and equipment; current version 15 is no longer supported (version 30 now). Parts are sole-source from Border States. Approved unanimously.
• Item 8: ESRI GIS Software: Clark requested $227,036 (corrected from original $277,036 typo) for a five-year Small Enterprise Agreement for GIS mapping. This supports new computerized maintenance management system. Sole-source. Approved unanimously.
• Item 10: OV-1C Mohawk Aircraft Donation: City Manager Cotter presented acceptance of a donated Vietnam-era OV-1C surveillance aircraft from the U.S. Army for static display at Veterans Peninsula Park. Transfer $50,000 from General Fund Contingency to Capital Projects Parks Fund, and authorize an agreement with Mohave Sunrise Rotary Club for transportation and setup. Former Mayor Rodney described the plane's condition and need for refurbishment. Community volunteer Media Azarmi detailed plans: disassembly in Texas, transport via Grant Smith Trucking (donor?), and reassembly with volunteer mechanics including CareFlight staff. The plane will be mounted on a pedestal to prevent damage and injury. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Ramar Road Improvements: Approved staff recommendations (lane narrowing, slurry seal, signage, enforcement) with addition of a stop sign at Rio Vista and Ramar Road. Vote: 5-1 (one opposed).
• CityCentre Districts Preliminary Plat: Approved.
• Audit Engagement Letter ($80,830): Approved.
• Programmable Logic Controllers ($89,213.96): Approved.
• ESRI GIS Software ($227,036): Approved (with correction of price).
• OV-1C Aircraft Donation & $50,000 Transfer: Approved. City Manager authorized to finalize agreement with Mohave Sunrise Rotary Club.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved.