OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - July 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:32

Good evening.

0:33

Today is July 21st, 5 30 p.m., regular council meetings being called to order.

0:39

Can I get a roll call, please?

0:40

All council members are present.

0:42

Thank you.

0:43

If you would like to join us, our invocation will be led by our council member Jean O'Neill.

0:54

Father God, thank you for bringing us all here today.

0:56

God bless our police department, our fire department, the citizens of Bullhead, I'll bless this meeting, keep everybody holy.

1:03

Amen.

1:04

Amen.

1:05

Please join me in the flag of the United States and for which it stands.

1:25

Alrighty, we are going to start off with a proclamation for the Kwanis Club of the Colorado River.

1:32

If I could have my uh Kowanians from the Kwanas Club join me over by the microphone, thank you.

1:40

Okay, so we're in Jesus.

1:48

The agenda is not public.

1:59

So this is pretty exciting because the Kwanus Club of the Colorado River is turning or turned 50 years old this year.

2:07

They are celebrating it this weekend, so we thought it would be fitting to do a proclamation for them.

2:12

Bear with me, it's a little long, 50 years, there's a lot to say.

2:18

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Kantus Club of the Colorado River, whereas the Kawanas Club of the Colorado River was chartered in 1976 with a commitment to improving the lives of children and strengthening the communities along the Colorado River through volunteer service, leadership, and generosity.

2:38

And whereas for 50 years, the Kawanis Club of the Colorado River has exemplified the Kawanus mission of servicing the children of the world through countless volunteer hours, community partnerships, educational programs, scholarships, and charitable initiatives that have positively impacted generations of family throughout the Bullhead City area.

3:04

Whereas in 1987, the club established the Kwanis Youth Center, which became the Boys and Girls Club in 1988, creating a lasting legacy of providing opportunities and support for the area youth.

3:20

And whereas recognizing the growing needs of the community, the Kawanis Club of the Colorado River sponsored the chartering of the Bullhead Morning Koanas Club in 1994, expanding reach of Kwanis service throughout the region.

3:36

And whereas the club has championed educational success by partnering with local schools through past and present programs, including Teen Mays, Bugs, bringing up grades successfully, bees, be energetic enthusiastic students, pals, positive attitudes lead to success, buddy benches, builders' clubs, key clubs, and numerous mentoring and literacy initiatives that encourage academic achievement, character development, and leadership among our youth.

4:12

Whereas throughout its history, the club has supported countless community programs, organizations, including youth sports, special Olympics, Head Start, Annual Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat celebrations, Angel Tree Project, Secret Santa Grocery giveaways, Thanksgiving food baskets, and many other initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for the local families, and whereas continuing to meet the changing needs of the community, the club created the bed because everybody deserves program, providing beds, mattresses, bedding to children who would otherwise go without a bed of their own, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and whereas through decades of successful fundraising events, including annual auctions, cornfest, wine and jazz, fools poker run, sleigh poker run, two off-road poker runs, sip and swing golf tournaments, and many other community events, the club has returned millions of dollars to in service and support to the Colorado region, with Cornfest alone providing more than $50,000 annually to local school youth organizations.

5:00

Secret Santa Grocery giveaways, Thanksgiving food baskets, and many other initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for the local families, and whereas continuing to meet the changing needs of the community, the club created the bed because everybody deserves program, providing beds, mattresses, bedding to children who would otherwise go without a bed of their own, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and whereas through decades of successful fundraising events, including annual auctions, cornfest, wine and jazz, fools poker run, sleigh poker run, two off-road poker runs, sip and swing golf tournaments, and many other community events, the club has returned millions of dollars to in service and support to the Colorado region, with Cornfest alone providing more than $50,000 annually to local school youth organizations.

5:31

We're almost done.

5:33

Whereas the Kawanas Club of the Colorado River continues to invest in the future of providing more than $25,000 annually in scholarships to local graduating seniors, partnering with the Salvation Army to support the Colorado River Union High School District, Crown of Thorns Club for baccalaureate ceremonies, and working alongside the Bullhead Morning Kawanis Club to help build the Kwanish splash pad at the Ken Fovard Park, as well as contributing $50,000 to community pride advocates to complete the gen Jim Ennis event arena at the Gary Keith Park, creating lasting opportunities for recreation and community enjoyment.

6:17

Whereas the members of the Kwanis Club of the Colorado River, past and present, have demonstrated that a dedicated group of volunteers can transform a community through compassion, service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to improve the lives of others.

6:35

Now, therefore, I, Karen Dahlman, mayor of the City of Bullhead City, Arizona, do hereby proclaim July 25th, 2026 as Kawanis Club of the Colorado River Day in Bullhead City, Arizona, and encourage all residents to join in the celebrating of the club's 50th year of outstanding service, congratulate its members for their countless contributions to our community, and wish them communic continued success as they inspire future generations through their motto of servicing one child in one community at a time.

7:13

And I sign it in witness hereof.

7:17

I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Bullhead City, Arizona, to be a fixed on this 21st day of July 2026.

7:26

So let me introduce my club.

7:29

I actually have been a member of this club since 1998 and a very proud member.

7:35

Technically, I'm the oldest standing member in the room right now, but we do have an older member than myself.

7:42

We have our newest member here, Brittany, and then we have our president, which I'm going to ask him to come up and say a couple words, please.

7:50

That's what I'm wondering.

7:52

And this is thank you very much.

7:54

Well, we appreciate it.

7:55

Um we really enjoy what we do.

7:58

Doing stuff for the community is what we're here for, servicing the kids.

8:02

We really enjoy it.

8:03

It's what we get our happiness is to see the smile on their faces when we deliver beds.

8:09

Uh I mean put on Cornfest.

8:11

Cornfest is one of my biggest uh you know projects that I like to take on.

8:15

It's fun to see the kids and enjoy it.

8:18

You know, we've we've done a lot, we've really come a long way with it with our collaboration with the city and the help that they help us do this program and and do it.

8:27

It really is really a neat event to do.

8:29

So we appreciate everything you guys do and helping us support the community.

8:33

Thank you.

8:34

Anybody else want to say anything?

8:36

No?

8:36

Okay, thank you very much.

8:38

We appreciate every one of you.

8:48

All right, and uh we are going to have a little ceremony with our new chief of police.

8:55

Um actually swearing him in if I could get the rest of my council members and our city manager to join me down here, please.

9:07

Chief George, where are you?

9:09

Oh, there you are.

9:51

She's more sturdy than I am.

9:58

My name is uh Stephen Moss.

10:00

I'm the presiding judge of Mojave County, Arizona.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety███████████11%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Animal Welfare████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Transportation Safety████4%
Education and Workforce███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Bullhead City Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard. All council members were present. The meeting included ceremonial items, public comment, a consent agenda, manager and council reports, public hearings on zoning matters, and action on vehicle purchases and a meeting rescheduling.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Mayor Karen Dalman presented a proclamation declaring July 25, 2026 as Kiwanis Club of the Colorado River Day, recognizing the club's 50th anniversary. Club representatives thanked the city and highlighted programs including Cornfest, scholarships, and bed deliveries for children.
  • Presiding Judge Stephen Moss of Mohave County administered the Oath of Office to Paul George as Bullhead City Police Chief. Chief George pledged leadership based on integrity, transparency, accountability, and community-oriented policing.

Consent Calendar

  • By a 6-0 vote, the council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-9 amending Chapter 3.44, Inspection Services Recovery Fee, and Resolution No. 2026R-23 declaring the code amendment a public record.
  • By a 6-0 vote, the council waived the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions presented for adoption.

Manager's Report

  • The City Manager reported on the River Valley Artist Guild mural painted during the America 250 Freedom Festival by at least 75 community members; the artwork will be placed in a public building.
  • BARC, the new animal care facility, opened that day. Staff reported the facility grew from about 6,000 square feet to more than 21,000 square feet, with expanded hours Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adoptions and community response were positive.
  • The City Manager noted it was election day, with the county responsible for tabulating and posting results.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael Patrick Damron addressed what he described as a misuse of attorney processes, but stated he had no animosity toward council members.
  • Tom Christensen spoke about the jet ski rental ordinance, arguing that requiring proper watercraft liability insurance is important to protect the city and citizens and to allow insurers to help regulate risk.
  • Trisha Kluskins, speaking with a group including We Care for Animals, asked the council to reconsider the ordinance prohibiting food and water for community cats. She supported trap-neuter-vaccinate-return, or TNVR, citing more than 3,000 community cats sterilized in the county since 2016, and proposed allowing feeding only by caregivers actively involved in TNR efforts.
  • A jet ski rental business owner urged enforcement of the existing watercraft liability insurance requirement, saying automobile insurance does not cover dock or water incidents.
  • Cameron Norrie, a watercraft rental operator, said he pays $200,000 out of pocket for watercraft rental liability insurance and that mandatory insurance is needed because insurers inspect each vessel and make it safer for tourists and citizens.
  • Melinda Sabraski, Bullhead City Elementary School Board member, thanked city staff for vacuuming dirt out of the middle school's artificial turf during construction of a nearby park.
  • Sue DeMarco supported We Care for Animals and S.N.A.P./S.N.I.T., announced a free spay/neuter/vaccination/microchip clinic September 25-27, and congratulated the new police chief.
  • Paula Fontes Hambi encouraged residents to volunteer as poll watchers, noting some polling locations were short-staffed.
  • Diana Lestat announced a free children's story time on July 25 at Ace Hardware.
  • Dennis Rogers of Bullhead City Elks Lodge 2408 promoted an Up on the Roof fundraiser on September 26 and cited national Elks charitable contributions.
  • Dave Heath, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Colorado River, thanked the community and promoted summer and after-school programs.
  • Julie Hassett promoted Mojave College Bighorns soccer and noted Colorado River Concerts programs.
  • Mohave County Supervisor Rich Lettman announced that the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to proceed with condemnation of leases between Mohave County and the Mohave County Airport Authority to take possession of Laughlin Bullhead International Airport. He stated no one is closing the airport, expressed concerns about operating losses and a lack of transparency, and thanked Bullhead City representatives for partnership.

Council Reports & Announcements

  • A council member invited the public to a grand opening of a new cath lab on July 23.
  • A council member noted the Bullhead City Regional Food Bank needs volunteers and donations.
  • A council member reported attending a Bullhead City resident's 104th birthday celebration and delivering flowers and a card on behalf of the city.

Discussion Items

  • BATS Commission Appointment: Christopher Toschi was appointed to the Bullhead Area Transit System Commission for a partial term effective immediately and expiring September 30, 2026, by a 6-0 vote. Toschi described his background in telecom networking, project management, and volunteer work.
  • Ordinance No. 2026-10 (Riverview Drive zoning extension): The council held a public hearing and voted 6-0 to approve an amendment to Z24-003 allowing additional time to obtain building permits for a 1.19-acre multifamily site at 490 Riverview Drive. Staff reported the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. The applicant proposes 24 three-bedroom residential units with garages.
  • Ordinance No. 2026-11 (Trails of Black Mountain extension): The council voted 6-0 to approve an amendment to Z22-008 allowing additional time to record the final plat for the first phase of the Trails of Black Mountain project, about 223 acres near Riverview Mall and City Square. Staff noted progress on traffic and geotechnical reports, with a preliminary plat expected within months; the commission recommended approval 7-0. Council discussion raised the need for the Arcadia Road connection, with acknowledgment that funding may depend on nearby developments or possible city participation.
  • Ordinance No. 2026-12 (CityCentre residential setbacks): The council voted 6-1 to approve an amendment to the CityCentre District Development Agreement reducing interior side setbacks on 40-foot-wide residential lots from 5 feet to 3 feet. The developer said this allows wider floor plans, and staff verified the fire marshal had no objection. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation was 5-2. One council member expressed reluctance because of prior variances approved for the development.
  • Purchase of seven police vehicles: The council voted 6-0 to approve purchase of seven vehicles from Phil Long Dealerships through the TIPS Cooperative for $398,966.75, plus $30,321.48 in use tax, totaling $429,288.23, and authorized the city manager to issue resulting payments. Police Chief George said the purchase replaces five patrol vehicles and two command staff vehicles and supports a new community service aide position. The purchase came in about $9,100 under the budgeted amount.
  • Rescheduling August 18, 2026 meeting: The council voted 5-1 to move the regular council meeting from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to Monday, August 17, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted the consent agenda, including Ordinance No. 2026-9 and Resolution No. 2026R-23.
  • Waived the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions presented for adoption.
  • Appointed Christopher Toschi to the BATS Commission.
  • Approved three zoning amendments via Ordinance Nos. 2026-10, 2026-11, and 2026-12, with votes of 6-0, 6-0, and 6-1, respectively.
  • Approved the police vehicle purchase totaling $429,288.23.
  • Rescheduled the August 18, 2026 regular council meeting to August 17, 2026.
  • Police Chief Paul George was sworn in, and July 25, 2026 was proclaimed Kiwanis Club of the Colorado River Day.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Today is July 21st, 5 30 p.m., regular council meetings being called to order. Can I get a roll call, please? All council members are present. Thank you. If you would like to join us, our invocation will be led by our council member Jean O'Neill. Father God, thank you for bringing us all here today. God bless our police department, our fire department, the citizens of Bullhead, I'll bless this meeting, keep everybody holy. Amen. Amen. Please join me in the flag of the United States and for which it stands. Alrighty, we are going to start off with a proclamation for the Kwanis Club of the Colorado River. If I could have my uh Kowanians from the Kwanas Club join me over by the microphone, thank you. Okay, so we're in Jesus. The agenda is not public. So this is pretty exciting because the Kwanus Club of the Colorado River is turning or turned 50 years old this year. They are celebrating it this weekend, so we thought it would be fitting to do a proclamation for them. Bear with me, it's a little long, 50 years, there's a lot to say. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Kantus Club of the Colorado River, whereas the Kawanas Club of the Colorado River was chartered in 1976 with a commitment to improving the lives of children and strengthening the communities along the Colorado River through volunteer service, leadership, and generosity. And whereas for 50 years, the Kawanis Club of the Colorado River has exemplified the Kawanus mission of servicing the children of the world through countless volunteer hours, community partnerships, educational programs, scholarships, and charitable initiatives that have positively impacted generations of family throughout the Bullhead City area. Whereas in 1987, the club established the Kwanis Youth Center, which became the Boys and Girls Club in 1988, creating a lasting legacy of providing opportunities and support for the area youth. And whereas recognizing the growing needs of the community, the Kawanis Club of the Colorado River sponsored the chartering of the Bullhead Morning Koanas Club in 1994, expanding reach of Kwanis service throughout the region. And whereas the club has championed educational success by partnering with local schools through past and present programs, including Teen Mays, Bugs, bringing up grades successfully, bees, be energetic enthusiastic students, pals, positive attitudes lead to success, buddy benches, builders' clubs, key clubs, and numerous mentoring and literacy initiatives that encourage academic achievement, character development, and leadership among our youth. Whereas throughout its history, the club has supported countless community programs, organizations, including youth sports, special Olympics, Head Start, Annual Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat celebrations, Angel Tree Project, Secret Santa Grocery giveaways, Thanksgiving food baskets, and many other initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for the local families, and whereas continuing to meet the changing needs of the community, the club created the bed because everybody deserves program, providing beds, mattresses, bedding to children who would otherwise go without a bed of their own, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and whereas through decades of successful fundraising events, including annual auctions, cornfest, wine and jazz, fools poker run, sleigh poker run, two off-road poker runs, sip and swing golf tournaments, and many other community events, the club has returned millions of dollars to in service and support to the Colorado region, with Cornfest alone providing more than $50,000 annually to local school youth organizations. Secret Santa Grocery giveaways, Thanksgiving food baskets, and many other initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for the local families, and whereas continuing to meet the changing needs of the community, the club created the bed because everybody deserves program, providing beds, mattresses, bedding to children who would otherwise go without a bed of their own, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and whereas through decades of successful fundraising events, including annual auctions, cornfest, wine and jazz, fools poker run, sleigh poker run, two off-road poker runs, sip and swing golf tournaments, and many other community events, the club has returned millions of dollars to in service and support to the Colorado region, with Cornfest alone providing more than $50,000 annually to local school youth organizations. We're almost done. Whereas the Kawanas Club of the Colorado River continues to invest in the future of providing more than $25,000 annually in scholarships to local graduating seniors, partnering with the Salvation Army to support the Colorado River Union High School District, Crown of Thorns Club for baccalaureate ceremonies, and working alongside the Bullhead Morning Kawanis Club to help build the Kwanish splash pad at the Ken Fovard Park, as well as contributing $50,000 to community pride advocates to complete the gen Jim Ennis event arena at the Gary Keith Park, creating lasting opportunities for recreation and community enjoyment. Whereas the members of the Kwanis Club of the Colorado River, past and present, have demonstrated that a dedicated group of volunteers can transform a community through compassion, service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to improve the lives of others. Now, therefore, I, Karen Dahlman, mayor of the City of Bullhead City, Arizona, do hereby proclaim July 25th, 2026 as Kawanis Club of the Colorado River Day in Bullhead City, Arizona, and encourage all residents to join in the celebrating of the club's 50th year of outstanding service, congratulate its members for their countless contributions to our community, and wish them communic continued success as they inspire future generations through their motto of servicing one child in one community at a time. And I sign it in witness hereof. I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Bullhead City, Arizona, to be a fixed on this 21st day of July 2026. So let me introduce my club. I actually have been a member of this club since 1998 and a very proud member. Technically, I'm the oldest standing member in the room right now, but we do have an older member than myself. We have our newest member here, Brittany, and then we have our president, which I'm going to ask him to come up and say a couple words, please. That's what I'm wondering. And this is thank you very much. Well, we appreciate it. Um we really enjoy what we do. Doing stuff for the community is what we're here for, servicing the kids. We really enjoy it. It's what we get our happiness is to see the smile on their faces when we deliver beds. Uh I mean put on Cornfest. Cornfest is one of my biggest uh you know projects that I like to take on. It's fun to see the kids and enjoy it. You know, we've we've done a lot, we've really come a long way with it with our collaboration with the city and the help that they help us do this program and and do it. It really is really a neat event to do. So we appreciate everything you guys do and helping us support the community. Thank you. Anybody else want to say anything?

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