Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting – August 17, 2026

The Bullhead City Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, in City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard, Bullhead City, Arizona. Mayor Karen Dahlman presided. The Council heard a proclamation, public comments, departmental reports, and approved the consent calendar and all action items, including a new ordinance restricting smoking at pickleball and tennis courts.

Call to Order, Invocation, and Proclamation

• Pastor Tim Eighmy of Community Lutheran Church delivered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Mayor Dahlman proclaimed September 2026 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The proclamation cited an estimated 21,010 ovarian cancer diagnoses and 12,450 deaths nationwide in 2026, including 510 new cases and 330 deaths in Arizona, and noted that about 1 in 91 women face a lifetime risk of diagnosis and 1 in 143 a lifetime risk of death.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the consent agenda, including the minutes of the August 4, 2026 Regular Council Meeting. Councilmember Gene was the identified opposing vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident asked the city to identify a camera-equipped truck seen driving on Rio Vista late the previous night and previewed upcoming comments on RC drag racing at Rotary Park.
• Jessica Adams, reading a statement prepared by Betty, president of the local Special Olympics organization, described the organization's mission and free participation for athletes, noted the need to replace uniforms, and shared that her autistic daughter has shown progress through the swim program.
• A resident and U.S. Army veteran criticized the Council for limiting public comment opportunities and the city for publicizing a recycling event in the newspaper only the day before; he defended his right to speak at meetings and to vote.
• Larry Toon Force reported that a Culver's silent partner from Lake Havasu City had praised Bullhead City as the easiest location she had built in, complimenting the Council and city management.

Manager’s Report

• Olive Garden: The Building Official reported the planned Olive Garden will be 6,894 square feet, making it the largest sit-down restaurant among five compared (Buffalo Wild Wings 6,000 sq ft; Chili's 5,920 sq ft; Perkins 5,420 sq ft; IHOP 5,248 sq ft), addressing a public rumor that it would be small.
• Traffic Safety: Police Chief George, joining via Zoom, said citations are up despite short staffing, reminded drivers that school is back in session, and explained that Arizona law (ARS 28-721(B)) makes left-lane camping at less than the normal speed of traffic unlawful and potentially subject to citation.
• Burro Population: City Manager Cotter said 30 burros have been removed and relocated so far, BLM wants to relocate 100 more, and 495 burros were gathered from the Black Mountain Range in April–May 2026. The full Black Mountain Range is expected to support only about 500 burros, and he emphasized this is a federal issue because the city cannot trap, feed, or move burros.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant: Staff addressed complaints by showing that the Section 10 plant will expand from 4 million to 6 million gallons per day within the fenced area for now, but future expansion will use additional city-owned property. The disturbed staging area is on 37 additional acres owned by the city, not on nature center property, and is needed to build a 90-foot-wide, 28-foot-deep clarifier.

Mayor and Council Reports

• A council member thanked Public Works for the senior center driveway and urged volunteers for the food bank, noting daytime needs and weekly hours.
• Vice Mayor Alfonso had no report.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Caterpillar compactor: Public Works Director Johnson requested approval to buy a 2026 Caterpillar CB2.7 double drum vibratory compactor from Empire Caterpillar under the Omnia Cooperative Purchasing Network (quote dated July 14, 2026). He said the co-op price was $71,414 plus freight, compared with a non-co-op Caterpillar quote of about $77,000 and other manufacturer quotes of $87,750 and $99,337; the budgeted purchase includes a five-year/12,500-hour extended warranty.
• Item 3 – Used crane service truck: Johnson requested approval to buy a used 2024 Ford F-550 crane service truck from Automobile Consulting Services for $179,835.52, including a 48-month/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper extended warranty. He said the truck has about 30,000 miles and was less costly than new options at $199,925 and $213,180.
• Item 4 – Taser bundles: Chief George requested approval to buy 30 Taser 7 bundles (holsters, battery packs, and an extended warranty through June 2031) for $103,399.93 under State of Arizona contract #CTR074570. He explained the purchase replaces older Taser X26P models nearing end-of-life, and old tasers will be kept for training and community service officer use.
• Item 5 – Laughlin Ranch turf reduction grant: Assistant City Manager Kajirwa presented a reimbursement agreement with the Laughlin Ranch HOA using WIFA water-conservation grant funds. Staff reported the HOA removed 6,300 square feet of turf and replaced it with low-water-use desert landscaping; this is the final project in the grant program.
• Item 6 – No-smoking ordinance: City Manager Cotter presented Ordinance 2026-14 to add Section 12.12.051 prohibiting smoking at pickleball and tennis courts, adjacent bleachers, and within 25 feet, citing complaints about players smoking on the courts and police saying they had no enforcement authority. Councilmember O'Neill and the Mayor supported the ordinance primarily because of cigarette butts and court damage. Vice Mayor Alfonso suggested 50 feet instead of 25 feet because of wind, but the proposed distance was retained. Public comments included a suggestion to designate a separate smoking court; Jacqueline Edge asked whether vaping was covered, and staff confirmed the definition includes tobacco, marijuana, or any device producing inhaled smoke, aerosol, or vapor.

Key Outcomes

• The motion to waive the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions was approved; the transcript shows five in favor and one opposed.
• The consent agenda was approved, with six in favor and one opposed (Councilmember Gene), including the August 4, 2026 minutes.
• Item 2 was approved: purchase of the 2026 Caterpillar CB2.7 compactor for an amount not to exceed $71,414 plus applicable freight, with six in favor.
• Item 3 was approved: purchase of the used 2024 Ford F-550 crane service truck for $179,835.52, with six in favor.
• Item 4 was approved: purchase of 30 Taser 7 bundles for $103,399.93 and authorization for the City Manager to issue payments, with six in favor.
• Item 5 was approved: execution of the Turf Reduction Water Conservation Grant Reimbursement Agreement with the Laughlin Ranch Homeowners Association, with six in favor.
• Item 6 was approved: Ordinance No. 2026-14 and Resolution No. 2026R-26 were adopted by reference, banning smoking/vaping at pickleball and tennis courts and within 25 feet of those areas, with six in favor.
• No board/commission appointments or liquor license public hearings were held.