Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2024

The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public hearings on a major general plan amendment for a resort-style development, an animal care contract with the Western Arizona Humane Society, and several other items. Key discussions focused on land use, affordable housing, and animal shelter funding.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the August 13, 2024, City Council Special Meeting Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes (ID 24-4427).
• Resolution No. 24-3778 approving abandonment of a public utility and drainage easement at 2158 Rudolph Drive (ID 24-4442).
• Cooperative purchase agreements for a BraunAbility ADA Low Floor Van (ID 24-4426), video detection systems from Iteris (ID 24-4445), and traffic signal equipment from Econolite (ID 24-4446).
• Called an executive session for September 24, 2024 (ID 24-4440).
• All consent items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Major General Plan Amendment for 1850 Bahama Avenue (Item 7.3): Eleven residents spoke in opposition and seven in support. Opponents cited concerns about traffic, building height, water usage, noise, and loss of high-density residential land. Supporters highlighted the need for family-friendly amenities, the project's potential economic benefits, and the developer's responsiveness to community feedback.
• Animal Care Contract (Item 7.8): No public comments were made.
• Development Agreement for Trinity at Havasu Foothills Estates (Item 7.5): Three residents spoke in opposition, raising concerns about secondary access and the impact on future development.
• Noise Ordinance (Item 7.7): One resident suggested allowing construction to start at 4:00 a.m.
• Resignation of Board Members (Item 7.6): One resident urged the council to table the item for more public input.

Discussion Items

• Major General Plan Amendment – 1850 Bahama Avenue (Item 7.3): Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert presented the request to change the future land use designation from High Density Residential to Resort Related-Mainland to accommodate a resort-style development with a surf pool, cliff diving, restaurants, and 172 residential units (originally 221). The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial (4-3). Developer Cole Cannon said the plan was revised to address concerns, reducing building height from 65 to 52 feet, adding 42 parking spaces, and removing one building. Councilmember Nancy Campbell moved to send the item back to the Commission for reconsideration, citing the need for more neighbor input. The motion passed 4-3 (Campbell, Lin, Coke, Moses; Sheehy, Dolan, Lane opposed).
• Rezone and General Development Plan – 1850 Bahama Avenue (Item 7.4): Following the general plan amendment decision, staff recommended sending this companion item back to the Commission. The council voted 4-3 to table and return it for reconsideration.
• Development Agreement for Trinity at Havasu Foothills Estates (Item 7.5): Development Services Director Jeff Thuneman presented an agreement with MDCAB, LLC for 90 lots, including private sewer lift station, force main, and roadways. Councilmember David Lane moved to approve, with a modification to limit the agreement to the 90 lots. Approved 7-0.
• Animal Care and Shelter Services Contract (Item 7.8): Police Captain Chad Williams and Senior Animal Control Officer Chris Lutgen presented the contract with Western Arizona Humane Society (WAHS) for 5 years, costing $225,000 in year one and $300,000 annually thereafter, plus $50,000 from contingency for a bridge period. WAHS Executive Director Patty Gilmore and Operations Director Steven Jenkins responded to council concerns about services for Faith and Grace and animal counts. Councilmember Nancy Campbell moved approval. Approved 5-2 (Lin and Lane opposed).
• Resignation of Board/Commission Members to Seek City Public Office (Item 7.6): Councilmember Lane proposed requiring board members to resign when they become candidates for city council. After discussion, the council reached consensus to bring back an ordinance requiring resignation once a candidate is on the ballot.
• Noise Ordinance Amendment (Item 7.7): Councilmember Campbell proposed amending Chapter 9.30 to allow construction noise to begin at 4:00 a.m. The mayor noted the current code allows 7:00 a.m. on Fridays and weekends, and that the earlier time was a software error. The council did not support the change. Councilmember Campbell moved to introduce the ordinance; it failed for lack of a second.
• Change Order No. 3 – City Core Paving Re-bid (Item 7.9): Civil Engineer Shawn Clarke requested $254,299.50 for additional work on London Bridge deck including mill and fill, curb and gutter, and ADA ramps. Approved 6-0 (Campbell recused).
• Cooperative Purchase – Above Ground Fuel Storage (Item 7.10): Transportation Superintendent Bill Young requested $980,978.56 for fuel storage and dispensing components with emergency generators. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Major General Plan Amendment (1850 Bahama Ave): Sent back to Planning and Zoning Commission for reconsideration (4-3).
• Rezone (1850 Bahama Ave): Sent back to Commission (4-3).
• Trinity at Havasu Foothills Estates Development Agreement: Approved 7-0, with language limited to 90 lots.
• Animal Care Contract with Western Arizona Humane Society: Approved 5-2, effective October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029, with $50,000 from contingency.
• Board Resignation Discussion: Council reached consensus to bring forward an ordinance requiring board members to resign when their name appears on the ballot for city council.
• Noise Ordinance Amendment: Failed for lack of a second.
• Change Order No. 3 (City Core Paving): Approved 6-0.
• Fuel Storage Purchase: Approved 7-0.