Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – September 24, 2024
Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – September 24, 2024
The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Cal Sheehy and adjourned at 7:58 PM. All seven council members were present. The council approved a consent agenda, conducted 11 public hearings, received an airport update, and heard public comments on various topics. All votes were unanimous except for a 5-2 vote on the resignation-to-run ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of September 10, 2024.
- Approved Resolution No. 24-3780 designating authorized representatives to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
- Approved Resolution No. 24-3783 for the Supervisor Excellence Academy 2.0 with Mohave Community College.
- Approved Amendment No. 1 to the pest control contract with Havasu Pest Control.
- Approved Amendment No. 3 to the Ground Lease Agreement with London Bridge Plaza, Inc., clarifying maintenance responsibilities.
- Approved the PayTrac Payment Services Addendum to the Vermont Systems software agreement.
- Approved calling an Executive Session for October 8, 2024, at 4:30 PM. All consent items were approved 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 7.3 (Resignation to Run): Joan Dzuro urged the council to require resignation upon filing nomination papers (mirroring state law). Emiliano Torres asked whether the city must accept the resignation; Mayor Sheehy clarified the City Clerk’s office would accept it. Bonny Toy questioned the need for resignation when some boards have not met in 18 months. Don Wisdom opposed the requirement, calling it unnecessary. David Diaz characterized the proposal as government overreach and suggested doing nothing.
- Item 7.10 (Havasupai Wash 6): Mike Kurn asked which storm events the city’s modeling covers; Civil Engineer Mike Wolfe replied that it covers 2-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year events.
- Item 7.9 (Water Treatment Plant): Tim Murray raised concerns about employee safety with the existing gaseous chlorine system during the five-month design period. Jason Hart confirmed that safety protocols and PPE are in place.
- Call to the Public: Tim Murray complimented the city’s electrical safety training program. Joanne Yardley requested an update on outstanding hydrant meter charges, asking how much money has been collected since April 2024. City Manager Jess Knudson said he would follow up.
Discussion Items
- Airport Update (Item 7.2): Airport Manager Robert Kane reported completed projects: recessed fire hydrant system, replacement of the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), and 30% design review for the Runway Safety Area Improvement Project. Future plans include task order for runway lights, RFP for maintenance facility, grant for apron reconstruction, and a comprehensive lease review. The council discussed modernizing the Airport Advisory Board (AAB), which has not met in 18 months. Councilmember Dolan and Mayor Sheehy supported transitioning the AAB to a user group led by airport staff. Councilmember Campbell emphasized the importance of advisory boards for transparency. There was consensus to bring a future discussion item on AAB modernization.
- Ordinance No. 24-1345 – Resignation to Seek City Public Office (Item 7.3): The council considered two options: resign upon filing nomination papers (state law) or upon filing a statement of interest. After debate, a motion to require resignation upon filing a statement of interest was made by Councilmember Lane, seconded by Vice Mayor Moses. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Campbell and Lin voting no). This was an introduction; a final vote will occur later.
- Resolution No. 24-3782 – Site 6 Fishing Pier Funding Agreement (Item 7.4): City Attorney Kelly Garry presented a funding agreement with Mohave County for up to $1.6 million to replace the fishing pier (installed in 1998). Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The council approved unanimously 7-0.
- Resolution No. 24-3779 – Fair Housing Policy (Item 7.5): Community Grants Specialist Heidi Hernandez presented the policy, which is required for CDBG funding. The policy affirms commitment to fair housing regardless of disability, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or family status. Approved 7-0.
- Professional Services Contract – Compensation and Classification Study (Item 7.6): HR Director Bobbie Kimelton and Matt Weatherly of Public Sector Personnel Consultants (PSPC) presented a study to improve recruitment and retention. The $347,210 contract includes four optional one-year renewals. Councilmember Campbell questioned the timing before the election; Weatherly responded that there is no bad time for a study. The motion included renewal options. Approved 7-0.
- Minor General Plan Amendment (Item 7.7): Planner Trevor Kearns presented a request to change 1,054 sq ft from Open Space and Park (OSP) to Low Density Residential (LDR) at 2540 Plaza Hermosa. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Council approved 7-0.
- Rezone (Item 7.8): Companion rezone from Golf Course (GC) to Residential Estates (R-E) for the same property. Approved 7-0.
- Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project (Item 7.9): Project Manager Jason Hart recommended a $347,210 design contract with Kimley-Horn to replace the gaseous chlorine system with sodium hypochlorite, improving safety. Design completion expected February 2025. Approved 7-0.
- Havasupai Wash 6 Project (Item 7.10): Civil Engineer Mike Wolfe reported that the project (base bid plus additive alternate plus force account) was awarded to Perco Rock Company for $936,389. The project addresses critical wash erosion and includes owl relocation. Approved 7-0.
- Wash Crossing Improvements Queens Bay (Item 7.11): Project Manager Shawn Clarke presented the $349,479.40 contract to Perco Rock for a reinforced concrete box culvert to eliminate an at-grade wash crossing. Approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-1345 (Resignation to Run for City Appointed Boards): Introduced with requirement to resign upon filing statement of interest; passed 5-2 (Campbell, Lin opposed). Final adoption pending.
- Resolution No. 24-3782 (Site 6 Funding): Approved 7-0; up to $1.6 million from Mohave County.
- Resolution No. 24-3779 (Fair Housing Policy): Approved 7-0.
- Professional Services Contract (Compensation Study with PSPC): Approved 7-0, including four optional one-year renewals.
- Resolution No. 24-3781 (General Plan Amendment): Approved 7-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-1344 (Rezone): Approved 7-0.
- Professional Services Agreement (Water Treatment Plant Design with Kimley-Horn): Approved 7-0 for $347,210.
- Construction Contract (Havasupai Wash 6): Awarded to Perco Rock for $936,389; approved 7-0.
- Construction Contract (Queens Bay Wash Crossing): Awarded to Perco Rock for $349,479.40; approved 7-0.
- Airport Advisory Board: Council consensus to bring forward a future discussion item on modernization.
- Hydrant Meter Charges: City Manager to provide follow-up information to Councilmember Lin.
- Next Meetings: October 8, 2024 (regular) and October 22, 2024 (regular), both at 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Lake Havasu City Council. I will now call to order the council meeting on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 at 5 30 p.m. We'll have an invocation from Pastor David Jackson from Hilltop Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Haven Center. Let's have a word of prayer. Gracious Heavenly Father, uh, we just thank you that we can freely assemble here and uh we can uh seek to unify the city and uh make decisions for the best of our community, Lord. We pray that you uh bless our council members, uh, bless their family lives. Uh pray, Lord, that we be with the audience and that we're respectful and we treat each other with respect and come about with the best solution. And may you be glorified in all in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And uh welcome Haven Center. If you'd like to share a little bit about your organization. Yes, I'm Danielle Ahrens. I'm president of the Board of Haven. Thank you. Yes, right. Speak up. Haven Center is a nonprofit family advocacy center, fully accredited with the National Children's Alliance. Full accreditation is the highest level of membership and denotes excellence and service provision to cases involving child abuse. Haven has been providing services to the community since 2001, and the staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide on scene crisis responses to crimes such as child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other person crimes. Haven has partnerships with the local law enforcement agencies and the court systems with the goal of providing victims and their families with comprehensive services while holding offenders accountable. In addition to crisis services, Haven also oversees the Mojave County Child Abuse Prevention Council, which provides community outreach and education, including mandated reporter trainings. Haven facilitates the Food for Kids program, which provides food for homeless and at-risk children on the weekends. October is domestic violence awareness month, and we ask that the community join us on Friday, October 11th at 5 30 p.m. for our annual Save a Life Domestic Violence Awareness Walk at Rotary Park. Anyone interested in participating can visit our website for the registration link or contact the center. We walk to raise awareness about intimate partner violence, honor victims, support survivors, and provide resources to our community. And we appreciate the city's support throughout the years. Thank you. Thank you, and thank you for being here and thank you for the important work that you do in our community. We appreciate the partnership. Item four on our agenda is the roll call. Ms. Williams, if you please call the roll. Council members Nancy Campbell here. Michelle Lynn? Here. Jenny Koch. Here. Jim Dolan. He resent. David Lane. Mayor. Vice Mayor Cameron Moses. Present. Mayor Kalshehe. Here. Thank you. Thank you.
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