Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - November 26, 2024

The Lake Havasu City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and adjourning at 8:09 p.m. The meeting included the presentation to outgoing Councilmember David Lane, the swearing-in of re-elected Councilmembers Cameron Moses and Nancy Campbell and newly elected Councilmember David Diaz, six public hearings, and multiple unanimous approvals. The meeting recessed from 5:46 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. for the oath ceremony and for the newly sworn councilmembers to take their seats at the dais.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the November 12, 2024 regular meeting minutes and called an executive session for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The consent agenda passed 7-0.

Reports and Announcements

• The Investment Report as of September 30, 2024 was received for information.
• The City Clerk announced vacancies on boards, committees, and commissions, with applications available at City Hall and at www.lhcaz.gov.
• The City Manager recognized outgoing Councilmember Lane's eight years of service, welcomed the newly sworn councilmembers, and announced upcoming events: a holiday bread cooking class on November 27, Surfing Santa Pool Party on November 30, tree lighting on December 1, the 21st Annual Community Dinner on December 13, Thanksgiving closures on November 28-29, and Aquatic Center maintenance closure from December 1-15.

Public Hearings and Discussion Items

• Liquor License for Loaded Gun Coffee (10.1): The City Clerk reported the applicant met posting requirements, paid all fees, and received no objections, and the location is properly zoned. No public comment was offered. The Council voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the Series #12 restaurant liquor license to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
• Master Fee Schedule Ordinance 24-1347 (10.2): Administrative Services staff presented fee changes, including a $1 increase for Recreation Center beverage service except soda/water, a reduction in open swim fees from $5 to $3 for child/senior/youth/school groups, a reduction in the all-ages punch pass from $80 to $60, and unchanged sponsored swim fees. Business license fee research showed Lake Havasu City is the only city among those reviewed with a cost basis for its fees, at 70% cost recovery for initial licenses and 50% for renewals. Public Works staff explained water meter and service line installation fees now recover material costs as well as labor; proposed larger meter fees/deposits cited included $4,040 for a 4-inch meter, $9,090 for a 6-inch meter, and $12,120 for an 8-inch meter. Public commenter Don Wisdom asked whether all citizens would pay the fees; Mayor Sheehy said they apply to anyone installing a new water meter or replacing an existing meter. Councilmember Campbell questioned the cost jumps for larger meters and suggested exploring outside contracting. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Police Service Assistants and Citizens on Patrol Ordinance 24-1349 (10.3): Police Captain Cesena said the amendment allows the Police Chief to expand the duties of interns and volunteers to handle delayed theft reports and other minor city code violations, improving patrol efficiency. In response to Councilmember Diaz, Captain Cesena said Citizens on Patrol receive a 10-week academy and interns receive a 12-16 week program including defensive tactics. No public comments were offered. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Rules of the Road Ordinance 24-1350 (10.4): This item revised regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, human and non-human powered vehicles, personal assistive mobility devices, skateboards, scooters, and skates. Staff separated rules for roadways from rules for sidewalks and parks and revised sign authorization. Public commenters raised concerns about young riders and $300 maximum fines, state-law comparisons, and safety conflicts between e-bikes and pedestrians on the Channel walking paths. Mayor Sheehy said the ordinance applies to electric motors under 750 watts or 1 horsepower and does not exceed state law. Council debate included support for human-power-only limitations for Rotary Park, the Channel area, and the Island Multi-Use Path; Councilmember Moses argued pedal-assist bikes can reach high speeds under human power and urged speed limits; Councilmember Campbell invited bike industry representative Brett Miller, who recommended a 15 mph cap and noted throttles may be needed uphill; City Manager Knudson suggested speed feedback signs. The final motion by Councilmember Coke adopted the ordinance, changing the sign authority from 'Public Works Director' to 'City', with Rotary Park, the Channel area, and the Island Walking Path specified as the areas for signage/limitations. The vote was 6-1, with Councilmember Campbell voting no.
• CivicPlus Website Agreement (10.5): The Community Engagement Officer recommended migrating the city website from Sitefinity to the CivicPlus cloud platform at a total cost of $135,000 over four years, including build, data migration, updates, and a year-four refresh, to improve accessibility and transparency. Public commenter Pam Swenson asked about the four-year timeline, data migration, testing, and training; staff clarified implementation occurs in Years 1-2 with maintenance in Years 3-4 and is a standard 10-12 month website implementation that crosses two fiscal years. The Council voted 7-0 to approve the agreement, authorize the City Manager to execute documents, and authorize staff to exercise the renewal option.
• Crack Sealant Cooperative Purchases (10.6): Public Works staff requested approval to purchase crack sealant products through cooperative agreements with Maxwell Asphalt, Inc., and Superior Supply to complete approximately 160 lane miles. The amount was $274,442.90 plus applicable taxes. No public comment was offered. The Council voted 7-0 to approve the agreements and authorize the City Manager to execute them.

Call to the Public

• Kelly Lutz congratulated the newly elected and re-elected Councilmembers and raised concerns about activity and safety at the Skate Park.

Current Events and Committee Reports

• Councilmember Campbell reported on her selection as chair of the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council.
• Councilmember Dolan reported on recent Airport Talks at the Municipal Airport and ongoing hangar development work.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items passed except one vote on the Rules of the Road ordinance, which passed 6-1 with Councilmember Campbell opposing.
• Newly elected and re-elected Councilmembers took their seats after the oath ceremony.
• Councilmember Diaz requested a future discussion item on Roberts Rules of Order and future agenda items requiring a first and second; the request received a second and a third.
• The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.; the December 24, 2024 meeting was canceled.