Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – February 11, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 92 Acoma Boulevard South. Mayor Cal Sheehy presided; Vice Mayor Michele Lin and Councilmembers Nancy Campbell, Jeni Coke, David Diaz, Jim Dolan, and Cameron Moses were present. The minutes list eight present, but the roll call transcript lists seven voting members and all votes are recorded as 7-0 or 6-1. The council approved the consent agenda, adopted land-use and liquor items, authorized three Building Bridges Court service agreements funded by opioid settlement money, approved a $20,000 airport hangar planning task order, and awarded a water well rehabilitation contract. The meeting included an executive session from 6:34 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the January 28, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
• Approved Resolution No. 25-3805 (fourth amendment to ADEQ Environmental Access Agreement, Bahama Avenue/Bimini Lane).
• Approved Resolution No. 25-3806 (easement abandonment at 2001 Spruce Drive) and Resolution No. 25-3812 (easement abandonment for Lots 1-12, Tract 2402).
• Approved Resolution Nos. 25-3807, 25-3808, and 25-3809 (grant applications to the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety for Police Traffic Services/Speed Control, Accident Investigation, and Impaired Driving programs).
• Approved the call for a February 25, 2025, 4:30 p.m. executive session.
• Vote: 7-0.

Reports and Announcements

• The Investment Report as of December 31, 2024, was received as informational.
• City Clerk Kelly Williams announced vacancies on the Board of Adjustment: one regular member and one alternate.
• City Manager Jess Knudson reported on employee awards, the municipal court anniversary, the Water Festival, proclamations, the downtown event space naming poll, Presidents Day office closure, and a water conservation/tree care public service video.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bonny Toy asked whether councilmembers could still change wording in Ordinance No. 25-1353 during the meeting; Mayor Sheehy confirmed changes are permitted within City Code Chapter 2.04.280.
• Bonny Toy also asked whether taxiways/asphalt would be included in the airport hangar planning task order; Mayor Sheehy said all components would be considered in planning.
• Dante Marinelli, representing Havasu Air Center, expressed concern about the limited $20,000 scope of the airport hangar study. He argued the city should pursue a comprehensive, longer-term plan and partner with private developers rather than use city funds for a small hangar site.
• No speakers appeared during the open Call to the Public.

Discussion Items

• Series #7 Beer and Wine Bar Liquor License, Oasis Eateries (201 Swanson Avenue): no public comments; council voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
• Ordinance No. 25-1353, amending City Code Section 2.04.280 (Council Requests): adopted 7-0 after public comment.
• Resolution No. 25-3810, Minor General Plan Amendment for 1719 Magnolia Drive: adopted 7-0, changing the Future Land Use Map designation for the 0.31-acre site from High Density Residential to Medium Density Residential.
• Ordinance No. 25-1354, General Development Plan and Planned Development Rezone for 1719 Magnolia Drive: adopted 7-0, changing R-CHD to R-CHD/PD, reducing minimum density from 15 to 5 units per acre, and eliminating the 50% two-story requirement.
• Professional Services Agreement with Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Inc.: authorized 7-0 for substance abuse and behavioral health treatment for the Building Bridges Court, not to exceed the annual budgeted amount and contingent on opioid settlement funds. City Magistrate Mitchell Kalauli said the court is a co-occurring mental health and substance use court.
• Professional Services Agreement with Avertest, LLC: authorized 7-0 for alcohol and drug testing services. Discussion noted existing Avertest agreements for Veterans Court and Youth Court and an opioid settlement fund balance of $750,869 as of December 2024; Kalauli said the current balance would cover about five years if $150,000 were spent annually with no additional funding. Mayor Sheehy said settlement payments will continue over 20 years.
• Professional Services Agreement with SCRAM of Arizona, Inc.: authorized 7-0 for continuous alcohol and drug monitoring services. Council discussed ankle monitors and two-week drug-detection patches.
• Task Order No. 10 with C&S Engineers, Inc. for Airport Hangar Development Services: approved 6-1, with Councilmember David Diaz voting no. The $20,000 task order covers planning for the north apron; Airport Manager Robert Kane said over 120 people are on the hangar waitlist and the top-listed person has waited 20 years. Preliminary design shows roughly 30 hangars depending on type. Staff plan to validate the waitlist, survey hangar preferences, and establish new waitlist procedures with deposits. Council held an executive session for legal advice before the vote.
• Water Well 9 Rehabilitation Bid: awarded 7-0 to Mike's Drilling, LLC for $105,186.75. Deputy Public Works Director Tim Kellett said the well was last rehabilitated in 2017 and is producing 1,000 gallons per minute less, about 1.4 million gallons per day; after rehabilitation it would be the city's second-highest-producing well and largest in the North Well Field.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and public hearing items except the airport task order passed 7-0; the airport task order passed 6-1.
• The council directed recommendations and authorizations consistent with the motions above, including contingent funding from opioid settlement allocations.
• The next regular meetings are scheduled for February 25, 2025, and March 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.