Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – March 25, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and adjourning at 7:06 p.m. Mayor Cal Sheehy presided with Vice Mayor Michele Lin and Councilmembers Nancy Campbell, Jim Dolan, David Diaz, and Cameron Moses present. Councilmember Jeni Coke was absent. The council approved consent items, introduced two ordinances, held six public hearings, and heard public comment on pedestrian safety, city procurement, and the proposed outdoor pool.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda 6-0 with the exception of Item 5.5, which was removed for separate discussion at Vice Mayor Lin’s request.
• Consent items included approval of the March 11, 2025 regular meeting minutes; Resolution No. 25-3819 authorizing the FY 2025 Community Development Block Grant application; two easement abandonment resolutions (No. 25-3821 and No. 25-3822); and a call for an executive session on April 8, 2025.

Item 5.5 – C&S Engineers Master Services Agreement Renewal

• Airport Manager Robert Kane explained that the Master Professional Services Agreement with C&S Engineers, Inc. began in May 2022, and Amendment No. 1 is the first of two one-year renewal options.
• Councilmember Diaz asked whether this was related to a prior C&S task order; Mr. Kane confirmed the earlier action was a task order under the same agreement.
• Mayor Sheehy noted the agreement expires May 1, 2025, and the amendment allows continued work with C&S.
• The council voted 6-0 to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 for an additional one-year term.

Correspondence, City Manager Report, and Public Works Update

• City Clerk Kelly Williams announced vacancies on Lake Havasu City boards, committees, and commissions, with applications available at City Hall and at www.lhcaz.gov.
• City Manager Jess Knudson reported the Downtown Catalyst event space was officially named “Main Street Commons,” with the goal of opening before Desert Storm; Dick Samp Memorial Park pickleball court lighting is now operational; and Parks and Recreation will host “Come Grow With Us! An EGG-stra Special Event” on April 19, 2025.
• Deputy Public Works Director Tim Kellett provided a department update that included: repair of the 27-inch transmission main on Lake Havasu Avenue; Station 5A upgrades; Well 9 rehabilitation; the AMI water meter replacement project; completion of Queens Bay Wash crossing and Havasupai 6 wash improvements; completion of the Biological Odor Control System at the North Regional Sewer Treatment Plant; airport runway lights and signs design submitted to the FAA; 109 lane miles crack filled, 273,000 square yards chip sealed, and 640,000 square yards pavement sealant applied; 30 fleet vehicles received and outfitted; and the Second Bridge Project reaching 20% design with NV5, with Ames Construction hired as CMAR.

Public Hearings

7.1 – VFW Post 9401 Class B Bingo License

• City Clerk Kelly Williams reported that Paul Wilcox applied for a Class B bingo license for VFW Post 9401 at 266 London Bridge Road. Bingo would be played Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• No objections were received, and no public comments were offered.
• The council voted 6-0 to recommend Arizona Department of Revenue approval.

7.2 – Los Chikis Bar & Appetizers Series #12 Restaurant Liquor License

• Ms. Williams advised that Alfredo Lopez Elizalde applied for a Series #12 restaurant liquor license for Los Chikis Bar & Appetizers at 161 Swanson Avenue #C. All posting requirements, fees, zoning, and the 20-day public comment period were satisfied with no objections.
• Mr. Elizalde addressed the council, describing the restaurant’s breakfast, lunch, and appetizer bar offerings.
• The council voted 6-0 to recommend Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control approval.

7.3 – Ordinance No. 25-1357 Procurement Code Amendment (Introduction)

• Administrative Services Director Jill Olsen presented the proposed replacement of City Code Chapter 3.10, Procurement. Recommended changes include increasing the City Council expenditure approval threshold from greater than $50,000 to greater than $100,000; increasing the contract amendment threshold from 5% (not more than $50,000) to 10% (not more than $100,000); and increasing the maximum job-order-contract (JOC) amount under A.R.S. Title 34 from $1 million to $2 million.
• Ms. Olsen stated that approximately 19 of the 80 items brought to council in the past 12 months fell between $50,000 and $100,000 and would not have come to council under the new threshold. She also noted about 70% of comparable Arizona cities already use the $100,000/10% thresholds.
• Councilmember Diaz requested an online quarterly report of expenditures between $50,000 and $100,000. Councilmember Campbell suggested a footnote or memorandum for one to two years listing expenditures in that range plus JOCs between $1 million and $2 million.
• Public commenter Bonny Toy asked whether the change would eliminate Public Works vehicle purchases coming to council; Mayor Sheehy said purchases over $100,000 would still require council approval. Ms. Toy suggested vehicle purchases be placed at the beginning of the agenda.
• Discussion addressed cumulative contracts, transparency, and the JOC threshold. City Attorney staff explained the $2 million JOC change still requires individual task orders over $100,000 to come before council.
• Mayor Sheehy requested a summary of the 19 items that would not have come to council be provided at the next meeting. Vice Mayor Lin asked whether those items were closer to $50,000 or $100,000.
• The council voted 6-0 to introduce Ordinance No. 25-1357.

7.4 – Ordinance No. 25-1358 Court Enhancement Fee Increase (Introduction)

• City Magistrate Mitchell Kalauli explained the court enhancement fee was established at $10 when the city incorporated, has not changed in approximately 40 years, and is used for purposes such as Youth Court and sound equipment.
• The proposed ordinance increases the fee from $10 to $20 to align with Mohave County and account for newly imposed state-related fees.
• No public comments were offered.
• The council voted 6-0 to introduce Ordinance No. 25-1358.

7.5 – Ordinance No. 25-1359 Maricopa Avenue Planned Development Rezone

• City Planner Trevor Kearns described the 0.92-acre vacant property at 3485, 3489, and 3493 Maricopa Avenue, zoned Commercial-Southgate (C-SGD), with a requested rezone to Commercial-Southgate/Planned Development (C-SGD/PD) to allow outdoor entertainment for a mini-golf course and an outdoor rock-climbing wall up to 50 feet above approved maximum grade.
• The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on February 19, 2025, to recommend approval.
• Ivan Betancourt of Selberg Associates presented the concept, “Dimple’s Adventures,” which includes a restaurant and bar, an 18-hole outdoor miniature golf course designed with Harris Miniature Golf Courses, Inc., an up-to-50-foot rock-climbing wall, karaoke, indoor batting cages, and a video game arcade. Fundraising events would donate partial proceeds to local nonprofits and charities.
• In response to Councilmember Diaz, Mr. Betancourt said hours would likely close around 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., similar to most restaurants in town.
• Public commenter Bonny Toy questioned the number of handicapped spaces shown on the conceptual plan and potential lighting impacts on Highway 95. Mayor Sheehy responded that parking and lighting would have to meet city code.
• The council voted 6-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 25-1359.

7.6 – Solar Powered RRFB Pedestrian Crossing Systems

• Transportation and Maintenance Superintendent Bill Young requested approval of a cooperative purchase agreement with Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc. for 18 solar powered illuminated Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing systems in the amount of $75,748.91.
• The beacons would be installed on both sides of crosswalks on McCulloch Boulevard North at Scott Drive, Querio Drive, Mulberry Avenue, Pima Wash, and Birch Square.
• City staff would perform installation. Mr. Young said the beacons are not synchronized with traffic signals, operate similarly to the London Bridge crosswalk signals, and come with a manufacturer warranty with maintenance parts planned.
• Public commenters expressed support and raised questions: Jennifer Blair voiced strong support for pedestrian safety and suggested bike path crossings, describing her son being hit in a crosswalk; Joe Costello asked about the Mulberry Avenue and Highway 95 intersection; Robin Macklory asked whether the beacons could be turned off during downtown events, with Mr. Young responding yes; and Bonny Toy expressed concerns about sign design and said she did not believe the signals would stop jaywalking.
• The council voted 6-0 to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and purchase the 18 systems.

Call to the Public

• Nicholas Black, a resident, requested an update on road work on Injo Drive and asked whether the tap water is safe to drink. Staff were asked to follow up with him.
• Rick Wheeler, head coach of the Havasu Stingrays Swim Team, requested an update on the outdoor pool at the Aquatic Center, noted the team has been in the community for over 30 years, and said the nonprofit has given back approximately $250,000. He also noted the team’s swim meets have brought tourism revenue to the city.
• Bonny Toy suggested the city charge non-residents for parking at the lot across from Site Six and at Rotary Park and London Bridge Park during holidays and events.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda 6-0, with Item 5.5 removed and approved separately 6-0.
• Recommended approval of the VFW Post 9401 bingo license and Los Chikis liquor license, each by 6-0 votes.
• Introduced Ordinance No. 25-1357 (procurement code amendment) and Ordinance No. 25-1358 (court enhancement fee increase), each by 6-0 votes; final adoption will occur after a future second reading.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 25-1359 (Maricopa Avenue planned development rezone) by a 6-0 vote.
• Approved the $75,748.91 purchase of 18 RRFB pedestrian crossing systems by a 6-0 vote.
• Staff will provide a summary of the 19 procurement items between $50,000 and $100,000 at the next council meeting.
• Vice Mayor Lin requested a future discussion item on the outdoor pool before the budget work session; the request was seconded by Councilmember Dolan.
• Future meetings were announced for April 8, 2025, and April 22, 2025, with a Budget/CIP Overview Work Session on April 10, 2025.