Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included a consent agenda, public hearings on seven items, and a call to the public. Key decisions included approval of several rezonings and infrastructure contracts, and rejection of a professional services agreement for airport landing fee collection. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (7-0) the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 5.8 (Multi-Use Path Upgrades along SR 95), which was removed for separate discussion. The consent items included:

  • Approval of July 22, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
  • Resolution No. 25-3859: Equitable Sharing Agreement with U.S. DOJ and Treasury.
  • Resolution No. 25-3860, 25-3861, 25-3862, 25-3863: Abandonment of various public utility and drainage easements.
  • Resolution No. 25-3865: Supporting invitation to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Mohave County for the 75th Anniversary of Davis Dam power generation and an intergovernmental summit.
  • Resolution No. 25-3866: Intergovernmental Agreement with ADOT for multi-use path upgrades along SR 95 (see Discussion Items).
  • Crisis Intervention Agreement with Community Health Associates for assignment of Crisis Mobile Team Specialists.
  • Call for Executive Session on August 26, 2025, at 4:30 PM.

• Item 5.8 was considered separately: Resolution No. 25-3866 approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with ADOT for pavement preservation (cape seal) on the multi-use path along Highway 95 from McCulloch Boulevard to Palo Verde Boulevard North. Approved 7-0 after a brief public hearing with no comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7.5 (Vector Airport Systems): Thirteen citizens spoke in opposition to the professional services agreement with Vector Airport Systems, LLC for collection of landing fees. Key arguments included:
  • The ADS-B system, designed for safety, would be misused for fee collection, encouraging pilots to turn off their transponders and creating safety risks.
  • Reports of overbilling and harassment from Vector at other airports (e.g., Safford, AZ; Bar Harbor, ME).
  • Concerns about pending federal legislation (S.22175) to ban the use of ADS-B data for fee collection.
  • Suggestions that the airport could generate revenue through other means (e.g., building hangars, shade ports, solar panels) without compromising safety.
• Item 7.7 (Vehicle Purchases): One citizen, Emiliano Torres, urged the city to use local businesses for refurbishing police vehicles rather than out-of-town sources.
• Call to the Public:
  • Ms. Bonny Toy raised concerns about lack of crosswalks and pedestrian signage on McCulloch Boulevard near Wheeler Park.
  • Ms. Maureen DeJulio questioned a code enforcement decision regarding parking a watercraft on a vacant lot across the street from her residence, asserting unequal treatment.
  • Mr. Randy Kozak (Marine Corps League Detachment 757) invited the council to a memorial service on August 26, 2025.
  • Mr. Bob Barrett opposed the impending stoplight at Jamaica Boulevard and McCulloch Boulevard, arguing that a lighted stop sign would be more appropriate and safer. He noted the intersection was not listed in the recent Metropolitan Planning Organization strategic safety plan.

Discussion Items

• 7.1 Kiowa Boulevard Planned Development Rezone: City Planner Trevor Kearns presented a request to rezone 0.76 acres from C-1/NK-O to C-1/NK-OPD to increase outdoor storage height from 6 to 10 feet and allow outdoor storage to exceed building area. The property houses Havasu Turf Pros. Conditions included combining the two lots, an 8-foot CMU perimeter fence, and shared driveway access. Councilmember Campbell expressed concerns about consistency in commercial nodes and protection of parking-in-common areas. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 7-0. No public comments. Approved 7-0.
• 7.2 Mohave College Rezone: Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert presented a rezone of 15.29 acres (multiple parcels) from C-2, LI, and R-3 to P-1 (Public Lands and Facilities) to unify development standards for Mohave College. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Mayor Sheehy noted the rezone would bring clarity. No public comments. Approved 7-0.
• 7.3 Variance for Through Lot: A variance from City Code Section 13.16.050 to permit creation of a through lot at 2142 Rudolph Drive and 2130 Burke Drive (1.4 acres, R-E zoning). The unique configuration involved combining a flag lot with adjacent parcels while maintaining open space corridors. Conditions set maximum grade, side yard setbacks, and building height. No neighborhood meeting was required. No public comments. Approved 7-0.
• 7.4 Arc Flash Study Agreement: Professional Services Agreement with Electrical Safety Specialists for $224,200 to bring the city into compliance with NFPA and NEC requirements. The study covers 150+ sites, includes data collection, modeling, labeling, and reporting. Completion expected May 2026. Councilmember Diaz confirmed the study is required every three years; the last was five years ago. No public comments. Approved 7-0.
• 7.5 Landing Fee Collection Agreement: Airport Manager Robert Kane presented an agreement with Vector Airport Systems, LLC, for automated collection of landing fees for aircraft over 12,500 lbs. Estimated additional annual revenue of $18,000 (plus $4,000 from cargo carriers). Councilmembers Dolan, Diaz, and Campbell opposed using ADS-B safety data for billing, citing safety risks and pending federal legislation. The public hearing saw overwhelming opposition. Mayor Sheehy suggested separate discussions on safety and fee schedules. Motion to not approve the agreement carried 7-0.
• 7.6 Jamaica Boulevard Improvement Project: Award of base bid to Sunland Asphalt & Construction, LLC for $2,022,475 (engineer's estimate $2,734,792). Project includes milling 1.5 inches and overlaying 2.5 inches of asphalt on Jamaica Boulevard from Pena Lane to Saddleback Drive (2 miles). Councilmember Campbell recused herself. Discussion included PCI scoring (currently 59), notification to utilities, and a proposed moratorium on street cuts after resurfacing. Councilmember Dolan and Mayor Sheehy agreed to bring a future agenda item on protecting new roads. No public comments. Approved 6-0 (Campbell recused).
• 7.7 Vehicle Purchases & Refurbishment: Cooperative purchase of 34 vehicles (28 Ford, 1 Nissan, 1 Bobcat Toolcat, 1 forklift, 3 dump trucks) from various suppliers and refurbishment of 4 police vehicles by Wild Rose Motors LTD. Total cost not specified, but part of the city's vehicle replacement program. Discussion included rationale for replacing Polaris Rangers with Ford Mavericks for meter readers (better warranty, safety, air conditioning). Councilmember Diaz noted a 2008 Chevy with only 67,000 miles would be repurposed. A citizen suggested using local businesses for refurbishment. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0, except Item 5.8 which was approved separately 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-1366 (Kiowa rezone) approved 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-1367 (Mohave College rezone) approved 7-0.
• Resolution No. 25-3867 (through lot variance) approved 7-0.
• Professional Services Agreement with Electrical Safety Specialists for Arc Flash Study approved 7-0 ($224,200).
• Professional Services Agreement with Vector Airport Systems, LLC rejected 7-0 (motion to not approve).
• Bid award to Sunland Asphalt & Construction, LLC for Jamaica Boulevard Improvement Project approved 6-0 (one recusal).
• Cooperative purchase of 34 vehicles and refurbishment of 4 police vehicles approved 7-0.
• Mayor Sheehy and Councilmember Dolan will bring a future agenda item to discuss a moratorium on street cuts on newly resurfaced roads.
• The City Manager announced the inaugural Havasu Residents Academy (8-week program starting September 25, 2025; space limited to 20) and a virtual community workshop for the General Plan Update (open until August 15, 2025).