Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025
Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – September 9, 2025
The Lake Havasu City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting included approvals of the consent agenda, public hearings on the 2026 General Plan update, a planned development rezone, an airport FBO lease transfer, a Wi-Fi license agreement, a cooperative purchase of a hydro-excavator, and an Open Meeting Law presentation. All votes were 6-0 in favor. The council also recognized State Senator Hilde Angus with a key to the city and celebrated employee achievements.
Consent Calendar
- ID 25-4918: Approved the August 26, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
- ID 25-4919: Called for an Executive Session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Correspondence, Communications, Petitions, Announcements, City Manager Report
- Investment Report (ID 25-4902): Noted as of June 30, 2025, available online.
- Board Vacancies (ID 25-4920): Announced one alternate member vacancy on the Board of Adjustment; applications available at City Hall or online.
- City Manager’s Report (ID 25-4922):
- Recognized State Senator Hilde Angus (Arizona League of Cities and Towns Legislative Champion) and presented a key to the city.
- Acknowledged the retirement of Jason Simmons (34 years of service, Public Works).
- Congratulated employees Steve Blake (Digital Media Coordinator, certified in government digital services), Tracy Langley (PHR certification), and Teresa Myers (PHR certification).
- Congratulated Councilmember Jeni Coke for being selected for the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Civic Craft Leadership Program.
- Provided updates: Fire Station 7 design – 60% plans due end of September, 100% plans Q1 2026, construction Q2 2026, on time and under budget. Second Bridge – 30% plans due September, Coast Guard environmental process started (estimated 6-18 months), construction tentatively Q1 2027.
- Proposed adoption of 2024 International Building and Fire Codes with local amendments; community input invited at LHCaz.gov.
- Recognized Constitution Week (September 17-23) with a bell ringing ceremony at the library on September 17 at 2:30 p.m.
- Showcased Rotary Community Park via a video presented by Mayor Sheehy.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Plan Update:
- Emiliano Torres (steering committee member) urged more youth and senior participation; suggested using social media and engaging schools.
- Bonnie Toy raised concerns about ADA accessibility and pedestrian/e-bike safety; suggested council members use personal Facebook pages to promote meetings.
- A member from a men’s club (Mr. Wisdom) asked about inclusion of nuclear, solar, and wind power in the general plan; staff noted energy discussions will be part of the plan but city does not provide energy.
- Rezone (669 Lake Havasu Ave N): No public comments.
- Airport FBO Lease Transfer: No public comments.
- Wi-Fi License Agreement: No public comments.
- Cooperative Purchase: No public comments.
- Open Meeting Law Presentation:
- Emiliano Torres asked about quorum definitions at events with multiple council or commission members. Kelly Garry explained that a quorum must exist and discussion of city business must occur for it to be a meeting.
- Bonnie Toy asked about social media posting, record-keeping burdens, and differences between state and federal open meeting laws. Staff clarified that posts are subject to FOIA requests and that only state law applies to city council.
Discussion Items
- 7.1 – 2026 General Plan Update Progress Report (Chris Gilbert):
- Outlined the two-year process (launch, discover, vision, build phases).
- Website received 18,800+ views and 148 subscribers; 831 survey responses; 13 community events reaching ~750 people; 63 in-person and 85 virtual participants at the first visioning workshop.
- Seven key themes emerged: preserving small-town character, affordable housing, attracting well-paying jobs, traffic congestion/mobility, healthcare access, more recreational opportunities, and environmental protection.
- Five aspirational statements developed, aligning with 17 state-required planning elements: Land Use & Growth, Connected Community, Prosperous Economy, Thriving Neighborhoods, Healthy Environment.
- Next steps: Plan audit, continued listening sessions, draft future land use map, third steering committee meeting (Oct 15), second workshop (late Oct), adoption early 2026, voter ratification November 2026.
- Councilmember Diaz expressed disappointment with low participation (anemic relative to 59,000 residents). Staff noted participation is typical for similar cities.
- 7.2 – Rezone 669 Lake Havasu Ave N (Trevor Kearns):
- 1.66 acres, currently 12,500 sq ft commercial building. Request to allow outdoor storage in front and exceeding primary structure area for a water distribution company (storing large PVC pipe).
- Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0 with conditions: six-foot CMU wall, storage max height 6 feet, street frontage landscaping.
- Council questions: Vice Mayor Lin asked about rodent concerns; applicant said stored materials are large PVC pipe, not attractive to rodents. Approved.
- 7.3 – Airport FBO Lease Transfer (Kelly Garry):
- Consent to assign leases for Sites 3, 4, and 6 and fuel sublease for Sites 1 and 2 from Havasu Air Center to Velocity Havasu Holdings.
- Velocity operates at three other airports. Lease terms: Site 3 expires 2027, Site 4 expires 2033 (with 10-year extension), Site 6 expires 2036 (with 10-year extension), fuel sublease runs with master leases until 2043.
- Amendments include provisions on liens, mortgages, and FAA grant assurances.
- Councilmember Dolan noted public concern about impact on South Development RFP; applicant clarified this transfer does not affect any development options. Approved.
- 7.4 – Wi-Fi License Agreement with ALLO Arizona (Jonathan Baskette):
- ALLO will install infrastructure at city parks at no cost to the city, providing city-owned Ethernet connections, employee/public safety Wi-Fi, and public Wi-Fi (free tier at least 10 Mbps, customer tier high-speed).
- Rotary Park as pilot; 90-day timeline to completion (estimated March 2026). City controls hours of public Wi-Fi.
- Councilmember Diaz asked about ALLO’s recent layoffs (9% workforce in June/July). Steve Goodman (ALLO) attributed to reduced BEAD funding and confirmed Havasu is 100% built out. Approved.
- 7.5 – Cooperative Purchase of Hydro-Excavator (Bill Young):
- Purchase of one 2026 Western Star 47X with truck-mounted hydro-excavator from AZ Wastewater Industries for $635,564.85.
- Budgeted in FY26; will allow safe digging around underground utilities using pressurized water (2,000 PSI) and vacuum. Councilmember Dolan asked about rocky soil; unit is designed for such conditions. Approved.
- 7.6 – Open Meeting Law Presentation (Kelly Garry):
- Reviewed definition of meeting, quorum, public body, serial meetings, notice/agenda/minutes requirements, and executive session rules (9 permissible topics).
- Council discussed social media pitfalls and record-keeping responsibilities.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 6-0.
- General Plan Update: Report accepted; no vote required. Staff to continue outreach.
- Rezone (Ordinance 25-1368): Approved 6-0.
- Airport FBO Lease Transfer: Approved 6-0.
- Wi-Fi License Agreement with ALLO: Approved 6-0.
- Cooperative Purchase of Hydro-Excavator: Approved 6-0.
- Open Meeting Law Presentation: Informational only.
- Call to the Public: No speakers.
- Future Meetings: September 23, 2025 (regular); October 14, 2025 (regular).
Meeting Transcript
Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. We'll have an invocation from Father Tony with Our Lady of the Lake, Roman Catholic Parish, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Janelle Heizinga with Havasu Dance Alliance. Father Tony. God of might and order of light. We cannot thank you annoyed for all that you do for us. You are the give out of everything that is good and beautiful. Yahweh is perfect, and you bless all who work in your way. Lead us in your way, especially these city council members, and give them the grace to always work in your light and give them abundant wisdom as we give to your seventh Solomon. Give them a compassionate heart and the spirit of understanding as they carry out their responsibility. Fill their heart with great love, fulfillment in what they do. Loving saviour. Bless us and ask our prayers as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Havasu Dance Alliance began with a simple vision to support local youth dancers. We grew and we realized something important. Our communities need for support far extended beyond dance. There are young people across our community who are in need in all performing arts, dance, theater, music, cheer, and many more. They need encouragement, resources, and opportunities. That realization inspired us to expand our mission. Today, Havasu Dance Alliance exists to uplift, empower all youth performers. We do this by providing access to programs, resources, and financial support that reduce barriers that families have, allowing children to focus on what they need, what matters, their growth as people and performers. Thank you so much for being here and for sharing uh the great mission and the work that you're doing with the youth in our community. Thank you so much. All right, the next item on the agenda is the roll call. Miss Williams, if you please call the role. Council members Nancy Campbell. Jenny Koch. Here. Kim Dolan. Here. David Diaz. Here. Cameron Moses. Here. Vice Mayor Michelle Lynn. Here. Mayor Kal Shehi. Here. Thank you. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is our consent agenda. Would any of the council members like to remove any of the items for separate discussion? Mayor. Councilmember Koch. Move to approve the consent agenda as presented. We have a motion from Councilmember Koch and a second from Councilmember Moses. We are ready to vote. Motion carries six to zero. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is item six, which is correspondence communications, petitions, announcements, and the city manager report.
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