Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2025
Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2025
The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included a consent agenda, multiple public hearings, and a call to the public. Key actions included approval of street renaming, a rezone, equipment purchases, and two contested awards for Main Street Commons projects, both passing 4-3. Council also received a 30% design update on the Second Bridge and Roadway Improvement Project.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the September 9, 2025, regular meeting minutes.
- Approved Resolution No. 25-3870 for an intergovernmental agreement with Mohave College Fire Academy to use Fire Station #2.
- Approved Resolution No. 25-3871 amending an agreement with Arizona State Parks Board for the Water Safety Center to update payment information.
- Scheduled an executive session for October 14, 2025, at 4:30 PM. All items passed unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Street Renaming (Item 7.1): Jamie Brennan and Savannah Brennan spoke in support of renaming Alley 20 to "Scott Brennan Way," honoring the late Scott Brennan, owner of Scotty's Roasted Chicken and community coach.
- Rezone (Item 7.2): Emiliano Torres questioned emergency evacuation from second-floor living units; Pam Swenson asked about vehicle turn radius for RV parking. Staff clarified code compliance.
- Second Bridge (Item 7.3): Multiple citizens spoke against roundabouts, citing pedestrian safety concerns and confusion for elderly drivers. Artie Collins, Harold Meeks, Kelly Lutz, Derrick Jones, and others opposed roundabouts. Don Wisdom asked about bridge foundation and suggested better visual options. Pam Swenson requested a traffic engineer review.
- Fire Apparatus Refurbishment (Item 7.5): Harold Meeks asked about wear components; Kelly Lutz thanked the city for proactive refurbishment.
- Main Street Commons Projects (Items 7.6 & 7.7): Numerous citizens and stakeholders spoke. Event organizers Steve Tickner (DSM Events) and Jim Russell supported completing the shade canopies and buildings. Gianna Kraft questioned funding breakdown and bid process. Bonny Toy criticized shade structure design and lack of shade. John Parrott urged completion as a moral obligation. Harold Meeks called the shade structures an "embarrassment" and opposed the concession stand. Kelly Lutz argued the design provides little shade. James Gray (Partnership for Economic Development) advocated for the concession stand as an operational necessity for events. Lisa Krueger, Cindy Ridder, Brian Springberg, Sean Buckley (Go Lake Havasu), Taylor Harrison, JP Thornton (Downtown Association), and Dan Roddy supported finishing the park. Emiliano Torres, Derrick Jones, and others opposed the concession stand and questioned the design. Pam Swenson urged separating the bathroom and concession bids.
Discussion Items
- 7.1 - Street Renaming: Public Works Director Ron Foggin presented the application to rename Alley 20 to "Scott Brennan Way." The Street Renaming Committee found all requirements met. Council approved unanimously.
- 7.2 - Rezone (2015 Moyo Drive): Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert presented a request to rezone 0.82 acres from R-CHD to R-CHD/PD to decrease minimum density from 15 to 10 units per acre, allowing nine two-story barn-style homes with garages. The General Plan designation (High Density Residential) allows 10-20 units per acre; the project density is ~11 units per acre. Council approved unanimously.
- 7.3 - Second Bridge & Roadway Improvement Project (30% Design): Capital Program Manager Jason Hart presented the 30% design status. Key milestones: Feasibility study completed June 2024; design firm hired October 2024; 30% bridge design submitted September 2025. Environmental assessment with US Coast Guard began July 2025. Finalized items include roadway alignment, bridge location (rotated to save ~$3 million), intersection layouts, and right-of-way limits. Next steps: 60% bridge design by February 2026, EA permit by April 2026, 100% design by July 2026, construction start Q1 2027 (18-24 month duration). Councilmember Diaz asked about roundabout finalization; City Manager Knudson clarified nothing is finalized and feedback is being gathered. Councilmember Dolan expressed concerns about increased development on the Island and suggested a public referendum. No action taken; item was for information only.
- 7.4 - Fire Station Alerting Systems: Fire Chief Pete Pilafas requested approval for a cooperative purchase with Honeywell International Inc. (US Digital Designs) for new alerting systems at all seven stations, costing $760,077.30. The system replaces a 24-year-old obsolete system and offers improved response times and firefighter safety. Council approved unanimously.
- 7.5 - Refurbishment of Fire Engine: Chief Pilafas requested approval for refurbishment of a 2014 Pierce Velocity Engine/Pumper from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus (Firetrucks Unlimited) at a cost not to exceed $600,000. The refurbishment is part of a five-year vehicle replacement/refurbishment program to extend apparatus lifespan 10-15 years. Council approved unanimously.
- 7.6 - Main Street Commons Shade Canopies: Mr. Hart recommended awarding the base bid for eight additional shade canopies to Merrill Development, Inc. at $346,807. The project completes the shade structure originally planned. Funding: 11% General Funds ($335,840), 21% Water Conservation Grant ($610,140), 34% LWCF ($1,000,000), 34% ABC funding ($1,000,000) for the overall Main Street Commons. Councilmembers expressed concerns about design, cost, and the bidding process. Councilmember Moses supported finishing the project as a community asset. Councilmember Dolan moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Moses. Vote: 4-3 (Sheehy, Coke, Dolan, Moses in favor; Campbell, Diaz, Lin opposed).
- 7.7 - Main Street Commons Bathroom and Concessions Building: Mr. Hart recommended awarding the contract for a bathroom building (southeast corner) and concessions building (northwest corner) to Merrill Development, Inc. at $1,059,423. Funding: 38% community donations ($400,000) and 62% General Funds ($659,423). Council debated whether the concession stand was directed, with Vice Mayor Lin, Councilmember Campbell, and Councilmember Diaz opposing. Councilmember Dolan supported the concession building for shade and event functionality. Mayor Sheehy noted public spaces evolve over time. Councilmember Dolan moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Moses. Vote: 4-3 (Sheehy, Coke, Dolan, Moses in favor; Campbell, Diaz, Lin opposed).
- 7.8 - UV Disinfection System Replacement: Mr. Hart requested approval to purchase UV disinfection system replacement equipment for the Mulberry Wastewater Treatment Plant from Trojan Technologies Corp at $705,350 (sole source). The existing system is nearly 30 years old. Installation labor will be bid separately. Council approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
- Street Renaming (Resolution 25-3872): Approved 7-0.
- Rezone (Ordinance 25-1369): Approved 7-0.
- Second Bridge Update: No action taken; discussion only. Councilmember Dolan requested future referendum discussion.
- Fire Station Alerting Systems (Cooperative Purchase): Approved 7-0.
- Fire Engine Refurbishment (Cooperative Purchase): Approved 7-0.
- Main Street Commons Shade Canopies (Award to Merrill Development): Approved 4-3.
- Main Street Commons Bathroom and Concessions Building (Award to Merrill Development): Approved 4-3.
- UV Disinfection System Purchase: Approved 7-0.
- Call to the Public: Bonny Toy requested more pedestrian crosswalks and suggested a Facebook survey on pedestrian safety.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome. I will call to order the Lake Havasu City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 at 5 30 p.m. We'll have an invocation by Pastor Kay Zimmerman from City on a Hill International Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Corey Castell with the Havasu Vibers Baseball. Let's stand and let's pray. Father God, we just thank you so much for this city. I thank you, Father, for our mayor, each council member, our police chief, fire chief, all who serve our city. We just thank you for your protection over it, Lord. Especially over our young people, Lord. Protection over our young people. And we thank you that there's a mighty move among the young people, God. Just keep that fire burning. Keep your hand on them, God. And I just ask you, Lord, to come in to this meeting. Be Lord over this meeting. And I'm going to read the decree that God gave us for our city. I decree over the city of Lake Havasu City that this city shall be a city of righteousness that honors God in all her ways. A city of hope to all her people and all those who come here. A city of light where darkness finds no room to hide. A city of love that prospers in all her ways, providing prosperity and goodwill to all her people as well as those surrounding her, and a city of peace to all who dwell here in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you. Thank you and welcome. Would you like to share a little bit about your organization? Yes. Our current board, if I'm missing any one of you, please forgive me. But our president currently, David Moraz, he is part of our uh our firefighters in the community. Um, Justin Janisek, uh, Mike Thornhill, Justin Wilson, uh, Scotty Taylor, which is the vice president, um, and Rick Zagris, I believe you pronounce it. Um, and I if I missed any of you guys, um, thank you as well. Um I'm here directly for my son and his buddies, their team. We're the Havasu Vipers 9U team. This is our first year. Uh, young boys who have never played travel ball. Um, but we're looking to show them and set a quality standard, not only in the game, but as well as life. There's winning and losing in life, and um we don't want that to go to the wayside. Um, as these young boys grow older, they may fall and they may lose. But if you uh learn from it, it's not really losing. Um that's kind of our motto. Um, I'd like to thank my coaching staff, my assistant coach Danny Bull, and two other assistants, Chance Crane and Victor Lendero. Um the purpose, uh, I was invited here tonight. Um, I was in the city office speaking for an event for my the company I work for, ServePro, um, and the front desk. She, they were talking about the Afghanistan event with the BRICS, and I had mentioned our young boys and wanting to, you know, ingrain grain in them gratitude. Um, if we don't have gratitude, all we do, all the hard work and sweat and tears we put into this is all for nothing. Um, I learned that growing up in this community myself and having opportunities that I lost because I didn't have gratitude. So my goal here was to invite anyone in the community that needs a helping hand. Um boys putting up tables and chairs, serving people, whatever it may be, that we can help your events and uh just anything you might need where you need extra hands and and young boys could do it, albeit our schedules, they're going to school and whatnot. Um, but that they could learn that bit of gratitude and give back to the community. Um, we have a laundry list of donors that have given so much. Uh Councilmember Dolan, we appreciate your uh wonderful donation you gave us and your team over there at Campbell Cove. Um, gave sandwiches for an event we held. Um, and so you know, it's all about money, travel ball.
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