Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting – October 28, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Council held its regular meeting on October 28, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and adjourning at 8:45 p.m. All seven councilmembers were present. The council approved the consent calendar, adopted updated building and fire codes, approved an ADA transit van purchase, introduced a revised fee schedule ordinance, adopted the 2025 Wash Management Plan, awarded two construction contracts, and approved a NAPA parts-management program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 7-0 the October 14, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
• Approved Resolution No. 25-3876, authorizing the Police Chief to execute the MOU between the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Mohave Area General Narcotic Enforcement Team.
• Approved Resolution No. 25-3877, abandoning the southeasterly 20 feet of the existing 10-foot-wide public utility and drainage easement on the northeasterly property line of 3045 Daytona Avenue, Tract 146, Block 7, Lot 3, excluding the rear-most 30 feet.
• Approved the 2025 Lake Havasu City Transit Asset Management Plan.
• Approved Change Order No. 2 to the construction contract for the Mulberry Treatment Plant Roof Replacement Project with T.R. Orr, Inc.
• Approved the call for executive session on November 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A).

Announcements and City Manager Report

• City Clerk Kelly Williams announced vacancies on Lake Havasu City boards, committees, and commissions, with applications available at City Hall and on the city website.
• City Manager Jess Knudson announced upcoming events, including a General Plan Update Open House on October 29-30, 2025 at the Mohave County Library, a farewell tree ceremony at Wheeler Park on November 5, 2025, the unsealing of a 25-year-old time capsule on October 31, 2025, and recognition of community events. Vice Mayor Lin spotlighted Cypress Park in the Get to Know Your Parks series.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pam Freitas, president of the Western Welcome Club of Arizona, objected to large Community Center room rental fee increases, citing club rental costs rising from $2,900 in 2024 to $4,400 in 2025, and noted the club donates proceeds back to the community.
• Steven Sinkey, president of Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds, asked the council to eliminate banner fees for nonprofits, stating the fee went from $0 to $51 in 2025 and would rise to $53 under the proposed CPI adjustment; he said the group keeps ticket prices affordable and supports local music programs.
• Marilyn Thompson, director of HAVAdopt Children's Christmas Project, requested reasonable nonprofit rates and reported her event rental cost rose from $171 in 2024 to $627, plus a $400 cleaning deposit that took months to be refunded.
• Michelle Long, citizen, said long-standing nonprofits that have rented city rooms for years deserve credit.
• Bonny Toy, citizen, opposed the fee increases because of economic conditions and suggested using Mainstreet Commons for banners.
• Emiliano Torres, citizen, questioned spending about $500,000 on a police parking lot that the public does not use.
• During the Wash Management Plan hearing, a resident identified as Becky Cassida in the minutes and Peggy Cassida in the transcript expressed concern that wash improvements behind her home were damaging wildlife habitat.
• In the open call to the public, Paul Smith requested crosswalk markings and signage at Wheeler Park.
• Ted Fenton discussed the October 18, 2025 protest in Lake Havasu City and asked whether displaying a firearm at a peaceful protest could be perceived as intimidation and erode free expression.
• Pam Freitas said the Western Welcome Club was willing to pay the $51 banner fee.
• Willie Jogameyer, second vice president of the Western Welcome Club of Arizona, described communication and fee-confusion problems with the Aquatic Center, including a $400 cleaning deposit being rolled over rather than promptly refunded.
• Bonny Toy raised crosswalk concerns and objected to the city calling the Wheeler Park tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree, while also recommending greater use of social media.
• Kelly Lutz questioned whether zoning decisions conform to Arizona law and the city's adopted General Plan.

Discussion Items

Building Code Update – Ordinance No. 25-1370

Building Official Steven Blake said the city currently operates under the 2018 International Codes and proposed adopting the 2024 editions with local amendments. A two-week public comment period received no feedback. The code adoption would be phased in with a February 1, 2026 effective date, and plans could continue to be submitted under the 2018 standards for up to 90 days after that date. The council voted 7-0 to adopt.

Fire Code Update – Ordinance No. 25-1371

Fire Marshal Nathan Adler explained that the 2024 International Fire Code is a maintenance code addressing both new construction and existing life-safety safeguards. A public comment period was held. It would take effect on February 1, 2026. The council voted 7-0 to adopt.

Ford Transit ADA Van Cooperative Purchase

Transit Manager Patrick Cipres requested approval to purchase one 2023 Ford Transit ADA van from Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc. for $57,502. The van replaces a 2020 Dodge ProMaster that has had recurring door, transmission, and engine problems; the city saves approximately $43,000 on the vehicle price. The three-year warranty begins when the city takes delivery. Transit is averaging 100 to 110 trips per day and missing about 14 ride requests per day, and the local match for the federally funded van is $8,625. The old van will be auctioned. The council voted 7-0 to approve.

Fee Schedule Ordinance – Ordinance No. 25-1372 (Introduction)

Administrative Services Director Jill Olsen said fees are reviewed annually, with full cost reviews every few years and CPI adjustments in other years. The proposed 2026 fees used a CPI adjustment of 4.39 percent. New fees included court enhancement, jail costs recovery, and court collection; revised fees included peddlers license, use of city facilities, fuel flowage, airfield services, refuse service, community center events, banners, and liquefied petroleum gas tank installation. A proposed 50 percent nonprofit banner fee was also presented.

Council positions varied. Vice Mayor Lin opposed increases in recreation and aquatic fees, and asked to remove the Mainstreet Commons concession stand fee until the facility exists. Mayor Sheehy supported keeping specified Leisure and Culture Services fees flat and adding a nonprofit banner fee. Councilmember Campbell opposed all fee increases this year and preferred periodic true-ups rather than automatic CPI increases. Councilmember Diaz opposed the CPI and a nonprofit banner fee. Councilmember Dolan supported incremental increases and called doing nothing fiscally irresponsible. Councilmember Moses supported a CPI increase and a 50 percent nonprofit banner fee, but expressed frustration about airport fuel flowage and ARFF cost recovery. City Manager Jess Knudson explained that the fuel flowage fee was revised in response to the cost of providing ARFF services at the airport, and that the city was not currently pursuing past cost recovery. Olsen noted that the CPI is calculated over a 12-month period and that the previous true-up would have required almost a 20 percent increase if CPI had not been applied in the prior two years. The city attorney clarified that tonight's action was only an introduction.

The council introduced Ordinance No. 25-1372 on a 4-3 vote, with Mayor Sheehy and Councilmembers Coke, Dolan, and Moses voting yes, and Councilmembers Campbell, Diaz, and Vice Mayor Lin voting no. Final adoption will be considered at a future meeting.

2025 Wash Management Plan – Resolution No. 25-3878

Engineering Division Manager Mike Wolfe said the city identified over 200 wash reaches in earlier studies, has completed 9 of the original top 10 wash projects since 2016, and has spent about $20 million on the program. Mohave County Flood Control District funding is approximately $3 to $3.2 million per year. Zach Schmidt of Kimley-Horn presented the updated plan, which incorporates the FEMA-funded FLO-2D model, drone imagery, and updated costs for priority washes. For Kiowa Drain 6, the drop-structure alternative was estimated at $960,000 and bank protection at $1.3 million. The plan will be integrated into the city's five-year CIP beginning fiscal year 2026-27. Councilmember Campbell raised safety concerns near Rotary Park and Mainstreet Commons and asked about culvert or greenbelt options for Pima Wash; Schmidt said community input helps identify specific needs and greenbelts may not be safe in active washes. The council voted 7-0 to adopt.

Police Department Facility Rear Parking Lot Rehab & Expansion Bid

Project Manager Brent Cummings recommended awarding the base bid plus additive alternate No. 1 to Pioneer Earth Movers, Inc. for $544,361.30. The engineer's estimate was $719,032. The project includes repaving the rear lot, concrete under shade structures, perimeter wall, expanded secure evidence-vehicle parking with electronic gate access, lighting, and cameras. Work is expected to take about 120 days, with completion in April 2026. Councilmember Campbell recused herself from this item. The motion carried 6-0.

Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Filter Upgrade Bid

Capital Program Manager Jason Hart recommended awarding the project to Schofield Civil Construction, LLC for $1,353,500. The work includes concrete wall repairs, removal and installation of a new traveling bridge filter system, mechanical and electrical equipment, handrails, grating, effluent weir plate replacements, and a new power disconnect panel. Construction would start in December 2025 and finish in June 2026. The engineer's estimate was $1,565,000 and the construction budget was $1.4 million; three bids were received. The council voted 7-0 to award the bid.

NAPA Integrated Business Solution Cooperative Purchase

Public Works Deputy Director Bill Young requested approval to use a Sourcewell cooperative contract with Genuine Auto Parts dba NAPA Auto Parts for an on-site parts procurement and inventory-management program. Estimated costs are $900,000 per year for inventory/parts and $125,000 per year for inventory management, not to exceed the annual budget. NAPA operates this program for more than 440 municipalities, and the city contacted 73 vendors before choosing this approach. The council voted 7-0 to approve, authorizing the city manager to execute the participating addendum.

Council Committee Reports

• Councilmember Moses reported that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended switching to every-other-month meetings and played a parent-submitted video showing accessibility barriers at parks intended to be adaptive, including wood chips and uneven ground that make access difficult, lack of fencing, and unsafe swing height for children with disabilities.
• Vice Mayor Lin announced a PED First Friday event on November 7, 2025.

Future Meetings & Discussion Items

• The November 11, 2025 regular meeting was canceled for Veterans Day. The next regular meeting is November 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
• Councilmember Diaz requested a future discussion item on how the city addresses graffiti, seconded by Councilmember Campbell.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-1370 (2024 building codes) adopted 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-1371 (2024 International Fire Code) adopted 7-0.
• Ford Transit ADA van cooperative purchase approved 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-1372 (fee schedule) introduced 4-3; final adoption will be considered at a later meeting.
• Resolution No. 25-3878 (2025 Wash Management Plan) adopted 7-0.
• Police parking lot project awarded to Pioneer Earth Movers, Inc. 6-0, with Councilmember Campbell recused.
• Island Wastewater Treatment Plant filter upgrade awarded to Schofield Civil Construction, LLC 7-0.
• NAPA Integrated Business Solution cooperative purchase approved 7-0.