Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - December 9, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda with two items pulled for separate discussion, selection of the Vice Mayor for 2026, a City Manager's report highlighting employee milestones and a graffiti awareness video, and numerous public hearings. Key decisions included adoption of a new fee schedule, approval of access easements along the Bridgewater Channel, and purchases of vehicles and park equipment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the November 25, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes (ID 25-5036).
• Resolution No. 25-3882: Approving submission of a grant application for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program (ID 25-5005).
• Resolution No. 25-3884: Ratifying submission of a grant application for the Lake Havasu City Strategic Presence and Adaptive Response Initiative (ID 25-5040).
• Resolution No. 25-3887: Agreement establishing an alliance between ADOSH and trenching/excavation stakeholders (ID 25-5033).
• Master Services Agreement and Statement of Work for procurement management system software with OpenGov, Inc. (ID 25-5029).
• Statement of Work for a grant management system software with OpenGov, Inc. (ID 25-5044).
• Cooperative purchase of twelve Motorola irrigation controllers from Branif System, Inc. (ID 25-5046).
• Firefighter/Paramedic Apprentice Program contracts with Kaden Cesena and David Palme (ID 25-5022, 25-5023).
• Apprenticeship contract for Police Service Assistant with Nolan Crane (ID 25-5027).
• Call for Executive Session on January 13, 2026 (ID 25-5037). Items 5.3 and 5.6 were removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bonny Toy asked about the number of additional two-hour parking spaces related to the Downtown Pilot Parking Program; Mayor Sheehy clarified the item only concerned parking-in-common signage on private property.
• Taylor Harrison, Vice President of Downtown Lake Havasu, expressed positive feedback on the pilot program, stating citizens enjoy the availability of parking spots.
• Bonny Toy requested clarification on the state land portion of the Bridgewater Channel easement and asked why the state would sell that land.
• Kelly Lutz questioned how the access easement agreements differed from a previous maintenance agreement; City Attorney Kelly Garry explained the easements create permanent public rights while the maintenance agreement detailed responsibilities.
• Bonny Toy commented on business license fees, suggesting the Council keep new business license fees the same and raise renewal fees by $8.
• Tim Murray urged the Council to do what is right for the community.
• Patrick Willett suggested setting fees and then working with high-revenue businesses.
• Kelly Lutz said all fees should be an unbiased representation of a tax and asked about short-term rental taxation.
• Conrad Berdon agreed with getting information on penalties for graffiti out to the community.
• Bonny Toy asked why private property owners are required to resolve graffiti when they are victims.
• Kelly Lutz urged proactive measures, citing a serious gang problem, and suggested allocating more resources to police and public works.
• Patrick Willett proposed a youth program for cleanup and increasing the fine for minors from $500 to at least $1,000.
• Nicholas Black suggested increasing penalties and jail time.
• Conrad Berdon (Call to the Public) addressed traffic and speeding on London Bridge Road.
• Bonny Toy (Call to the Public) addressed the lack of pedestrian crosswalks at Wheeler Park.

Discussion Items

• 5.3 – Downtown Association Pilot Parking Program: Assistant City Manager Anthony Kozlowski explained the program has been working well, but the Downtown Association needs more time to implement courtesy signs. Only one business currently has courtesy signs. The resolution continues the pilot program for parking-in-common signage. Councilmember Moses confirmed the Downtown Association still desires the program. No complaints received. Approved 7-0.
• 5.6 – Reclaimed Water and Easement Agreements for Iron Wolf Golf Course: City Attorney Kelly Garry noted the existing agreement expires at year-end. New 10-year agreement with Iron Wolf Golf & Country Club (operator) and a perpetual water flow easement with Eyota-Waya LLC (owner). Councilmember Campbell questioned why the property was never deeded to the city; Garry explained the city owns the line up to the property line. Approved 7-0.
• Selection of Vice Mayor: Vice Mayor Lin nominated Councilmember Diaz; Councilmember Campbell seconded. Councilmember Moses nominated Councilmember Coke. After discussion, Councilmember Dolan supported Coke's experience. Vote: 4-3 in favor of Diaz (Sheehy, Campbell, Diaz, Lin aye; Coke, Dolan, Moses nay).
• City Manager's Report: Jess Knudson recognized 65 milestone employees (830 total years of service), announced events (tree lighting, proclamation for Women's Network Exchange, Holiday events), and presented a graffiti awareness video outlining penalties: 30 days jail, $1,500 fine for adults; $500 fine for minors (parents liable up to $10,000).
• 8.3 – Access Easement Agreements for Bridgewater Channel: Development Services Director Jeff Thuneman presented. The agreements secure non-exclusive pedestrian and limited vehicular access across Lots 1 and 2 (London Bridge Resort and nearby shops). Pedestrian access guaranteed along the channel; vehicular access limited to city emergency/maintenance. City Manager Knudson noted the city is also seeking a 50-year public access easement with Arizona State Land for adjacent property. Councilmember Campbell expressed concern about maintenance language but was assured it gives the city ability, not obligation. Councilmember Moses praised property owners. Approved 6-0 (Mayor Sheehy recused).
• 8.4 – Ordinance No. 25-1372 (Fee Schedule): Administrative Services Director Jill Olsen reviewed new fees and highlighted fees that remain unchanged per Council direction (youth programs, gym drop-in, field usage, after school, camps, aquatic classes, etc.). Councilmember Lin objected to including stage and concession stand rental fees for Main Street Commons before the building is operational. Councilmember Campbell opposed the 4.39% CPI increase. Councilmember Moses argued against subsidizing fees and proposed treating all fees equally. After public comment, Councilmember Coke moved to adopt, noting process issues to be addressed later. Adopted 5-2 (Moses and Lin nay).
• 8.5-8.8 – General Plan Amendments and Rezones (Wood Lane and Palmer Drive): City Planner Trevor Kearns explained that property owners purchased abutting golf course land and requested to change the land use designation from Open Space and Park (OSP) to Low Density Residential (LDR) and rezone from Golf Course (GC) to Residential Estates (R-E). Both properties are single-family homes. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. All four items approved unanimously 7-0.
• 8.9 – Vehicle Purchases: Deputy Director Bill Young requested approval for five vehicles: a 2026 Freightliner sewer cleaner ($745,533.81 total). Used for wastewater, parks maintenance, and fire department desert rescues. Approved 7-0.
• 8.10 – Parks and Recreation Equipment from ExerPlay, Inc.: Parks Director Gabby Vera presented a new accessible playground feature (wee-go-round) and surface material for Rotary Park, replacing a broken accessible feature. Total cost $81,393.30. Councilmember Lin asked about covering the entire play area; Vera noted that will be addressed in the upcoming budget. Approved 7-0.
• 8.11 – SARA Park Ball Fields Fence Replacement: Parks Maintenance Superintendent Guy Reynolds reported that the fencing at Fields 1-4 is beyond its lifecycle. Low bid from RCI Property Enterprises, LLC for $198,762.25. Approved 7-0.
• 8.12 – Graffiti Vandalism Discussion: Vice Mayor Diaz initiated the discussion. City Manager Knudson outlined timelines: city property addressed promptly, private property owners given 10 days. Councilmembers discussed penalties, the awareness video, and sharing with schools. Police Chief Stirling noted the street crimes unit investigates and encourages public reporting. Public comments suggested proactive measures, youth programs, and increased fines. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Downtown Pilot Parking Program: Resolution No. 25-3883 adopted (7-0) to continue the program for one more year.
• Reclaimed Water Agreements: Approved (7-0) the reclaimed water user agreement with Iron Wolf Golf & Country Club and the water flow easement with Eyota-Waya LLC.
• Vice Mayor 2026: Councilmember David Diaz elected Vice Mayor (4-3).
• Ordinance No. 25-1372: Adopted (5-2) amending the fee schedule with new and revised fees, effective February 1, 2026.
• Access Easements for Bridgewater Channel: Approved (6-0, Mayor recused) perpetual public access easements with Residences, LLC and London Bridge Resort, LLC.
• General Plan Amendments and Rezones (Wood Lane and Palmer Drive): All four resolutions/ordinances approved unanimously (7-0).
• Vehicle Purchases: Approved (7-0) total of $745,533.81.
• Parks Equipment from ExerPlay: Approved (7-0) not to exceed annual department budget.
• SARA Park Fence Replacement: Awarded to RCI Property Enterprises, LLC for $198,762.25 (7-0).
• Liquor Licenses: Both Oasis Mini Mart (Series #10) and Broken Yolk Café (Series #12) recommended for approval by the Arizona Department of Liquor (7-0 each).
• Graffiti: No formal action; Council directed staff to share the awareness video with schools and continue enforcement efforts.