The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on March 10, 2026, at 5:45 PM (agenda called for 5:30 PM) in Council Chambers. The meeting included four public hearings, approval of the consent agenda, and a lengthy discussion on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. Key actions included introducing an ordinance to revise fees for pavement restoration, utility permits, and special events; approving $463,000 in contingency funds for LED lighting at SARA Park Ball Fields 3 and 4; and awarding a $1,997,451.20 chip seal program contract. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.
Ordinance No. 26-1379 (Fees for Pavement Restoration, Utility Permits, and Special Events): Administrative Services Director Jill Olsen introduced the ordinance. Public Works Director Ron Foggin explained that proposed restoration fees are based on pavement age (0-12, 13-24, 25-36, 37-60, and older than 60 months) to protect new pavement. Councilmember Nancy Campbell argued all street cuts should meet the same standards for compaction and base. City Manager Jess Knudson clarified that same standards apply to all roads; the fee differential is an incentive for utilities to work before new pavement is laid. Assistant City Manager Anthony Kozlowski reviewed reduced special event fees for McCulloch Boulevard closures, including a 50% reduction in police and fire costs and a substantial reduction in public works costs. Councilmember Michele Lin expressed concern that the two sets of fees were lumped into one agenda item. The public hearing was held. Vote: Introduced 6-0 (Councilmember Dolan absent due to technical difficulties).
Purchase of Lighting Improvements for SARA Park Ball Fields 3 and 4: Parks and Recreation Director Gabby Vera presented the item, noting council previously approved lighting for Rotary Park and SARA Park Fields 1 and 2. Two options: use $463,000 from General Fund contingency this fiscal year or defer to FY 2026-27 budget. Vice Mayor David Diaz asked about project timeline and a timer feature for night use; Vera confirmed both. Councilmember Campbell expressed concern about cost given failing pavement and infrastructure, asking why the Aquatic Center parking lot project was removed from the budget. Councilmember Lin opposed using contingency funds, noting the next budget is only a few months away. Parks Maintenance Superintendent Guy Reynolds stated that if tied to the current project, contractors could complete all fields within two weeks; if deferred, the quote for materials is extended through July 1, 2026. Vote: Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Lin nay).
Job Order Contract Task Order Agreement No. 3 for FY 2025-26 Chip Seal Program: Deputy Director of Public Works Bill Young recommended approval of $1,997,451.20 to Cactus Asphalt, covering 875,000 square yards of material, to start late April/early May and finish in May. Vote: Approved 7-0.
Discussion on Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Process: Councilmember Campbell requested the discussion, citing concerns about transparency and the recent pool project RFQ. She advocated for a "gold standard" process where the city council approves the top-scoring RFQ before negotiations and procurement. She claimed state statute requires an outside person on the selection committee and that no dollar amounts should be discussed during an RFQ. Mayor Cal Sheehy noted he contacted the City of Kingman, which said they do not follow that practice. Procurement Official Lynette Singleton stated that in the last two years, the city conducted seven RFQs, and that other cities do not bring scoring to council before negotiations. City Attorney Kelly Garry explained that Title 34 does not require council approval before solicitation, and that bringing scoring before council could compromise the integrity of the process. Councilmember Moses asked whether scoring sheets could be provided with the final award; Garry said there is an argument for confidentiality until the contract is fully executed. Public comments included concerns about the in-house engineer requirement and lack of feedback to disqualified contractors. The council reached consensus for Councilmember Campbell to work with procurement and the city attorney to gather more information and bring back recommendations.
Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us. I'll call to order the Lake Havisu City regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at 545. I apologize for our tardiness. We had another meeting that went right up to this one. Thank you for joining us. We'll now have an invocation led by Pastor David Bibee with Christ Chapel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vicki Hart with the Truebox Troop Box Convoy Annual Car and Bike Show. Pastor, thanks for joining us. Thank you. It's always a blessing to be here at the council meeting. Seemed like I missed the big meeting. I don't know, but uh I'm glad to be here. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. This evening, we humbly come before you in the name of the one who suffered and died for us on the rugged bloodstained cross. Thank you for our blessing of freedom and liberty as Americans. We earnestly pray this evening for our beautiful city that we may flourish as a haven of family, uh, enjoyment, retirees, spring breakers, keep them safe, and all who abide in Lake Habasu City. We pray for safety, uh, meaningful, fulfilling living, and spiritual nourishment from our houses of worship and give our council tonight wisdom in Jesus' name, amen. Uh follow me on the pledge. A pledge of allegiance. Yes. Thank you. And then uh Vicki, if you actually could just get the microphone and face us. Um if you could get in front of the microphone and face us so that the cameras can pick you up. Uh used to this. Yes, so uh Vicky's with the Troop Box Convoy Annual Car and Bike Show. If you could share a little bit about that uh event, we'd appreciate it. Uh yeah. Um, I'm a officer of the American Legion Auxiliary local. And since 2018, we have sponsored this car and bike show because we send care packages every single month to deployed service people. Postage is now up to about a thousand dollars a month for us, and that doesn't count the goods that go on the boxes. So in 2017, uh small group of us got together and decided we need a real fundraiser to support our cause. Postage was a whole 500 then, which we thought was a lot. Um so uh we get a name of a deployed service person, no matter where they live or where they're from. We send them a package monthly till they write and say they're headed home. Um so we started this show the first year was 2018. We have grown each year until last year. We lost a few cars. We were a little bit smaller, but we're still going strong. It's free to the public. Uh it's at the American Legion in the swap meet parking lot. Spectators have a ball. Uh food and drink is served by the American Legion itself, uh, which helps support our veterans because Auxiliary wouldn't exist unless we each had a veteran in our family. And so they get all the funds from our food and drink that day. We have live music. Good old Fritz that most of us know plays for us. He volunteers that every year for us. And after the show, he says, Can I play next year? So absolutely. It's a fun day.