Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026
Lake Havasu City Council Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026
The Lake Havasu City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Council Chambers. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, multiple public hearings, a discussion on the second bridge project, and a contentious debate over the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. Key decisions included approval of a change order for water main replacement and award of the Acoma Boulevard street improvement contract.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the March 24, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
- Approved Resolution No. 26-3902 for delegation of authority to issue open burn permits with ADEQ.
- Approved Resolution No. 26-3903, 26-3907, 26-3904 for abandonment of utility and drainage easements on Simitan Drive, Demaret Drive, and Sloop Drive.
- Approved Resolution No. 26-3905 ratifying application for Juvenile Crime Reduction Fund grant.
- Approved Resolution No. 26-3906 for Veterans Treatment Court Program grant application.
- Approved Resolution No. 26-3908 for Intergovernmental Agreement with Mohave County Flood Control District.
- Approved cooperative purchase of computer systems from Sterling Computers Corporation.
- Approved call for Executive Session on April 28, 2026.
- Motion to approve consent agenda passed 7-0.
Correspondence, Communications, Petitions, Announcements, City Manager Report
- Western Arizona Humane Society: FY 2025-26 (Oct-Dec) report presented for informational purposes.
- Vacancies: City Clerk announced openings on Board of Adjustment and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board; applications due April 24, 2026.
- City Manager Report: Jess Knudson reported on achievements, proclamations, and upcoming events. Public Works Director Ron Foggin highlighted department accomplishments including street cut ordinance, HURF exchange grants, safety improvements, and capital project updates.
Public Hearings
7.1 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Update
- Presenters: Chris Joannes and Kristen Faltz (Kimley-Horn) gave update on the 2050 RTP. Key findings included limited connectivity, aging population barriers, inconsistent roadway classification, and future congestion at key intersections.
- Two rounds of public engagement: 39 map comments and 165 survey responses in round 1; 37 project updates and 36 map comments in round 2. Top regional priorities: safety (23%), multimodal integration (16%), connectivity (14%).
- 45 projects identified; prioritization based on goals weighted by public and TAC.
- Public comments: Dinah Lutz asked about performance vs. previous plans; Tim Murray expressed concern about funding and prioritization; Debra Hunter asked about printed surveys.
- Vice Mayor Diaz noted low public engagement (0.27% of population). Councilmember Lin raised e-bike safety; Mr. Joannes said they are compiling best practices but regulating speeds is difficult to enforce.
- No action taken; discussion only.
7.2 Ratification of Change Order #1 for Fire Truck Refurbishment
- Chief Pilafas requested ratification of change order for $31,213 additional expenditure on refurbishment of 2001 E-One aerial quint, exceeding original $900,000 budget. Funds were anticipated in FY budget.
- Public hearing: No comments.
- Motion to ratify carried 7-0.
7.3 Second Bridge & Roadway Improvement Project (60% Update)
- Jason Hart (Capital Program Manager) and Jon Rowland (NV5) presented project status. Timeline: 60% bridge design completed March 2026; EA permit expected July 2026; construction anticipated spring 2027 with 18-24 month duration.
- Potential delay of 6-8 months due to Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) conversion process with Arizona State Parks and Coast Guard requiring resolution before bridge permit. Deputy Mayor Diaz noted Representative Biasucci is pushing for resolution.
- Value engineering: eliminated retaining walls, reduced width by 10', shortened girder heights.
- Discussion: Councilmember Dolan expressed lack of citizen support for bridge except from island residents; noted sewer force main cannot be integrated. City Manager Knudson explained MOU with State Parks and future sewer line assessment.
- Public comments: Pam Swenson asked about funding timeline and third lane; Artie Collins suggested time-of-day traffic restrictions; Kelly Lutz asked about interest on bridge funds ($3.5 million in interest on $35.5 million); Tim Murray raised risk of current sewer force main.
- No action; informational only.
7.4 Change Order No. 3 for 2025 Water Main Replacement Project
- Jason Hart requested approval of $600,000 change order for replacing water main on Acoma Blvd between Industrial Blvd and Bahama Ave, beyond current project limits, to be completed prior to paving. Adds 50 days; completion anticipated June 2026.
- Public hearing: No comments.
- Motion carried 7-0.
7.5 Construction Contract for Acoma Boulevard Street Improvement Project
- Jason Hart requested award to Pioneer Earth Movers, Inc., low bid of $5,902,266. Project: roto mill 1.5" asphalt, replace with 2.5" compacted asphalt on Acoma Blvd from US 95 South to US 95 North; 120-day schedule, completion August 2026.
- Councilmember Campbell recused herself.
- Public comment: Pam Swenson asked about elevation change and hydrology; Hart said subgrade unchanged, hydrology unaffected.
- Discussion: Councilmember Moses voiced concerns about contractor accountability and accused Councilmember Campbell of advocating for contractor and accusing staff of fraud. He stated he could no longer support items from that contractor.
- Mayor Sheehy called for vote; motion carried 5-1 (Moses nay, Campbell recused).
7.6 Discussion and Possible Direction: Request for Qualifications Process
- City Attorney Kelly Garry presented: for future RFQ processes, staff will include evaluation summary in council packet; council can go into executive session for legal advice. Councilmember Campbell requested two additional items: (1) require at least one outside contractor/architect/engineer on selection committee; (2) issue notice of interest for volunteers.
- Discussion: Mayor Sheehy supported evaluation summary and use of outside members when appropriate but opposed codifying requirement. Councilmember Campbell argued for requirement to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts. Councilmember Moses concerned about unintentional consequences and opening city to scrutiny. Councilmember Dolan said requirement could create red tape.
- Public comment: Tim Murray disagreed that only licensed engineers can serve, noting retired professionals have expertise.
- Motion by Dolan to make no changes (i.e., not codify requirement) seconded by Moses. Motion passed 4-3 (Sheehy, Coke, Dolan, Moses aye; Campbell, Lin, Diaz nay).
Call to the Public
- Niki Garrison appealed for help reclaiming her bird from Western Arizona Humane Society, alleging unlawful rehoming within days. She requested policy changes for non-rabies-susceptible animals.
- Tim Murray praised outgoing Parks Director Gabby Vera and urged city to evaluate retention.
- Craig Geary invited council to Arbor Day tree planting at island softball fields on April 23, 2026, at 2:45 PM.
- Patrick Willett asked about alleged sale of city-owned property behind Walmart for $1; Mayor Sheehy denied that practice.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 7-0.
- Change Order #1 for fire truck refurbishment ratified 7-0.
- Change Order No. 3 for water main replacement approved 7-0, adding $600,000 and 50 days to schedule.
- Acoma Boulevard paving contract awarded to Pioneer Earth Movers, Inc., $5,902,266, with vote 5-1 (Moses nay, Campbell recused).
- RFQ process: Council directed staff to include evaluation summaries in packets and to use outside members when appropriate but not to codify a requirement. Motion to make no changes passed 4-3.
- Next meetings: April 16, 2026, 9:00 AM (Budget/CIP Work Session); April 28, 2026, 5:30 PM (Regular Meeting).
Meeting Transcript
And welcome. I call to order the Lake Havasu City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 at 5.30 p.m. We'll have an invocation from Pastor David Jackson with Hilltop Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sarah Mesmer with Hospice of Havasu. Pastor. Let's pray. Jesus, uh, just thank you for blessing us. Thank you, Jesus, uh, for what you've done for us for dying on the cross rising again. And we come before you before we make any decisions for our city, and we look for your wisdom. Uh we look for your knowledge, and we pray that you pour it upon us and we make decisions to benefit our community and uh unity and we pray for these men and women who stand before us in service that you bless them and their families, and we thank you for the service to us and our community. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you and welcome, Sarah, if you'd like to share a little bit about uh hospice of Havasu with us. Thank you, members of the council, mayor, and city staff. My name is Sarah Messmer. I'm the community engagement manager at Hospice of Havasu. And thank you all for the opportunity to visit a little bit about Hospice of Havasu with you tonight. We have an exciting anniversary coming up in July. Our resale store is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The yes, it deserves a round of applause. We want to thank our donors for donating for choosing to donate to Hospice of Havasu. And we also want to choose or thank our shoppers for choosing to shop at hospice at the Hospice of Havasu resale store. The proceeds from the resale store support the Hospice of Havasu mission of providing compassion and care with dignity. For over 44 years, Hospice of Havasu has existed to provide end-of-life care for community members in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City that are at the end stage of an advanced illness. As a 501c3 not-for-profit hospice agency, Hospice of Havasu cares for those that are not medically eligible. I'm sorry, that are medically eligible regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status. Also as a not-for-profit agency, we're offer we're able to offer other programs as well, such as social workers from our transitions program, offer guidance, support, and community resources for people not medically eligible for hospice care, but are living with the changes and challenges associated with declining health. As a not-for-profit, we are also able to offer grief support, individual grief support, and community grief support groups. Choosing a hospice is one of the most important decisions a family will ever make, and it often happens during an already stressful and emotional time. There are at least 10 other hospice companies in Lake Havasu City. So it's important to be able to be an informed consumer and to know the hospice you choose is your choice. Anyone can call Hospice of Havasu to learn more about any of the programs that I mentioned. And for more information, you can also follow us on Facebook and visit our website. Again, thank you for the opportunity to share a little bit about Hospice of Havasu with you all tonight. Thank you, Sarah. Thank you for all that you could do for our residents. Item four on the agenda is our roll call. Ms. Williams, if you please call the roll. Council members Nancy Campbell. Here. Jenny Koch. Here. Jim Dolan. Cameron Moses. Here. Michelle Lynn. Vice Mayor David Diaz. Here. Mayor Cal Shehey.
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