Lake Havasu City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026: Sidewalk Dining Pilot, Second Bridge Contract, and Call to Public Change
Lake Havasu City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026
The Lake Havasu City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included discussions and actions on a downtown sidewalk dining pilot program, approval of a $39.9 million construction contract for the Second Bridge and Roadway Improvement Project, a legislative update, and a decision to move the Call to the Public to the beginning of meetings. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 PM, with an executive session from 7:54 PM to 8:14 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the August 10 and 11, 2026, meeting minutes.
- Resolution No. 26-3939: Ratifying submission of a SAMHSA grant for Veterans Treatment Courts.
- Resolution No. 26-3941, 26-3942, 26-3943: Approving abandonment of utility easements at 1998 Rainbow Ave N., 2200 Chip Drive, and 2270 Harbor Way.
- Resolution No. 26-3944: Approving submission of a VOCA grant application.
- Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Southwest Behavioral Health for Bureau of Justice Assistance grant.
- Amendment No. 2 to agreements with Averhealth and SCRAM of Arizona for Veterans Treatment Court services.
- Professional services agreements with Southwest Behavioral Health, Averhealth, and SCRAM for the Veterans Treatment Court.
- Mutual-Aid/EMS Dispatch Agreement with River Medical Inc. dba Life-Line Ambulance.
- Call for Executive Session on September 8, 2026. All consent agenda items approved 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bonny Toy (citizen) requested clarification on the three key legislative focus areas (local control, state-shared revenue, unfunded mandates) and later advocated for the city to publicize legislative issues so citizens can contact officials. She also suggested temporary lighting on Swanson Avenue and Mesquite Boulevard for the upcoming Fright Night event.
- Pam Swenson (citizen) recommended tabling the sidewalk dining pilot due to conflicts between the proposal and resolution, and expressed concerns about ADA clearance and enforcement. On the second bridge, she questioned ADOT approval requirements and the project manager’s qualifications.
- Janine Thornton (citizen) addressed insurance requirements for the pilot program, noting that higher premiums are likely but coverage can be extended for a year with the city as additionally insured.
- Taylor Harrison (citizen, Downtown Association board member) spoke in support of the pilot program, emphasizing economic vitality and noting that the association represents a collective of businesses.
- Dallas Finch (citizen) suggested tabling the pilot until a cohesive plan with design standards is developed.
- Bonny Toy (citizen) also spoke on ADA compliance during special events and expressed support for moving the Call to the Public to the beginning of the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Legislative Update by Nick Simonetta (Pivotal Policy Group): Mr. Simonetta and Associate Consultant Brittney Bingold provided an overview of the past legislative session, noting nearly 2,200 bills introduced, 415 passed, 264 signed, and 151 vetoed. Key city priorities were protecting local control, state-shared revenue, and opposing unfunded mandates. Councilmember Lin expressed a desire for more direct council input into legislative strategy. The public hearing included input from Ms. Toy.
- Downtown Association Pilot Public Sidewalk Dining and Beverage Service Program (Resolution No. 26-3938): Assistant City Manager Anthony Kozlowski presented the item. JP Thornton (President, Downtown Association) presented renderings and proposed a one-year pilot for Main Street (Smoketree to Acoma) with removable barriers, a 4-foot clear path for ADA, and hours tied to business operation. Discussion centered on barrier height (staff recommended 48 inches; association preferred 36 inches), hours of operation (resolution set 10 PM Sun-Thu, 11 PM Fri/Sat/holidays), and whether barriers must be removed nightly. Councilmember Campbell expressed concerns about sidewalk width and vehicle overhang. Councilmember Lin noted the resolution did not match the association’s request. City Attorney Kelly Garry explained staff sought to balance safety and navigability. After public comment, a motion to table was withdrawn, and the council moved to executive session to discuss parameters. Upon return, Vice Mayor Diaz moved to adopt the resolution with an effective date of September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, and to direct staff to develop design standards for temporary barriers. The motion passed 6-1, Councilmember Lin dissenting.
- Second Bridge & Roadway Improvement Project - CMAR Contract (Resolution for $39,921,502.30): Capital Program Manager Jason Hart presented the contract with Ames Construction Inc. for construction phase services (site grading, roadway, bridge, utilities). The project is funded by a $35.5 million state appropriation, plus interest and $1 million from a development agreement. Construction is estimated at 18 months, starting October 2026, ending April 2028. Discussion included intersection design (four-way stop vs. stoplight), channel closures (six night closures for girder setting and deck pour), and connectivity to walking trails. Councilmember Dolan opposed the bridge, citing concern it would expedite island development and advocating a voter referendum. The motion passed 6-1, Dolan dissenting.
- Discussion on Call to the Public (Item 7.5): Councilmember Moses initiated discussion after citizen feedback. He proposed moving the Call to the Public to the beginning of meetings with guardrails (e.g., 30-minute time limit). Mayor Sheehy advocated keeping it at the end for business efficiency but agreed to follow council consensus. Councilmembers Campbell, Lin, Vice Mayor Diaz, Dolan, and Coke supported moving to the beginning, with mixed views on time limits. After public comment, consensus was reached to move the Call to the Public administratively to the beginning of meetings, with the mayor having flexibility to manage time and encourage spokespersons for large groups.
- Cooperative Purchase of Flygt Submersible Pump for London Bridge Lift Station: Wastewater Superintendent Keelan Yarbrough requested approval to purchase a replacement pump for $160,334. The pump has reached its 20-year lifespan. Approved 7-0.
- Award Bids for Citywide Pest and Weed Control Services: Deputy Director Bill Young presented bids: Parker Pest Control for pest (Categories A, C, D) and URW, LLC (dba United Right-of-Way) for weed control (Category B), for one year with renewal options. Councilmember Campbell expressed desire for more weed control along bike paths and highways. Approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Downtown Sidewalk Dining Pilot: Adopted Resolution No. 26-3938, effective September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027. Council directed staff to develop uniform design standards for temporary barriers. (Vote: 6-1, Lin nay)
- Second Bridge Construction Contract: Approved CMAR contract with Ames Construction Inc. for $39,921,502.30, authorizing the City Manager to execute. (Vote: 6-1, Dolan nay)
- Call to the Public: Council agreed to administratively move the Call to the Public to the beginning of regular meetings, effective next meeting, with the mayor retaining authority to manage time and order.
- Pump Purchase: Approved cooperative purchase of Flygt submersible pump from James, Cooke & Hobson, Inc. for $160,334 plus taxes. (Vote: 7-0)
- Pest and Weed Control Contracts: Awarded pest control to Parker Pest Control (Categories A, C, D) and weed control to URW, LLC (Category B), with expenditures not exceeding annual budget. (Vote: 7-0)
- Legislative Update: Informational; no action taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Yeah, we're gonna go ahead and get started. Yes. Good evening. I call to order the Lake Havaso City Council regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 at 5 30 p.m. We will now have an invocation from Pastor Kay Zimmerman with City on a Hill International Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Freedom Foundation. Thank you, Pastor. Okay, just before I do that, I want to announce uh come to the table 2026. It's for all of Mojave County, every county across the United States is having this to where everybody gathers. It's for all people together, and uh to come together to worship, to pray, and to um take communion because communion represents oneess, and um God's calling us back to that. And so it's going to be September the 26th. It's gonna be at that grassy area behind the police station, and it will start at two, communions at three. It's just a one-hour thing, trying to get community together. So inviting you off September 26th on a Saturday, September 26th at 2 o'clock. I have little ticket things reminders if you'd like to have one of those afterwards. So let's pray. Father God, I just thank you. I thank you for this city, God. I thank you that this city has been dedicated to you, oh God, and we want to glorify you in every way. So I just ask for your presence tonight, God, that you would lead by your spirit in this place the path for this city to go, so that we fulfill all that you've created it to be, God. I thank you for our mayor. I thank you for our council, city manager, for everyone involved in leadership in the city. I thank you for each one of them. I ask blessing on each one, blessing on our police department, our fire department, Father God, keep them safe. We just thank you, oh God. And I'm going to um read the decree over our city that God gave us in 2007. I decree over the city of Lake Abbasoo 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. We're pleased to have the opportunity to address you this afternoon. The Havasu Freedom Foundation is a 501 C3. I'm sorry. We'll start with the pledge, uh Mr. Kirchner, and then we'll then you can't. Thank you. Forgive me. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it's famous. Under God liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We're pleased to have the opportunity to address you this afternoon. The Havasu Freedom Foundation is a 501 C3, nonprofit, non-political volunteer organization. The foundation was founded in the last quarter of 2007 by Gary Myers with the guidance of the Lake Havasu City Council. Gary, our president is out of town and unable to be with us this evening. Our board of directors are all volunteers. With me this evening is our Treasurer, Vivian Bryson. And board members Sisto Sandoval, Brian Zemontel, Ellen Albert, Ron Silva, and Kathy DeClark. Our Vice President Russ Mascarry and a few others could not be here this evening. With me, uh the objective of our foundation are to first enhance the channel area for all visitors while connecting the two visit bridges. Second, honor those that have created and maintained our American freedoms. And last, to accomplish the above object objectives without taxpayer expense. Something of which few people are aware of is that since the inception, the Havasu Freedom Foundation has been responsible at our own expense for the ongoing maintenance and cleaning of the Havasu Memorial Walkway area.
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