Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting – August 12, 2025
Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting – August 12, 2025
The Mesquite City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included community presentations, public comment periods, adoption of eight building code updates, approval of a conditional use permit, a liquor license, a bid award for ADA improvements, insurance renewal, and the approval of a land sale agreement for 34.07 acres to support affordable housing. A second land sale for 12.43 acres was tabled. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.
Ceremonial Matters and Presentations
- Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Invocation by Pastor Malakai Pahulu, United Methodist Church.
- Palms Golf Course Donation: Brian Wurston presented a $1,400 check to We Care for Animals from Palms Golf Course, Skeet Gaming, and golfers.
- First Responders Golf Tournament: Kenny Huff of Eagles Landing presented $5,500 checks to the Police Department and Fire Search and Rescue from the 5th annual tournament, noting $55,000 raised over five years.
Mayor and Council Reports
- Mayor Whipple had no comments or reports.
- Councilwoman Gallo provided an update on the animal shelter’s progress, noting construction is going well and the facility currently houses 19 dogs and numerous cats; she encouraged adoptions.
Public Comments
- Debbie Benham: Announced the Parade of Lights on December 4, 2025, at 5:30 PM, and reported 5,308 pounds of food collected through the community food drive.
- Rayleigh Schiffano: Expressed frustration about a cinema renovation being blocked by a nightclub (MV Night Club) lacking required parking and fire lanes. She demanded city enforcement of codes, stating the nightclub has only three handicapped spots and uses her property’s parking. She also claimed the city planner delayed enforcement pending an HOA dispute.
- Erica Nicholas: Opposed the city’s position that parking in fire lanes at the nightclub poses no material effect, citing safety concerns for evacuation and emergency access.
- A resident (supporter of Senior Center): Provided statistics on the Senior Center: serving about 250 meals daily for shut-ins (Meals on Wheels) and 15 meals at the detention center. Expressed strong support for the center.
- Wes Boger: Criticized his termination as a police volunteer after speaking at council meetings, calling it retaliation and violation of First Amendment. Urged use of CAB grant for equipment if the school continues the program.
- McCoy Chesley (former police chief): Condemned the termination of volunteers who protected children at elementary schools, calling them heroes. Accused police administration of retaliation and poor decisions.
- Art Pareda: Asked about a large building complex near the dump; Mayor responded it is a solar farm under construction in Lincoln County.
- Jeff Reynolds (former volunteer): Called the volunteer termination political, expressed dedication to school children, and criticized the police department’s leadership.
- Mike (last name not given): Alleged he was banned from speaking at the 9/11 ceremony in retaliation for speaking out.
- Ronald Shacklet: Listed city governance issues: lawsuits against the city, a fine for contempt, hiring of an investigator for $80,000, city property sold at low prices, and other concerns.
- Daniel Miller: Questioned the lack of integrity in city leadership, referencing cover-ups and leadership failures.
Consent Calendar
The Council approved the Consent Agenda (Item 2) including: minutes of the July 8 and July 15, 2025 meetings, the August 5, 2025 meeting agenda, budget transfers, bills paid, purchase orders, and declaring a vehicle as surplus. Motion by Councilwoman Fielding, seconded, passed unanimously.
Adoption of Building Code Ordinances (Items 4.1–4.8)
The Council adopted eight ordinances updating city codes to the 2024 editions of Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Existing Building Code, International Residential Code, International Building Code, and the 2023 National Electrical Code. Each ordinance received a public hearing with no comment and was approved unanimously.
Conditional Use Permit – FFW Motorsports (Item 5.1)
Staff Report: Simon Kim presented a request for a conditional use permit to operate a power sports repair shop at 260 N. Sandhill Blvd. The site meets parking requirements (19 spaces; 16 required) and will contain repairs indoors. Discussion: Council members supported the project, noting it is a good reuse of a vacant building. Public Hearing: No comment. Action: Motion to approve CUP-25-001 by Councilwoman Fielding, seconded, passed unanimously.
Liquor License – Hampton Inn & Suites (Item 5.2)
Staff Report: Kim noted the license is for on-sale to hotel guests only, not open to the general public. Police department found suitability. Public Comment: Doris Crystal Lear questioned whether guests could purchase from a store inside; staff clarified license allows on-site consumption only. Action: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Fielding, seconded, passed unanimously.
Bid Award – Mesquite Boulevard ADA Ramp Improvements (Item 5.3)
Staff Report: Travis reported 5 bids received; low bidder Maile Concrete ($1,640,012). Project is 100% funded by Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) and will bring intersections into ADA compliance. Action: Motion to approve by Councilman Wandless, seconded by Councilwoman Fielding, passed unanimously.
Insurance Program Renewal FY 2025-26 (Item 5.4)
Staff Report: Gina Green presented renewal with Travelers, covering general liability and cyber, totaling $1.3 million, an 8% increase (budgeted for 10%). Public Comment: Richard Sorum asked about Employment Practices Liability; staff confirmed inclusion. Action: Motion to approve by Councilman Wandless, seconded by Councilwoman Gallo, passed unanimously.
Land Sale – 12.43 Acres (Item 5.5)
Staff Report: Martin presented a purchase and sale agreement with Mesquite Land Partners (NRC) for property at 200 John Deere Dr. Price $368,845 (average of two appraisals), no incentive/discount, 3% commission, 90-day escrow. Buyer plans housing (future phase). City Attorney Comment: Adam Anderson noted the agreement lacks deed restrictions tying to economic development; if sold at less than fair market value, charter requires a showing of economic benefit. He recommended adding such restrictions. Council Discussion: Councilwoman Fielding questioned appraisal cost sharing and commission. NRC representative Dylan explained they didn’t request a discount on this parcel, as it is a second phase. Councilman Wandless moved to table to allow staff and buyer to work on proper restrictions or alternative process. Action: Motion to table 5.5 by Councilman Wandless, seconded by Councilwoman Fielding, passed unanimously.
Land Sale – 34.07 Acres (Item 5.6)
Staff Report: Martin presented the agreement for 201 John Deere Dr. Price $632,105 (average of two appraisals) with a 25% discount, contingent on 10% of units being affordable housing for households earning ≤80% Area Median Income, with 10-year deed restrictions. Also includes 3% commission to buyer’s broker, split appraisal costs, 90-day escrow. Public Comment:
- Mary Gleason asked whether the affordable housing will be 10% or 100%; NRC clarified the 10% is a minimum per city matrix.
- Jeff Reynolds questioned the value of the discount and fairness. Council Discussion: Councilman Parish questioned the matrix logic, noting inconsistency in discounts. Councilwoman Gallo asked about road improvements; Travis responded the city would build curb/gutter/sidewalk on the west side using RTC funds. Councilwoman Fielding expressed preference for 2.5% commission but did not formally amend. Action: Motion to approve the agreement (including 3% commission) by Councilman Wandless, seconded by Councilwoman Gallo, passed unanimously.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (Item 5.7)
Pulled from agenda at meeting start; no public comment received; no action taken.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
- Eight building code ordinances adopted (all unanimous).
- CUP-25-001 for FFW Motorsports approved.
- Full liquor license for Hampton Inn approved.
- Bid award for ADA Ramp Improvements approved (Maile Concrete, $1,640,012).
- FY 2025-26 Insurance renewal approved ($1.3 million).
- Sale of 34.07 acres to Mesquite Land Partners approved.
- Sale of 12.43 acres tabled for further work.
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 regular city council meeting. We're gonna commence at five o'clock straight. Um information. We are pulling item 5.7 consideration and ratification of collective bargaining agreement for teamsters local 14 from 7125 to 630 28. We will still uh keep the public comment open on that item if anybody wishes to comment. Um now we're gonna go ahead and start with an invocation by Pastor Malachi Pahulu. I'm gonna get your name right one of these times, Pastors. Well, first of all, I would like to say thank you for letting me saying the prayer this evening. Let us pray. Thank you for bringing us together tonight. We are thankful to our city and for all people who serve it. We leave up our mayors, the city council, and all who worked to make a community better. Give them wisdom to make good choices, kindness in how they lead and fairness in all they do. Bless everyone here, guide our words, our thoughts, and our ex in so we can work together with respect and peace. Help us to always seek what is best for all the people in our city. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. Thank you. Yes, could you all please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation, yes. And I don't know if any of you can hear it, but somebody's alarm is going off outside. So somebody's car alarm. So if you think that's yours, you might want to go check on it. If you're not worried, I'm not worried. Um with that, we have a couple of presentations. First, we're gonna have Brian Wurston. He's gonna do a presentation to We Care for Animals. About um seven times a year. We have golf tournaments at the Palms Golf Course where we raise funds for different uh entities, and this time we decided to raise um funds for the week care for animals, and we are going to give a check for 1400 to we care for animals. And that's from uh the Palms Golf Course from Skeet Gaming and from the golfers of the Palms Golf Course. So anyway, thanks. Thank you. Thanks, Bri. Now I'd like to uh welcome Kenny Huff to the mic for a presentation from Eagles Landing. For the record, um Kenny Huff from Eagles Landing. Uh we recently held the fifth annual first responders golf tournament, June 21st at Conestoga Golf Club. I want to thank the mayor and the council for giving me this opportunity to present these two checks to the police department and fire search and rescue. Uh I also want to give thanks to our committee. Mark Wetzel, Spencer Lewis, Chris Rowley, Brian Wurston, Zuki, Jim Frump, and last but not least, my wife Donna Huff. We had two mega sponsors, the City of Mesquite and also Casablanca. Um I'm gonna thank uh Martin Green and Nancy Hewitt for their help in this. They helped me out with uh getting these thousand dollar sponsors, which is really good. Um we had 10 mini sponsors, Crown and Annie Black had two holes each. Beltron, T-Mobile, Anytime Towing, Mad Landscaping, Reliance Connects, Grease Monkey, Jim Frump Family, and Wendy's. This year we had 14 teams participate. It was the same as last year. Um but the the tournament went very well, it was just longer than what we had anticipated, and so we're gonna make some changes next year to speed it up. Um we had five thousand dollar donations last year that we did not have this year, so that kind of decreased the amount that we're gonna give.
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