In the minutes: Bullhead City Special City Council Meeting - Apr 15, 2025, surveillance camera (Apr 15)

MISSION STATEMENT
"IT IS THE GOAL OF THE CITY OF BULLHEAD CITY TO
ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROMOTE A SENSE
OF COMMUNITY TO RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING QUALITY
PUBLIC SERVICES IN A RESPONSIBLE, EFFICIENT AND
EFFECTIVE MANNER."
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
WORK SESSION
BULLHEAD CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY. APRIL 15,2025,4:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1255 Marina Boulevard, Bullhead City, Arizona
CALL TO ORDER
ROLLCALL
DISCUSSION ITEM
1. Discussion regarding Bullhead City river access - City streets and rights of ways.

Note: No legal action will be taken during the work session.
ADJOURNMENT
Dated this lOth day of April 2025.

Debie Ogden, MM)CPM
City Clerk

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Bullhead City endeavors to ensure the accessibility of all
its programs, facilities and services to all persons with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for this meeting, please
contact Human Resources Department, at (928) 763-0153 at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting so an
accommodation may be arranged. ITY Line is (928) 763-0143.

Q\

CITY OF BULLHEAD CITY

~ COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
SUBJECT:
DEPT OF ORIGIN:
DATE SUBMITTED:
SUBMITTED BY:

MEETING DATE: April 15, 2025

Bullhead City River Access - City streets and rights of ways
Office of the City Manager
April9, 2025
Toby Cotter, City Manager

SUMMARY:

This is a workshop item only.
The City Council will discuss the matter but will not take action at this meeting. Any future action on a
parcel or parcels would be at a regular City Council meeting with the opportunity for additional public
comment. Mayor D'Amico also welcomes public comment at the end of workshop items.
Topic summary: Since incorporation, Bullhead City has allowed residents and visitors to use numerous City
street rights of ways, which in many cases are drainage corridors, for river access. At the same time, the City
has invested millions of dollars into river access at its public beaches within city parks. The public parks have
restrooms, trash receptacles and other modern amenities. The City street ends have no facilities. Significant
complaints continue to come from the nearby property owners about these street ends. The City once again
received a formal complaint about this policy from David and Susan Mendonca. However, the public has grown
accustomed to using these rights of ways. Many people walk their dogs to the access points. Many non-river
dwellers in these neighborhoods use them for swimming, fishing and general access.
Over the past 20 years, residents bordering these river access points at Fourth Street, Colorado Rio Vista,
Trane Road, Park Lane and Yale Drive have voiced serious concerns to the City. They are concerned about
trash, lack of bathroom facilities, public intoxication, trespassing and vandalism to their properties. They have
repeatedly asked if they could purchase the land or seek other solutions to bring control to the situation adjacent
to their properties. This was discussed at numerous public workshops with previous City Councils (June, 2016
minutes attached). The public policy was to leave the access points open and accessible to the public. The one
major difference today as compared to the past is the ample and fundamentally safe and enjoyable beaches in
the community.
City staff is open to possible solutions because the public has many great areas to enjoy the Colorado River.
Options may include and could be looked at on a case by case basis: I) Sell the parcels with a perpetual
easement for drainage; 2) Lease the parcels to the neighbors with restrictions; 3) Gates paid for by adjoining
properties that could be opened and closed on a daily basis during very limited hours; 4) Other improvements to
the properties paid for by adjoining property owners to enhance the value of the rights of way that limit issues
or deter public use; 5) Simply close off some access points and not allow public access; 6) the City Council and
members of the public may have additional ideas.
FISCAL IMPACT:
REVIEWED BY:

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a. . .; l ~~}
A-_~.,_.k,~ct/1+-J_ _ _ __
Financq l epartment

Initial Project Costs: None
Future Ongoing Costs: None
Physical Impact (on people/space): None
Residual or Support/Overhead/Fringe Costs: None

®

sHC-16 l10/2001} Revised (06/13/06}

j:\formslcouncil comm lorm.doc

~

CITY OF BULLHEAD CITY

~ COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
SUBJECT:
DEPT OF ORIGIN:
DATE SUBMITTED:
SUBMITTED BY:

MEETING DATE: April 15, 2025

Bullhead City River Access - City streets and rights of ways
Office of the City Manager
April9, 2025
Toby Cotter, City Manager

A1TACHMENTS:

l.
2.
3.
4.

Map, pictures and descriptions
Minutes from previous council meetings
Letter and information from David and Susan Mendonca
Bullhead City Municipal Code, Chapter 15.38, Public Access to Colorado River

LEGAL REVIEW:

RECOMMENDATION: Discussion only.

APPROVED FOR SUBMITIAL BY:

CITY CLERK'S USE ONLY
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
Resolution No.
Ordinance No. _ _ _ _ _ __
Approved
Other _ _ _ _ _ __

@

BHC-16 (10/2001) Revised (06113/06)

Continued To:
Referred To: - - - - - - Denied _ _ _ _ _ __
File No.

j:\forms\council comm form.doc

River Access Points

Heritage Park

Jl

DAVIS CAMP

Davis Camp -Davis Camp is in the northern portion of
Bullhead City and is under the jurisdiction of the Mohave
County Parks Dept. There is Beach Camping as well as
full RV hookups and a residential area with Vacation
rentals. This is a Fee area and has a Boat launch and swim
beach access.

HERITAGE PARK
(CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC)

Heritage Park- This park is currently closed to the
public and under consideration for re-development.

FOURTH STREET

Fourth Street- This access point is City Right of
Way and was dedicated on the BHC Unit 2 Plat in
1942. The Right of way was originally 60 feet in width
before part of it was purchased by the downstream
property owner {LaValley). Now the width varies from
30 to 40 feet. It is in a residential area and is
extremely rocky area with no boat launch

capabilities and no beach area.

THIRD STREET

Third Street- This access point is City Right of Way and
was dedicated on the BHC Unit 2 Plat in 1942. It is 80 feet
in width. It is in a residential area and is extremely rocky
area with no boat launch capabilities and no beach area.

SECOND STREET

Second Street- This access point is City Right of
Way and was dedicated on the BHC Unit 2. Plat in
1942. It is 60 feet in width. It is in a residential area
and is extremely rocky area with no boat launch
capabilities and no beach area.

COMMUNITY PARK (SECTION 12)

Community Park- This is currently
BLM lease property with Boat Launch,
Swim Beach, Children's playgrounds,
splashpad, and more. Community
Park is also where the BHC Chamber
of Commerce is located. This park
also has a large Ramada for events
and picnic areas with restrooms.
There is Handicap accessible areas to
the River.

COLORADO RIO VISTA

Colorado Rio Vista This is City Right of Way that was dedicated to
the public by Docket No. 88-232 in 1966 and
has 95' +I- of River frontage.
This area has a concrete boat launch and is
used as a swim area. This is the spillway for
the Montana Wash outfall.

Trane Road- This is City Right of Way that was
dedicated on the Holiday Shores Tract 133 in
1965 and the Holiday Highlands Tract 1142 plat in
1969. It is 60 feet in width. This area has a concrete
boat launch and is used as a swim area.

PARK LANE

Signs installed by the City
of Bullhead City

Park Lane - This parcel was dedicated as
"Parcel A for River Ingress and Egress and
Drainage Purposes" on the Bluewater Shores
Tract 4090 plat in 1990. It has boat Launch
capabilities and is used as a swim area. Due to
Citizen complaints of illegal parking, City crews
installed Post and Rail barriers and "No Trailer
Parking" signs.

Signs not installed by the
City of Bullhead City

Lakeside Drive - This is City Right of Way that was dedicated
on the Holiday Shores Unit 2 Tract 1149 plat in 1972. It is 30 feet
in width. This area has no boat launch capabilities.

LANGFORD DRIVE

Langford Drive - This parcel was
dedicated as "Parcel B" for P.U.E.,
D.E.,and Public Walkway on the Holiday
Shores Unit 3 Tract 1150 plat in 1973. It
is 40 feet in width. This area has no boat
launch capabilities and is used as a swim
area.

RIVER GARDENS

River Gardens Drive - This parcel
was dedicated as "Parcel A" for
P.U.E., D.E.,and Public Walkway on the
Holiday Shores Unit 3 Tract 1150 plat in
1973. It is 20 feet in width. This was
recently closed by the City due to
liability concerns.

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Yale Drive - This parcel was dedicated
as "Parcel A" for P.U.E., D.E., and Public
Walkway on the Holiday Shores Unit 4
Tract 1151 plat in 1974. It is 40 feet in
width. This area has no boat launch
capabilities and is used as a swim area.

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ARIZONA VETERANS
MEMORIAL PARK

Arizona Veterans Memorial Park -This area is owned by
the City and contains memorials to honor American Veterans.
There is a walking path, boat launch and swim beach area.

ROTARY PARK (SECTION 30)

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....

Rotary Park- This park contains the majority of the
sports fields in Bullhead City. There are numerous
amenities including snack bars, restrooms,2 Events
Ramada's as well as dozens of family Ramada's, Dog Park,
Skate Park, Police First Aid Station as well as Boat launch
and swim beach areas.

PLAYA DEL RIO- This is a private park for the homeowners
of the Del Rio subdivision. It is a gated park with a boat
launch.

Palo Verde Meadows -This marina area is a private
marina and boat launch for the homeowners of the Palo
Verde Meadows subdivision. It is a gated area with a
boat Iaunch area.

Colorado River Nature Center- Major park on the City's
south side offering walking trails, beach access, bathrooms,
viewing areas and more.

DRAFT PAGE 1
BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, TUESDAY,
JUNE 7, 2016,3:30 P.M.
Upon notice duJy given under Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 38-431, et seq., as amended, the
City Council of the City of Bullhead City held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in the
Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Blvd., Bullhead City, Arizona.

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brady called the special meeting to order at 3:30p.m.

ROLLCALL
Council Present
Brady, Bruck, Duvall, Ring, Shutts
Council Absent
Clark, D'Amico
Staff Present:
CITY MANAGER: Toby Cotter
CITY ATTORNEY: Garnet Emery
CITY CLERK: Susan Stein
POLICE: Captain Dennis DeSantis
FINANCE DIRECTOR: Rudy Vera
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR: Pawan Agrawal
HUMAN SERVICES/TRANSIT DIRECTOR: Susan Betts

DISCUSSION ITEM
1.

Discussion regarding Bullhead City River Access - City Streets/Rights of Ways.

City Manager Cotter said it had been many years since the Council last discussed this subject,
although staff had been talking to residents on many occasions. He said the city had many access
points aJong the river, and said those access points did not have the typical regular amenities as a
public park, such as restrooms and trash receptacles. He said over the past few years, residents
bordering the river access points at Fourth Street, Colorado Rio Vista, Trane Road, Park Lane and
Yale Drive have voiced concerns to the city. He said many people enjoy having river access at
those same locations. He said there are some conflicts between those living nearby and those who
visit the river access locations. He said some residents were concerned about trash, lack of
bathroom facilities, public intoxication, trespassing and vandalism to their properties. He said they
have repeatedly asked if they could purchase the land or seek other solutions to bring control to the
situations adjacent to their properties.
City Manager Cotter stated the Council would consider options including: sale with a perpetual
easement for drainage; gates paid for by adjoining properties that could be opened and closed on a
daily basis; other improvements to the properties paid for by adjoining property owners to enhance
the value of the rights of way that limit issues or deter public use; and would discuss other possible
ideas for improvement.

DRAFTPAGE2
BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, TUESDAY,
JUNE 7, 2016, 3:30P.M.
City Manager Cotter provided a Power Point presentation including a diagram of all river access
points with photographs. He described the river access points ruMing north to south including:
Davis Camp, Heritage Park, Fourth Street, Third Street, Second Street, Community Park, Colorado
Rio Vista, Trane Road, Park Lane, Lakeside Drive, Langford Drive, River Gardens Drive, Yale
Drive, Arizona Veterans' Memorial, Rotary Park, Playa Del Rio, Palo Verde Meadows, and the
Colorado River Nature Center.
Mayor Brady asked if anyone from the public would like to speak.
Bill Felts said he lived at 1257 Riverfront and said he would like to discuss the Trane Road river
access location. He said people were jumping off his dock, partying, drinking and littering every
day. He said they had an attitude, and said when he asked them to leave his property, they would
destroy his parts of his property and/or throw his chairs in the river. He said the problem had been
ongoing since he moved here in 1999. He said he would appreciate the Council's consideration and
hoped they would find a solution to the problem.
Council Member Ring asked Mr. Felts if he was a full-time city resident. Mr. Felts said no.
Council Member Ring asked if he was coming to the city over the holiday weekends. Mr. Felts
stated the problem continued all the time, and said he had followed kids home who have damaged
his property and talked to their parents. He said people throw their trash and dirty diapers over his
fence and into the river. He asked if there was some way to shut them off to alleviate the problem.
Jamie Starr stated the river did not have legal protections that beaches had in California. She said
some of the street access points were isolated and provided places for the homeless to go. She said
other areas have semi-developed boat ramps, and said this was an amenity for nearby property
owners. She said not everyone had a home on the river, and said some people did not want to travel
miles away or pay a fee to launch their watercrafts. She said an easement situation could be made
available for some locations, but said the public boat launch ramps should remain.
Council Member Duvall stated he had worked on the river for the Police Department beginning in
1987. He said they had the same problems back then, but said the number of problems have
increased over the years. He said stricter enforcement was needed, and suggested installing signage
at the public access locations to allow additional police enforcement. He said law enforcement
should be more vigilant and cite people for violations. He said residents should report to the police
every time a problem occurred because a record was kept on file for each call.
City Attorney Emery stated the city owned those properties and could do whatever they wanted.
He said additional ordinances could be crafted for those access points because they were unique.
Sam Medrano suggested the city designate some of the areas as swimming areas and rope off where
the public could be in the water. He asked if some of the properties could be turned into culverts to
stop the public from entering them.

DRAFTPAGE3
BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, TUESDAY,
JUNE 7, 2016,3:30 P.M.
Vice Mayor Shutts said she has not heard about any education provided to infonn the public. She
suggested the city implement an educational program about the laws and speak to the children in
school.
Mayor Brady said there were problem people, but also good people out there. He said it was not
possible to close the areas down because there was no option for the public to have access to the
river. He said he was opposed to closing any of the areas, or selling them to private owners. He
said the properties were public utility easements and drainage easements, and said the public should
not be excluded from enjoying the river. He said the only solution to the problem was law
enforcement. He encouraged the police department to spend more time at the public access
locations and either warn or cite when required. He said law enforcement was the key to the
problem.
Council Member Duvall asked the Police Department to provide updates to the Council in the
future. He asked when the signs could be installed.
City Manager Cotter said signs indicating private property, loud noise, alcohol consumption, and
littering could be installed as soon as possible.
Jamie Starr asked if the city could install surveillance cameras at some of the locations. She
suggested implementing curfew restrictions such as sunset to sunrise.
City Manager Cotter stated the properties were treated as public streets and open 24 hours per day.
He said surveillance cameras would be very expensive to install and monitor, and said the city did
not have the resources. He said some property owners have installed security monitors.
Mayor Brady said there was no simple solution to this problem, but said they have agreed that
additional law enforcement was required.
Council Member Ring said she opposed installing gates, but was in favor of implementing time
limits on public access.
City Manager Cotter asked the Council if they would like to look at each location, or have an
ordinance for specific locations with posted hours. The consensus of the Council was to have staff
draft an ordinance limiting the hours of public access from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00a.m.

MOTION:

Vice Mayor Shutts made a motion to adjourn the special meeting and convene
the executive session at 4:36 p.m. Council Member Ring seconded the motion.

VOTE:

AYES: Brady, Bruck, Duvall, Ring, Shutts NAYS: None
ABSENT: Clark, D'Amico

MOTION CARRIED

David and Susan Mendonca.

April 02, 2025

1001 Riverfront Drive
Bullhead City, Arizona 86442

Toby Cotter
Bullhead City Manager
2355 Trane Road
Bullhead City, Arizona 86442

Dear Mr. Cotter:
At your request, we are submitting to your attention our letter for the purpose of solving and
remedying the conditions, safety hazards, public health hazards that exists at this spill way
In addition to the nuisance keeping it open has create. The SPILL WAY exists between 999
and 1001 Riverfront Drive, BHC, AZ 86442.
This home was purchased in 2015. Problems have existed and there has been a
progression of issues that have occurred over time. We have done everything possible to
reinforce our location which include putting up a stone wall at my own expense of
approximately $25,000., put up an iron fence along the river wall at approximately $9000.,
put up a second gate in 2023 to increase the height which costs $1800.00. All of this helped
a bit, but the problems have only Increased over the years and the conditions that exist In
this spill way are totally unacceptable and we are asking for a remedy on this issue.
This spill way was not always supposed to be public access, we have old photos of that
fact. At some point In time a sign age was put up allowing access. THIS Is NOT a Park, it Is a
spill way. I know the thought was it would be for fishing. Truthfully, once in a blue moon we
may see a person fishing. Most of the time when people do go down to the spill way, it Is not
for good purposes of recreation. It has become a safety hazard, a health hazard, a drug den
for use and sales of drugs, there have been multiple people who have attempted to squat
on these properties at the spill way area.

,

We have called the police many times and sometimes they just move these people on. The
city has failed to properly maintain this spillway unless there has been a complaint. We
ourselves as well as the neighbors have cleaned out the trash, debris, dirty clothing, used
needles, human and animal feces left behind. We have people who will urinate openly in
the spill way and in front of our wall, there have been a few occasions when we witnessed
sexual activity in the spill way. Just recently, our neighbor was at her home at 999 Riverfront
Drive and two people were attempting to break in and they told them to go away. They
continued to attempt breaking in, and the police were called. It was a slow response, and
they did not catch the two trying to break in.

We did meet a few years back with former Mayor Brady when we had cars going down and
parking their cars in there. The spill way is not large, and they would leave cars there. This
was unacceptable because they had started to squat overnight and defecate in the
spillway. The meeting with former Mayor Brady was good but it was only a limited solution,
and 4 large boulders were placed at the top of the spillway near the road to block cars from
entering. At that same t1me, he sent the city to demolish a cave that had been created and
transients were living in. There was drug use and buys all hours of the day and night. Police
were called many times, and they would come back. The city did demolish it and filled it
with cement. We would soon learn that this was not a full solution to the issues that
existed, and they continued and have become worst.

Back to the issue here. The bottom line is that this SPILL WAY is a spill way, not a Park. I
know the intention was for fishermen to use, and as I said, once in a blue moon does
someone fish there. It has not worked out that way, and is now become a major safety
hazard, health hazard and a major nuisance for the nearby homes. It has become a hot
source of contention, and we are honestly fed up with the situation.
There is no respect for the spill way by those who do go down there most of the time. We
are tired of them coming on to the properties. They have attempted breaking in twice that
we know of at 999. They have been at our back lower door on the river side of the property,
they have stolen items from the property next door, they have damaged our wall that we
paid to repair at our cost. They have broken chairs on our property. There are numerous
accounts of this activity, and we want a resolution.

Toby, we have spoken several times and at one point you said that no fence could be put in
the spill way and if the city did allow it, there would have to be a gate with a lock to allow

the city access because the city needed to maintain access. I get that! Now, not too far
back my husband and I noticed that a fence without a gate or any access had been
installed between 699 and 703 Riverfront Drive. I spoke with Claudia in the city permit
department to see if there was a permit pulled by these addresses for a permit. The answer
was no. I then asked on who's authority was this fence installed. I was sent over to a John
that it was put up for safety reasons because there is a wall at the end of the spill way. That
call occurred on November 18, 2024. I believe John works in the public works department.
He told me that there is a process that exists where the City sometimes will abandon
property. He told me he would speak with his boss and get back to me. That never
happened . I do not know if this is possible or even plausible. I was told if it did get
abandoned that the two properties would share ownership of the spill way and keep it as a
spill way as well as maintain it. Our neighbors are on board with this idea.

We are at the very minimal find acceptable to have the city install a fence in this spill way to
control the issues that continue to exist. These conditions are unacceptable. We cannot
enjoy our own property nor can our neighbors. We cannot and do not go into the water
because of the health risks and safety risks that now exists.
Other options to consider would be allowing us to:
1) Allow us to purchase the spill way, fence it off, keep it strictly a spillway and nothing
else.
2) The city abandons the land, and the two properties spit it, maintain it, and keep it a
spill way, and nothing else.
3) The city Install a fence as is did at the spillway between 699 and 703 Riverfront
Drive. This solution would be the most minimal acceptable solution for the
nuisances and public hazards that at exist at this spillway. This fence at 699-703
Riverfront sets precedence for a fence to be placed here.

We have photos and videos to assist you in understanding the importance of this
request. We appreciate your consideration and are hopeful for a positive outcome. We
are willing to set up an appointment with you or look forward to your response. We do
intend to continue to pursue this issue.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

b~i~~

~

•

Title 15 - BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 15.38 PUBLIC ACCESS TO COLORADO RIVER

Chapter 15.38 PUBLIC ACCESS TO COLORADO RIVER
15.38.010 Policy.
The city council finds that various points of public access to the Colorado River make this community unique
and a desirable place to live and visit. Therefore, the city council desires that public access to the Colorado River
previously granted through the public platting process in the form of street terminus and drainage generally be
kept available for limited purposes to the public free of charge.
(Ord. No. 2017-05, § 1, 4·4·2017; Ord. No. 2016·9, § 1, 7-19·2016)

15.38.020 Access point defined.
A.

Fourth Street; Second Street. Street/drainage right-of-way beginning at the western boundary of River Glen
Drive and ending at the Colorado River high water mark.

B.

Third Street. Street/drainage right-of-way beginning at the western boundary of Krueger Lane and ending at
the Colorado River high water mark.

C.

Colorado Rio Vista; Trane Road; Park Lane; Lakeside Drive; and Langford Drive. Street/drainage right-of-way
beginning at the northern boundary of Riverfront Drive and ending at the Colorado River high water mark.

D.

River Gardens Drive; Yale Drive. Street/drainage right-of-way beginning at the north-western boundary of
Riverfront Drive and ending at the Colorado River high water mark.

(Ord. No. 2017-05, § 1, 4-4-2017; Ord. No. 2016-10, § 1, 8-2-2016; Ord. No. 2016-9, § 1, 7-19-2016)

15.38.030 Restrictions and penalty.
A.

Access points are closed from nine p.m., through four thirty a.m., daily.

B.

It is unlawful for any person to have a glass beverage container in his possession in an access point.

C.

A violation of this section 15.38.030 is a petty offense.

(Ord. No. 2017-05, § 1, 4-4-2017; Ord. No. 2016·10, § 1, 8-2-2016; Ord. No. 2016-9, § 1, 7-19-2016)

Bullhead City, Arizona, Code of Ordinances

Created: 2924 · 19 29 11: 54: 15 [EST)

(Supp. No. 72)
Page 1 of 1