Tri-City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening.

I'd like to welcome you all to the City of Kingman meeting of the City Council here in Council Chambers, Tuesday, September 1st, 2026. Roll call, please.

Mayor Watkins.

Here.

Vice Mayor Samely. Here. Council Member Dykens. Here. Council Member Savage. Here. Council Member Staley. Present. Council Member Walker. Here. Council Member Ward.

Here.

We have a quorum.

Thank you. Today's invocation will be given by Pastor Dennis Cronkite of the College Park Baptist Church. Would you all please stand? And followed by that, we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Staley.

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time that we can seek the help and favor of God. Father, have but to look around and see in this world, our country, the great need that we have for wisdom from heaven and thy blessing. And so, Father, we would seek that tonight for this council, for this meeting. Pray, Father, that you might superintend over it and grant your guidance and direction for our city. We thank you for those who lead us and help us, and we certainly need all of that, and pray, God, that we would have beyond that the help of heaven. So we give this time to you and our future, our city. In the name of Christ our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, the council may go into executive session for legal counsel in accordance with ARS 38-431.03 to discuss any agenda item. The following items may be discussed, considered, and decisions made relating thereto. First item on our agenda is awards and recognition. We have a proclamation for the National Literacy Month. Whereas literacy is the single most effective way to promote global prosperity and eliminate poverty, and whereas cultures that are literate embrace the key lever of change for economic development, social growth, and environmental protection, and whereas cultures best promote and support democracy, political stability, and peace based on many factors, but rely on as a pivotal factor factor literacy, and whereas assurance of literacy for all citizens best promotes peace, human rights, environmental protection, and prosperity. And whereas literacy brings improved self-confidence to the individual, a heightened sense of belonging, and improved job opportunities. Now, therefore, I, Chair Sam Lee, on behalf of Ken Watkins, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Vice Mayor of the City of Kingman, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2026 as National Literacy Month. And I further declare September 1st, 2026, as International Literacy Month. I strongly encourage each of us to recognize the contributions made by the Kingman Area Literacy Program as they continue to provide 100% volunteer run, 100% free tutoring services for all in Kingman as well as other literacy and adult education programs in Mojave County for the significant contributions they have made and continue to make in our community. in witness thereof signed by the mayor ken watkins and our clerk annie meredith so i believe we have a representative uh aaron roper if you'd like to approach the podium and tell us about your organization and then we'll take a photo with you if that's okay If you'll come to the mic, the mayor is online and he really wants to hear you.

Okay. I am Yvonne Bonarotti.

If you want to speak into the microphone. Sorry, I never did this before. That's okay. You're doing great.

So I take care of things like this. I also go out to businesses and I distribute pamphlets and there are some over there. uh... currently we have my notes twelve volunteers that give their time people that need to read we have those twelve volunteers take care of eighteen students you ready for this one there's forty seven on our waiting list all ages And the nice thing is, well, besides being free for everyone, the nice thing is that we can take care of any age. We had a 63-year-old gentleman that had retired. And he came to us because he said he was so tired of going to the grocery store and not being able to read the labels. So we taught him. how to read. I don't know how many books he's read now, but it's a lot. So that's just one example of what we do. The good thing is, like you said, it is free. There is no charge. In fact, for anyone that wants their GED, we even pay for that. So there's no cost. That's why we encourage it. We also have online programs. Zoom, I think We know what that is. So we're able to do that. We provide the laptop for the student. So again, we're trying to make it as easy as possible. The best thing, you don't have to be a teacher. Now I was for many years, but that doesn't make any difference. We teach you how to do this. I hate to say this, but it's not hard. It just takes a little time. We provide the training. which can go from four hours to ten hours of training depending on the volunteer and their expertise and then you can choose your student do you want a child do you want an adult so we let that up to you for what you're comfortable with and let's just say for instance it's not a good match we can change so it's not like you're stuck per se with an individual that you're just not meeting eye to eye So I encourage you to tell your families. High school students can do this as well. So it's open to everyone. It's free. We love that word. And we'll be happy to help anyone that needs help in reading because as you said, I mean, it's vital for our existence to be able to read. So that's it. That's all I have unless you have any questions.

Well, thank you so much. We're going to get a picture. If council would join me down there, we'll get a photo. All right, we don't have any presentations this evening. Number three, call to the public. Comments from the public, those wishing to address the council should fill out request forms in advance. Comments from the public will be restricted to items not on the agenda with the exception of those on the consent agenda. There will be no comments allowed that advertise for a particular person or group. Comments should be limited to no longer than three minutes. The council may not respond to speakers during the call to the public. The council may direct the city manager to study the matter or request that the matter be placed on a future agenda.

Madam Clerk, do we have any? Vice Mayor, we don't have anybody signed up tonight. Great, thank you.

All right, moving on to the consent agenda. All matters listed here are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Council, what, if any, items would you like to pull?

L. L?

Vice Mayor, I'd like to pull K and P. K. K. K and P. K, P, L, and I would like to pull I. All right. So I will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items A through H, J, M, N-O-Q-R-N-S. So moved. We have a motion. We have a second. We have a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. Item I. Approval of Amendment Number 1. to professional services agreement with Hewitt Zollers for the design of improvements at the intersection of Hualapai Mountain Road and Eastern. On September 16, 2025, the City Council approved a professional services contract with Hewitt Zollers in the amount of $85,100 for the design of the intersection of the Hualapai Mountain Road and Eastern Street. The original design concept included a right turn lane from Wallapai Mountain Road onto Eastern Street and relocation of the existing Mesa Verde driveway from Wallapai Mountain Road to Eastern Street. During the course of the design, additional improvements not included in the original assumptions were identified. including accommodations for truck traffic, bike lanes, and the change in location for the relocated entrance of the Mesa Verde property. The cost of the change order is $13,000 and will be funded from the Capital Projects Fund. Staff recommends approval. Manager Walsh?

Thank you, Vice Mayor. This item here, this is a left turn lane. It's improvements at the Eastern and Wallapai Mountain Road side. I'm sorry?

For right turn lane.

Right, yeah. So a right turn lane at Eastern and Wallapai Mountain Road. We're working through the project on that. We're working with some of the off-site properties in order to make this all happen. But the design, we're currently under design. The owner of the adjacent property, so part of the... reason for this these changes the light the right turn lanes and all of that was due to increased uh... development in that area part of the development uh... the circle k across the street uh... moving forward getting their permits was that they did participate in this so they they submitted uh... just over a hundred forty seven thousand dollars towards this improvement as well as some some funding for that traffic signals okay

And that's why I pulled this. I wanted the public to know that, yes, we're going to have to make some traffic. We're going to have to mitigate traffic. And it is due to the new opening of the Circle K, amongst other things, relocating the Mesa Verde. But I wanted the public to know that it's not... 100% burden on the city of Kingman I wanted the public to know that there was participation from the developer and it was actually in the permitting process where it was determined that they would inject these funds, so That's what I did you have anything to add mr.. Garmin I?

No, Vice Mayor, I don't know.

Okay, all right. All right, with that, thank you for that. With that, I will entertain, or I will make a motion to approve. Vice Mayor. Oh, yes, excuse me.

With you pulling it, I do have actually another question. Oh. In the packet, I remember it said that there are gonna be two ways in and out of that park, is that correct? Yes. Are they gonna both be on Eastern?

So, yeah, so Councilman Dikens, part of the, because of the design of the intersection, there's a right turn that's being added onto Wallapai Mountain Road that turns onto Eastern. The current entrance for that RV park is right there. Typically, we wouldn't permit an entrance there, but that one's been there for a number of years and years. has been there for that long. So as part of the design, we're actually looking to move that entrance onto Eastern. So we're putting a main entrance on Eastern for the RV park as part of this project, but the secondary entrance that you see in the documentation is for emergency services, so it won't be a full-blown entrance like you would see for the main entrance, but basically for emergency services, it gives them that secondary access.

All right, thank you.

But yes, they'll both be on Eastern, to answer your question.

Any other questions? My apologies, Councillor Deikin. All right, I'd like to make a motion to approve item I. Do I have a second?

I'll second.

We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, motion carries. Item K.

I need to recuse myself from this item.

Okay, very well. Approval of amendment to 4560 flight line drive lease at their May 20th, 2025 meeting. The city council approved the ground lease at 4650 flight line drive for the development of a hanger and related improvements. The leasee has requested a modification to the hanger currently under construction. adding a 16 foot by 30 foot room on the east side of the structure. The existing lease area is sufficient to accommodate the additional building area, therefore no changes to the legal description or other terms of the original lease are required. The amendment only revises exhibit C, development plan minimum improvements to reflect the addition. Staff recommends approval. Other than Councilor Walker's recusal, are there any questions for Director Brickeridge? All right, I'll entertain a motion for approval.

So moved.

We have a motion, we have a second?

I'll second.

Thank you, we have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, motion carries. Item L, approval to retain Gus Rosenfeld as legal representation for 9900 Flight Line Drive hazardous waste cleanup. Who pulled this one?

I did.

Oh, Councillor Dikens. I'm sorry, I didn't write your name. Can you read the- Yeah, I will, I will. Sorry. The city previously engaged Gust Rosenfeld to provide legal representation and assist with mediation concerning the remediation and cleanup of Hangar A, located at 9900 Flight Line Drive. Legal expenses are approaching the threshold requiring city council approval. Staff is requesting authorization to continue the engagement. with a total amount not to exceed $100,000 from the airport fund. Staff recommends approval. Councillor Dikins.

The latest information hot off the press is that this is pretty much complete and we've spent $38,000 for the attorney. I'm not opposed to approving going over the $50,000 limit, but I think going $100,000 or not to exceed $100,000 is, to me, excessive. Because if we spent $38,000 towards the attorney fees and they're almost done, I honestly have a hard time believing that we'd be spending the $50,000. But I can understand the need for maybe a little bit of a buffer.

Okay.

Do you have anything to add? Yes, sir.

Even though we have the 100,000 odds of us going beyond that or getting close to it, it's going to be slim. We put that in there as a buffer. As this goes along, if this continues to drag out, we will be coming towards council for direction before we hit that. But it gives you the ability or the option to keep pursuing this if need be.

Do you have an alternative, Councillor Dikens?

Yes. I would be in favor of changing it to not to exceed $60,000. That's almost double of what we've spent up to this point. And if we're almost done, I just don't think we should go that high, meaning the $100,000.

Mr. Cooper, do you have anything to say?

whatever council decides that direction is fine. But if we, of course, get closer to that, we may have to come back. And it's one of those situations where we're not exactly sure what's going to happen. So if that's the choice of the council, we'll take that and then If we need to come back for some more, either money for that or direction, because at that point we might be looking for some direction if we're starting to spend more money because things aren't maybe going as well as we had hoped.

Any other comments from council?

I'd counter with 75. Yeah.

Councillor Savage.

How long have they been on this project for?

Um, this project, they've been on this project. Oh gosh. Um, I want to say, yep. June, maybe a little bit earlier. So a couple months. And how long until it's completed? Um, there is no definite date on this one. It's, they just recently did a secondary cleanup of the hangar. Um, so we're waiting to get those reports back and see if they're finished. Okay.

I'm almost in agreeance that, you know, I'd rather come back to us if we have to increase it, but I think going more than double is just out of line, in my opinion.

Any other comments?

I'm good with the 60, because you can always come back if it goes beyond that.

Mr. Walker.

Is there any negative if we don't go to the 100 now? I mean, time frame, is there anything that could buy us?

I don't see any time frame specifically. I think if we need more, we'll come back. And I do want to make clear that the cleanup is being funded by the prior. This is just legal fees. This is just legal fees, environmental lawyer, so. Okay.

And I just, for clarification, I just want to make sure that I've got it right in my mind. We're at $38,000. Currently, you have to come to council post 50,000. Correct. Correct. So we still have a little bit of room to get to that 50. So we do also have an opportunity that staff can come back and get direction with an increase over and above what they already can spend up to 50.

Well, I believe that's what they're trying to do now, but I just think we should limit it to a lot less than $100,000 because they're almost done and they've spent $38,000. So going to $60,000 is almost double it. I just don't see it. All right.

Would you like to make that in a form of a motion?

Sure, I would like to make a motion that we approve L within the consent agenda with an amendment to the amount not to exceed $60,000 from the airport fund.

Okay, we have a motion, do we have a second?

I'll second.

We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? All right, motion carries. Item P.

I have a conflict with that as well.

Okay. Item P, approval of Unisource Energy Services utility easement request at the airport. This agenda item is for consideration and approval of two utility easements at the Kingman Municipal Airport. Unisource Electric Services, UNS, is requesting two utility easements at the Kingman Municipal Airport in order to maintain service to existing customers and provide service to a new customer. Staff recommends approval. Other than Councillor Walker's conflict of interest, does Council have any questions on this item? No. Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion.

I'll make that motion. Second.

We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? All right, motion carries. all right approval or excuse me item number five announcements by mayor council members and city manager does anybody have any announcements no anybody no All right. Item number six, council requests for future reports and updates. Anybody have any requests?

I do.

Councillor Savage.

Yes. In light of what's going on at that Katherine Heindreich's center, I have some concerns. So I would like a request of a report of their finances from July 25 through July 26. And I'd also like the board to appear before council, please.

Okay, thank you. Just as reference to our meeting earlier, I do want to put it into the record that I'd like to have a report from staff on action items from the golf marketing plan that was provided to us. And I would like that to be in the first meeting in October. Do you have a preference when you would like that to be your request?

Would we talk about Tim first meeting next month? Yeah.

OK. All right. Any other council requests for future reports? All right. Executive session. Item number seven, FAA land release negotiations. Staff requests that council go into executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 to provide direction regarding the negotiation of the FAA land release. I will entertain a motion.

So moved. Second.

We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, we will return from executive session shortly. All right, we are back from executive session. I will entertain a motion.

I'll make a motion. Staff move forward as directed with the negotiations on the land release.

We have a motion and we have a second.

I'll second.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned.