Bullhead City Council approves $500,000 turf‑reduction grant for Arroyo Vista Park amid HOA dispute

Bullhead City Council on Tuesday approved a $500,000 water‑conservation grant to remove about 52,000 square feet of turf at Arroyo Vista Park, accepting an agreement that includes a $100,000 local match split evenly between the homeowners association and the city.

The item implements a Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) turf‑reduction grant and aligns with the city’s water conservation program adopted Feb. 15, 2022. Assistant City Manager Eddie Kajera told the council the project is reimbursement‑based and that the HOA has submitted multiple revised designs after months of meetings with staff and residents.

The homeowners association’s plan, as presented to the council, retains roughly half the existing grass and would replace other areas with xeriscaping, decomposed granite, shaded pavers and amenities such as pathways, a putting green and a volleyball area. The council approved the agreement with direction that minor changes to Exhibit A (final design) may be made as the HOA continues outreach with residents.

Opposition from residents was a major part of the public comment. Ashley Hook, who said she has lived in Arroyo Vista Estates six years, delivered a petition she said contained nearly 200 homeowner signatures and urged the council to table the item until homeowners could vote. Hook argued the park “is the heart of our neighborhood” and said cutting the green space would hurt recreation, property values and increase heat in the neighborhood.

Other residents urged the council to approve the grant, citing regional water shortages and the neighborhood’s 6 million gallons annual park water use cited by HOA board president Lee Messer. Gary Davis, a resident, said the project is an effort to address an ongoing local water supply issue and to avoid future rate increases or infrastructure shortages.

City staff and several council members said the HOA board — elected by property owners — authorized the board to pursue the agreement and that many design revisions came in response to homeowner input. Councilmember Smith noted the petition represented about 17% of the development’s addresses and said HOA governance matters should be resolved within the HOA structure.

The motion to approve the grant agreement passed 7‑0. The agreement allows the HOA additional time to finalize design details with the flexibility the council approved; the council vote did not change the total turf removal amount required under the WIFA grant.

The council’s action includes a funding commitment: $500,000 from the WIFA grant with a $100,000 match split $50,000 from the HOA and $50,000 from the city’s water conservation fund. Staff told the council the HOA used outreach meetings — including one at Valley Christian Church — and submitted multiple design revisions over a multi‑year process.

Council members and staff said they expect additional neighborhood meetings and minor exhibit changes before construction begins, and that the city will monitor drainage and design concerns raised by residents.

Votes at the meeting: motion approved 7 in favor, 0 opposed.