Bullhead City council to revisit rules for two river access points after residents cite crime, trash and safety hazards

Bullhead City councilmembers directed staff to bring back an amended ordinance addressing two specific Colorado River public-access points—Lakeside Drive and River Gardens—after residents and councilmembers described repeated safety, sanitation and noise problems at several street-end access points.

City Manager Toby Carter said staff can return a focused amendment for council consideration. “We could bring back the ordinance at the next meeting for discussion on just that specific one,” Carter said, referring to Lakeside Drive and noting River Gardens could be included as well.

The discussion grew out of a staff presentation that mapped the city’s public legal access points to the Colorado River and summarized their conditions. The packet included 2016 minutes and a letter from David and Susan Anaka of 101 Riverfront Drive describing recurring problems at the Lakeside terminus. Carter told the council that “Public Works Director Johnson actually did block one of them off because it's a current safety hazard.”

Why it matters: council members said weekend crowds, transient visitors and short-term rentals have intensified use of river access points and increased calls for police and park-ranger response. Residents who testified said trash, human waste, discarded needles, amplified music and drug use have created persistent problems at some sites. “The conditions are just unacceptable,” said Susan Mendonca, who lives at 1001 Riverfront Drive and spoke to the council about repeated late-night disturbances and safety concerns.

What council heard and staff findings - Staff identified a range of conditions across access points: some, like Community Park and Davis Camp, are large, maintained beaches; others are narrow, overgrown or lack restroom and trash facilities. The packet notes the city’s code on public access to the Colorado River (chapter 15.38) and existing restrictions, including a 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m. closure at defined access points and a prohibition on glass containers. - Councilmembers and staff said maintenance has been uneven. Carter and others advised that if the city intends to keep access points open, it will need to budget for maintenance, trash pickup, signage and increased enforcement. - Several councilmembers argued for a site-by-site approach rather than a blanket policy. “I think we should look at these on a case-by-case basis,” Mayor D’Amico said, citing differences in size, safety and neighborhood impacts. - Multiple speakers described Lakeside Drive as overgrown and hazardous and recommended closing or blocking that terminus. Some councilmembers proposed clearing vegetation and adding trash receptacles at problem locations as a first step. Councilmember comments also emphasized the practical limits of enforcement on busy summer weekends when many vehicles come from outside Bullhead City.

Public testimony - Residents described repeated calls to police, trash and human waste at smaller, overgrown termini, and said they had found needles and observed drug use. Susan Mendonca told the council she and neighbors had cleaned the spillway and reported violent and unsafe incidents that she said had occurred near her property. - An audience member identified as “Scottie” urged stronger signage and enforcement and questioned the city’s ability to legally close some points without facing easement challenges.

Council direction and next steps Council did not vote on closing any access points at the meeting. Instead, staff was directed to prepare a focused ordinance amendment for the council’s next meeting that would address Lakeside Drive and River Gardens—either to bring them up to a safe standard (clearing vegetation, adding trash receptacles and signage, improving drainage fixes) or to administratively block public access while maintaining drainage function. Carter said staff had authority to act on immediate hazards (for example, blocking an unsafe terminus) and would return an ordinance amendment to formalize any longer-term changes.

Context and background - The council packet includes language from chapter 15.38, which the presentation summarized as finding that defined street-terminus and drainage rights historically granted public access to the Colorado River and that the council desires to keep those access points available to the public for limited, free purposes. The current code already includes time-of-day closures and other restrictions. - Councilmembers asked staff to perform additional outreach and suggested a written survey or mailer to nearby homeowners before a final decision. Several members also asked staff to pull police-report data for the affected sites to document calls for service.

No formal ordinance was enacted at the meeting; staff will return with a proposed amendment to the public-access ordinance for Lakeside Drive and River Gardens for council consideration at the next meeting.

Ending The council concluded the special meeting with direction to staff; council members said they expect further public outreach and a follow-up ordinance discussion at the next regular meeting.