Bullhead City Council approves liquor-license recommendation, grants and shelter funding; Stansell contract increased

Bullhead City’s council acted on a slate of consent and agenda items on Aug. 18, approving routine recommendations, grants and donations.

Licensing and contracts The council voted 7–0 to recommend that the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control approve a series 3 in‑state microbrewery liquor license for Heavy Metal Brewing Company (job no. 352633), located at 2921 Friendly Place, Suite 4. Applicant David Miner introduced himself and said he and his wife recently moved to Bullhead and have prior experience operating a brewery in southwest Washington.

The council also approved a second amendment with Stansell Corporation to increase the multichannel voice logging recorder system agreement for the police department to $75,957 plus applicable taxes. Police and council members said additional equipment purchased to cover all dispatch and radio channels increased the maintenance requirement; Chief Treves explained the purchase and said the new equipment will allow the department to record all communications through dispatch, including radio traffic.

Grants and social services Council approved a $50,000 RiverFund Transportation Assistance Grant to help people experiencing homelessness with bus tickets, temporary shelter, repairs and other travel needs. Human Services Director Jeff Tipton said the grant was already budgeted; RiverFund CEO Mike Connor thanked the city for longstanding support and described the organization’s work and reporting. Staff confirmed that RiverFund provides quarterly reports and transaction spreadsheets under the agreement.

Animal shelter donation and naming Council approved a budget amendment to transfer up to $160,314.50 from the grant fund to the municipal capital projects fund to develop a play area at BARK (the city animal-shelter facility) funded by a donation from the McLeat family. Shelter manager Allison Harms described a design with walls, gates, shade structures, water and artificial turf. The council also unanimously approved naming the play area in honor of the McLeat family and placing a commemorative plaque.

Veterans Park display equipment The council accepted donated World War II‑era vehicles and associated display equipment for Arizona Veterans Memorial Park and authorized a contingency transfer of up to $15,000 from the general fund for related expenses, while noting many community organizations and rotary clubs would raise funds and contribute to installation costs.

Appointments and grants Council adopted Resolution 2025R‑35 appointing utilities director Mark Clark as the city’s voting member on the Mohave County Water Authority, with assistant city manager Edgar Cajuwa as alternate. The council also authorized submission of a FY2025 Community Development Block Grant application (Resolution 2025R‑36) to replace ADA ramps along 2.5 miles of Hancock Road (State Route 95 to Colorado Boulevard).

Votes at a glance - Item 2 (Heavy Metal Brewing Company liquor‑license recommendation): approved 7–0. - Item 3 (Stansell contract amendment for police voice logging): approved 7–0; new agreement amount $75,957 plus taxes. - Item 5 (RiverFund Transportation Assistance Grant $50,000): approved 7–0. - Item 6 (transfer $160,314.50 for BARK play area): approved 7–0. - Item 7 (name BARK play area for the McLeat family): approved 7–0. - Item 8 (accept donated equipment for Veterans Park and authorize transfer up to $15,000): approved 7–0. - Item 9 (Resolution 2025R‑35; appoint Mark Clark to Mohave County Water Authority): approved 7–0. - Item 10 (Resolution 2025R‑36; authorize CDBG application for ADA ramps): approved 7–0.

Budgetary and oversight notes Staff said several of these actions relied on previously budgeted items or donor funds. For organizations receiving city funds, staff reiterated agreement terms requiring quarterly reports and that the city has access to financial records for audits. Council members asked for continued transparency and suggested making audit information more accessible to the public.

What happens next: staff will execute contract amendments, transfer funds where authorized, and continue oversight of grant recipients and donated-project installation timelines.