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Camp Verde, arena association agree to negotiate lease amendments after association initially votes to keep current lease

Town Council, Town of Camp Verde · March 1, 2026

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Summary

Town staff proposed an Amended and Restated Lease Agreement for the Camp Verde Arena; CVAA members initially voted to keep the existing lease but later agreed to negotiate targeted amendments with the Town and to return Nov. 5, 2025 for further discussion.

Town officials and representatives of the Camp Verde Arena Association agreed on Aug. 27 to continue negotiations over the association's lease after a day of presentations, questions and two short recesses.

Town Manager Miranda Fisher and Town Attorney Trish Stuhan presented a proposed Amended and Restated Lease Agreement and related equipment rental policies, describing the changes as intended to resolve ambiguities and to align the lease with the Town's obligations for legal compliance, financial accountability and public access under Arizona law. Fisher said the Town's goal was to preserve its relationship with the association while strengthening transparency and oversight.

The Camp Verde Arena Association delegation—President Mary Phelps, Vice President Stacey Barker and CVAA attorney Joe Butner—presented CVAA's history and voiced concerns about the proposed changes. According to the record, CVAA members voted at the meeting to keep the current lease and not to move forward immediately with the Town's proposed Amended and Restated Lease Agreement.

After two recesses to allow CVAA time to consult counsel, CVAA Attorney Joe Butner told the Council that CVAA members would negotiate amendments to the existing lease with Town staff to address the Town's concerns, including clarifying the agreement's "gift clause" to eliminate legal uncertainty. Butner said CVAA agreed to work with the Town on those amendments.

Councilor Jessie Murdock summarized the Council's direction as continuing to work with CVAA representatives. Town Manager Fisher and Town Attorney Stuhan answered additional questions during the session. Mayor Marie Moore asked CVAA representatives to return to a Council meeting on Nov. 5, 2025 to discuss next steps on the amended lease.

The record shows no formal Council motion or vote adopting the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement on Aug. 27. The CVAA vote reported at the meeting reflected the association's internal decision at that time to retain the existing lease; the Council instead directed staff to continue negotiations with CVAA. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.