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Minutes Regular City Council Meeting City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona City Council Chambers, Yuma City Hall One City Plaza, Yuma, Arizona July 15, 2026 5:30 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Nicholls called the City Council meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Invocation/Pledge Pastor Lt. Brenden Armendariz, Salvation Army, gave the invocation. Adrian Aranda, Human Resources Manager, led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Final Call Mayor Nicholls made a final call for the submission of Speaker Request Forms for agenda related items from members of the audience. Roll Call Councilmembers Present: Martinez, Morris, McClendon, Smith, Morales, Watts, and Mayor Nicholls Councilmembers Absent: None Staffmembers Present: Acting City Administrator, John D. Simonton Various Department Heads or their representatives City Attorney, Richard W. Files Acting City Clerk, Lynda L. Bushong Presentations Jacques Istel, Mayor of Felicity, California, provided an overview of the City of Felicity and the Museum of History in Granite, highlighting the museum’s mission to preserve human history for future generations and discussing plans for its future governance and national recognition. He also announced that a City Council representative will serve as a voting trustee of the museum and shared updates regarding a potential Pulitzer Prize-related opportunity. • Motion Consent Agenda Motion (Morales/Watts): To approve the Motion Consent Agenda as recommended. Voice vote: approved 7-0. A. Approval of minutes of the following City Council meeting: Regular Council Worksession June 2, 2026 Regular Council Worksession June 16, 2026 B. Executive Session Executive Sessions may be held at the next regularly scheduled Special Worksession, Regular Worksession and City Council Meeting for personnel, legal, litigation and real estate matters pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03 Section A (1), (3), (4), and (7). (City Atty) C. Approval of Staff Recommendations • Approve a Series #12: Restaurant Liquor License application submitted by Juanita Alicia Esparza, agent for 4 Lokos by Sonora Grilling located at 3101 S. 4th Avenue. (LL26-05) (Admin/Clerk) • Approve a Series #12: Restaurant Liquor License application submitted by Alejandro Trujillo, agent for J.T. Prime Steakhouse located at 288 S. 5th Avenue. (LL26-06) (Admin/Clerk) • Authorize the purchase and delivery of Fire Hydrants and Accessories to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders for a total estimated annual expenditure of $30,000.00 to Ferguson Waterworks of Phoenix, Arizona and Yuma Winnelson of Yuma, Arizona. (RFB-26-308) (Utl) • Ratify and approve the Job Order Contract for utility services purchase order to Taylor Engineering, PLLC, Yuma, Arizona for the Emergency Sewer Repair Avenue C and 20th Street project in the amount of $113,757.72. (RFQ-25-159) (Eng) • Ratify and approve the emergency waterline repair at Avenue B and 23rd Street under the Job Order Contract for Utility Infrastructure Services in the amount of $281,460.25 to Taylor Engineering PLLC., Yuma, Arizona, (RFQ-25-159) (Eng) • Authorize binding of insurance coverage for Property, Public Liability (including Employee Benefits, Public Officials, Employment Practices, Liquor, Law Enforcement and Auto), Excess Liability, Crime/Dishonesty, Excess Workers Compensation, Cyber Liability, Automobile Damage, Drone, and Deadly Weapon and Crisis Response coverage for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 for the total amount of $2,186,866.79 to: Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona (RFB-23-110) (Atty) • Resolution Consent Agenda Motion (Morris/Smith): To adopt the Resolution Consent Agenda as recommended. Bushong displayed the following title: Resolution R2026-034 A resolution of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, authorizing and approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Yuma and Yuma Union High School District No. 70, to provide a School Resource Officer on participating school grounds to contribute to a safe environment conducive to teaching and learning (For a three-year term commencing upon the date of approval by City Council and the District and ending June 30, 2029.) (YPD) Roll call vote: adopted 7-0. • Adoption of Ordinances Consent Agenda Motion (Smith/McClendon): To adopt the Ordinances Consent Agenda as recommended. Bushong displayed the following titles: Ordinance O2026-021 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, fixing compensation and benefits for the office of Presiding Municipal Judge from and after January 1, 2027 (Establish compensation for the next term of the Presiding Municipal Judge based on current judicial salary benchmarks and Yuma City Charter requirements.) (Muni Court) Ordinance O2026-022 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, accepting ownership, jurisdiction, and maintenance responsibilities for the eastbound Interstate 8 frontage road (Gila Ridge Road), from Avenue 4E to Araby Road, as abandoned by the Arizona Department of Transportation (Accept transfer of a roadway segment as required under the AZ SMART program agreement for the Yuma Multi-Modal Transportation Center project.) (Eng) Roll call vote: adopted 7-0. • Announcements and Scheduling Announcements Smith, Watts, and Mayor Nicholls reported on events and meetings they have attended during the last two weeks and upcoming events of note. Watts requested future agenda items regarding bus shelters and shade trees. ____________ Scheduling Motion (Smith/McClendon): To cancel the City Council Worksession and Council Meeting scheduled for August 18th and 19th, 2026, respectively, so that City Council may attend the League Annual Conference in Phoenix. Voice vote: approved 7-0. • Summary of current Events Simonton reported the following events: • July 1 – Start of new Fiscal Year • July 1 – Launch of the new Alley Maintenance Program • July 17-18 – Infinite Imagination Youth Theater: 9 to 5 Jr. at the Yuma Art Center • Call to the Public Taylor Winner, City resident, expressed concerns about the potential impacts of AI data centers on Yuma’s water supply, agriculture, and long-term sustainability, and urged careful consideration before approving such projects. Gene Dalbey, City resident, thanked the City for its accessibility and transparency, commended the City’s progress on bicycle infrastructure, and expressed support for continued quality-of-life improvements throughout Yuma. Carlos Adams, City resident, spoke regarding affordability, water resources, economic opportunity, and government transparency, and encouraged the City to prioritize projects that benefit residents and protect taxpayers. John Dixon, City resident, raised concerns about a proposed swap meet near his neighborhood, citing potential impacts on property values and nearby retirement communities, and suggested an alternative location for the project. • Executive Session/Adjournment Motion (Morales/Smith): To adjourn the meeting to Executive Session. Voice vote: approved 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. ________________________ Janet L. Pierson, City Clerk APPROVED: ________________________ Douglas J. Nicholls, Mayor Approved at the City Council Meeting of: ___________________________________ City Clerk: __________________________ Approved at the City Council Meeting of: ___________________________________ City Clerk: __________________________