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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 April 15, 2026 5:30 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Nicholls called the City Council meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Invocation/Pledge Pastor Tom McConkey of Liberty Baptist Church gave the invocation. Alyssa Linville, Director of Community Development, 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 Director of Community Development: Alyssa Linville Various Department Heads or their representative City Attorney, Richard W. Files Acting City Clerk, Janet L. Pierson Presentations National Library Week Proclamation Mayor Nicholls presented a proclamation for National Library Week, April 19-25, 2026, to Sarah Wisdom, Deputy Director of the Yuma County Library District, and encouraged all residents to visit their local library and explore its resources. School Government Week Proclamation Mayor Nicholls read a proclamation proclaiming the month of April 2026 as National Student Government Month and encouraged residents to recognize and celebrate the achievements of student council members and their advisors and to support the continued involvement of students in leadership and civic engagement. Mayor Nicholls recessed the City Council meeting from 5:40 p.m. to 5:54 p.m. to allow for a photo opportunity with students attending the meeting. ____________ • Motion Consent Agenda Motion Consent Item C.7 – Request for Qualifications Award: Residential Standard Plans Development (Authorize a professional services contract for the development of Residential Standard Plans, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes, for a total cost of $150,260.00 to Thompson Design, Yuma, Arizona) (RFQ-26-203) (DCD/Purch) Morris declared a conflict of interest on Motion Consent Agenda Item C.7 and left the dais. Discussion • This Request for Qualifications is in response to Senate Bill 1529, which requires jurisdictions to offer standard plans for accessory dwelling units, single family homes, duplexes and triplexes. The first set of plans must be available by July 1, 2026. The purpose is to improve housing affordability by offering ready‑to‑use plans to homeowners, reducing design costs. The City will charge a minimal fee of about $50 for use of the plans, which will also cover the permit fee. (Smith/Linville) • Residents do not have to use these plans for their development. The plans are a template to expedite the process and be cost effective. (Morales/Linville) Motion (Morales/Smith): To approve Motion Consent Agenda Item C.7 as recommended. Voice vote: approved 6-0-1, Morris abstaining due to conflict of interest. Morris returned to the dais. ____________ Motion (Smith/Watts): To approve the Motion Consent Agenda as presented, with the exception of item C. 7, which was approved through a previous vote. Voice vote: approved 7-0. A. Approval of minutes of the following City Council meeting(s): Regular Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 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 • Authorize the purchase of two ambulances utilizing the cooperative purchase agreement issued by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) for an estimated amount of $745,392.23 (including tax) to Republic EVS, Huntington Beach, California. (CPA-26-278) (Atty/Purch) • Authorize the purchase of one 100’ rear mounted platform, utilizing the Cooperative Contract Purchase Agreement originating from the Houston-Galveston Area Council, at the cost of $2,414,065.39, to Hughes Fire Equipment, Inc., Appleton, Wisconsin. (CPA-26-280) (YFD/Purch) • Authorize a contract increase to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the State of Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the construction of the Shared-Use Pathway East Wetland Park to Pacific Avenue Project. (Eng) • Authorize an engineering design services contract for Pavement Replacement on 40th Street from Arizona Avenue to Avenue A utilizing the Professional Engineering Services On-Call contract at and expenditure of $168,275.00 to Nicklaus Engineering Inc., Yuma Arizona. (RFQ-26-110) (Eng/Purch) • Authorize a contract increase to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the State of Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the design and construction of the Bus Pull-Outs on Avenue A at 16th Street. (Eng) • Ratify and approve the purchase of HigherGround recording hardware, software, and maintenance service from vendor Commercial Electronics Corporation, San Antonio, Texas and authorize utilization of a Cooperative Purchase Agreement, for a combined expenditure of $128,514.18. (CPA-26-270) (IT/Purch) • Pulled for separate consideration; see above. • Resolution Consent Agenda Motion (McClendon/Morris): To adopt the Resolution Consent Agenda as recommended. Pierson displayed the following title(s): Resolution R2026-014 A resolution of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, authorizing and Intergovernmental Agreement with Yuma Elementary School District One for the installation and maintenance of speed beacons (located at the 24th Street corridor between College Avenue and 9E Avenue and at the 6E Avenue corridor between 44th Street and 46th Street) (Eng) Roll call vote: adopted 7-0. • Adoption of Ordinances Consent Agenda Motion (Morris/Morales): To adopt the Ordinances Consent Agenda as recommended. Pierson displayed the following title(s): Ordinance O2026-013 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, amending Chapter 154 of the Yuma City Code rezoning certain property located in the Residence Manufactured Housing (R-MH-20) District to the Medium Density Residential (R-2) District, and amending the zoning map to conform with the rezoning (rezone approximately 2.42 acres for the property located at 2080 W. 27th Street) (Cmty Dev/Cmty Plng) Roll call vote: adopted 7-0. • Introduction of Ordinances Pierson displayed the following title(s): Ordinance O2026-014 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, amending Chapter 154 of the Yuma City Code, rezoning certain property located in the Agriculture/Airport Overlay (AG/AD) District to the Suburban Ranch/Airport Overlay (SR-1/AD) District and Low Density Residential/Airport Overlay (R-1-12/AD) District, and amending the zoning map to conform with the rezoning (rezone approximately 36.24 acres located at the northeast corner of 40th Street and Avenue 5½ E) (Cmty Dev/Cmty Plng) • Announcements and Scheduling Smith, Morris, Watts, Morales, McClendon, Martinez, and Mayor Nicholls reported on the following meetings attended and upcoming events: • City of Yuma Strategic Planning Retreat • Good Morning Yuma • Public Safety Evidence Storage Facility Ribbon Cutting • Neighborhood Leadership Academy Graduation • Strong Beginnings Walk for Autism • Woman for Wellness Event by Onvida • Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) Audit Sub Meeting • Annual Budget Meeting with the Finance Department • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC) Data Center Seminar • Church of the City Kids Academy Ribbon Cutting • Greater Yuma Marketing Campaign Meeting • GYEDC and Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) Presentation • Anti-Drug Coalition Meeting • Taiwanese Delegation Dinner • Athena Award Celebration • JT Bros. Restaurant Ribbon Cutting • Victims’ Rights Committee Meeting • Yuma Compassion Advocacy Resources Education Support (CARES) Meeting • Virtual Arizona Space Commission Meeting • The Army Ball ____________ Scheduling - McClendon requested an update within the next month on department use of the Click and Fix system, including case activity and overall workflow. Simonton said the update can be done but asked to first work through the upcoming budget items in May and asked to present it in June. Mayor Nicholls agreed. Summary of Current events Simonton reported the following events: • April 18, 2026 - Children’s Festival of the Arts • April 18, 2026 – Yuma Salutes America’s 250 – A Star Spangled Celebration • April 25, 2026 – Yuma Police Department Autism Awareness Event • Call to the Public Lucas Stancu, City resident, expressed opposition to data center development, thanked the Council for transparency and engagement with community advocates, raised concerns about citizen presentation opportunities, and cited research showing shifting data center trends and limited AI investment returns. Ronald Van Why, City resident, thanked the Council for its hospitality during their retreat, stressed the importance of focusing on community needs and clear communication with the public, as well as exploration of interim options to improve fire and emergency response ahead of the 2030 timeline. Carlos Adams, City resident, stated that residents have ongoing concerns regarding transparency and requested earlier public input on major developments; presented a transparency initiative and welcomed Council action but also stated he is prepared to pursue a voter petition if needed. Mike Shelton, City resident, thanked the Council and highlighted the lasting impact of youth programs. He voiced support for current initiatives and encouraged continuing efforts that create positive experiences. Mary Ellen Finch, Community Liaison Officer at Marine Corps. Air Station – Yuma, gave farewell remarks before retirement, introduced her successor Antonio Martinez, and thanked City staff for their support and collaboration. Antonio Martinez incoming MCAS Yuma Community Liaison Officer, introduced himself, noting his long ties to the Yuma and Marine Corps community. He expressed appreciation to the Council and committed to continuing strong collaboration on upcoming issues and alternatives. • Executive Session Motion (Morales/Smith): To adjourn the meeting to Executive Session. Voice vote: approved 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m. ________________________ Janet L. Pierson, Acting City Clerk APPROVED: ________________________ Douglas J. Nicholls, Mayor Approved at the City Council Meeting of: ___________________________________ Acting City Clerk: ____________________ Approved at the City Council Meeting of: ___________________________________ Acting City Clerk: ____________________