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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 December 3, 2025 5:30 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Nicholls called the City Council meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Invocation/Pledge John D. Kempton, President of the Yuma Arizona Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the invocation. Jen Miller, Communications 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 representative City Attorney, Richard W. Files City Clerk, Lynda L. Bushong Caballeros de Yuma Annual Update Clint Osborne, President of the Caballeros de Yuma (Caballeros), presented the Caballeros Annual Update as follows: • Overview • The Caballeros were founded in 1962 by dedicated community and business leaders who wanted to promote and celebrate the Yuma region. • The organization’s mission is to foster and promote Yuma, sponsor events that elevate and publicize the community, and work in every way to make Yuma a better place to live. • The group has a long-standing legacy, with some members serving for more than 50 years and remaining actively involved today. • Its primary focus areas include youth development, community enhancement, and serving as ambassadors for the city and county of Yuma. • Key Partnerships • The Caballeros maintain strong partnerships with the City of Yuma and Yuma County, which are essential to the success of their events. • They receive support from multiple City departments, including Parks and Recreation, the Yuma Police Department, the Yuma Fire Department, and Public Works. • These collaborations ensure that events are well-coordinated and impactful for the community. • Signature Events • The Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony is held annually at Yuma Armed Forces Park and honors local military heroes. It often features keynote speakers from Marine Corps Air Station - Yuma and Yuma Proving Grounds, highlighting Yuma’s strong military ties. • The Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival is a beloved family tradition that recently welcomed 30 hot air balloons at its new venue, the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex. This event also generates charitable support for local nonprofits such as the Salvation Army and Crossroads Mission. • The Ken and Betty Borland Tower Lighting and Holiday Pageant has been a tradition for over 40 years. It kicks off the holiday season and benefits the Yuma Community Food Bank, collecting between 1,500 and 2,500 pounds of food annually. • The Yuma Territorial Marathon and Half Marathon is a Boston Marathon-qualifying race that attracts nearly 500 participants each year. It raises between $3,000 and $4,000 annually for local groups that assist during the event. • The Bull of the Desert Strongman Competition showcases athletic strength through challenges such as vehicle pulls and Atlas Stones. It is sanctioned by USA Strongman, allowing winners to qualify for national competitions. • Midnight at the Oasis is one of the premier classic car shows in the Southwest, featuring over 950 cars and drawing 30,000 to 50,000 spectators. It generates significant tourism revenue and distributes more than $75,000 annually to local nonprofits. • Scholarship Program • The Caballeros de Yuma are deeply committed to education and award between $20,000 and $40,000 annually in scholarships to local students. • These include Presidential Memorial Scholarships and continuing education awards for students attending Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona Western College. • In recent years, the organization awarded a $10,000 Presidential Award to the highest-scoring applicant. • Community Impact • In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Caballeros donated $112,410 to nonprofits and scholarship programs. • Since its founding in 1962, the organization has contributed over $4.2 million to local causes. • Additionally, they have invested approximately $500,000 in City facility improvements to ensure Yuma continues to thrive for future generations. • Their events also generate significant economic activity through tourism, nonprofit fundraising, volunteer hours, and local business engagement • Commitment to Safety • The Caballeros prioritize safety by implementing enhanced security plans in coordination with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical providers. • Their goal is to maintain a safe and secure environment for all attendees, vendors, volunteers, and staff at every event. Osborne concluded his presentation by expressing heartfelt appreciation to the City of Yuma, the City Council, and all supporting departments for their partnership over the past six decades. The Caballeros remain committed to continuing this collaboration and serving the community for many years to come. • 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 meetings: Regular Council Meeting September 17, 2025 Regular Council Worksession November 4, 2025 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 rental of an Automated Collection Side Loader Solid Waste Truck utilizing the cooperative purchase agreement originated by Sourcewell, at an estimated annual expenditure of $82,800.00 with an option to renew the rental for up to seven additional years to Haaker-Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona. (CPA-26-175) (Pub Wks) • Approve an Infrastructure and Services Report for Annexation Area No. ANEX-44331-2025, identified as the Cha Cha, LLC Annexation, located west of the southwest corner of 40th Street and Avenue 4½E. (ANEX-44331-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) • Adoption of Ordinances Consent Agenda Ordinance O2025-047 – Rezoning of Property: 1731 S. Madison Avenue (rezone approximately 0.15 acres from the Light Industrial/Infill Overlay District to the Low Density Residential/Infill Overlay District) (ZONE-44389-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) Morris declared a conflict of interest on Ordinance O2025-047 as his firm is involved in the design work for the project and left the dais. Motion (Smith/McClendon): To adopt Ordinance O2025-047. Bushong displayed the following title: Ordinance O2025-047 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 Light Industrial/Infill Overlay (L-I/IO) District to the Low Density Residential/Infill Overlay (R-1-6/IO) District, and amending the zoning map to conform with the rezoning (rezone approximately 0.15 acres located at 1731 S. Madison Avenue) (ZONE-44389-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) Roll call vote: adopted 6-0-1, Morris abstaining due to conflict of interest. Morris returned to the dais. ____________ Motion (Morales/Smith): To adopt the Ordinances Consent Agenda as recommended. Bushong displayed the following titles: Ordinance O2025-048 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 General Commercial (B-2) District to the High Density Residential/Aesthetic Overlay (R-3/AO) District, and amending the zoning map to conform with the rezoning (rezone approximately 6.65 acres located at 3064 and 3116 S. Avenue B) (ZONE-44333-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) Roll call vote: adopted 7-0. • Introduction of Ordinances Ordinance O2025-050 – Annexation Area No. ANEX-44331-2025 Cha Cha, LLC (annex four parcels of property located west of the southwest corner of 40th Street and Avenue 4½E) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) Motion (Smith/McClendon): To continue Ordinance O2025-050 to the Regular City Council Meeting of December 17, 2025, to allow for annexation petitions to be submitted. Voice vote: approved 7-0. ____________ Bushong displayed the following titles: Ordinance O2025-049 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, declaring certain City-owned real property, hereafter described, surplus for City use, and authorizing the sale of the surplus property through a competitive process (declare six parcels of property located in the Pivot Point Yuma Subdivision surplus and authorize sale utilizing a project-based request for proposal or other competitive process) (Comm Dev/Econ Dev) Ordinance O2025-051 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, amending Chapter 154 of the Yuma City Code to comply with state statute with respect to administrative design review and approval and allow Design and Historic Review Commissioners to participate by voice or video; and declaring an emergency (transfers design review authority in the Aesthetic Overlay District from the Design and Historic Review Commission to the Zoning Administrator as required by House Bill 2447) (ZONE-44497-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) Ordinance O2025-052 An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yuma, Arizona, amending Chapter 153 and Chapter 154 of the Yuma City Code to comply with state statute relating to municipal administrative reviews; and declaring an emergency (transfers review authority for preliminary plats, final plats, and plat amendments from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council to the Department of Community Development as required by House Bill 2447) (ZONE-44496-2025) (Comm Dev/Comm Plng) • Public Hearing and Related Items Resolution R2025-100 – Minor General Plan Amendment: Southwest Corner of 17th Street and Madison Avenue (amend the City of Yuma General Plan to change the land use designation for approximately 0.48 acres from Mixed Use to High Density Residential) Morris declared a conflict of interest on Resolution R2025-100 as his firm is involved in the project and left the dais. Motion (Morales/Watts): To continue the public hearing for Resolution R2025-100 to the Regular City Council Meeting of February 18, 2026, to allow for the development agreement to be executed. Voice vote: approved 6-0-1, Morris abstaining due to conflict of interest. Morris returned to the dais. • Announcements and Scheduling Announcements Morales, Smith, Martinez, and Mayor Nicholls reported on the following meetings attended and upcoming events: • Binational Aerospace Summit • Quilts of Valor Ceremony at the Armed Forces Park • Clean and Beautiful Commission Meeting • Yuma Way Star Awards Review Committee • Candlelight Vigil for Challistia Colelay at the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge • Ribbon Cutting at Yuma County Administration Building • Meeting on Riverfront Cleanup Initiative • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation Luncheon • Bushmaster Memorial ____________ Scheduling – No meetings were scheduled at this time. • Summary of current Events Simonton reported the following events: • December 6th – Downtown Christmas • December 13th – Arroyo Dunes Par 3 Golf Course Ribbon Cutting • Concrete replacement will begin at Kennedy Skate Park next week, and the skate park is expected to reopen in April 2026. • Call to the Public There were no speakers at this time. • Executive Session/Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Nicholls adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m. No Executive Session was held. ________________________ Lynda L. Bushong, 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: __________________________