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MINUTES
WICKENBURG COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - 5:30 P.M.
155 N. TEGNER - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390
A. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Bratcher called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor BG Bratcher
C. INVOCATION - Led by Cynthia Clark, Wickenburg Seventh-day Adventist
D. ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor BG Bratcher
Vice Mayor Brian Jones
Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
Councilmember Art Rubash
Absent:
Councilmember Shawn Clark
Staff Present:
Troy Smith, Town Manager
Michelle Stinson, Town Attorney
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director
Amy Brown, Town Clerk
Les Brown, Police Chief
Cason Chambers, Public Works Director
Robert Martinez, Finance Director
Tarah Mayerhofer, Human Resources Director
Ed Temerowski, Fire Chief
E. MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
• Councilmember Rebecca Rovey thanked the police department for all they do
with the Cops Who Care. She attended the State of the State put on by
WESTMARC.
• Councilmember Margaret Nyberg congratulated Councilmember Rubash for
being awarded the Jack Burden Award by the Chamber of Commerce. She told
people to get out and volunteer in the community if they are looking for
something to do.
• Councilmember Art Rubash stated that it was an honor to be given the award by
the Chamber of Commerce. He also attended the town Christmas party.
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 2 of 12
• Councilmember Kristy Bedoian attended the Economic Development and
Transportation Advisory Committee where they reported that the Airport
Development Advisory Committee had their first meeting. The town has started a
valley-wide marketing campaign to bring people to Wickenburg. This weekend
was very busy in town.
• Mayor BG Bratcher congratulated the finance department and Robert Martinez
for getting the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) budget award.
She attended the Holiday Music Walk and Christmas Tree Lighting, Cops Who
Care Christmas giveaway, Wickenburg Community Services Corporation
(WCSC) Christmas giveaway, Fly-In and Classic Car Show, and Veteran’s Stand
Down. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns has started their weekly
legislative update calls.
• PROCLAMATION - Human and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month - January
2026
F. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
• Town Manager Troy Smith recognized Fire Chief Ed Temerowski for twenty-five
years of service and Police Chief Les Brown for ten years of service.
• Town Manager Troy Smith reported on the Zoning Code that there will be a
public open house on February 4th at 5:30 at the Community Center and the
attorney is finishing the review of the code. There will be study sessions with the
Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council. The court attended the
Veteran’s Stand Down this past weekend to help veterans. The Fly-In and
Classic Car Show was this past weekend and he congratulated Robert Martinez
and the finance department for the GFOA award for the budget. The Town
Academy will start on February 3rd for an overview of the town with 20 already
signed up. There will be a softball tournament on January 31st with Police versus
Fire. Gold Rush Days will start on February 12th.
G. FINAL CALL for Request to Speak Cards to be turned into the Town Clerk.
H. CALL TO THE PUBLIC - None
I. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Action on the Consent Agenda -
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to approve items a, b, c, d, e, and f
of the consent agenda
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
a. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of
December 1, 2025
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 3 of 12
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
minutes of December 1, 2025.
b. Consideration and Action Regarding Appointment of Scott Wilson as an
Alternate on the Community Programming Advisory Committee
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported in her Council routing form that on
December 1, 2025, Council appointed new and reappointed members to the
committees. The only remaining openings included an alternate position on
the Community Programming Committee and two alternate positions on the
Parks and Trails Committee. We had a surplus of applications, so in the email
to anyone who was not selected, the still open positions were presented as
an option for those who want to serve. Scott Wilson submitted an application
to fill the remaining alternate position on the Community Programming
Committee. This will be a two-year seat with the term expiration of December
2027.
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
appointment of Scott Wilson as an alternate on the Community Programming
Advisory Committee.
c. Consideration and Action to Utilize $17,422.40 from the Airport Contingency
Fund to Repair the Airport Fuel Master Management System
Robert Martinez, Finance Director, reported in his Council routing form that
this request will authorize the transfer of $17,422.40 from the
Airport Contingency fund to the appropriate line item for the purchase of
software and installation for the fuel management system.
Staff has purchased and is in the process of installing a new Airport Fuel
Master system. The old system has failed and the Town has not been able to
collect needed data. This condition has led to significant operational
challenges. Since April 2025, the old software hindered the town’s ability to
access essential fueling information, such as purchase records and fuel
reports, which are critical for accurate reporting and efficient airport
operations. The inability to retrieve reliable data can lead to discrepancies in
fuel inventory management and financial reporting, potentially impacting the
revenue generated from fuel sales. To resolve these persistent issues and
ensure the town can maintain normal operations, it was necessary to
purchase and install a new Fuel Master head and updated software, which
will be moved to a cloud-based system. This transition to a cloud-based
program will provide enhanced data access and reporting capabilities,
improve inventory management, and streamline operational processes,
ultimately supporting the airport’s revenue generation.
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 4 of 12
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
transfer of Airport Contingency funds in the amount of $17,422.40 to the line
item for repair to the Airport Fuel Master Management System.
d. Consideration and Action to Transfer $600,000 within the Public Works
Sanitation Budget from Vehicles Capital Outlay to Other Contracted Services
Robert Martinez, Finance Director, reported in his Council routing form that
the FY26 budget allocated $600,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
for the purchase of a new sanitation truck. With the Town contracting
sanitation services with Waste Management (WM), the truck is no longer
needed. The FY26 budget was constructed with the Town operating
sanitation services. Now that the Town is contracting the operation of
sanitation services, revenue will still be received by the Town, but the budget
will need to be realigned to provide for expenditures associated to the
contracted services instead of the operation. This transfer creates the funding
mechanism to meet the Town's contractual obligation. Depending on billing, a
future transfer may be needed prior to the end of this fiscal year. Staff will
construct the FY27 budget to reflect the contracted services model approved
by the Town Council.
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
transfer of $600,000 within the Public Works Sanitation budget from Vehicles
Capital Outlay to Other Contracted Services.
e. Consideration and Action to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with
Interim Public Management, LLC (IPM)
Robert Martinez, Finance Director, reported in his Council routing form that
within the context of the town's governance structure, authorized as a
Council-Manager form of government, under title 9 of the Arizona Revised
Statutes and the Arizona Constitution, the Town Manager is the "appointing
authority" for all town personnel, except the Town Attorney and the Magistrate
Court. As such, the Town Manager has broad authority to appoint necessary
human resources, within the Council's adopted budget, to accomplish the
Council's goals and objectives. This renewal of a professional services
agreement with Interim Public Management (IPM) is for staff augmentation,
as needed from time to time, to fill vacancies and/or special project related
assistance. Once this agreement is in place, the Town Manager can engage
IPM for services, on an as-needed basis, and within the context of the Town
Council approved personnel budget.
A recent example of an engagement of temporary services involved the need
for specialty resources for aviation. The Town Council recently directed the
Town Manager to work with a firm it selected following an RFP process, to
consider master development options at Wickenburg Airport. The town does
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 5 of 12
not have staff who specialize in Airport Development. As a result, the Town
Manager engaged Interim Public Management to retain part-time work from
Mr. Rod Bucanan, who has special skills and experience to assist the town in
this process.
This agreement and other possible future human resource acquisitions give
the Town Manager the flexibility to manage the work of the town in a cost-
effective and efficient manner, within the confines of the Town Council's
annual adopted budget.
The changes from the existing agreement to the new agreement can be found
in paragraph #1 in the attached proposed contract.
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve a
professional services agreement with Interim Public Management, LLC.
f. Consideration and Action to Approve a Contract with Loenbro LLC for the
Adam/Santa Cruz Waterline Improvement Project Bid 25-04 in the amount of
$1,381,606
Cason Chambes, Public Works Director, reported in his Council routing form
that The Adams/Santa Cruz Waterline Project is a critical initiative under the
Town of Wickenburg’s Water Master Plan, addressing aging infrastructure
within the community. Portions of the existing water and sewer lines are
nearing the end of their service life, necessitating timely upgrades to ensure
continued service reliability.
•
Scope of Work:
o Installation of 8-inch ductile iron water mains and a 6-inch sewer line.
o Replacement of approximately 1,100 feet of waterline and a section of
6-inch VCP sewer with SDR PVC pipe.
o Upgrades will occur along Adams Street and Santa Cruz Street.
o Additional improvements include the replacement of fire hydrants,
pavement resurfacing, and installation of ADA-compliant sidewalk
ramps.
•
Budget: The project is budgeted at $1.735 million.
•
Funding Sources: CDBG, WIFA, and Water 1 funds.
Bid Information
•
Bid Opening: December 10, 2025.
•
Lowest Responsible Bidder: Loenbro LLC, with a bid of $1,381,606.
By a 6-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve a
contract with Loenbro LLC for the Adams/Santa Cruz Waterline Project in the
amount of $1,381,606.
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 6 of 12
2. Consideration and Possible Action Regarding the Funding Request from
Wickenburg Area Habitat for Humanity
Robert Martinez, Finance Director, reported that in August 2025, the Town
Council approved Ordinance No. 1243, establishing procedures for the allocation
of public funds to non-profit organizations. The ordinance requires that each
organization submit a written request specifying the amount requested, the
intended use of funds, the public purpose served, and the benefit to the town.
Town staff must review each request for compliance and schedule eligible
applications for Council consideration at a public meeting. If approved, the non-
profit must enter into an agreement requiring the funds be used only for the
approved purpose, submit quarterly reports, allow audit access, and return funds
if the terms are violated.
Town staff has reviewed the current request for $25,000 and determined that it
complies with the minimum standards of Ordinance No. 1243. The Wickenburg
Area Habitat for Humanity has submitted an application requesting funding for
their program. The funding request would support funding to be used for
construction and repairs on residents’ homes. There are no funds budgeted in
the FY26 budget for this event. If the Council authorizes funding, the expense will
have to be funded from general fund contingency.
Councilmember Bedoian would prefer that these requests come at budget time
and would like to hear about the revenues since they have been down before
spending contingency funds.
Councilmember Nyberg agreed with Councilmember Bedoian about coming at
budget time and thought that Habitat should work with AllThrive365 to apply for
grants to help the residents of Wickenburg.
Mayor Bratcher would like to have a study session where there is discussion on
funding put in the budget for non-profits with a limit on the amount. She would
also like to look at the other funds that go to non-profits and review them all
during the budget.
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to deny the funding request from the
Wickenburg Area Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $25,000
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
3. Presentation Regarding a Quarterly Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update
Troy Smith, Town Manager, reported on the following update to the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2025-26.
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 7 of 12
• Wishing Well Park Restroom Reconstruction – Due to a vehicle striking the
restroom, the building had to have the wall reconstructed.
• Constellation Road – The town completed the one mile of repaving of the
roadway on September 19th with the project under the budgeted $1.2 million.
• Lewis Addition Roads – The improvements to these roads were completed on
December 3rd and under the budgeted about of $200,000.
• Bass Road Retention Wall – This project was due to rocks coming onto the
sidewalk and road leading up to the Cobblestone Hotel.
• Coffinger Park Improvements – The improvement to the field include replaced
infield mix, replaced sprinkler heads, successful overseed, and continuing to
reduce the gopher population. In the restrooms, they painted the block walls,
epoxied the floors, added a block wall, and new LED lights
• Coffinger Park Ball Field Renovations – This project is budgeted at $125,000
with covered dugouts and expanding the backstop fencing to begin February,
enhance/replace field lighting that was completed in October, irrigation
updated was also completed in October, the gopher issue has been
minimized, and they added infield mix and new base pegs.
• Swimming Pool Improvements Last Year – The town resurfaced the entire
pool, replaced the majority of the pool equipment and refurbished the pool
slide.
• Swimming Pool Improvements This Fiscal Year – The town is taking out the
grass and replacing with more decking and shade structures. The town is also
working to put in a pool heater, but the estimates to extend the gas line have
been higher than the entire budgeted amount of $142,000, so this might have
to come back to the Council.
• Community Center – The planned scope of the project will depend on the
costs and the funding available. Below are the improvements the Council
recommended:
• Replace the trusses in the Great Hall with rustic wood
• Remove the stage to create a new banquet room
• Add a partition at the stage area, but not the existing banquet room
• Upgrade the conference room
• Enclose and renovate the patio area
• Create lobbies at the main and southeast entrance
• Update the kitchen (lean toward commercial)
• Eliminate the drive-under entrance
• Current Budget - $1,800,000 for FY26, $3.5 M planned for FY 27
• Estimated Project Schedule
✓ 12/1 – 1/26
Phase 1 Design Development (60%)
✓ 2/26 – 4/26
Phase 2 Construction Documents (100%)
✓ 4/26
Prepare and Approve Construction Contract (GMP)
✓ 5/26 – 6/26
Caliente Issues Subcontractor Contracts and
Mobilizes
✓ 7/26 – 3/27
Demolition & Construction
✓ 4/27
Project Complete
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 8 of 12
• Airport Development – On September 15, 2025 the Council selected Volare
as a development partner and instructed staff to create an airport committee
to get public feedback. The Airport Development Advisory Committee had its
first meeting on January 13, 2026. In addition, staff is working on the renewal
of lease agreements.
• Airport Taxi Lane Project – On November 3, 2025 the Council approved an
increase in the budget for this project by $73,060 so this is waiting for the
construction to begin.
• Rodeo Grounds Parking and Road Upgrades – The town had a budget of
$48,000 but with the help of much of the work being completed by the
Community Rodeo Association of Wickenburg (CRAW), the parking lots have
been expanded and leveled, there is a new access road with addition 70,000
square feet of parking and there are plans for a future barn, stall and picnic
area. The growth of this facility is dependent on the extension of town water
and wastewater.
• Rodeo Grounds Lighting – There was a budget of $25,000 with LED light
being installed in the parking lot in November and other LED lights being
installed this week.
• Adams/Santa Cruz Waterline – Council approved tonight the contract with
Loenbro to replace approximately 1,100 feet of waterline, repave the road,
upgrade the seven ADA ramps, and sidewalk and curb repair. The budgeted
amount if $1.735 million with funding from CDBG, WIFA, and water 1 budget
with the bid coming in under the budgeted amount.
• South Wastewater Treatment Plant –
✓ Intensification 2.9M Project
o $1.4 M WIFA, $900,000 ARPA and Wastewater $1,600K
o Plans at 95%
o Potential start date in February
✓ UV Disinfection
o $800K Wastewater 1
o 95% Design
o Spring Start Date
✓ Grit Chamber/Headworks
o $2.4M WIFA
o 95% Design
o Potential start date in February
• Sunset Park – The town budgeted for the design of the addition of a new
baseball field and the new park but this project is waiting for review of town
revenues before proceeding with the design. The new park is planned to have
3 multi-purpose fields, restrooms, food truck lot with electrical, dog park, one
entrance from Hwy 60 and the ability for future expansion.
Town Manager Smith also introduced the new Public Works Director Cason
Chambers who has 12 years of experience in public works, utilities, and
operations, most recently serving as the Public Works Operations
Superintendent for the City of El Mirage. Cason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 9 of 12
Political Science from Idaho State University and a Master of Science in
Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. He is an
APWA Certified Manager of Facilities and Grounds. Cason is married to his wife,
Katie Jo, and they have 4 beautiful children. When not at work, Cason enjoys
serving in his church, playing disc golf, and getting beaten at video games by his
kids.
4. Consideration and Action to Approve Ordinance 1245 for the Regulation of Short-
Term Rentals and Vacation Rentals
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reported that Senate Bill 1168
approved in Arizona that cities and towns can’t prohibit Short-Term Rentals
(STRs) but they can be regulated and require them to have a permit. The Council
reviewed the model ordinance and proposed process in September and
November during study sessions.
Ordinance 1245 aims to preserve neighborhood character and housing stock.
This will ensure responsible operation of STR’s in town to balance tourism
benefits with community livability. This is compatible with state law.
The key regulatory options include the following:
• STR permitting
• Compliance with zoning, safety & nuisance standards
• Owner/emergency contact disclosure
• Neighbor notification of STR use - Single Family Dwelling in zoning is defined
as a building designed for occupancy by one (1) family
• Prohibition of illegal/harmful uses
• Suspension of permits & civil penalties for misuse
The proposed Wickenburg regulations includes the following:
• Annual STR registration fee $250 (separate resolution)
• Permit replace business license
• Fines: starting at $500 for non-compliance
• Licensing: valid TPT + local business licenses required
• Insurance coverage required on property
• Regulations regarding individuals with criminal history
• Owners maintain renter background records (1 year)
There are approximately 80 STRs in Wickenburg that will have a potential
revenue of $17,000 annually to pay for the web-based registration system. The
software that we are considering will keep track of the following items:
• Property identification
• Emergency contact tracking
• Online registration & notifications
• Fee collection & compliance notices
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 10 of 12
• Compliant management
• Liability insurance verification
The Community Development Department will verify the zoning and permit
review including code compliance. The Finance Department will collect the fees
and issue the licenses. The Police Department will deal with the enforcement and
incident response.
If this is approved, the next steps include:
• Allow 30-day cure period for the Ordinance
• Begin implementation of internal programming
• Registration to begin on July 1, 2026
• Cross-department collaboration for rollout
• STR regulations = balance of property rights & neighborhood protection
• Registration ensures accountability
Councilmember Nyberg asked if this would allow people to see where someone
has a rental like this in town as you can lose neighborhoods if there are too many
of these in an area. Director Boyle confirmed that the information will be
available.
Vice Mayor Jones asked if everyone would register their rentals. Director Boyle
stated that the town will send notifications to those that are listed as rentals on
the STR websites such as Vrbo or Airbnb. In addition, there are neighbors that
will look at this and call if there are issues. Code enforcement can get involved if
they don’t register. Town Attorney Stinson reported that in section 9-5-13 there
are penalties if someone doesn’t comply and register. Town Manager Smith
stated that today there are no regulations. This is in alignment with state law. The
town will be able to identify those who are not in compliance. In addition, the
software companies look for those who are not listed.
Mayor Bratcher would like the attorney to look at page 6 for the definition of
single-family residential property under the neighbor notification to define more
carefully because single-family and multi-family are two different things. The idea
is to broaden that definition some.
Vice Mayor Jones doesn’t like government control, but we also need to look at
what is best for the town.
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to approve Ordinance 1245 for
Short-Term Rentals and Vacation Rentals Regulations to include the attorney
approved language to clarify single-family designation in the regulation
SECONDED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 11 of 12
5. Consideration and Action to Approve Ordinance 1246 to Amend the Building
Code to Require 5/8-inch Gypsum Board Separation Between all Garage-
Adjacent Living Spaces
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reported that the current
International Residential Code (IRC) from 2018 allows ½” gypsum board in most
cases. Garages have a higher fire risk and fire can spread quickly into living
areas. The proposed Ordinance 1246 will amend the code to require 5/8”
gypsum board for the walls where the garage is adjacent to habitable spaces.
The reasons the town wants to make this change include the following:
• Improves fire resistance by 30 additional minutes
• Increases evacuation time
• Enhances occupant safety
• Many construct to this standard but not all
• Minor cost increase
• Aligns with proven past code standards
• Improved soundproofing
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones to approve Ordinance 1246 to amend the
building code to require 5/8-inch gypsum board separation between all garage-
adjacent living spaces
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
6. Consideration and Action to Amend the Airport Property Lease Agreement with
Dallas C. Gant, Jr.
Item was discussed in executive session.
7. Consideration and Action to Approve an Airport Property Lease Agreement with
Lenore Grace
Item was discussed in executive session.
8. Consideration and Action to Approve an Airport Property Lease Agreement with
Master Aircraft Services, Inc.
Item was discussed in executive session.
J. EXECUTIVE SESSION - (Council May Vote to Go Into Executive Session Pursuant
to A.R.S §38-431.03(A)(3) to Receive Legal Advice from the Town Attorney on Any
of the Above Agenda Items.)
Town Council Minutes of January 20, 2026
Page 12 of 12
1. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(7) for
discussion or consultation with the Town Attorney regarding the Town's position
regarding lease agreements at the airport. The purpose of the executive session
is to discuss the following agreements: Dallas "Rusty" Gant Airport Hangar
Lease, John/Lenore Grace Airport Hangar Lease, and Master Aircraft Services
Airport Hangar Lease.
Councilmember Rovey declared a conflict of interest and didn’t participate in the
executive session.
MOVED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg to adjourn into executive session
at approximately 6:38 PM
SECONDED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones
VOTE: 5 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Nyberg, and Rubash)
Council reconvened the meeting at 7:17 PM.
K. SCHEDULING OF FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS - None
L. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to adjourn at approximately 7:18 PM
SECONDED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones
VOTE: 5 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Bedoian,
Nyberg, and Rubash)
BG Bratcher, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy Brown, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
I, Amy Brown, the duly appointed and qualified Town Clerk of the Town of Wickenburg,
do hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes
of the regular meeting of the Town Council of Wickenburg, Arizona held on January 20,
2026. I further certify the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was
present.
Amy Brown, MMC
Town Clerk