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MINUTES
WICKENBURG COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, May 18, 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 5:32 PM
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Councilmember Art Rubash
C. INVOCATION - Led by Pastor Vince Barringer, Redeemer Lutheran Church
D. ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor BG Bratcher
Vice Mayor Brian Jones
Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
Councilmember Shawn Clark
Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
Councilmember Art Rubash
Staff Present:
Troy Smith, Town Manager (Via Zoom)
Tarah Mayerhofer, Human Resources Director/Acting Town Manager
Trish Stuhan, Town Attorney
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director
Amy Brown, Town Clerk
Les Brown, Police Chief
Cason Chambers, Public Works Director
Ed Temerowski, Fire Chief
E. MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
• PROCLAMATION – National Public Works Week – May 17-23, 2026
• Councilmember Margaret Nyberg stated that she was very proud of the town’s
response to the fire.
• Councilmember Shawn Clark thanked Chief Temerowski, Chief Brown, Acting
Town Manager Mayerhofer, and Emergency Manager Chief Christofferson for all
their work. He also reported that the evacuation of the elementary school went
very smoothly.
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 2 of 9
• Councilmember Art Rubash stated that Wickenburg was seen at its finest with a
lot of assistance during a tragedy to take care of people in need. The Wickenburg
High School baseball team completed the season well but lost to the number one
undefeated team.
• Vice Mayor Brian Jones stated that he got an up-close view of the fire activities,
and it was great to see how reactive the town was with a moving fire due to
shifting winds. He did wonder who names the fires since it was called the Jones
Fire.
• Councilmember Kristy Bedoian thanked the fire department for keeping the
downtown from burning and everyone pulling together.
• Councilmember Rebecca Rovey thanked the Wickenburg Fire Department and
Weaver Mountain Fire for their work in the safe evacuations.
• Mayor BG Bratcher thanked everyone for their prayers for safety and her heart
goes out to those impacted. She thanked all the organizations in town who have
come together to set up the assistance with information about further help at
wickhosp.com/jonesfirehelp. She congratulated the Wickenburg High School
baseball team on a successful year. She attended the following meetings: Rural
Community meeting in Prescott where she met Representative Eli Crane,
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) meeting with Mayors, Supervisors
and Managers with the Arizona State Land Department, and met with the CEO of
Valley Metro about possible transit service.
F. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
• Acting Town Manager Tarah Mayerhofer announced the Town Manager Troy
Smith is out of the office on a family emergency, but will be back to work
tomorrow.
• Employee Swearing In and Oath of Office – New Fire Engineer Jacob Rudolph
• Todd Wallace – 5 years of service
• Rosa Garcia-Marquez – 15 years of service
• Acting Town Manager Mayerhofer thanked the departments for all their work
during the fire specifically she wanted to mention Fire Chief Ed Temerowski,
Police Chief Les Brown, Emergency Manager Chief Tony Christofferson, Police
Lieutenant Ken Lutkiewicz, and Police Lieutenant Aaron Hadley. She also
thanked the Wickenburg Community Hospital for taking the lead on recovery and
assistance to those who lost their homes. She also thanked the Red Cross, local
churches, schools and many volunteers for all the work. The Spring and Summer
Recreation Program is now available.
G. FINAL CALL for Request to Speak Cards to be turned into the Town Clerk.
H. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
• Sean Lowry, In-Town Resident, would like to see repairs on his road, Mountain
View Road.
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 3 of 9
I. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Action on the Consent Agenda -
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to approve items a and b of the
consent agenda
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to approve items c and d of the
consent agenda
SECONDED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
a. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of
May 4, 2026
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
minutes of May 4, 2026.
b. Consideration and Action on Resolution 2395, Adopting an Annual Policy
Prescribing Procedures for Purchasing from the Mayor and any Member of
the Common Council
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported in her Council routing form that in Town
Code, the Town is allowed to make a single purchase from the Mayor or
Council Member of $300 and a maximum per fiscal year of $1,000. According
to A.R.S. 38-503, the Town may purchase services, supplies, materials and
equipment not exceeding $300 in cost in any single transaction, not to exceed
a total of $1,000 annually, from a member of the governing body if the policy
for such purchases is approved annually. Adoption of Resolution 2395 will
satisfy the requirement that an annual policy be adopted. The only exception
to the maximum amount is if there is a competitive bidding process for the
services.
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve
Resolution 2395, adopting an annual policy prescribing procedures for
purchasing from the Council.
c. Consideration and Action to Authorize the Submission of a Grant Application
to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management for Funding
under the Healthy Forest Initiative (HFI) Grant Program for Fire Prevention
Efforts
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 4 of 9
Kathleen Crutchfield, Grants Administrator, reported in her Council routing
form that the Town of Wickenburg is seeking to apply for funding through the
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Hazardous Fuels
Initiative (HFI) Grant Program. This program supports projects that focus on
fire prevention, protection of critical infrastructure, and forest and watershed
restoration through the reduction of hazardous vegetation. Proposed projects
are encouraged to complement existing or strategically planned fuel
management efforts, including those led by the State of Arizona and the U.S.
Forest Service.
The town’s proposed project will focus on the removal and reduction of
hazardous vegetation in and around the Jack Burden Pond area. This effort is
intended to reduce wildfire risk in a high-use recreational space, protect
nearby infrastructure, and improve overall watershed health. The project
aligns with HFI priorities by targeting an area of elevated risk, supporting
long-term vegetation management, and contributing to broader regional fuel
reduction strategies.
The HFI Grant is a reimbursement-based program and requires a 10% match.
The Town of Wickenburg Fire Department intends to submit a project with an
estimated total budget of $100,000, consisting of $90,000 in grant funding
and a $10,000 local match.
The HFI Grant Program prioritizes projects that address high-risk areas,
demonstrate sustainability, and support Arizona’s vegetation management
and wood product industries. Eligible applicants include fire departments and
districts, government agencies at the state, county, and local level, public
educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities. Projects
may take place on state, private, federal, or tribal lands within Arizona.
Fuel mitigation is a critical tool in reducing the threat of wildfire while also
improving forest health by removing diseased vegetation, invasive species,
and excessive fuel loads. In addition, these efforts enhance watershed
function and support healthier wildlife habitat, providing long-term
environmental and community benefits.
Mayor Bratcher requested this item be pulled for further information. Fire
Chief Temerowski stated that the project cost is estimated to be $100,000 for
work on 23 acres of town property on Jack Burden Road to reduce fire threat.
The town’s 10% match will be in-kind labor and equipment. There will be a
chipper of wood which requires a fire truck on the scene.
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve
authorization for staff to prepare and submit a grant application to the Arizona
Department of Forestry and Fire Management for funding under the Healthy
Forest Initiative (HFI) Grant Program.
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 5 of 9
d. Consideration and Action to Approve the Master Services and Purchasing
Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Police Body Worn Cameras and
Storage
Les Brown, Police Chief reported in his Council routing form that in 2016, the
Wickenburg Police Department entered into a contract with Axon Enterprise,
Inc. to purchase body worn cameras and storage for the first time. In the
original contract, after 3 years, the cameras were replaced as part of the
contract. After the contract expired, a decision was made to enter into an
agreement to pay for video purposes only, and not replace the cameras. The
reason behind this was not only because the cameras were all functioning
properly, and there was a cost associated with replacing them. After 7 years,
the current body cameras are failing and in need of replacement. This
contract will allow the department to replace all of the existing body worn
cameras that are failing with new models, and have them warrantied. The
initial year of the contract will be funded out of RICO seizure funds, and the
remaining through the general fund.
Mayor Bratcher requested this item be pulled for further information. Police
Chief Brown stated that the initial contract was from 2016. The cameras are
now 7 years old and starting to fail. There are 27 cameras total with a
warranty of 5 years. The funding will come from RICO seizure funds and the
remainder from the police budget.
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve entering
into an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to purchase police body worn
cameras and storage and authorize the Town Manager to execute the
agreement.
2. Public Hearing and Action to Approve Ordinance 1249 on an Application by
Premier Maintenance and Landscapes to Rezone Property of 4.29 Acres at 2315
US Highway 93 from R1-87 Single Family Residential to C-3 Major Street
Commercial with the Intent to Operate a Landscaping Yard and Nursery along
with Office Space and Storage
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reported that the Town of
Wickenburg has received an application to rezone a 4.29-acre property from
Rural Residential to Major Street Commercial. The subject site is located just off
the north leg of the roundabout at U.S. Highway 93 and Vulture Mine Road. The
property currently has dual access, with direct connections to both the highway
and the roundabout spur. It is presently developed as an abandoned rock yard
with an existing residential unit.
The adopted Wickenburg General Plan designates this property as Highway
Commercial, and the proposed rezoning is therefore consistent with the town’s
long-term land use vision.
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 6 of 9
The site is bordered by occupied residential properties to the north and vacant
commercially zoned properties to the east and west. The parcel to the east is
currently owned by ADOT and may be utilized in the future for right-of-way
expansion or sold for private development. At this time, public water and
wastewater infrastructure are not available in the immediate area. Development
of the site would require the use of a well and septic system, with the
understanding that connection to public utilities would be required upon future
extension of such services.
The applicant intends to develop the site as a headquarters facility for a local
business, Premier Maintenance and Landscapes. The proposed use includes a
landscape yard with nursery space, display areas, equipment and material
storage, and administrative office space. Updated plans indicate shipping
containers for storage and office functions near the rear of the property to create
a buffer from the neighbors. The development would also include parking areas
to accommodate employees, customers, and operational vehicles.
The proposed operation is anticipated to occur during daylight hours, generally
from dawn to dusk. While no late-night operations are currently planned, the
zoning designation would allow for future flexibility should a different user occupy
the site. The front portion of the property is relatively flat and well-suited for the
proposed use, while the rear portion presents topographic constraints that are
unlikely to be developed due to existing terrain conditions.
The town conducted a neighborhood participation meeting. Property owners
within the notification area have been informed of the request, and the site has
been posted in accordance with public notice requirements. Additionally, ADOT
review and approval will be required for any site improvements affecting access
to U.S. Highway 93.
The Planning and Zoning Commission heard the application on April 28th and
unanimously recommended approval of the request for the commercial rezone.
Public Hearing Opened by Mayor Bratcher at 6:14 PM
Public Hearing Closed at 6:14 PM with no input.
Councilmember Rovey asked if there will be screening from the highway.
Director Boyle stated that the property next to this is proposing to have a 24/7
gas station. He invited the applicant up to answer that question.
Chuey Gonzalez, Premier Landscaping, stated that they did move the location of
the shipping containers to the rear of the property at the request of the neighbors
so they wouldn’t hear the vehicle backing up and the beeping. They plan to put
some gabion baskets at the front as a barrier. They are currently at a one acre
place in Morristown, so this will give them room to grow and they will mostly be
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 7 of 9
storing materials that they will use for the landscape business to be installed at
Wickenburg Ranch.
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to Ordinance 1249 to Rezone
Property at 2315 US Highway 93 from R1-87 Single Family Residential to C-3
Major Street Commercial
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
3. Presentation and Direction to Staff Regarding Submission of a Grant Application
to the Wellik Foundation Grant for Police Grapplers
Councilmember Rovey declared a conflict of interest and left the room.
Les Brown, Police Chief, stated that the Wellik Foundation, a supporting
organization of the Arizona Community Foundation, provides grant funding to
support projects that preserve and enhance the quality of life in the Wickenburg
area. The Town of Wickenburg Police Department is proposing to apply for
$57,161.50 in grant funding to purchase police grappler systems. These systems
are designed to safely and effectively end vehicle pursuits, enhancing officer and
public safety while reducing the risk of injury and property damage. The town is
located at the crossroads of US-60 and US-93 with can mean an increase in the
high-speed, reckless or wrong-way driving incidents. Wickenburg has had the
following high-risk incidents in the past few years:
•
2016: Stolen SUV tied to a home invasion entered Wickenburg at high speed
before being stopped near US 74.
•
2019: Kidnapping suspect pursued nearly to Aguila before the vehicle was
disabled and the suspect apprehended.
•
2023: Homicide suspect pursuit continued 37 miles from Wickenburg to Sun
City, ending after the suspect vehicle struck a wall.
•
2025: Wrong-way driver entered Wickenburg on US 60, requiring Sgt.
LaJeunesse to intercept the vehicle head-on, resulting in injuries and vehicle
damage.
•
Multiple pursuits involving reckless drivers, DUIs, and wrong-way motorists
have occurred over the past two years.
The policy of the Wickenburg Police Department is to initiate a pursuit only when
an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the offender presents a clear and
immediate serious threat to the safety of other motorists or the public which is
ongoing and prior to the pursuit beginning, or the offender has committed or is
committing a violent felony.
Many other agencies in Arizona use this equipment with Phoenix PD and DPS
deploying it often to stop pursuits.
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 8 of 9
The total cost is below:
Mayor Bratcher asked if it included installation. Police Chief Brown wasn’t
positive, but it just bolts the frame of the vehicle as it is able to be transferred to
another vehicle in the future.
4. Consideration and Action on Resolution No. 2394, Adopting the Fiscal Year
2026-27 Consolidated Fee Schedule for Town Services and Use of Town
Facilities
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported that this is the annual approval of the
consolidated fee schedule. This came to the Council in March with the requested
changes and have been posted on the town website for the required 60-days.
This is the final approval of the fee schedule. There were a few changes from
Public Works to reduce a few fees. If approved, the new fees become effective
June 17, 2026.
Cason Chambers, Public Works Director, reported that Resolution 2373,
approved June 2, 2025, increased sanitation fees effective July 1, 2025, and
included an automatic increase on July 1, 2026. This resolution was passed prior
to the transition to Waste Management. Staff recommends not increasing the
sanitation rates by $1 effective July 1, 2026, which are currently in the fee
schedule. In addition, commercial front-load sanitation containers are reduced
based on new Waste Management fees.
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to approve Resolution 2394
adopting the 2026-27 consolidated fee schedule
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
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.)
K. SCHEDULING OF FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS - None
Town Council Minutes of May 18, 2026
Page 9 of 9
L. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg to adjourn at approximately 6:32 PM
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Bedoian,
Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, 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 May 18,
2026. I further certify the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was
present.
Amy Brown, MMC
Town Clerk