City Council annexes car lot
Desert Hills FD objects to move

The Lake Havasu City Council voted Tuesday to approve the annexation of Copper Canyon Nissan, a move that according to Desert Hills Fire Department Chief Matthew Espinoza could place his fire department’s budget in future jeopardy.

Espinoza said his department would suffer from a loss of tax revenues from the car dealership. Espinoza told the council Desert Hills Fire Department relies heavily on tax revenues to provide its services, some of which go to help Lake Havasu City.

Council also decided Tuesday it would consider a course of action that could ultimately establish a Code of Ethics or conduct for the council.

Council directed City Manager Richard Kaffenberger to investigate other cities’ and municipalities’ codes of conduct.

Vice-Mayor Dennis Schilling, who proposed establishing codes of conduct, said Tuesday he felt now was the time to enact such a measure with new members coming aboard in November. Schilling said his reasoning for the proposal was due to public complaints.

The measure received a great deal of support from the public.

Resident Chuck Vaughn, who regularly attends the council meetings, told the council at previous meetings he had heard language and topics he felt were inappropriate.

Resident Chuck Fine supported the concept, stating he believes it is something that will give concert to future candidates as to what a council seat exactly entails, in terms of what they should expect as council members.

Grace Ann Jacobs, owner of Grace Arts Live, stated she feels an ethics or conduct code should go beyond the council chambers for council members.

Jacobs questioned how much influence a city council member has over city departments.

Mayor Mark Nexsen responded to the proposal, stating a code of ethics certainly could not hurt the council, but it would have to be something that was self-enforcing for council members. Nexsen noted an ethics code could be considered for other city municipalities, as well.

With the projection of a new food bank storage area to be built by Christmas, the council decided it would investigate whether the city would reduce or waive the cost of the lease for the Interagency Council of Lake Havasu City.

Food bank director Howard Weiske told the council the bank has been serving more families but having to cut back on the amount of food they are serving because of the lack of storage space. Weiske stated the food bank is in immediate need of space to supply more food for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Finally, the council decided Tuesday not to pursue building a new golf course near Havasu Riviera due to a six-year recovery period for cash flow and the current economy.

You may contact the reporter at twaggoner@havasunews.com.