Printable Version Post a Comment Article Rating

City Council to consider “Plan B” for Windsor Beach in executive session Tuesday

By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Today’s News-Herald
Today's News-Herald
Published Thursday, February 4, 2010 7:08 AM MST

Following discussions with Arizona State Parks officials, Interim City Manager Charlie Cassens said he’s looking for the City Council to authorize him to negotiate a lease for the Windsor Beach section of Lake Havasu State Park.

Cassens met with State Parks Executive Director Renee Bahl Jan. 27 in a response to Bahl’s invitation to discuss “Plan B” or a proposal that would allow Lake Havasu City to operate and control Windsor Beach in the event the State Parks system cannot support it. The State Parks Board unanimously voted to keep nine parks open, including Lake Havasu State Park last month, despite severe budget cuts.

“I wanted to let (Bahl) know right up front and be very open that the city would very much like to make (Windsor Beach) a municipal park and have it as part of our parks system,” Cassens said. “She reiterated what the State Parks Board authorized and said they would use the revenue of those nine parks to go into the enhancement fund and keep the state park system afloat.”

Cassens said he is in the process of developing the complete “Plan B” proposal to present to the City Council at 4 p.m. Tuesday during executive session at City Council chambers in the police facility.

“I hope to come out of (executive session) with authorization to proceed on the city’s behalf with respect to negotiating a lease for the operation of, not only Windsor Beach, but Contact Point also,” Cassens said. “That would simply give me the opportunity to submit a proposal.”

If the council authorizes the proposal, the State Parks Board would also need to vote for the proposal. Bahl said State Parks is open to receiving all proposals at this time but could not speculate as to the board’s possible decision.

“Mr. Cassens asked if we would look at a proposal if they gave it and I said yes, we would look at any proposal,” Bahl said. “I also let Mr. Cassens know that the state needs Lake Havasu as a state park and that we know the city needs the park for an economic benefit so there are no plans right now with changing that.”

Cassens said he understood State Parks’ position but wanted to submit the proposal in the event the board was forced to close Lake Havasu State Park.

“Obviously Renee Bahl isn’t going to negotiate or enter into any negotiations without the board’s approval, much as I wouldn’t move forward without authorization from our City Council,” Cassens said, adding he has received no indication as to how the State Parks Board might vote. “It’s understandable (Bahl) would be cautious about discussing negotiations without it going to the board first.”

Cassens said he would not discuss details of the proposal until City Council had the opportunity to discuss it and make any possible changes.

“There are a lot of numbers being tossed around and it could go anywhere so I’m not prepared at this point to discuss the details of it,” he said. “I don’t have any reason to believe council will have problems with it but they still need to discuss it.”

Council member Margaret Nyberg said she would like to see the city obtain Windsor Beach.

“I think there are some very good employees working for State Parks right now but I also think we can do a much better job with local control and that it would be a disservice to the residents to not make this proposal,” she said. “I have complete faith in Charlie that he’ll do a good job with (the proposal) and any negotiations.”

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com

Printable Version Post a Comment Article Rating

Article Rating

Comments (8 comment(s))

Had it with Havasu wrote on Feb 11, 2010 9:51 PM:

" The state doesn't want to lose Windsor, but someone who would profit from the change of stewardship would certainly like to make it happen. You know the reasons this is being pursued and it has nothing to do with what is good for the state or the city.

Dig into what happened to Don Bolles 35 years ago. It was all about property out here.

Look at the costly disasters all the buddy deals have caused with our airport. Do you think the same type of things will happen at Windsor? We all should use the airport as an example of how this municipal government can take something profitable and turn it into a massive liability.

Two things... I'd like to buy the airport and do great things with it. The city will get millions and won't have lose millions on salaries and maintenance. As part of the purchase I'll guarantee commercial air service too. Oh wait, that would put a damper on their plans to not renew leases and subsequently take possession of all the hangars people built. If Windsor comes up for lease it should go to private enterprise as well. We can promote and maintain the facility better than any government agency while turning a modest profit. We'll even provide security so the tourists feel safe. "

oldone wrote on Feb 10, 2010 10:59 PM:

" o"really That I will agree with you on How true just like in all businesses the top keep theirs, and the worker takes it in the shorts "

o'really wrote on Feb 10, 2010 9:18 AM:

" Closing parks, rest stops, cutting back on trash collection and laying off public service employees are a way for government administration staff to punish the taxpayers for not giving more money to them.
Instead of cutting administrators, combining duplicated services, or shutting down obsolete programs or just becoming more efficient these guys make the taxpayer really feel it so we dont complain about the next tax increase.
The city take over the beach? I agree with many here and say forget it. Let the state run OUR parks. "

DUSAN wrote on Feb 9, 2010 12:38 PM:

" The city needs to keep its NOSE out of Windsor ! It (the city) cant manage its own parks dept./school dist/streets/sewer/ ETC. If the State closes Windsor so be it,,,Havasu can suffer with the rest of the State,,Has any one seen all the nice brand new barakades closing the rest area on I 40 ? hell they spent more to close it than if it were to stay open another year! "

buck wagner wrote on Feb 6, 2010 11:53 AM:

" Mr. Cassens, what part of NO don’t you understand? Windsor, as one of the largest revenue generators must remain under the control of the State Parks Board if they expect to rebuild the State Parks system at all. Again, what part of NO don’t you understand? You are not wanted, or welcomed at Windsor. How much time, effort and money are you going to going to expend into this hostile takeover before you go away?

Budge cuts, layoffs, tax increases, pay cuts, all part of your failing plan to rebuild the cities troubled economy. In the meantime, you focus so much time, effort and money into trying to forcefully take over a facility that the Executive director herself (Renee Bahl) has told you is not going to happen.

If Windsor falls, there will be no more AZ State Parks. AZ would be the only state in the union without a State Parks system. Why do you feel so compelled to hurry this process along? Are you so consumed with the moneys generated at the gate, you are willing to topple an entire agency to achieve your objective? Cassens, Barlow, Nyberg, and Senator Gould with his bill to FORCE State Parks into leasing the facility to Havasu, you are all bottom feeders, a perfect, shining example of politics and greed. "

denial not a river wrote on Feb 4, 2010 11:12 PM:

" how about the city fix up the shabby landings that Havasu already owns instead of trying to take over and run down the good one?
I mean really, do we want windsor beach to look like site six? "

LosTacos wrote on Feb 4, 2010 11:53 AM:

" Wow I guess even though the city is millions in the hole and laying off people there still trying to $$buy/lease/rent$$ Windsor???

“I also let Mr. Cassens know that the state needs Lake Havasu as a state park and that we know the city needs the park for an economic benefit so there are no plans right now with changing that.” hmmmm That looks like a pretty cut and dry answer? Guess the big C can't take no for an answer? Interesting to say the least... "

! wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:49 AM:

" Why an executive session? "

WRITE A COMMENT

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone and we reserve the right to withhold or remove any comment from publication.

Do not post:
    * Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
    * Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
    * Personal attacks, insults or threats.
    * The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
    * Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in havasunews.com's story comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of Today's News Herald. Today's News Herald provides an interactive computer service and does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Today's News Herald spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!

You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.

Registered users sign in here:

Become a Registered User

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
	(children under 13 cannot register)
*First Name:
*Last Name:
*Zip Code: