OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting: Beverly Apartments Approval and Public Comments on 287G on August 19, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodyMesa, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:12:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Thank you and welcome to our Mesa City Council meeting, August 18th, 2025.

0:05

All our council members are present.

0:07

Mr.

0:07

Adams is participating by Zoom.

0:10

We're gonna start by an invocation by Pastor Michael Haydn from the La Mesa Ministries, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

Pastor, if you come forward and lead us in prayer, and then I'll stand for both.

0:21

Thank you.

0:25

Thank you so much for the honor of uh being here.

0:28

And uh let us pray.

0:30

Uh God, you are gracious and patient, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

0:35

And uh I pray that uh you bring your presence in your heart here in this place.

0:40

Thank you for my brothers and sisters that you've raised up to these positions of leadership.

0:44

I pray that uh you empower them to use their gifts and abilities uh to strengthen and to do what's best for uh your people here in Mesa.

0:52

And uh to that end, I pray that you lead them, you guide them, you guard them and protect them and their uh families as uh they make good, wise decisions for for us here in Mesa.

1:03

And all this we ask in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ.

1:06

Amen.

1:07

Amen.

1:08

Thank you, Pat.

1:09

Join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which of nation hundred hours with liberty and justice for all.

1:27

Thank you, everyone.

1:28

Our first item is the consent agenda.

1:31

Mr.

1:31

Christopher, if you'll come forward, and items uh 9A and B have been removed.

1:36

I'm sure you have that.

1:37

Thank you.

1:40

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

1:42

These are the items on the consent agenda.

1:44

All items listed with an asterisk will be considered as a group by the city council and will be enacted with one motion.

1:49

There'll be no separate discussion unless a council member order season request, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item.

1:57

Item two, approval of minutes of previous meetings is written.

2:00

Item three A, acting on liquor license application for Main Market, 6262 East Main Street.

2:06

Item 3B, acting on liquor license application for Mountain Mike's Pizza, 849 North Dobson Road.

2:11

Item 4A, approving contract for Broadway Road Improvements, Phase 1, Mesa Drive to Staple Drive, construction manager at risk, guaranteed maximum price one of one.

2:19

This project is funded in part by 2023 bonds and the flood control district of Maricopa County funds.

2:25

Item 4B, approving contract for 2nd Avenue Union Pacific Railroad Sewer Rehabilitation, design bid build contract.

2:32

Item 4C, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for traffic signal controllers and video detection for the transportation department.

2:40

Item 4D, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for helicopter airframe parts and repair services for the Mesa Police Department.

2:47

Item 4E, approving use of a cooperative contract with the purchase of one body scanner for the Mesa Police Department.

2:52

This purchase is funded through opioid settlement funds.

2:55

Item 4F, approving use of a cooperative contract for the purchase of a camera system for the Mesa Police Department with Mesa Parks.

3:02

Item 4G, approving use of a one-year term cooperative contract with renewal options for the purchase of office furniture and related services for the business services department.

3:11

Item 4H, approving contract to purchase 78 time terminals by various city departments as requested by the Office of Enterprise Resource Planning Management Department.

3:20

Item 4I, approving tenure contract for data center co-location services for the Department of Innovation and Technology.

3:26

Item 5A, approving resolution to enter into a development agreement with CBDG Mesa for development of a commercial center generally located at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Road and Railroad.

3:36

Item 5B, approving resolution extinguishing a portion of bright of way easement located on the west side of 6550 South Mountain Road to allow for expansion of existing facility.

3:45

Item 6A, approving resolution declaring Mesa City Code Title VIII, Health Sanitation and Environment, Chapter 4.

3:51

Sanitary Sewer Regulations to be a public record.

3:53

Item 6B, introduction of ordinance repealing Mesa City Code, Title VIII, Chapter 4 in its entirety, and adopting a new replacement, Mesa City Code Title Eight, Chapter 4, titled Sanitary Sewer Regulations.

4:05

Item 7A, approving resolution declaring proposed titles and schedules of terms, rates, fees, charges for the natural gas utility transportation gas service schedule to be a public record.

4:14

Item 7B, introduction of ordinance, adopting titles and schedules of terms, rates, fees, charges for natural gas utility transportation gas service schedule.

4:22

And item 8A, introduction of ordinance for zoning case 25-265 for approximately four acres located north of the northwest corner of Broadway Road and South 90th Street.

4:32

Rezone to modify an existing planned area development overlay for a 29-unit multiple residence development.

4:38

Mayor and Council members, these are the items on the consent agenda.

4:40

Thank you, Mr.

4:41

Christopher.

4:43

Miss Mosley, are there any other blue cards to remove anything off the consent agenda?

4:48

Uh not on the consent agenda.

4:50

Okay, thank you.

4:51

I'll entertain a motion to approve.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████30%
Affordable Housing████████████████████20%
Transportation Safety█████████████████17%
Immigration Policy███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Parking Management███████7%
Housing██2%
Economic Development██2%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting: August 19, 2025

The Mesa City Council met on August 19, 2025, to consider a consent agenda, a public hearing on the proposed Beverly Apartments development, an annexation hearing, and public comments on the 287G agreement with ICE. The council approved the consent agenda unanimously and approved the Beverly Apartments project on a 5-2 vote after extensive discussion about density, traffic, and neighborhood concerns. Public comments focused on opposition to the 287G agreement and overdevelopment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved all items on the consent agenda by a unanimous vote, including: approval of previous meeting minutes; liquor license applications for Main Market and Mountain Mike's Pizza; contracts for Broadway Road Improvements Phase 1, 2nd Avenue Union Pacific Railroad Sewer Rehabilitation, traffic signal controllers, helicopter airframe parts, body scanner (funded by opioid settlement funds), camera system, office furniture, time terminals, and data center co-location services; resolutions for a development agreement with CBDG Mesa, extinguishing an easement, declaring sanitary sewer regulations a public record, and declaring natural gas utility transportation gas service schedules a public record; and introduction of ordinances for sanitary sewer regulations, natural gas utility rates, and zoning case 25-265 (rezoning approximately 4 acres for a 29-unit multiple residence development). Items 9A and B were removed from the consent calendar and considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B):
    • Linda Spy (resident of 1019 West 2nd Street) expressed support for the project but opposed the density, stating 36 units is too many and three stories is out of character for the neighborhood. She noted the developer had been cooperative.
    • Nachita was listed as opposing but did not speak.
    • Jennifer Sandstrom (222 North Beverly, 35-year resident) opposed the project, citing concerns about traffic, vandalism, and proximity to light rail. She requested a cul-de-sac on Beverly between Main and 2nd Street or an alternative route to Alma School. She also proposed a separate "Homeless World" project.
    • Madison Reynolds (239 North Beverly) opposed the project, requesting a traffic impact study paid for by the developer, reduction to 24 units, or a guarantee of one vehicle per tenant. She argued that 36 units would triple traffic and endanger children, elderly, and disabled neighbors.
  • Items from Citizens Present (287G Agreement and Overdevelopment):
    • Jillian Ryan (Indivisible Mesa, zip 85202) opposed the 287G agreement with ICE, stating it is optional, costly, leads to racial profiling, and distracts from violent crime. She argued the council can end the agreement.
    • Amanda Snyder (parents are longtime Mesa residents) opposed the 287G agreement, stating it makes Mesa unsafe, undermines police-community trust, and is expensive. She noted that over 70% of ICE detainees have no criminal conviction.
    • Mike Ziegler (1019 West 2nd Street) opposed overdevelopment, predicting a housing glut as immigrants leave and urging the council to slow development.
    • 14 additional blue cards were read: one regarding decriminalizing psychedelics (T.J. Jensen), one on public safety (Jane Wakefield), 12 on the 287G agreement (10 opposed, 2 in support, 1 neutral).

Discussion Items

  • Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B): The council conducted a public hearing on a minor general plan amendment (from traditional residential to mixed residential) and rezoning (to RM4) for a 36-unit workforce housing project at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Road and Railroad. The developer, COPA (represented by Taylor Earl), presented the project as affordable housing at 50-60% AMI, designed with a three-story building, 44 parking spaces (one per unit), and an 80-foot setback to the north. They argued the site’s proximity to light rail and employment centers reduces car dependency. A traffic study showed only 86 additional trips per day (about one extra car every 20 minutes). Council members questioned density, parking enforcement, traffic impact, and consistency with the general plan. Councilmember Adams expressed concerns about density and character; Councilmember Freeman opposed the project. Councilmember Duff and others supported the project as a needed affordable housing near transit. The council voted on a combined motion for both items.
  • Annexation (Item 10A): The council held a public hearing for signature release on annexation case 25-00231 at the southeast corner of South Hawes Road and East Musquite Street. No public speakers or council comments. The hearing was closed; no action taken, as the item will return for future consideration.
  • City Manager Comments: Scott Butler responded to public comments on the 287G agreement, stating the city’s 16-year involvement has been fact-based and the program has not impacted actions taken outside the jail facility.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B): Approved on a 5-2 vote (no votes from Councilmember Adams and Mayor Freeman). The motion combined the minor general plan amendment, rezoning, and site plan approval.
  • Annexation Hearing: No action; petition for signatures released; future consideration expected.
  • Public Comments: Recorded; no council response allowed per state law; follow-up may occur by staff or councilmembers.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you and welcome to our Mesa City Council meeting, August 18th, 2025. All our council members are present. Mr. Adams is participating by Zoom. We're gonna start by an invocation by Pastor Michael Haydn from the La Mesa Ministries, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor, if you come forward and lead us in prayer, and then I'll stand for both. Thank you. Thank you so much for the honor of uh being here. And uh let us pray. Uh God, you are gracious and patient, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. And uh I pray that uh you bring your presence in your heart here in this place. Thank you for my brothers and sisters that you've raised up to these positions of leadership. I pray that uh you empower them to use their gifts and abilities uh to strengthen and to do what's best for uh your people here in Mesa. And uh to that end, I pray that you lead them, you guide them, you guard them and protect them and their uh families as uh they make good, wise decisions for for us here in Mesa. And all this we ask in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pat. Join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which of nation hundred hours with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone. Our first item is the consent agenda. Mr. Christopher, if you'll come forward, and items uh 9A and B have been removed. I'm sure you have that. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. These are the items on the consent agenda. All items listed with an asterisk will be considered as a group by the city council and will be enacted with one motion. There'll be no separate discussion unless a council member order season request, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item. Item two, approval of minutes of previous meetings is written. Item three A, acting on liquor license application for Main Market, 6262 East Main Street. Item 3B, acting on liquor license application for Mountain Mike's Pizza, 849 North Dobson Road. Item 4A, approving contract for Broadway Road Improvements, Phase 1, Mesa Drive to Staple Drive, construction manager at risk, guaranteed maximum price one of one. This project is funded in part by 2023 bonds and the flood control district of Maricopa County funds. Item 4B, approving contract for 2nd Avenue Union Pacific Railroad Sewer Rehabilitation, design bid build contract. Item 4C, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for traffic signal controllers and video detection for the transportation department. Item 4D, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for helicopter airframe parts and repair services for the Mesa Police Department. Item 4E, approving use of a cooperative contract with the purchase of one body scanner for the Mesa Police Department. This purchase is funded through opioid settlement funds. Item 4F, approving use of a cooperative contract for the purchase of a camera system for the Mesa Police Department with Mesa Parks. Item 4G, approving use of a one-year term cooperative contract with renewal options for the purchase of office furniture and related services for the business services department. Item 4H, approving contract to purchase 78 time terminals by various city departments as requested by the Office of Enterprise Resource Planning Management Department. Item 4I, approving tenure contract for data center co-location services for the Department of Innovation and Technology. Item 5A, approving resolution to enter into a development agreement with CBDG Mesa for development of a commercial center generally located at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Road and Railroad. Item 5B, approving resolution extinguishing a portion of bright of way easement located on the west side of 6550 South Mountain Road to allow for expansion of existing facility. Item 6A, approving resolution declaring Mesa City Code Title VIII, Health Sanitation and Environment, Chapter 4. Sanitary Sewer Regulations to be a public record. Item 6B, introduction of ordinance repealing Mesa City Code, Title VIII, Chapter 4 in its entirety, and adopting a new replacement, Mesa City Code Title Eight, Chapter 4, titled Sanitary Sewer Regulations. Item 7A, approving resolution declaring proposed titles and schedules of terms, rates, fees, charges for the natural gas utility transportation gas service schedule to be a public record.

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