Mesa City Council Meeting – November 17, 2025

The Mesa City Council met on November 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (local time) with all members present except Councilmember Heretti, who was excused. Newly elected Councilmember Dorian Taylor was welcomed. The meeting began with an invocation by Reverend Dr. Derek Elliott and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sergeant Dan Stratton. The council addressed a consent agenda, a downtown parking and micromobility plan, a water capacity fee, the introduction of utility rate adjustments, and public comments on the 287(g) immigration enforcement agreement. Key votes included adoption of the downtown plan and approval of a water capacity fee.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous vote: minutes of previous meetings; liquor license applications for Mesa Drummer (1211 N Country Club Dr), Mojo's Smoke Palace No., Inspiration to Mesa (6220 E Broadway Rd), Toroko Sports (1738 W Rio Salado Pkwy), Rapid Refuel (6951 E Southern Ave); 31-month contract for Hack OEM equipment/parts/services (Water Resources); one-year contract with four-year renewal for pad-mounted insulated switchgears (Energy Resources); resolution to accept VOCA grant funds for Mesa Family Advocacy Center personnel; IGA with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for Proposition 202 funds distribution; amendment to telecommunications license with Level 3 Communications; third addendum to agreement with Mesa Historical Society; and several resolutions/ordinances for utility rate schedules (electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, solid waste – items 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7G, 7H, 7I, 7J). Items 4C, 5D, 6A, 7A, and 7F were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4C (Sun Air furniture contract continuance): Reverend Sandy Johnson (Red Mountain United Methodist Church, Valley Interfaith Project) expressed strong support for the Sun Air housing project, thanked the council for prior approval, and requested a future meeting to discuss expanding affordable housing. Council voted to continue the item to a future meeting.
• Item 5D (Downtown micromobility & parking plan):
  • Opposition: Mary Mabineau (District 5) argued the plan conflates parking with micromobility, would remove traffic signals, install road diets and roundabouts, and frustrate drivers. She urged separation of the parking component and voting down the overall plan. Kathy Carlson (District 5) echoed opposition, stating the changes are unnecessary for a few downtown blocks. David Winstanley asked for disapproval because the plan commits to unfunded projects like the $7 million Center Street change, and noted the Transportation Advisory Board was not consulted.
  • Support: Tim Sprague (downtown property owner, chair of Downtown Mesa Association) supported the plan, citing better wayfinding, parking signage, integration of micromobility for growing residential and ASU populations. James Grafe (Cal de Sac developer) supported for safety, reduced noise, and visitor experience. Jonathan Bush (downtown resident) described dangerous driver behavior and argued that well-designed streets encourage biking/walking, creating a virtuous safety cycle.
• Item 6A (Water capacity fee): David Winstanley supported the fee, stating growth should pay for growth, and noted the fee will remove $400 million in utility bonds. Councilmember Doreen (District ?) emphasized that commercial/industrial growth, not just population, necessitates the fee.
• Item 7A & 7F (Utility rate introductions): David Winstanley praised staff for forward planning but urged transparency on utility bills and a freeze on the 30% general fund transfer to avoid automatic tax increases. He cited a combined increase of $12/month for his water, wastewater, and trash. Kerry Davis questioned who pays the capacity fee (answer: developers, likely passed to homebuyers) and supported reducing the transfer to lower rate increases. Alex Franc criticized last year's 31% rate increase and the $16 million allocation to Cubs stadium upgrades, calling it a slap to residents. Several council members defended the Cubs obligation as contractual and voted in 2014. Councilmember Doreen noted the plan shifts burden to businesses, with a 20% water rate increase for businesses vs. 2.5% for residents.
• Item 8 (Citizen presentations on 287(g) agreement): Reggie Braun opposed the 287(g) agreement, arguing it allows masked ICE agents to conduct unconstitutional actions, heightens fear in immigrant communities, and may lead to lawsuits. Ryan Jarra Birch (pastor?) opposed, stating the current administration's ICE is different, and the agreement creates fear among the 40% people of color in Mesa. Brian Eckerly supported the agreement, praising police training and safety for his family.

Discussion Items

• Item 4C (Sun Air furniture contract continuance): Staff requested continuance; Reverend Sandy Johnson spoke in support. Council granted continuance to a future meeting.
• Item 5D (Downtown Mesa Micromobility and Parking Plan): Jeff McVay (Manager of Urban Transformation) presented the plan, explaining that short-term actions (striping, parking signage) are funded through existing pavement preservation budget and do not commit to traffic signal removal or roundabouts. Center Street changes would require future council approval and separate funding. Councilmember Adams sought confirmation that the vote only approves Phase 1 (striping and signage), not future phases. McVay confirmed. Councilmember Duff argued the plan is needed for safety, economic development, and to create a walkable downtown. Councilmember Goforth supported for safety and vibrancy. The mayor noted the parking confusion downtown and agreed with the plan. The motion to adopt 5D passed (voice vote, unanimous).
• Item 6A (Water capacity fee – resolution to adjust fees): Staff explained the fee will be charged to developers for new connections. Councilmember Doreen clarified that the fee shifts the burden from existing ratepayers to growth. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Item 7A & 7F (Utility rate introductions – electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, solid waste): Staff provided context: the proposed increases are lower than originally proposed (originally 6%, now 2.5% for residential water). The 30% general fund transfer is a byproduct of utility revenues and supports public safety. Councilmember Doreen opposed the future 7% business water increase, calling it not business-friendly. Mayor noted the introduction only sets a date for final vote (December 1, 2025). Motion to introduce 7A and 7F passed (voice vote).
• Item 8 (Citizen presentations on 287(g) agreement): No council discussion followed the presentations. The meeting adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Item 4C (Sun Air furniture contract) continued to a future meeting.
• Item 5D (Downtown Micromobility and Parking Plan) adopted as Phase 1 only (striping and signage within existing pavement preservation budget; no commitment to further phases).
• Item 6A (Water capacity fee) approved to shift costs to developers.
• Items 7A and 7F (Utility rate introductions) introduced for final vote on December 1, 2025; the proposed water rate increase for residents is 2.5% (down from 3.5%), with a 20% increase for businesses phased in (13% now, 7% later). The 30% general fund transfer will be discussed during spring budget sessions.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.