Mesa City Council Meeting – December 8, 2025

The Mesa City Council met on December 8, 2025, to address a consent agenda and several contested items, including a liquor license recommendation, a police data platform purchase, an e-bike ordinance, and public comments on immigration enforcement and Falcon Field flight traffic. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by recognition of retiring deputy communications director Glenn Stephens.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: minutes, bingo application, multiple liquor licenses (except those pulled), contracts for forensic DNA, CCTV cameras, sewer services, bronze water service items, zoning cases (6A, 6B continued, 8A continued, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8F – amended city code for e-bikes and electric vehicles in parks), middle housing ordinance, water utility rate notice, building code updates (11A-11J), and fire code adoption.
• Items 4B, 6B, 7B, 8E, 9B were removed for separate discussion or continuance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Liquor License 4B (Mojo's): Thomas Durh (opposed) argued the location is 184 feet from a childcare center with a playground, urging denial. Douglas Ashley, Catherine Ellis, Sam S., and Creighton Smith also expressed opposition. Council voted to recommend denial based on proximity to childcare (factors 8 and 12), with Vice Mayor noting a positive crime record at the address (four incidents since November 1, 2020, two being burglar alarms and one a traffic stop).
• Police Data Platform 7B: Linda Patrick Hayes expressed concerns about flock camera data integration with the new platform. Commander Reno clarified the pilot program only uses police records management and dispatch data, not flock cameras or fire EMS data. Councilmember Teller confirmed future integration would require further discussion.
• E-bike Ordinance 8E: David Winstanley (District 6) described dangerous encounters with class three e-bikes in parks and shared paths, advocated for clearer language and a 15 mph speed limit. Council discussed signage and education; Councilmember Adams opposed the ordinance, citing enforcement challenges and unsafe speeds.
• Citizen Presentations (Item 13):
  • Jason Smithson (District 4) opposed 287G immigration enforcement, arguing it harms children's education and family stability, urging council to put it on a future agenda for a vote.
  • Reggie Braun (Asian community member) warned that an ICE task force would threaten the Asian district's economic growth ($1.2 billion in annual revenue, subsidizing each Mesa household by roughly $432 per year) and cited a 140% surge in tourism from China and Japan but a 300% increase in ICE arrests of Asians this year. He referenced a 60% revenue drop in Chicago's Little Village after enforcement and urged rejection.
  • August Palmasano (Red Mountain Ranch, 27-year resident) raised health and safety concerns about Falcon Field flight schools: flight traffic has tripled over the last six months, with touch-and-go training from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., two planes side by side every 40 to 60 seconds, property values dropping, and toxic leaded fuel exhaust over neighborhoods. He noted a scheduled discussion on Thursday (Councilmember Goforth).

Discussion Items

• Liquor License 4B Recommendation: Council debated whether to recommend denial due to proximity to a licensed childcare facility. City Attorney Ed Smith advised that council can recommend denial based on factors 8 and 12, triggering a state hearing where facts would be examined. Motion to recommend denial passed unanimously.
• Police Data Platform 7B: Approved after clarification that it only accesses police records management and computer-aided dispatch, not flock cameras or fire EMS. Councilmember Teller noted future integrations require separate discussion and funding.
• E-bike Ordinance 8E: Council discussed definitions (class one/three e-bikes), signage, and enforcement. Councilmember Adams opposed, citing enforcement difficulties and unsafe speeds. Mayor noted amendments could be made later. Motion to approve 8E passed 6-1 (Councilmember Adams dissenting). The ordinance sets 5 mph in parks and 15 mph on shared-use paths, with definitions consistent with state statute.
• Transit Oriented Development Plan 6B: Continued to January 12, 2026, with public speakers accepting continuance.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems 9B: Continued to January 12, 2026, with several speakers noted (support and opposition).
• Zoning Case 8A: Continued to January 26, 2026.
• Water Utility Rate Notice 10A: Approved, setting a public hearing for February 9, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (all items except those removed).
• 4B (Mojo's liquor license): Council voted unanimously to recommend denial to the state liquor board based on proximity to childcare (factors 8 and 12).
• 7B (Police data platform): Approved unanimously.
• 8E (E-bike and park vehicle ordinance): Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Adams voting no).
• Public comments noted: Council will consider a future agenda for 287G discussion; Falcon Field issue scheduled for a Thursday study session.
• Continuances: 6B, 8A, 9B continued to January 12 or 26, 2026.
• Meeting adjourned unanimously.