OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting - January 13, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyMesa, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:04:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening.

0:02

Welcome to our Mesa City Council meeting for January 12th, 2026.

0:06

All members of our council are present.

0:09

With that, we're going to begin and stand with a moment of silence and then follow us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:14

So please stand if you can.

0:32

Thank you.

0:32

Following the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:34

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

0:44

Indivisible with every team of Justice R.

0:54

Thank you, everyone.

1:00

Item one is on the consent agenda.

1:02

Mr.

1:03

Christopher, you come forward.

1:04

Miss Mosley, do we have any other items pulled off of the consent?

1:08

I have the ones you gave me.

1:11

The four that I gave you prior to the meeting.

1:13

Yes.

1:13

And Kevin, you have four items being pulled from consent.

1:17

Oh, he has one extra.

1:18

Okay, which is the other one.

1:21

It was 4L.

1:23

4L.

1:25

Okay.

1:26

Go ahead, Mr.

1:26

Christopher.

1:27

All right.

1:27

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

1:29

These are the items on the consent agenda.

1:30

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

1:36

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

1:44

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

1:47

Item 3A, Acting Liquor License Application for Barbecue Chicken Mesa, 138 South Dobson Road.

1:52

Item 3B, Acting Electrical License Application for Pellagio Smoke and Vape, 28 South Dobson Road.

1:58

Item 3C, Acting Electrical License Application for Petal House Brewery, 201 West Main Street.

2:03

Item 3D, Acting Electro License Application for Las Centas Golf Club, 7555 East Eagle Crest Drive.

2:10

Item 4A, approving contract to purchase flow rider repair parts and services of the Parks Recreation Community Facilities Department.

2:16

Item 4B, approving one-year term contract for dynamo, playground equipment repair and replacement parts for the parks recreation and community facilities department.

2:24

Item 4C, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for fencing and gate installation, repair, rental, and supplies for the parks recreation and community facilities and the facilities management departments.

2:35

Item 4D, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for fasteners, hardware, and electrical supplies for the fleet services department.

2:42

Item 4E, approving nine-month use of cooperative term contract with renewal options for the purchase of public communication equipment and services for the Department of Innovation and Technology.

2:52

The cost is shared by the members of the Topaz Regional Wireless Cooperative.

2:55

Item 4F, approving 13-month use of a cooperative term contract for transless technology rehabilitation and related products and services for the water resources department.

3:04

Item 4G, approving four-year term contract for water and wastewater treatment chemicals for the water resources and parks recreation and community facilities departments.

3:13

Item 4H, approving use of the cooperative contract for the purchase of two E1 Cyclone Custom Hazmat apparatus for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department.

3:22

This is funded by 2024 public safety bonds.

3:25

Items 4I through 4K are approving and authorizing the mayor to sign an amendment to the employment contracts for the following employees.

3:31

4I is for the city clerk, 4J for the city attorney, 4K for the city auditor.

3:35

Item 4L has been removed from the consent agenda.

3:38

Item 5A, approving resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County for the waterline relocation for the new traffic signal at Ellsworth Road and Pueblo Avenue intersection.

3:49

Items 6A and 6B are for continuance to the February 23rd City Council meeting.

3:54

6A is a resolution pertaining to administrative changes, while 6B is introduction of an ordinance proposing amendments to the Mesa City Code.

4:02

Again, these are for continuance to the February 23rd, 2026 City Council meeting.

4:06

Item 7A, introduction of ordinance, proposing amendments to chapter 1 of Title 1 and Chapter 66 and 67 of Title 11 of the Mesa City Code pertaining to the organization and duties of the Planning and Zoning Board and Design Review Board.

4:18

Item 7B, introduction of ordinance with zoning case 25-397 for property located at the northeast corner of University Drive and 80th Street.

4:27

Site plan modification and amending conditions of approval of ordinance number 2354 to allow for an office development.

4:33

Item 7C, introduction of ordinance for annexation case 25-889 to de-annex public right of way located at the intersection of Brown Road and Crisman, subject to approval by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

4:44

This de-annexation is to accommodate Maricopa County's right of way requirements.

4:48

Item 7D, introduction of ordinance for zoning case 24-3, 24-525 for property located at 8839 East Main Street.

4:58

This is for a rezoned with new plan area development overlay.

5:00

This is for a rezoned with new plan area development overlay, slight plan review and council use permit to allow for a boat and RB storage facility.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Energy Management███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Community Engagement███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Mesa City Council met on January 13, 2026 (meeting began on the evening of January 12) to consider a consent agenda, several pulled items including an amendment to the city manager's contract, a new battery energy storage systems ordinance, an electric bicycle ordinance, and zoning cases. Public comment was heard on multiple items. The council voted on all matters.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda included routine approvals: minutes, liquor and electric license applications, contracts for parks, fleet, water, public safety bonds, employment contract amendments for city clerk, attorney, and auditor, an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County, continuances to February 23, 2026, and introductions of ordinances (planning and zoning board changes, zoning cases, annexation, traffic regulations). Items pulled: 4L, 8A, 8B, 8D, 8E. Remaining items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carrie Davis opposed Item 4L (city manager salary increase), citing higher city spending and lower safety rankings than Chandler and Gilbert.
  • David Wyn Stanley (District 6) supported Item 8A's 1,000-foot setback for BESS based on engineering experience; also spoke on Item 8B requesting signage and enforcement for e-bikes.
  • Sipand Elizada (Arizona Technology Council) expressed concern that the 1,000-foot setback could harm Mesa's tech hub viability, urged future revisiting.
  • Court Rich (IPA Power) supported Item 8A as written to allow pending projects.
  • Buchanan Davis (Salt River Project) supported the ordinance but requested future review of setbacks.
  • Kyle Whittier (NextEra Energy Resources) supported the ordinance but asked for future revisit of restrictive provisions.
  • Brian Fink (Fire and Risk Alliance) commended the city's handling of the BESS ordinance.
  • Autumn Johnson (Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association) argued the 1,000-foot setback is arbitrary and 10 times national standards, asked for revisit in 2026.
  • Amanda Curtis (MWEG, Mesa resident) urged adoption of NFPA standards (50-150 foot setbacks), expressed concern over limiting viable sites.
  • Julie Moore (MWEG) spoke briefly in support of BESS with proper standards.
  • Noah James Markham supported Items 8D and 8E praising development in Mesa.
  • Jason Smithson (Webster Elementary PTO) thanked Councilmember Heredia's office for securing Christmas gifts for 600 students, criticized Councilmember Duff for non-response, asked to end 287G agreement with ICE.
  • Reginald Braun commented on police, ICE, and sexual assault clearance rates, advocating focus on violent crime.
  • Trent Heidke (pilot at Falcon Field) opposed proposed landing fees citing safety risks, urged city financial support for the airport.

Discussion Items

Item 4L – City Manager Contract Amendment

  • Council approved raising the city manager's salary from $345,000 to $386,000 plus 3% (total ~$398,000) based on benchmark of comparable cities. The mayor noted performance measures. Motion passed unanimously.

Item 8A – Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Ordinance

  • Councilmember Duff opposed the 1,000-foot setback from residences, wanting future revisit with shorter distances (400 or 100 feet). Councilmember Adams supported moving forward with agreement between parties but favored future review. Vice Mayor Summers supported 1,000 feet as appropriate now. The city manager committed to revisiting as technology and safety regulations evolve, working with Salt River Project. Ordinance passed 6-1.

Item 8B – Electric Bicycles and Scooters in Parks

  • Councilmembers discussed enforcement, signage, and education. Councilmember Adams and Goforth supported as a first step. Councilmember Goforth noted potential unintended prohibition of adult e-bikes on sidewalks. The city manager noted state legislative activity. Ordinance passed unanimously.

Items 8D and 8E – Zoning Cases

  • Item 8D (623 South Mesa Drive) and Item 8E (Dutch Bros on Power and Elliot) approved unanimously after brief public comment.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (remaining items) approved unanimously.
  • Item 4L (city manager salary increase) approved unanimously.
  • Item 8A (BESS ordinance with 1,000-foot setback) approved 6-1.
  • Item 8B (e-bike/e-scooter ordinance) approved unanimously.
  • Items 8D and 8E zoning cases approved unanimously.
  • Council will revisit BESS ordinance and e-bike enforcement in the future.
  • No action taken on citizens' comments regarding ICE agreement, Falcon Field landing fees, etc.

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting began on January 12, 2026, but system metadata shows January 13, 2026. The meeting continued past midnight.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to our Mesa City Council meeting for January 12th, 2026. All members of our council are present. With that, we're going to begin and stand with a moment of silence and then follow us in the Pledge of Allegiance. So please stand if you can. Thank you. Following the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. Indivisible with every team of Justice R. Thank you, everyone. Item one is on the consent agenda. Mr. Christopher, you come forward. Miss Mosley, do we have any other items pulled off of the consent? I have the ones you gave me. The four that I gave you prior to the meeting. Yes. And Kevin, you have four items being pulled from consent. Oh, he has one extra. Okay, which is the other one. It was 4L. 4L. Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Christopher. All right. 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 the council member or citizen 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 3A, Acting Liquor License Application for Barbecue Chicken Mesa, 138 South Dobson Road. Item 3B, Acting Electrical License Application for Pellagio Smoke and Vape, 28 South Dobson Road. Item 3C, Acting Electrical License Application for Petal House Brewery, 201 West Main Street. Item 3D, Acting Electro License Application for Las Centas Golf Club, 7555 East Eagle Crest Drive. Item 4A, approving contract to purchase flow rider repair parts and services of the Parks Recreation Community Facilities Department. Item 4B, approving one-year term contract for dynamo, playground equipment repair and replacement parts for the parks recreation and community facilities department. Item 4C, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for fencing and gate installation, repair, rental, and supplies for the parks recreation and community facilities and the facilities management departments. Item 4D, approving three-year term contract with two-year renewal options for fasteners, hardware, and electrical supplies for the fleet services department. Item 4E, approving nine-month use of cooperative term contract with renewal options for the purchase of public communication equipment and services for the Department of Innovation and Technology. The cost is shared by the members of the Topaz Regional Wireless Cooperative. Item 4F, approving 13-month use of a cooperative term contract for transless technology rehabilitation and related products and services for the water resources department. Item 4G, approving four-year term contract for water and wastewater treatment chemicals for the water resources and parks recreation and community facilities departments. Item 4H, approving use of the cooperative contract for the purchase of two E1 Cyclone Custom Hazmat apparatus for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. This is funded by 2024 public safety bonds. Items 4I through 4K are approving and authorizing the mayor to sign an amendment to the employment contracts for the following employees. 4I is for the city clerk, 4J for the city attorney, 4K for the city auditor. Item 4L has been removed from the consent agenda. Item 5A, approving resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County for the waterline relocation for the new traffic signal at Ellsworth Road and Pueblo Avenue intersection. Items 6A and 6B are for continuance to the February 23rd City Council meeting.

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