Mesa City Council Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Mesa City Council met on March 24, 2026, to consider a range of agenda items, most notably a resolution to modify fees and charges for Falcon Field Airport, including the introduction of landing fees. After extensive public testimony and council deliberation, the council voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Other actions included approval of a sewer lift station project and a storage facility expansion, as well as public comments on drink spiking prevention and immigration enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda unanimously. Items included approval of minutes, liquor license applications for several businesses (Jin's Smokeshop, Paladino's Italian Eatery, La Tienda One Stop, Happy Food Mart, Mama's Soul Lounge, Salt Sea and Land Tacos), a three-year contract with renewal options for streetlight painting services, and the introduction of two zoning ordinances (25-774 and 25-326) related to industrial and commercial developments. Several items were removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration: 4A (emergency communications contract), 4C (cooperative contract), 4D (North Higley lift station), 5B (Falcon Field fees), and 7C (storage facility development agreement). Items 5B and 5C were initially on consent but were pulled; 5C (Falcon Field fees) was moved to the front of the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

Falcon Field Landing Fees (Item 5C)

• Opposition speakers (pilots, flight school owners, aviation organizations, and residents): Argued that landing fees would hurt flight training (80% of Falcon Field traffic), increase safety risks (pilots might disable ADS-B), drive away based aircraft and businesses, and reduce the airport's $811 million annual economic impact. They requested deferral for further study and creation of an advisory board. Specific concerns included the burden on flight schools (e.g., Leopard Aviation facing $65,000/month in fees), the negative impact on nonprofit programs like Young Eagles and Aviation Explorers, and the lack of transparency in the fee-setting process. Speakers also noted that landing fees on based aircraft are rare among general aviation airports and that alternative revenue sources (e.g., fuel flowage tax, hangar fees) should be explored first.
• Support speakers (residents, business owners, and a former mayor): Argued that the airport should be self-sustaining and that users should pay for the costs they generate. They cited deferred maintenance, a $2 million annual shortfall in the airfield cost center, and the principle of fairness to Mesa taxpayers who do not use the airport. Some noted that landing fees are common at other airports and that the proposed fee ($20 per landing after 10 free landings) is reasonable for a business cost. Supporters emphasized that taxpayers should not subsidize airport operations.
• City Attorney Smith: Stated at the outset that the fees are not intended to reduce noise or flight traffic, nor to discriminate against any user, and that such considerations are not permissible under FAA policy.

Item 4D – North Higley Lift Station

• Speaker Louis More (as Lumar Isabeth Garza): Questioned the tie between Item 4D and Item 7C, and expressed concern about water usage during a drought, asking if the project would use recycled water for drinking.
• Speaker Nathan Allen: Criticized the city for approving water-intensive projects while asking residents to conserve water.
• City staff (Lance Webb, Joe Judice): Clarified that 4D is a wastewater (sewer) lift station project, not a water supply project. It collects and treats wastewater, with effluent delivered to the Gila River Indian Community in exchange for Colorado River water. The project is funded by capacity fees from new development and serves both existing septic areas and undeveloped land.

Item 7C – Storage Facility Expansion

• Speaker Louis More: Reiterated concerns about the relationship between 4D and 7C, and noted the lack of online publication of the original development agreement.
• Applicant Reese Anderson: Explained that the amendment adds four acres acquired from ADOT to an existing RV/boat storage facility, with improved landscaping and restricted uses. He noted that the closest residential neighborhood is 1,300 feet away.

Items from Citizens Present

• Jason Smithson: Proposed a drink spiking prevention ordinance requiring late-night alcohol establishments to carry detection kits, post signage, and train staff. He cited statistics (91% of incidents unreported, 31% of ASU students surveyed reporting victimization) and urged Mesa to lead on this issue.
• Kevin Teichu: Opposed 287G (immigration enforcement cooperation), arguing that immigrants, regardless of legal status, deserve dignity and that family separation and detention are inhumane. He shared his own experience as a naturalized citizen.
• David Winstanley: Discussed using localized taxing districts (CFDs) to fund community amenities, comparing how Eastmark Great Park was funded vs. citywide bonds. He suggested that residents in districts wanting urban amenities should pay via local taxing districts rather than general city funds.

Discussion Items

Falcon Field Landing Fees (Item 5C)

• Council questions: Vice Mayor Summers asked about the difference between Falcon Field and Mesa Gateway Airport (Gateway has no landing fees under 12,500 lbs, is a separate authority, and receives city membership fees). Airport Director Corinne Nystrom explained the cost center approach: the airfield cost center has a $2 million annual deficit, which the landing fee is designed to address. She noted that staff reviewed alternatives (fuel flowage fee, business fee) but determined a landing fee is the most equitable way to spread costs across all users. Council Member Duff inquired about exemptions for nonprofits like Young Eagles; staff responded that exemptions are limited to emergency medical flights due to administrative tracking difficulties. Council Member Adams asked about deferred maintenance affecting safety; Nystrom confirmed safety concerns if not addressed. City Manager Jim Butler affirmed the city's due diligence and FAA compliance.
• Council Member Goforth (lead for this item, as Falcon Field is in her district): Summarized the process, noted the necessity of the fee to avoid burdening general taxpayers, and stated that the proposal was adjusted from 5 to 10 free landings based on stakeholder feedback. She supported the resolution, emphasizing that delaying would only increase costs.

Item 4D – North Higley Lift Station

• Council clarified that the project is for wastewater only, not drinking water. City Engineer Lance Webb and Water Resources Director Joe Judice explained that the lift station will provide sewer capacity for undeveloped land and overloaded areas, supporting growth while enabling water exchange with the Gila River Indian Community.

Items 7A, 7B, 7C – Storage Facility Expansion

• Council Member Goforth raised concerns that a new residential neighborhood built since the original 2021 rezoning had not been given an opportunity to review the expansion plans. She moved to continue the items to April 20, 2026, to allow for additional public outreach. The motion failed on a tie vote. The council then approved the package (7A, 7B, 7C) on a motion by Council Member Duff, with a second by Council Member Saretti, carrying unanimously (with Council Member Adams absent). The applicant confirmed that the closest resident is 1,300 feet away and that the expansion includes enhanced landscaping and use restrictions.

Key Outcomes

• Falcon Field Landing Fees (Item 5C): Approved unanimously (6-0, with Council Member Adams absent). The resolution (26-0280) establishes landing fees for all aircraft, with 10 free landings per month per tail number for based aircraft, and fees applicable after that threshold. The fee is intended to make the airfield cost center self-sustaining, covering a $2 million annual deficit. Exemptions are provided only for emergency medical flights.
• Consent Agenda: Approved as presented, with items 4A, 4C, 4D, 5B, and 7C pulled for separate discussion.
• Item 4A (Emergency Communications Contract): Approved unanimously (with Council Member Adams absent).
• Item 4C (Cooperative Contract): Approved unanimously (Council Member Adams absent).
• Item 4D (North Higley Lift Station): Approved unanimously (Council Member Adams absent).
• Item 5B: Approved unanimously (Council Member Adams absent).
• Items 7A, 7B, 7C (Storage Facility Expansion): Approved after a failed motion to continue; vote was 5-0 (Council Member Adams absent). The development agreement amendment adds four acres and restricts certain uses such as multifamily, drive-through restaurants, and data centers.
• Citizen Comments: No immediate action taken; the council received the information for consideration.
• Next Steps: For Falcon Field, staff will implement the landing fee through a third-party vendor using ADS-B or camera systems. The council will review fee impacts and adjust as needed in the next budget cycle. The applicant for Item 7C agreed to conduct additional outreach as requested by Council Member Goforth, though not required by the final vote.