Mesa City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026
Mesa City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026
The Mesa City Council met on June 2, 2026 (the transcript references June 1, 2026), with all members present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Tani Garcia and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the unanimous appointment and swearing-in of Jacob Brown as City Magistrate. The council then addressed the consent agenda, public hearings, and items removed from the consent agenda, before hearing citizen comments. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda included approval of previous meeting minutes, contracts for private security guard services, vehicle glass services, bus shelter cleaning, a sewer project, intergovernmental agreement amendments, fee modifications for multiple departments (Development Services, Municipal Court, Office of Urban Transformation, Transportation), designation of the general election date (November 3, 2026) with bond questions and charter amendments, the city's expenditure limitation report, new personnel rules, charter amendments (sections 211 and 209-A), and a rezoning case (Ascension, 46-lot single residence). Items 4A, 6B, 6F, 6G, 6I, 6O, and 7D were removed for separate discussion. The remaining consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Noah James Markham (supporting liquor license for China City Super Buffet, item 4A): Expressed support for Chinese American representation.
- Reggie Braun (against item 6B): Argued crime analysis data infrastructure masks resource misallocation, criticized 287G agreements, and claimed public record requests were suppressed.
- Joe (Jeff Netmeyer) (on item 6B): Questioned data security for integration of school cameras and suggested hiring in-house analysts instead of contracting with ASU.
- Mary (speaker on 6F and 6G): Questioned the justification for fee increases given budget cuts and the flat tax law; opposed raising admission fees to the i.d.e.a. Museum and adding a $1.50 fee for paper utility bills.
- Reggie Braun (on item 6I): Attempted to discuss code compliance fees but was redirected; raised concerns about transparency.
- Wynn Stanley (in favor of item 6O, transportation bond): Supported the bond but urged timely project completion and recommended reviewing shared-use paths, specifically Gateway Three.
- Reggie Braun (on item 7D): Raised unrelated animal abuse complaint; stayed briefly on zoning case.
- Noah James Markham (on item 7D): Expressed support for the church zoning case.
- Crystal Price (citizen comment, item 9): Described illegal occupancy and crime at a foreclosed property near her home; requested code enforcement and nuisance abatement.
- Noah James Markham (citizen comment): Spoke in favor of Flock cameras, voiced support for Israel and Palestine, praised Congressman Greg Stanton for addressing ICE facilities, and advocated for private restrooms for transgender people.
- Jim Bannon (citizen comment): Complimented the council, claimed he has been unable to meet with Police Chief Dan Butler to present a program, and requested an appointment.
Discussion Items
- Item 6B – ASU Crime Analysis Amendment: Reggie Braun and Joe (Netmeyer) raised concerns about data transparency, security, and outsourcing. Chief Nesbitt responded that analysts work in-house, undergo background checks, and the program contributes to Mesa being the safest major city of its size. He noted the partnership also serves as a hiring pipeline.
- Item 6F & 6G – Fee Modifications: Mary opposed fee increases. City staff explained that fees are reviewed annually by subcommittee and reflect cost recovery from users rather than general taxpayers.
- Item 6I – Code Compliance Fees: Reggie Braun attempted to discuss unrelated enforcement issues; council redirected him to the specific fee item.
- Item 6O – Special Bond Election: Wynn Stanley supported the transportation bond but requested lessons learned from past delays and a review of shared-use path priorities.
- Item 7D – New Life Fellowship Hall Rezoning: Reggie Braun was redirected for off-topic comments; Noah James Markham supported the rezoning. No opposition was voiced.
Key Outcomes
- Jacob Brown was unanimously appointed and sworn in as City Magistrate.
- The consent agenda (as modified) was approved unanimously.
- All seven items removed from the consent agenda (4A, 6B, 6F, 6G, 6I, 6O, 7D) were approved as a group by a unanimous vote.
- The five-year capital improvement program for fiscal years 2027–2031 (items 8A/8B) was approved unanimously following a public hearing with no speakers.
- Staff committed to follow up with Crystal Price regarding the foreclosed property issue.
- Council adjourned without further business.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Mesa City Council meeting for June 1st, 2026. All of our council members are present. We'll begin the meeting with an invocation by Reverend Tani Garcia from the First Christian Church. And following her prayer, we'll be doing the Pledge of Allegiance. So would you please stand? Let us pray. God of wisdom and grace. Thank you for the gift of this city we call home and for the people who make Mesa such a special place. Thank you for our neighborhoods, schools, businesses, parks, churches, and community organizations. Thank you for the many people who quietly serve others every day and help this city thrive. Tonight we lift up Mayor Freeman, the members of the City Council, city staff, and all who serve the people of Mesa. Give them wisdom for the decisions before them. Remind them that they represent people who are counting on them. Help them listen well, even when they disagree, and keep the well-being of our community at the center of all their work. As this meeting begins, guide the conversations and the decisions that will be made here. May this be a place where people work together to make our city stronger, safer, and more connected. Thank you for this community and for the opportunity to work together for its amazing future. In your mighty name we pray. Amen. Thank you, Reverend. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you. And before the congratulations is swearing in, I'm going to ask for a motion to appoint Mr. Brown as a city manager magistrate. Is there a motion to that effect? Thank you, Mr. Reddy. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Please cast your vote. Thank you. Council votes unanimously. Congratulations, Judge Brown. If you and Judge Umblee will come forward for the swearing in, and we'll do that up here in front. All right, Mr. Brown, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Jacob Brown, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution and Laws. And the Constitution and Laws of the State of Arizona, of the state of Arizona. That I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same. And defend them against all enemies and defend them against all enemies. Foreign and domestic. Foreign and domestic. And that it will faithfully and impartially, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties, discharge the duties of the Office of City Magistrate, of the Office of City Magistrate, of the City of Mesa, Arizona, of the City of Mesa, Arizona, according to the best of my ability, according to the best of my ability, so help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Okay, Council, let's go down for a photo with our new judge and our chief magistrate.
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