Mesa City Council Meeting Summary - June 10, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript indicates a date of June 8, 2026, but the provided date is June 10, 2026. This summary uses the provided date as instructed.

The meeting was called to order with an invocation by Pastor Richard Cornejo of Outreach Mesa, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jaden Smith from Troop 54. The Mayor recognized the Turkish national soccer team, which is staying in Mesa for training. The consent agenda was read and approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes of previous meetings.
• Liquor license applications: Little Drummer, Angry Crab Shack, Tailgate Bar and Grill, Holiday and Express, Boulders on Southern, Oro Brewing Company, Quick Corner, Yal Sua, Sipal Zix, Breakthrough, 711, Faux Bon Me Cafe, Akoto Sushi.
• Contract for electric utility distribution transformers (one-year term with four-year renewal options).
• Contract for hazardous facility operational support (three-year term with two-year renewal options).
• Dollar limit increase for route planning and management solutions.
• Contract to purchase solar-powered portable traffic signal trailers.
• Aeropine Park and Whiteman Park Playground Renovation Design Build contract (funded by CDBG).
• Resolution to enter into a lease agreement for a downtown restaurant and food business incubator at 11 West Main Street.
• Resolution to approve a fiber access agreement with the City of Apache Junction.
• Resolution to enter into a foreign trade zone operator agreement with MGC Pure Chemical America.
• Resolution to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Arizona for jury administration infrastructure.

All consent items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Items 5B and 5C (Light Rail and Transit Agreements):

• Noah James Markham spoke in favor of the light rail expansion, emphasizing the needs of homeless individuals and people with disabilities. He urged approval of the funding.
• David Winstanley (District 6 resident) expressed concerns about the fixed bus transit contract with Valley Metro, citing a 10% increase in direct costs, 7% increase in indirect costs, a 5.3% fare box recovery rate, and a $13 per boarding subsidy. He questioned the value for money and transparency.
• Noah James Markham also spoke on Item 5C (paratransit and ride choice), supporting it as a user with a disability and advocating for the needs of disabled individuals.

On Data Centers (Items from Citizens Present):

• James Beck (Eastmark resident) spoke against a proposed NTT data center campus (seven buildings, 2+ million square feet on 170 acres). He raised concerns about water usage, infrastructure strain, lack of transparency, and called for a detailed environmental impact study and community involvement before approval.
• Nathan Taylor Taft (Mesa high school student) opposed the NTT data center, citing water scarcity, the AI bubble risk, low job creation, and inadequate community notification (only 91 people notified, two attendees at the neighborhood meeting). He urged the council to reject the project.
• Braden Peters (Mesa resident) also opposed the data center, noting Mesa's high density of data centers, rising water and electricity costs, potential health impacts near Lakeside Sports Park, and lack of community engagement. He asked the council to reject the project.

Disruption: During public comment on Item 5B, a protester with a sign was asked to lower it, refused, and was eventually trespassed and removed by officers after repeated warnings.

Discussion Items

Item 5B – Approval of Resolution for Light Rail Operations and Maintenance (Valley Metro):

• Councilmember Taylor expressed strong opposition, citing a $3.6 million per mile cost, $18.3 million annually for Mesa, low ridership (less than 1% of Mesa residents), failure to meet fare recovery targets, and lack of voter approval for perpetual payments. She stated she would vote no.
• Councilmember Adams asked the City Attorney to explain the legal consequences of a no vote. City Attorney Smith stated that three agreements (joint powers, bylaws, master agreement) obligate the city to pay, with a 12% penalty for non-payment and loss of voting rights. Withdrawal requires approval from Phoenix and Tempe or covering costs. He concluded that defaulting would likely lead to a lawsuit.
• Councilmember Adams argued that the city must honor its contractual obligations and that defaulting would harm credibility. He suggested exploring amendments but not breach.
• Another councilmember (unidentified, likely Vice Mayor or similar) agreed that fulfilling the legal obligation is necessary without a proposed alternative plan.
• Councilmember Duff spoke in favor of transit, citing subsidies for parks, libraries, and public safety as comparable public goods. She noted that the light rail has spurred $1 billion in development, 1,000 new apartments, and supports multimodal transportation. She emphasized that voters approved Prop 479, which includes transit.
• Councilmember (likely Heretti or another) echoed support, noting that 60% of voters approved Prop 479, that Valley Metro is working to save money through RFPs, and that transit provides options for residents who cannot drive. He emphasized the need for efficiency and continued investment.

Item 5C – Approval of Resolution for Paratransit and Ride Choice Agreement:

• No separate discussion; council moved to a vote separately.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Item 5B (Light Rail Operations and Maintenance): Motion to approve passed. Councilmember Taylor voted no. The motion carried.
• Item 5C (Paratransit and Ride Choice): Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Citizen Comments on Data Centers: No council action was taken; the item was for public comment only. The council did not vote on the data center project at this meeting.