OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyMesa, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:00:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good afternoon.

0:02

Welcome to the Mesa City Council meeting for August 17th, 2026.

0:07

Mayor Freeman is out of town and is excused as is Councilmember Adams, who is not able to attend.

0:15

We'll start our meeting with a moment of silence, uh, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be given by Jackson Jones from Troop 54.

0:26

Would you all stand for a moment of silence?

0:43

Thank you.

0:44

Jackson.

0:50

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:54

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:02

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:08

Well done.

1:09

Thank you.

1:13

All right, before we go on to the consent agenda, Miss Mosley, could you say the names of the three people that would be speaking under the items from citizens present?

1:23

Sure.

1:24

After running the randomizer, I have listed number one will be Jason Smithson.

1:29

Number two will be Noah James Markham, and number three will be Lee Ann McKelvey.

1:34

Lee Ann McKelvey.

1:39

Okay.

1:43

And Jason Smithson, right?

1:45

I didn't see him out there, but I'm sure he's here.

1:48

All right.

1:53

So why don't we do this?

1:54

We're gonna go on to awards and recognition because I think we have one.

1:58

Mr.

1:58

Butler.

2:00

Okay.

2:00

This one might be kind of exciting for uh all of us, uh especially me.

2:06

So the next item in the agenda is to recognize recent awards and announcements.

2:11

And tonight I am very excited to share an extraordinary accomplishment by our library department, the Mesa Gateway Library, our newest branch library, first in over 30 years, received a 2026 IFLA James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award, and this is a global recognition and something for all of us to be proud of.

2:37

It's seems like just yesterday in December that this library opened in such a unique space.

2:43

Uh one of the best libraries in the in Mesa, don't you think?

2:49

My colleague over here is a little jealous.

2:52

Uh you know, as co council member representing the district, obviously you can tell uh there's a little uh rivalry going on, but it's it's something truly uh unbelievable.

3:03

It for 20 years, really, we've been asking in Southeast Mesa for a library, and Polly, for you and your department and everybody involved in this to knock it out of the ballpark the way you did uh to to receive this kind of recognition is really something special.

3:22

Gateway was made possible uh by the support of voters.

3:27

This was part of a GL bond.

3:29

We tell you all the time, what city do you want to live in?

3:32

Well, these are your opportunities to get involved, and for those folks who supported the library and continue continue to do so.

3:40

Uh, we extend our grateful appreciation because this is the kind of uh community asset that that we will be able to appreciate for so many decades to come.

3:52

Uh this honor also reflects the leadership collaboration and innovative thinking of our library staff, our volunteers.

4:00

Thank you so much to all of our volunteers and the board members of the library who donate their time uh to make these these a reality.

4:11

Their work has made Mesa Libraries truly a world-class resource for families throughout our city.

4:17

Polly Bennett, our library director over here in the front row, and members of her team.

4:22

We're on hand to accept the award on Mesa's behalf.

4:25

I'd like to invite Polly to the podium to tell us more about that experience.

4:30

After that, we'll join her down below for a group photo.

4:33

Polly.

4:36

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council.

4:38

Um, it's an honor to be here tonight to uh receive this recognition for the Gateway Library.

4:46

It's still a little bit surreal having accepted this on behalf of Mesa with libraries around the world recognizing the design.

4:55

So I'm very proud, proud for um being a part of Team Mesa and for what we've been able to offer for our residents.

5:02

Um the award recognizes innovative and thoughtful community-centered design.

5:09

And Vice Mayor, as you mentioned, that's something that our residents really uh took to heart when we started asking questions about what do you dream of when you think of a new library in Mesa?

5:20

And from the beginning, our vision was we really wanted to exceed the expectations for our community of what a traditional library might offer.

5:29

We wanted it to be more of a transformational experience, and that was from just the way that we collaborated with our community partners, with all of our city stakeholders.

5:42

We really wanted to think outside of the box, and that was recognized by IFLA and the James Bennett jury.

5:48

One of the things that I kept hearing from jury members and some of the libraries that were recognized was how um well beautiful and stunning the library facility is itself, but how it encouraged those connections in the community, connections with one another, connections to learning and curiosity, and how it integrated so nicely into the setting and really became the heart of the community.

6:13

And we're already seeing the impact for the city's investment.

6:16

We've seen over a hundred and seventy thousand people come through Gateways Doors since we opened in December, and that's about 31% more in-house visitors across our library system in this past year.

6:32

So we've really had a fan fantastic turnout.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procurement█████████████████17%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Arts And Culture████████8%
Economic Development████████8%
Education███████7%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Mesa City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

Vice Mayor Summers presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Freeman and Councilmember Adams, both excused. The meeting opened with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jackson Jones from Troop 54. Key actions included approval of a consent agenda with several items removed for separate discussion, passage of multiple contracts and agreements, and public comments on topics including a correction of record, data center concerns, and education funding.

Awards and Recognition

  • The Mesa Gateway Library received the 2026 IFLA James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award, a global recognition. Library Director Polly Bennett noted over 170,000 visitors since opening in December 2025 and a 48% increase in library system program attendance. The award highlighted the library's community-centered design, maker spaces, sensory room, and water-efficient garden.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda (items 2, 3A–3F, 4A–4D, 4F–4L, 5A, 5D, 6A) was approved 5–0 with two absent. Items 4E, 4H, 4M, 5B, and 5C were removed for separate discussion. A statement from Mayor Freeman was read into the record expressing appreciation for the public-private partnership for the Mesa Convention Center and Amphitheater (item 5A).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jason Smithson publicly apologized for stating at the June 20th meeting that an officer assigned to Mesa High School was on the Brady list. He corrected the record, confirming the officer is not on the list, and took full responsibility.
  • Noah James Markham (Tempe resident) raised multiple topics including: congratulations to Nick Willis, desire for more businesses and apartments near Superstition Springs Mall, support for a Tokyo Data Center (citing Japanese American history), endorsement of former Mayor John Giles as Lieutenant Governor, and concerns about flaws in the FLAC program.
  • Lee Ann McKelvey voiced strong opposition to data centers, citing risks of lithium battery fires (water usage), noise pollution harming wildlife and property values, strain on the electric grid potentially causing blackouts, and breaking the mayor's pledge to protect monarch butterflies.
  • Kimberly Daly (District 5 resident) expressed concerns about the $6 million contract limit increase for office furniture (item 4M), questioning whether going back to competitive bidding could yield savings and whether cumulative increases reduce oversight.
  • Margie Gomez spoke against three items: (1) item 5C (detention officer training), arguing funding for batons and tasers contradicts de-escalation; (2) item 7A (OVO project), urging that education funding not be reduced to subsidize the development; (3) item 8A (annexation), requesting transparency regarding Pacific Proving LLC's potential involvement with data centers.
  • Councilmember Davis questioned the usage frequency and annual maintenance cost of the utility truck (item 4H). Staff explained it is used at every major incident (fires, hazmat) and the 2003 unit has 132,000 miles.

Discussion Items

  • Item 4E: 15-month cooperative term contract for facility maintenance supplies for Water Resources. Approved 5–0 after a public comment expressing support for water resource management.
  • Item 4H: Purchase of one E1 Cyclone Custom Cab Utility Truck for Fire & Medical, funded by 2024 public safety bonds. Staff detailed its role in providing light, air supply, and cooling at fire scenes. Approved 5–0.
  • Item 4M: Dollar limit increase to the office furniture contract (WISC Business Supplies). Staff confirmed no new budget authority was involved; pricing was compared to state co-op contracts and found competitive. Approved 5–0.
  • Item 5B: Notice of intent to enter into a retail development tax incentive agreement for the Cannon Beach Hotel project near Power and Warner Roads. Approved 5–0 after brief public comment.
  • Item 5C: Intergovernmental agreement with Phoenix for detention officer training. Staff emphasized training mirrors AZ POST curriculum, includes de-escalation, and use of force is a last resort. Approved 5–0.
  • Item 7A: OVO mixed-use project – Resolution approving a Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) agreement with Pride Ventures LLC. Staff assured that school districts (Mesa Public Schools, community college, EVIT) are made whole during the eight-year abatement and will receive higher taxes afterward. Approved 5–0.
  • Item 8A: Public hearing for annexation case 25-0062 (Williams Field Road & SR 24). No council action taken; the petition for signatures will be released, with final consideration at a future meeting. Public comment (Margie Gomez) addressed, but no money or data center was involved.
  • Item 8B: Public hearing for annexation case 25-00893 (Ellsworth & Williams Field). No public comments; hearing closed. Future council consideration.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda passed 5–0 (with two absent).
  • All five items removed from consent (4E, 4H, 4M, 5B, 5C) were individually approved 5–0.
  • Item 7A (OVO GPLET) approved 5–0.
  • Public hearings for two annexations (8A and 8B) were conducted; no votes taken, petitions to be released.
  • Meeting adjourned on a motion by Councilmember Goforth, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, all in favor.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Welcome to the Mesa City Council meeting for August 17th, 2026. Mayor Freeman is out of town and is excused as is Councilmember Adams, who is not able to attend. We'll start our meeting with a moment of silence, uh, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be given by Jackson Jones from Troop 54. Would you all stand for a moment of silence? Thank you. Jackson. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Well done. Thank you. All right, before we go on to the consent agenda, Miss Mosley, could you say the names of the three people that would be speaking under the items from citizens present? Sure. After running the randomizer, I have listed number one will be Jason Smithson. Number two will be Noah James Markham, and number three will be Lee Ann McKelvey. Lee Ann McKelvey. Okay. And Jason Smithson, right? I didn't see him out there, but I'm sure he's here. All right. So why don't we do this? We're gonna go on to awards and recognition because I think we have one. Mr. Butler. Okay. This one might be kind of exciting for uh all of us, uh especially me. So the next item in the agenda is to recognize recent awards and announcements. And tonight I am very excited to share an extraordinary accomplishment by our library department, the Mesa Gateway Library, our newest branch library, first in over 30 years, received a 2026 IFLA James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award, and this is a global recognition and something for all of us to be proud of. It's seems like just yesterday in December that this library opened in such a unique space. Uh one of the best libraries in the in Mesa, don't you think? My colleague over here is a little jealous. Uh you know, as co council member representing the district, obviously you can tell uh there's a little uh rivalry going on, but it's it's something truly uh unbelievable. It for 20 years, really, we've been asking in Southeast Mesa for a library, and Polly, for you and your department and everybody involved in this to knock it out of the ballpark the way you did uh to to receive this kind of recognition is really something special. Gateway was made possible uh by the support of voters. This was part of a GL bond. We tell you all the time, what city do you want to live in? Well, these are your opportunities to get involved, and for those folks who supported the library and continue continue to do so. Uh, we extend our grateful appreciation because this is the kind of uh community asset that that we will be able to appreciate for so many decades to come. Uh this honor also reflects the leadership collaboration and innovative thinking of our library staff, our volunteers. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers and the board members of the library who donate their time uh to make these these a reality. Their work has made Mesa Libraries truly a world-class resource for families throughout our city. Polly Bennett, our library director over here in the front row, and members of her team. We're on hand to accept the award on Mesa's behalf. I'd like to invite Polly to the podium to tell us more about that experience. After that, we'll join her down below for a group photo. Polly. Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council. Um, it's an honor to be here tonight to uh receive this recognition for the Gateway Library. It's still a little bit surreal having accepted this on behalf of Mesa with libraries around the world recognizing the design.

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