Public Meetings - Mesa, Arizona

The Mesa City Council held a regular meeting on November 3, 2026. The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Mayor's Youth Committee. The Council approved the consent agenda, which included multiple liquor licenses, intergovernmental agreements, and zoning cases. A proclamation was read recognizing November as Alzheimer's Awareness and Caregiver Month. The Council discussed and unanimously approved updates to the city's Historic Preservation Text Amendments and Design Guidelines. During public comments, residents spoke about concerns regarding automated license plate reader technology and an upcoming holiday event at the Mesa Arts Center. Consent Calendar - The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously. Items included approvals of minutes, liquor license applications (Valley Liquors, Gin Barbecue, two Walmart locations), development agreements (Grove at Lehigh Community Association, Sossman Road/Germain Road intersection improvements with Queen Creek and Maricopa County, Pecos Road Basins and Storm Drain Improvements), a zoning case for an industrial development at Thomas Road and 54th Street, and a zoning case for a convenience market with a service station at Crisman Road and Hampton Avenue. Public Comments & Testimony - Alzheimer's Proclamation: Councilmember Heredia sponsored a proclamation recognizing November as Alzheimer's Awareness and Caregiver Month. Kathy Norris Wilhelm, an Alzheimer's advocate and caregiver for her late wife, shared her personal story of caregiving and advocacy, highlighting advances in research and treatment, and emphasizing the need for community support for caregivers. - Jericho Trimble: Expressed concerns regarding the city's use of Flock automated license plate reader technology. Trimble cited a recent court ruling in Oklahoma that found the system violated the Fourth Amendment, safety hazards from improperly installed poles, and lawsuits against other cities. Trimble requested the council conduct a separate investigation and provide greater transparency regarding the system's audits and usage. - Chris Hamlet: Voiced strong opposition to an upcoming "Drag Queen Christmas" event scheduled at the city-owned Mesa Arts Center. Hamlet characterized the event as an "abomination" and called on the council to stop the event and implement policies to prevent similar events in the future, arguing against the use of taxpayer dollars for such programming. Discussion Items - Historic Preservation Text Amendments (Item 7A): Assistant Planning Director Rachel Phillips and Historic Preservation Officer Matthew Kriegel presented a comprehensive update to the city's historic preservation regulations. The amendments consolidate policies scattered across the zoning ordinance into a single chapter (Chapter 74), clarify definitions, and streamline the certificate of appropriateness process. The amendments extend the demolition moratorium from six months to one year and align city criteria with national standards. The Historic Preservation Board and Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended adoption of the amendments. - Historic Preservation Design Guidelines (Item 7B): Phillips and Kriegel presented an update to the city's historic preservation design guidelines, the first major update in over 25 years. The new document was reduced from roughly 200 pages to approximately 100 pages and is designed to be a user-friendly digital resource. It provides guidance for rehabilitating historic buildings, constructing additions and new construction within historic districts, and signage. Staff emphasized that historic designation in Mesa is an entirely opt-in process. The guidelines were developed with extensive community outreach over several years. - Council Discussion: Councilmember Adams inquired about the two-year gap in the project timeline; staff explained the delay was due to turnover in the historic preservation officer position. Councilmember Duff praised the new format for being easier to navigate. Councilmember Taylor asked about the opt-in nature of historic designation, which Kriegel confirmed. The Mayor added that homeowners can register with the state for designation and potential tax advantages. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. - Items 7A & 7B (Historic Preservation Text Amendments and Design Guidelines): Approved unanimously. The new design guidelines are available on the city's historic preservation website. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned unanimously following public comments.

The Mesa City Council held a study session on November 3, 2026, with all council members present. The transcript’s opening refers to the “November 2nd” study session, while the provided meeting timestamp is November 3, 2026, at 01:35:22 UTC. The meeting was brief and largely devoted to consent-agenda logistics, council reports on recent community events, and announcements of upcoming city events. No public comment was recorded. Consent Calendar - The council reviewed the consent agenda. Items 7A and 7B were removed from consent at Councilmember Duff’s request so that a presentation could be made “upstairs” and the items voted on separately; the mayor agreed. - Councilmember Duff said the related guidelines and text amendments were a major accomplishment and had been in the works for many years, and she wanted the presentation to be more public-facing. No agenda was available, so the exact titles of items 7A and 7B could not be confirmed. Discussion Items - Councilmembers reported on recent events. Councilmember Adams and others attended the Park of the Canals renaming ceremony; Adams said the new name refers to a snowy white egret and praised the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s prayer and song. Councilmember Duff attended the PTK magazine launch honoring Jay O’Donnell as one of the most influential people in Arizona real estate, a Fiesta PD substation Halloween walk-through, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs South Central Region conference, and a Global Ties STEM-education visit at the Arizona Natural History Museum. Councilmember Taylor did a Red Mountain Station police ride-along, attended the Fiesta District Halloween walk-through, and visited the Falcon Field Haunted Hangar and car show; Taylor described hundreds and hundreds of people at the Haunted Hangar. Councilmember Goforth also attended the Haunted Hangar and estimated there were probably a thousand people. The vice mayor attended a Desert Ridge High School trunk-or-treat. - Mayor and council members also mentioned the Mesa PD Academy Class 64, an ASU Mix Center innovation summit, and the Boots and Bling gala at the Sheraton at Riverview. A community meeting was announced for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Lehigh School. - City Manager Butler announced that the Thursday study session was canceled and the next study session would be Thursday, November 12. Upcoming events included the downtown barbecue on Friday and Saturday; the Signal Butte Bike Park opening at 10 a.m. Saturday; Fire Station 224 ribbon cutting/open house at 1:30 p.m. Saturday; Gain from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday; and the East Valley Veterans Day Parade next Wednesday at 11 a.m., described as more than 60 years old. - The mayor reminded voters that Election Day was November 3 and that ballots could be dropped off at the convention center at 263 North Center or other voting locations; ballots should not be mailed. Key Outcomes - Items 7A and 7B were removed from the consent agenda and scheduled for a presentation and separate votes; no vote tally was recorded in the transcript. - The Thursday study session was canceled; the next study session was set for Thursday, November 12. - The meeting adjourned after a motion and unanimous “aye” vote, with a planned Alzheimer’s Awareness Month proclamation and council photo to follow.

The Mesa City Council held a study session on October 29, 2026, to discuss proposed changes to the Large Water User Ordinance and an updated Water Shortage Management Plan. The meeting also included review of the upcoming November 2 council meeting agenda, brief remarks on historic preservation guidelines, and acknowledgment of board minutes. Consent Calendar - Council unanimously approved receipt of board minutes (item 3). Discussion Items Agenda Review for November 2 Council Meeting - City Manager Butler noted that item 4C (McFlood) currently displayed placeholder language that would be updated later in the day with corrected numbers from Maricopa County. Council also corrected a district designation error on item 4A. The council agreed to postpone the historic preservation guidelines and text amendments presentation to the Monday study session to allow for better public viewing, with Councilmember Taylor expressing support for the simplified new handbook and noting it clarifies that the overlay can be declined by property owners. Large Water User Ordinance Enhancements - Water Resources Director Joe Judice, Kathy McDonald, Lauren Whitaker, and Nicole Petker presented recommended enhancements to the Large Water User Ordinance (adopted 2019, updated 2024). Proposed changes include lowering the demand ceiling from 330 acre-feet to 224 acre-feet, aligning with Phoenix and Tucson. Mayor and staff emphasized that Mesa has had no new water-cooled data centers since 2021; only two exist in Mesa. The ordinance has driven innovation among large users, including advanced cooling treatment and air-cooling technologies. - The proposal expands allowable water resources customers can bring to meet allowance requirements (currently only long-term storage credits) to include groundwater rights and other acceptable supplies. A conservation plan would be required with permit applications. Permit terms could be adapted (3, 5, or 10 years), with longer terms requiring the user to provide water for the demand ceiling as well. Schools and hospitals remain excluded; landscape irrigation meters for excluded uses are still subject to the ceiling. - Councilmembers discussed flexibility options: Councilmember Duff inquired about smart meters and rebates for schools (staff noted non-residential irrigation equipment rebates exist); Councilmember Adams asked about groundwater rights mechanics; Councilmember Taylor questioned how business expansions are handled (demand ceiling not increased; allowance adjusted). Mayor proposed that council should have voting oversight when large users seek to increase their allowance beyond the ceiling. City Attorney Smith confirmed staff is developing details and will return for ordinance adoption later in fall 2026. - Vice Mayor raised concerns about externalities of air-cooling (noise, heat island effects) and chemical discharges into wastewater. Councilmember Duff emphasized the need for innovation funding and federal/state help for expensive water infrastructure. Councilmember Heredia suggested exploring whether customers could pay for infrastructure instead of providing credits, but staff noted capacity fee legislation now falls under impact fee statute. Water Shortage Management Plan Update - Nicole Petker presented an updated framework for Mesa's Water Shortage Management Plan, moving from single-source shortage planning to a portfolio-based evaluation. The framework uses four stages (currently Stage 1: awareness and voluntary efficiencies). Key principles: protect essential services first, act proportionately, communicate clearly, and adapt based on performance. The plan does not automatically trigger mandatory responses; it allows voluntary, phased, or mandatory measures depending on severity. - Examples of potential savings measures (from independent consultant) include AMI leak alerts, landscape optimization, watering schedules, and winter overseeding limits. Staff emphasized they would not impose all measures at once; they would start with communication and voluntary actions. - Council discussed HOA and community engagement. Councilmember Duff asked about adding a water rate surcharge for HOAs while considering differentiating useful vs. ornamental turf. Joe Judice confirmed they are working on rate proposals and will discuss with council in a few weeks. Councilmember Taylor raised the citrus sub-area plan requiring high-water-use orange trees; City Manager agreed to work with planning on options to allow replacement with lower-water-use plants. Councilmember Duff requested a community survey to gauge preferences on conservation measures, which staff supported. Councilmember Heredia noted the need for community input on potential restrictions like winter overseeding. Key Outcomes - Staff will return later in fall 2026 for ordinance adoption on both the Large Water User Ordinance updates and the Water Shortage Management Plan. - Council asked that future proposals include details on council oversight for large allowances and on community input (e.g., survey) regarding conservation measures. - The City Manager indicated the team will review landscape requirements for citrus grove areas to allow HOA flexibility for water conservation. - The next study session is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, with a council meeting at 5:45 PM; the November 5 study session is canceled. Current Events & Future Meetings - Councilmembers reported on attended events: Youth Climate Action Fund ($50,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies), One Community spotlight on success, Virgin Galactic's first Delta rocket departure from Mesa Gateway Airport, Halloween event at Red Mountain Library, ASU flight simulator tour, and semiconductor industry roundtable. City Manager noted six strong candidates for fire chief are being interviewed. - No further business; meeting adjourned.

This meeting of the City of Mesa Planning and Zoning Board covered a consent agenda with multiple items, a separate vote on a site plan modification, and a general plan amendment with associated rezoning. Chairperson Peterson presided; Vice Chair Pitcher recused himself from one item. All motions passed with unanimous support except where noted. Consent Calendar - Item 2A: Approved the minutes from the October 14, 2026 Planning and Zoning Board meeting. - Item 3A (ZON 26-00129): Rezoning of 21.8 acres (2,450 feet west of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue) from Light Industrial with PAD overlay to Light Industrial and site plan review, to allow a battery energy storage system facility. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed. - Item 3C (ZON 25-00660): Special use permit and site plan review for a 37-acre site at the southwest corner of East Williamsfield Road and the 24 Gateway Freeway, permitting a 360,895-square-foot group commercial center. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed. - Item 3E (ZON 26-00614): Rezoning of 35.3 acres (northeast corner of East Pecos Road and South Sossaman Road) from Employment Opportunity to Light Industrial with PAD overlay, for modifications to an existing industrial development. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed. - The consent agenda was voted on as a single block and passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public submitted blue cards or spoke during the public hearing. The public hearing for Item 4A was formally opened and closed with no testimony. Discussion Items - Item 3D (ZON 26-00217): A request for a major site plan modification on 4.5 acres approximately 250 feet north of the northeast corner of El Vista Drive and East Southern Avenue, to allow a 2,200-square-foot minor auto repair facility. Vice Chair Pitcher recused himself because the applicant was a client. The Board moved to approve with conditions. Vote: 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Pitcher). - Items 4A and 4B (GPA 26-00248 and associated rezoning): Agenda items considered together. - 4A (GPA 26-00248): Minor General Plan Amendment for 21.6 acres at the southwest corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue, changing the place type from Urban Residential (Evolved Growth Strategy) to Local Employment Center (Evolved Growth Strategy). - 4B: Rezoning the same 21.6 acres: 17.1 acres from Multiple Residence with PAD overlay and Limited Commercial with PAD overlay to Light Industrial with PAD overlay; and 4.5 acres from RM4-PAD and LC-PAD to Limited Commercial with PAD overlay, plus a council use permit for future industrial/commercial development. - Chairperson Peterson expressed concern that the area is dominated by single-use zoning and that residents may need to drive one to two miles for commercial services, creating future traffic congestion. Staff responded that numerous commercial projects (Hawes Crossing, Legacy, Gateway Crossing, East Market, etc.) are approved or under development in the broader Eastmark area, and that the proposal focuses on land-use compatibility (surrounded by industrial uses). After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval to City Council with conditions. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda and Items 3D, 4A, and 4B all received recommendations for approval from the Board, with Item 3D passing 6-0-1 (one abstention). - The Board directed staff to consider broader network traffic impacts and the need for proximate commercial services when reviewing future zoning cases. - Chairperson Peterson announced a study session later that evening (October 29 at 6:00 PM) with a video link to be provided. - The meeting adjourned unanimously.

This summary is based on the raw transcript; no agenda or minutes were available. Councilmember Adams participated by Zoom. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a Red Ribbon Week proclamation, then proceeded through the consent agenda, two pulled items, a public hearing on the Mesa Town Center Improvement District, and citizen comments before adjourning. Opening, Proclamation, and Ceremonial Items - Pastor Tony Frazy of Gateway Bible Church gave the invocation. - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by East Valley Young Marines Private Vincent Andruzi and Private Gabriella Andruzi. - The Mayor proclaimed Red Ribbon Week in Mesa, recognizing the East Valley Young Marines for drug-prevention efforts and community service. Antoinette, a parent of two Young Marines, thanked the Mayor and Council for the recognition. Consent Calendar - Mr. Christopher read the consent agenda. No items were initially pulled; Councilmember Taylor later asked to pull Items 7A and 7B for discussion. - The consent agenda included approval of prior meeting minutes; a liquor license for Andy’s Downtown Garage; a Glock handgun contract for the Police Department; pool treatment chemicals; seven automated side-loading refuse trucks; LED traffic-control modules and sensors; storm drain pump maintenance; fire extrication equipment; wastewater inspection and electric infrastructure design services; intergovernmental agreements for Proposition 202 funds, Arterial Life Cycle Program reimbursement, and waste-collection mutual aid; a development agreement with MGC Pure Chemicals America; a retail development tax incentive notice for the Craftsman project; introduction of zoning case 25-895; and an ordinance authorizing the City Attorney to purchase insurance coverages. - Item 5D was removed from the agenda. The remaining consent items were approved unanimously by one motion. Discussion Items - Items 7A and 7B — Historic preservation text amendments: Councilmember Taylor pulled the items to confirm they would not slow or block the Buckhorn Baths redevelopment. She noted community excitement for the project, said the existing museum building has been inspected and is not architecturally sound, and wanted demolition and rebuilding in the Pueblo Revival style to remain possible. Staff responded that Buckhorn Baths is on the National Register of Historic Places, which does not restrict development; a local landmark designation would add protection. The text amendments are intended to consolidate and streamline the process and would not prevent Buckhorn Baths from moving forward through a certificate of appropriateness. The Mayor clarified that the item was an introduction with intent to adopt on November 2. Councilmember Taylor then moved to approve Items 7A and 7B; the motion passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony For citizen comments, the Council allowed three speakers for three minutes each; because the topics were not on the agenda, state law generally prevented the Council from responding. - Jacob Given: A Mesa native, former Falcon Field flight-school employee, and private pilot. He said he had supported the proposed airport landing fees when small private pilots were exempt from the first five or ten landings, but a new letter removed those exemptions. He asked the Council to consider alternatives used elsewhere, including a $2 per flight-hour tax on flight schools that raises $7.8 million per year for Deer Valley and has been in place for 16 years. He also asked whether sales taxes spent at the airport are allocated back to the airport and noted the airport’s economic value — about $811 million annually and 1,200 jobs. He agreed the airport should be self-sustaining but urged the Council to restore exemptions for small private pilots and to consider other revenue sources. - Jason Smith: A father of a child on the autism spectrum and an advocate for people with disabilities. He praised the city’s adaptive recreation programs and its community engagement course, but said Mesa lacks a dedicated disability advisory board or committee. He recommended creating a disability advisory committee made up of individuals with disabilities, parents, caregivers, advocates, and community stakeholders to advise on parks, playgrounds, transportation, public facilities, city services, employment, and emergency preparedness. He described it as a partnership rather than another layer of bureaucracy. - State Senator Lauren Kuby: She was recognized as the third speaker, but no substantive public comment from her appears in the transcript. The Mayor then moved the meeting toward adjournment. Key Outcomes - The consent agenda, minus pulled Items 7A and 7B and removed Item 5D, was approved unanimously. - Items 7A and 7B, the historic preservation text amendments, were approved unanimously. - The Council held a public hearing on the continuation of the Mesa Town Center Improvement District; no one requested to speak. A motion to approve Item 9B, continuing the district for an additional five years, passed unanimously. - The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote. The Mayor reminded everyone to vote.

The Mesa City Council convened a study session on October 27, 2026. Councilmember Adams was excused; all other council members were present. The session included a review of the evening's regular council meeting agenda, reports from council members on community events and conferences attended, and a discussion of upcoming meetings. (Note: The raw transcript header identifies the meeting as taking place on October 26, 2026, conflicting with the assigned meeting date of October 27, 2026.) Discussion Items - Agenda Review: The council reviewed the evening's regular meeting agenda. Staff requested the removal of Item 5D, an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Flood Control District. The request was made because ongoing discussions indicated that additional funding may be available for the project. The item will be brought back with updated figures. - Current Events and Conference Reports: Council members shared updates on recent activities. - Councilmember Taylor attended the Polaris Academy gala (an autism school with three Mesa campuses) and the Arizona Ballet. - Vice Mayor attended the Polaris Academy gala, community Halloween events, and the Dia de las Muertes closing ceremony. - Councilmember from District 4 attended the Xenodrome ribbon cutting (a Mesa-based drone manufacturer), the Dia de los Muertos festival (noting its 20th anniversary and status as the second largest in the United States), and the Arizona Forward Thrive in 2035 sustainability summit. - Councilmember Duff noted Mesa staff leadership in the Women Leading in Government conference and reported a $3 million appropriation for the United Food Bank's expansion, citing food scarcity affecting approximately 1 million Arizonans. - Future Schedule: City staff outlined the upcoming schedule, including the regular council meeting following the study session, a study session on Thursday, and another study session and council meeting the following Monday. Upcoming events include Halloween activities at libraries and the Haunted Hangar at Falcon Field. Key Outcomes - Agenda Item 5D Removed: The IGA with the Flood Control District was pulled from the evening's agenda to allow for further funding negotiations. - Meeting Adjourned: The study session was adjourned unanimously following a motion by Councilmember Duff.

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board convened on October 26, 2026, with Chairperson Peterson presiding and a full board present. The meeting addressed a consent agenda and one public hearing item, resulting in unanimous approvals and a recommendation to the City Council. Consent Calendar - Item 2A: Minutes from the September 23, 2026, Planning and Zoning Board meeting were approved unanimously. - Item 3A (ZON 25-00943, Waffle Flower Warehouse Rezone): The board approved a rezone of 2.4 acres at the northwest corner of East Thomas Road and North 54th Street from Single Residence 90 (RS90) to Light Industrial (LI). The approval includes a site plan review and special use permit for an approximately 18,000-square-foot industrial development, consistent with staff's recommendation of approval with conditions. - Item 3B was removed from the consent calendar to allow for a separate public hearing due to a citizen request to speak. Public Comments & Testimony - Norm Sandler (8550 East Mallory Street, Mesa) spoke on Item 3B, the Haas Crossing Village 6 Remainder Rezone. He expressed strong opposition to the project on the grounds that scraping native desert land for high-density development displaces dangerous wildlife. He described a personal incident where a coyote, displaced by nearby construction, entered his yard and killed his daughter's emotional support dog. Sandler urged the board to require mitigation measures, such as capturing dangerous species, whenever approving projects that destroy natural habitat. Discussion Items - Item 3B - Haas Crossing Village 6 Remainder Rezone (ZON 26-00162): The board discussed a 44-plus-acre parcel located at the northwest corner of South Hawes Road Alignment and East Warner Road. The request is to rezone the property from a mix of Multiple Residence 5 with a Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay, Office Commercial with a PAD overlay, and Limited Commercial with a PAD overlay to Residential Small Lot 2.5 with a PAD overlay, to allow for the future development of state land. A motion was made to recommend approval to the City Council with the conditions recommended by staff. Key Outcomes - The Consent Agenda (Items 2A and 3A) passed unanimously. - Item 3B: The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Haas Crossing Village 6 Remainder Rezone to the City Council. - The meeting was adjourned following a unanimous vote.

Note: The raw transcript identifies the session as October 22, 2026, while the supplied meeting timestamp is October 26, 2026; this summary uses October 26, 2026. Council met to review upcoming agenda items, hear staff presentations, and discuss upcoming decisions. Councilmember Heredia participated by Zoom. It was a study session: no final action was taken on ordinances or agreements, but the council did acknowledge board minutes and adjourned. Craftsman Development Agreement (Agenda Item 5F) - Economic Development Director Jay O'Donnell and Deputy City Attorney Kelly Whittemore presented the proposed development agreement for the Craftsman, a mixed-use project on Elliott Road between Hawes and 82nd Street. - The 19-acre site is planned as roughly 65% residential and 35% commercial, with nearly 40,000 sq ft of retail and office space, including at least 10,000 sq ft of modern, upscale restaurants. - The developer would contribute about $775,000 toward Elliott Road public infrastructure improvements. Reimbursement conditions include: permits within 6 months; public improvements along 82nd Street and Hawes Road completed and conveyed within 9 months; private improvements completed within 30 months; and qualifying restaurants open within 36 months. - Qualifying restaurants are described as chef-driven, full-service, distinctive concepts with fewer than 100 U.S. locations and no location within 10 miles inside Mesa. Council discussion raised the possibility of changing the exclusivity language to a full 10-mile radius; staff said the language could be adjusted. - The reimbursement would be capped at $775,000 over 10 years: 35% of the city's 1.2% non-dedicated construction sales tax and 50% of the city's 1.2% non-dedicated general sales tax generated by the project. - A third-party analysis by Applied Economics estimated $3 million in gross tax revenue over the 10-year reimbursement period plus construction, compared with the $775,000 reimbursement, and about 160 on-site jobs. - Staff said the next step was the required public notice of intent, with the full development agreement and economic analysis scheduled for the November 16 council meeting. Terribles Commercial Development (Agenda Item 6A) - Staff presented a rezoning request for about 1.3 acres at Hampton and Crisman Road from planned employment park/PAD to limited commercial, with a special use permit and site plan review. - The project is a Terribles convenience store: about 4,600 sq ft of building and a 4,100 sq ft fuel canopy, with pedestrian connections to Chrisman Road and the neighboring Lincoln residential development. - The Design Review Board requested material consolidation for a more cohesive elevation; the Planning and Zoning Board voted 7-0 to recommend approval with conditions. - Councilmembers noted concerns about losing planned employment land and adding a vehicle-heavy use, but said staff had addressed many of the concerns. Vice Mayor asked about Terribles' crime-prevention record and police relationship as a new-to-Arizona business. Solid Waste Mutual Aid and Fleet Purchases (Agenda Item 5G) - Staff discussed a valleywide intergovernmental agreement for solid waste mutual aid, used primarily for short-term emergency truck sharing; the borrowing city covers damage or maintenance. - The agenda also included purchase of seven diesel refuse trucks for the East Mesa Service Center, tied to a new third fleet-services shift. CNG vehicles cannot be serviced at that center, so diesel trucks are being purchased for east-side routes. Grants, Contracts, and Transportation Items - Grants coordinator Sharon Skinner explained that tribal gaming funds pass through Mesa; the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community selects recipients and uses Mesa as a pass-through entity. The agenda item included $150,000 for South Canal and Lee High Shared Youth Path work. - Council recognized Skinner for 15 years and welcomed incoming grants coordinator Harmony Zolanka. - Staff requested $755,000 in additional spend authority on a water-system maintenance contract for work such as larger valve repairs, ahead of the contract's April 2027 expiration. - Staff presented a MAG arterial lifecycle program agreement for the Country Club/Southern corridor, with 70% reimbursement of construction costs, with the associated total stated as approximately $7.9 million. Council was told Proposition 400 funds must be spent by June 2028 and that the project would be disruptive but needed for safety on one of Mesa's busiest corridors. - The council also briefly noted the Mesa Town Center Improvement District No. 228 continuation resolution. Community Updates and Council Reports - Councilmembers highlighted Mesa Nexus, Mesa Library's 120th anniversary and new Mesa Room digital history map, Empty Bowls, Together Mesa, Mesa Music Festival, Los Muertos, Phoenix Pride, domestic violence awareness night, Celebrate Mesa, new Dana Park retailers, Waymo/Mesa Gateway Airport discussions, Halloween events, and the Mesa Cemetery Tour. Key Outcomes - No final action was taken on the development agreement, rezoning, grants, or contract items during the study session. - A motion to acknowledge receipt of board minutes passed unanimously. - The council adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Note on Date Discrepancy: The metadata for this document specifies the meeting date as October 14, 2026. Notably, the transcribed audio opens with a reference to September 24, 2026. The date October 14, 2026, is used in this summary as directed. The Mesa City Council convened a study session covering the city's water portfolio, Colorado River shortages, and an executive session on litigation. The session began with a unanimous vote to enter executive session regarding pending investigations and litigation on landing fees at Falcon Field. The remainder of the session was dedicated to a comprehensive presentation and discussion on Mesa's water system, led by Water Resources Director Joe Judice, Assistant Director Jesse Haywood, and Water Resources Advisor Nicole Petker. Consent Calendar - Council unanimously approved receiving board minutes (Motion by Ms. Duff, second by Mr. Heredia). Executive Session - Council convened an executive session to discuss the city's position regarding litigation and investigations related to landing fees at Falcon Field. The motion passed unanimously (Motion by Ms. Taylor, second by Ms. Goforth). Water System Presentation and Discussion - 100-Year Assured Water Supply Certification: Director Judice announced Mesa received its 100-year assured water supply certification from the Arizona Department of Water Resources approximately five weeks prior, making Mesa the second city in Arizona to receive the designation. The application process, submitted in 2023, took about three and a half years. - Water Portfolio & Reserves: The city's 2025 water use consisted of 85% renewable surface water (40% Salt/Verde River, 45% Colorado River), 9% reclaimed water via the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) exchange, and 6% groundwater. The GRIC exchange portion is expected to grow to 18-20% in the near future. The city possesses over 550,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits and holds a philosophy of using groundwater only as a reserve. - Colorado River Record of Decision (ROD): Nicole Petker explained the federal Bureau of Reclamation's ROD, which establishes a ten-year framework for operations with specific guidelines issued every two years. For 2027-2028, the combined mandatory and system conservation reductions total 3.2 million acre-feet for the Lower Basin and Mexico. Councilmember Adams questioned the rationale of the Upper Basin not sharing in these cuts. The ROD allows for voluntary agreements and flexibility, but creates significant long-term uncertainty for Arizona. - Impact on Mesa: Mesa faces a 22% reduction in its Colorado River portfolio (a 14% cut to M&I supply, a 10% cut to Indian Priority supply, and a full reduction to Non-Indian Agriculture). For 2027, the Arizona Water Bank will provide long-term storage credits to fully offset the cut, but Mesa may need to dip into its own stored reserves if the shortage persists. - Conservation and Infrastructure Successes: Jesse Haywood presented metrics showing Mesa's total water use in 2025 was equivalent to 1997 levels, despite serving 150,000 more residents. The city's unaccounted-for water rate has dropped below 5% due to the new AMI metering project (now 96% complete and wrapping up), significantly outperforming the national average of 17%. The public-facing AMI customer portal is expected to launch in the next four to six months. The city's Large Water User Ordinance and tiered rate system were highlighted as key policy tools. - Future Investments and Staff Direction: Staff outlined several major capital projects, including the SRP-CAP Interconnect (2031), the Bartlett Dam expansion (design phase, construction projected 2035-2045), and the 91st Avenue Advanced Water Purification facility. City Manager Scott Butler framed these essential investments as an "all of the above" approach, analogous to the past decision to invest in the CAP canal. Councilmembers requested detailed analysis on the cost per acre-foot of these new supplies and the impact on future water rates. Key Outcomes - Decisions (All Passed Unanimously): - Motion to convene executive session on Falcon Field landing fees litigation. - Motion to receive board minutes. - Motion to adjourn. - Directives and Next Steps: - Staff will return on October 29, 2026, to present policy recommendations regarding the Water Shortage Plan and an update to the Large Water User Ordinance. - Council requested a framework for potential escalation of water shortage stages (Stage 1 to Stage 2) and an analysis of the long-term costs of supply. - Council affirmed the need for continued advocacy with the congressional delegation for federal financial participation in developing new water supplies. The meeting concluded with calendar announcements regarding upcoming events including the Mesa Music Festival and Domestic Violence Awareness Night.