June 2022

Hello District 3 Neighbors!

With the school year ending, summer season is upon us. The temperature will soon reach triple digits and there are lots of things happening around our City. Mesa pools are now open, the Mesa Library and Parks offer several great activities for the family, plus many other opportunities are available throughout our city. 

In this newsletter edition I have included important updates related to city initiatives and ways to get involved. Scroll down to learn more! Stay Hydrated and have a fun summer!

As always, please contact my office if you need any assistance: District3@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-6275.

~Councilmember Francisco Heredia

TOGETHER MESA

Mesa Launches Together Mesa Initiative

Mesa is home to over 500 thousand people of different races, places of origins, faiths, identities and abilities, per the U.S. Census. Today, Mesa launched its Together Mesa initiative to advance equity, inclusion and accessibility in Mesa. This citywide effort aims to increase citizen engagement while fostering awareness and understanding of the City's growing population.

As part of Together Mesa, the City will develop a collection of curated content to showcase and amplify the diverse voices of our communities. Other future Together Mesa projects will include a Community Learning Series and a multicultural Spotify music playlist. These offerings provide an opportunity to learn directly from community members and delve into the diverse experiences and perspectives that make up our city.

To learn more about Together Mesa, please visit www.mesaaz.gov/togethermesa.

WATER SHORTAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Mesa Enacts Water Shortage Management Plan

Due to historic drought, climate change and over-allocation, conditions on the Colorado River are worsening. While deeper shortages may come quicker than anticipated, Mesa recognizes the situation is serious and continues to strategically plan for a future with less water. As a result, we are declaring a Stage One Water Shortage awareness and enacting our Water Shortage Management Plan. According to the Plan, Stage One triggers a "Water Watch" stage with a water system use reduction goal of five percent.

While water conservation measures are currently voluntary, practical water-wise changes in lifestyle can significantly impact our community's water future. Water conservation and efficiency are vital to a sustainable future in the desert. Drought and shortage are not short-term problems. Mesa remains committed to water-wise management and efficient water use to ensure sustainable growth and a thriving economy.

To learn more about Mesa's Water Stewardship Strategy visit www.mesaaz.gov/water.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Library Summer Reading Program Offers Oceans of Possibilities

Registering for summer reading is a fun and smart way to start the summer. Mesa Public Library is participating in the countywide Summer Reading Program, June 1 through Aug. 1, encouraging people of all ages to read at least 20 minutes a day.

This year's theme is "Oceans of Possibilities," encouraging pre-readers through adults to explore the many stories from under the sea.

Participants can earn online badges to keep a healthy competition with family and friends. A link to register and get information on prizes is available at www.mesalibrary.org/summerreading. You can also log your reading hours. Every minute spent reading equals one point.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers Needed for Titan Solar Power Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Arizona Celebration of Freedom Volunteers are needed for the coolest independence festival in the state! There are multiple times and shifts available including kids zones, splash zones, entertainment, info booths, and more! Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt (while supplies last), plenty of snacks and cool drinks during your shift, a hamburger or hot dog meal, as well as being entered into our volunteer raffle for gift cards, goodies, and a grand prize!

To learn more and to sign-up to volunteer, click here!

HYDRATION DONATION CAMPAIGN

Mesa Kicks Off Hydration Donation Campaign to Save Lives

Since 2007, the annual Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign has been saving lives during the extreme Arizona heat. City elected officials and community and business leaders are urging the public to join in this annual effort to collect 600,000 bottles of water to help Mesa's most vulnerable residents.

Residents can donate water at various drop-off locations throughout the City. The complete list of locations is available at www.mesaaz.gov/H2OMesa. Cash donations are also accepted.

The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign will be collecting water until Friday, Sept. 30.

The City of Mesa Water Resources is also continuing and expanding its use of Hydration Stations, which are water bottle refill stations available year-round in public areas easily accessible to anyone who needs a drink of water. A map with the locations is available at www.mesaaz.gov/H2OMesa.

OUT IN THE DISTRICT

WHAT'S HAPPENING

June 3 - Pachanga en la Piscina

Come to Carson Aquatic Complex (525 N. Westwood) to enjoy a FREE, bilingual water safety event for the whole family! There will be open swimming, safety activities, and prizes. The City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Department will be raffling off free swim lessons and lifejackets! 

June 4 - Science and Art of Storytelling with Author Molly Idle

Join this brand-new program at the Arizona Museum of Natural History (53 N. Macdonald) where local authors come to read or tell a story, do a presentation, craft or activity. This is perfect for families with younger kids up until around 4th grade. FREE with admission! Spots are limited to 30 walk-in participants per session! This program runs every Saturday in June and July from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

June 9 - Community Blood Donation Drive

Give the gift of life! Civil Air Patrol's Falcon Composite Squadron 305 will host a community blood drive event for the American Red Cross from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Civil Air Patrol building, 4730 E. Falcon Drive at Mesa's Falcon Field Airport. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. In the ZIP or Sponsor Code box, type CAP. Choose the Falcon Field Civil Air Patrol sponsored event. Walk-ins will be accepted as the schedule allows.

June 9,10,11 - The Lion King Junior

The City of Mesa Parks & Rec. Adaptive Program participants and Red Mountain High School present Lion King Jr. with a cast of actors with varied disabilities. Proceeds will go to Arizona Disabled Sports.

Showtimes:
• Thursday, June 9, 2022, @ 7 PM
• Friday, June 10, 2022, @ 7 PM
• Saturday, June 11, 2022, @ 2PM

Cost: $7. Tickets can be purchased at the door. (Cash or Credit)

June 18 - NAFFA Father's Day Festival

Join the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association and the East Valley Institute of Technology for their 1st Father's Day Festival! There will be food, games, and lots of activities. Food truck lunches will be available for purchase. Location: EVIT Culinary Arts Banquet Hall 1601 W. Main St. from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information, please contact 480-833-5007.

June 21 - Resident's Guide to Community and Civic Engagement

This class takes place at the Mesa City Council Chambers where public meetings happen. Learn how to become more involved in decision making, leadership roles, the impact of serving on City advisory and nonprofit community boards and how to be appointed to one. You will get to tour Mesa's Council Chambers and learn to how participate in public meetings. Space is limited. Register today!

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. City Council and advisory board meetings will operate on a hybrid system. Public participation will be available using either blue comment cards found in the City Council chambers or by submitting an online comment card through the video and audio-conferencing platform Zoom. The process for citizens to participate in the meetings can be found here. 

Mesa will also continue to broadcast its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook. 

The agendas are available here.

June Council Meetings
Monday, June 6 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, June 20 - 5:45 p.m.

June Study Sessions
Thursday, June 2 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, June 6 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, June 16 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, June 20 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, June 23 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 30- 7:30 a.m.

*- Meetings subject to start time changes

STAY INFORMED

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! For Council meeting info click here. Visit Mesa Channel 11 for more updates.

Phone: 480-644-6275 Email: District3@mesaaz.gov