August 2022

Hello District 3 Neighbors!

I hope you are having a fun and safe summer. The monsoon season has brought some rain and storms. In this newsletter you'll find resources to aid you in case of an emergency. With the 2022-2023 school year upon us, I wish our Mesa students, staff, and parents a great back to school experience. Please pay extra attention for students walking to and from school when you are driving on our roadways.

On a separate note, I would like to thank all the residents, businesses, and volunteers who contributed to our District 3 Back-to-School Supply Drive. Stay tuned for the final reveal!

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

~Councilmember Francisco Heredia

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM

Waitlist to Open for Housing Choice Voucher Program

The City of Mesa Housing Authority will be accepting pre-applications for the tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) online from Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. through Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. This will be a fully web-based pre-application process. The application will be available in English and Spanish at www.mesaaz.gov/hcvwaitlist. Paper applications are available only for those who require special assistance.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides rental assistance to low-income families by contracting with private owners and subsidizing a portion of the family's monthly rent. The family's portion of the rent is based on their income and generally amounts to no more than 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income on rent, depending on the cost of the unit they select.

Applicants can fill out the form on any computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access, including free computer access at the following locations. City of Mesa Housing staff will be available at these locations Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist with submitting applications.

FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

There are activities for everyone this fall! 

Check out the Mesa Parks and Rec. new Adult Activities (Mesa Hikes, Cornhole and Ultimate), adaptive programs, swimming lessons, tennis and pickleball, fall youth camps, special interest classes, volunteer opportunities and more!

Did you know you can see what activities we are offering this fall by age group?  View page 4 of the Activity Guide for a Glossary of Activities by Age.

You may also be eligible for 50% off certain youth and adaptive recreation activities, so apply for the Mesa Recreation Scholarship today!

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT SITES

Stay informed regarding development sites in Mesa!

This story map contains development site projects across the City of Mesa. View projects as they progress through the planning process: 

• Pending Planning Process
• Site Plan / Zoning Approved
• Building / Construction Plan Review
• Permit Issued
• Construction Complete

Our Development Sites Map gets updated frequently as new projects go through the Planning & Zoning process. I encourage you visit this map often to stay up to date regarding developments in our city, especially in West Mesa. If you'd like to lean more about the Planning & Zoning process, please visit the Planning & Zoning Process Overview webpage.

MONSOON HOTLINES

Summer ushers in the season of storms. Many times a monsoon may start quickly and lead to downed power lines and trees, power outages and flooded streets in a matter of minutes. The elderly and homebound individuals are among the most vulnerable during the monsoon season. Mesa reminds you to check on those living near you to make sure they stay safe.

All Mesa residents are encouraged to have an evacuation plan for the most severe instances and have a disaster kit with water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, batteries, medications and first aid supplies. Pet owners should also have a disaster kit for their four-legged friends. Mesa also encourages its residents to stay updated on current weather forecasts.

For additional storm preparation information and a complete list of contact numbers, visit www.mesaaz.gov/storm.

Back to School Safety and Traffic Enforcement

With the 2022-2023 school year approaching, the Mesa Police Department (MPD) wanted to remind the public that we will be out conducting school zone enforcement. The MPD Traffic Unit, as always, will continue its support of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Back to School Enforcement program beginning Thursday, August 4th until further notice. Emphasized traffic enforcement hours will take place before and after normal school sessions.

School zone safety enforcement is held annually. The mission for this enforcement effort is to ensure drivers recognize and obey school zone laws. Drivers are also urged to exercise caution near school crosswalks. The Mesa Police Department encourages everyone to proceed with caution when driving through school zones.

Please report reckless or unsafe driving to your local Police Department. If in Mesa, call the Mesa Police Department non-emergency line at 480-644-2211.

OUT IN THE DISTRICT

WHAT'S HAPPENING

August 10 - Mesa Fire and Medical Monthly Immunization Clinic

Mesa Fire and Medical Department supports monthly immunization clinics the second Wednesday of the Month (except: no clinic in December) 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Location: Superstition Springs Center 6555 E. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85206.

The clinic location within the mall is subject to change, please text the mall concierge service at (480) 409-7900 or speak with a mall representative at (480) 924-5050 to get an exact location before arrival.

Visit the immunization page for additional details and upcoming clinic schedule.

August 13 - Family Fun Day at the Commemorative Air Force Museum!

Bring the family and journey through 100 years of military aviation at Family Fun Day from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, August 13 at Mesa's Commemorative Air Force Museum! The museum will offer reduced admission of $5 per person or $10 for a family group of four (children age 5 and under are free). Special reduced admission is sold at the door only. Annual pass holders are admitted free. For information call (480) 924-1940 or visit www.azcaf.org.

Every Saturday in August - Downton Mesa Farmers Market

The Downtown Mesa Farmers Market was established to answer a call from our community for fresh, local produce, to create a family friendly experience, and to help support and foster new and existing small businesses. Located on the Mesa Arts Center property and in the heart of Downtown Mesa, guests have the opportunity to explore the city, experience public art, contemporary art and engage with the community through our programming and vendor experiences.

Summer hours: every Saturday, 8AM-11AM. Click here for more info!

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.

August Council Meetings
Monday, August 22 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, August 29 - 5:45 p.m.

August Study Sessions
Thursday, August 18 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, August 22 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, August 25 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, August 29 - 5:15 p.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