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 Community Newsletter
January 2023
Happy New Year Neighbors!
I hope you and your family had a happy and blessed holiday season and that 2023 is off to a great start! Mesa City Council recently reconvened, and we will be holding a strategic planning session this upcoming Thursday, January 12, where we will discuss our priorities for the coming year.
On Wednesday, January 4, community leaders and residents gathered at the Mesa Arts Center to witness the swearing-in of Mesa's newly elected City Councilmembers. District 5 Councilmember Alicia Goforth, District 6 Councilmember Scott Somers, and myself were recently elected and will serve through January 2027. I look forward to working collaboratively with our new Mesa City Council over this next term. My priority is ensuring that Mesa is a sustainable city economically, environmentally, and equitably and remains a premier place to live, work, and play.
Thank you for your support over the last four years. I will continue to advocate for our residents and businesses to the best of my abilities as I continue my role as District 4 Councilmember. If you ever have any questions, want to share about issues that are important to you, or if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at district4@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-3004. My door is always open.
-Councilmember Jenn Duff
 
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Workforce Center @ Mesa has officially been launched, offering Mesa residents, many with significant barriers to employment, the workforce services and activities needed to get jobs. The new center, located within the existing MesaCAN building at 635 E. Broadway Road, is a partnership involving the City of Mesa, A New Leaf Workforce Services and Maricopa County ARIZONA@WORK and provides valuable resources to reduce the barriers to employment that many of Mesa's residents face. Whether its locating job opportunities, getting help with resume writing, or developing new job skills, the Workforce Center @ Mesa is a great asset.
Education and workforce opportunities go hand in hand, as both are essential factors for the prosperity and vitality of a community. More information about Workforce Center @ Mesa is available at www.mesaaz.gov/workforcecenter.
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Apply today for the City of Mesa general business license. It’s $10 per year and good for 12 months from issue date. Benefits include receiving information and essential news for operating a business, especially in times of emergency. It also provides a starting point for obtaining other licenses and code requirements for doing business in Mesa. Bonus: The first 1,000 small businesses to apply will receive a free two-year Arizona Small Business Association membership valued at $198.
Most businesses that collect sales tax, services business and home-based businesses will need to obtain the license. Some exemptions apply. A list of frequently asked questions is posted on the City’s Licensing Page.
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Registration begins Monday, January 9 at 8 a.m. for Mesa residents and Monday, January 16 at 8 a.m. for non-Mesa residents for the City of Mesa's Parks and Recreation spring programs. Youth Sports programs include swim lessons, basketball, T-ball and spring break camps. Dancing, junior judo and karate classes are also available for kids. For adults, Mesa offers softball, volleyball, kickball, flag football, tennis, pickleball and recess for adults. There will also be adaptive programs, lifeguard training and special interest classes such as dog manners, dance, Kangoo Jumps and Lego Roboteering available for youth and adults.
Financial assistance is available for all youth and adaptive recreation programs. The Mesa Recreation Scholarship is funded by a federal grant from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover 50 percent of the registration fees for qualified participants.
For more information and to register visit Mesa Parks and Recreation Activity Guide.
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The City of Mesa and the Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee invite the community to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy on Monday, January 16. This year's 25th-anniversary celebration theme is "What Are You Doing For Others?" The festivities in downtown Mesa include a parade, starting at 11 a.m., of community groups and organizations, businesses, churches, marching bands and east valley cities. The MLK Community Festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St. offers food, vendors, entertainment and a Kids Unity Corner with activities and crafts.
As part of the 25th anniversary, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street will be dedicated during a ceremony that day at 8:30 a.m. at the Mesa Arts Center. The honorary street signs will be placed along Center Street between Brown Road and First Avenue to honor Mesa's historic Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood, which had its roots during a time of segregation in the early 20th century. The signs will also celebrate Dr. King's accomplishments as a civil rights icon. Similar Calle Cesar Chavez street signs were unveiled recently along a one-mile segment of Broadway Road between Mesa Drive and Stapley Drive to honor Cesar Chavez's contributions to Mesa's thriving Hispanic population.
For more information, visit www.mesaevmlk.org.
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 The City of Mesa is collecting community feedback to assist with the development of its HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which is a required planning document for the use of its HOME-ARP funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a valued stakeholder, your feedback will provide the City with perspectives on community needs. Along with a comprehensive data analysis, information collected through the community consultation process will help the City prioritize the uses of HUD funds.
The City is holding three virtual community meetings that are open to the public. Please choose to attend the meeting topic that interests you most and/or most relates to your work.
Homelessness: Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Affordable Housing: Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Community Services: Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The community meetings will provide background on HOME-ARP and include facilitated discussions around the topics to explore community needs, existing resources, and ways we can address gaps for our most vulnerable residents.
Seats are limited and registration is necessary. All meetings are virtual, and Zoom information will be forwarded after registration.
To register for a session, please use this link: Register Here.
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 Stay Safe & Warm This Winter
- Follow manufacturer instructions for heating equipment
- Never use your oven or stove top to warm a room
- Space heaters need space: keep objects a safe distance away and turn off when not in use
- If you suspect a gas leak, get to a safe location and call 911 or 480-644-4277
For additional tips, visit the Energy Resources Safety & Education page.
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We broke ground on a joint public safety facility for the City of Mesa PD and Fire & Medical Departments. The approximately 50,000 sq. ft. facility will house up to 150 uniformed and civilian fire and police personnel and is scheduled to be completed in late 2024. |
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ElectraMeccanica has moved their headquarters to Mesa. This is the fifth electric vehicle manufacturing facility to open in Arizona since 2016, and AZ ranks 7th nationally for EV adoption, with four electric vehicles registered in the state for every 1,000 residents. You may even spot a SOLO in downtown Mesa! |
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We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with Rabbi Laibel Blotner by lighting the first candle of Mesa’s 12-ft. menorah, singing songs and enjoying kosher jelly donuts! It was a great way to recognize and honor the Festival of Lights. |
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Thank you to everyone who helped make the United Food Bank Holiday Food Distribution at Mesa Convention Center a great success! Because of the support of our great community, many many families were able to have a nutritious holiday meal on the table this year. |
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Mesa developments to keep an eye on in 2023 (AZ Central)
Mesa, a sprawling city of more than half a million people, will see the expansion of an Asian food hub, a new internet provider, a growing electric car footprint and a long-awaited beach-style park in 2023...
State-of-the-art facilities highlight new upgrades to ASU campuses (ASU News)
Arizona State University completed more than 120 projects totaling more than $40 million during the summer and fall 2022 semesters...
Mesa breaks ground on northeast public safety facility for police, fire (KTAR)
Mesa officials broke ground Monday on a complex that will house a fire station and police substation. The approximately 50,000-square-feet Northeast Mesa Public Safety Facility located near Power and Brown roads will work to address emergency response needs in the community, according to a press release...
Cider Corps will close Gilbert taproom, move production to Mesa (AZ Big Media)
The veteran-owned and family-run craft cidery Cider Corps announced it is closing its taproom and production facility in Gilbert (685 S. Gilbert Rd) at the end of the year. The cidery will return to its original location in Downtown Mesa and it has secured additional space in the building at 31 S. Robson to house its production...
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January 11 - Mesa Fire and Medical Monthly Immunization Clinic
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Free immunizations to eligible children from birth to age 18. Visit the immunization page for additional details and eligibility requirements. 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. |
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January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Festivities
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join us for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Honorary Street Sign dedication and unveiling reception in the Piper Theater at the Mesa Arts Center from 8:30am to 10:00am. After the reception, enjoy the MLK parade at 11:00am hosted by the Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee, followed by a community festival at The Plaza at Mesa City Center. More details here! |
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January 18 - Development Advisory Forum
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
The Development Advisory Forum is a quarterly meeting held with representatives of the land development community to exchange information and partner on process modifications and changes. The meeting will operate on a hybrid system. You can attend in-person or by Zoom. The meeting ID for Zoom is 5301232921. |
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January 23 - 2023 Annual Regional Unity Walk
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
In a walk in celebration of cultural diversity and community, Mesa will join Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Guadalupe, and host city Tempe in the 19th Annual Regional Unity Walk and Festival Saturday, January 28 from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The walk will begin with a festival beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Tempe Beach Park. It will include refreshments and entertainment. The one-mile candlelight walk will start at 6 p.m. Families, community organizations, scout groups, school clubs and church groups are all welcome to participate. Mesa walkers are encouraged to wear turquoise or teal-colored shirts. Free t-shirts will be available on a first-come basis. |
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Every Saturday - Downtown Mesa Farmers Market
Hours - 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Located at the Mesa Arts Center Campus in downtown Mesa, you'll find fresh produce, delicious food and treats, beautiful handcrafted goods, live music and more! Stop by and support local small businesses. |
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January Council Meetings
Monday, January 9 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, January 23 - 5:45 p.m.
January Study Sessions
Thursday, January 5 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, January 9 - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 12 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 19 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, January 23- 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 26 - 7:30 a.m.
*- Meetings subject to start time changes
The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. The process for public participation in meetings can be found here.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
Council agendas are available Here.
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