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 Community Newsletter
April 2023
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Happy April Neighbors!
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather! What a perfect time to enjoy the many family fun events and activities happening in Mesa this month. There are also numerous opportunities to engage with the City of Mesa through the various General Plan Project surveys or in-person and virtual conversations, the Community and Civic Engagement class, and City Council meetings.
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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Mesa City Council, with the support of the community, adopted a Climate Action Plan with a key aspirational goal of carbon neutrality by the year 2050. Electrifying transportation and adopting electric vehicles (EVs) is an important strategy to achieve this goal.
For this reason, the City is undertaking the development of a Communitywide Electric Vehicle Adoption Master Plan. The Plan will help guide decisions on policy and infrastructure investments that accelerate the community transition to EVs.
We want your input! What is your experience and understanding of EVs? Where are EV charging stations needed in the community? Read more information and complete the survey.
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Join me at Pioneer Park for Celebrate Mesa!
Some of the fun family activities include:
- Live Entertainment
- FREE Bounce Houses and Kids Games
- Living Green Village
- Food Trucks
- Carnival Rides ($5 wristband for unlimited rides. Age and height restrictions may apply)
- Petting Zoo
- DART Boogie
- AZ Social Axe Throwing
- Trackless Train Rides
Also, keep an eye out for the Tomorrow's Mesa booth to learn more about the planning process and to take a questionnaire. I look forward to seeing you there! For more information about Mesa's General Plan update and a complete list of community engagement activities, please visit TomorrowsMesa.com.
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Celebrations of nature abound during the month of April. Some call it Earth Month perhaps due to renewal of life that springs forth from the cold of a harsh winter, or maybe it’s because April is also the time when many plants burst into bloom. This powerful act of nature symbolizes the revival of life. See how you can get involved with Earth Month with our Ten Simple Actions to Make a Positive Impact on the Planet.
And, find our 50+ fun, easy, and locally relevant tips where we share info about Mesa's composting program, seed library, incentives for grass removal, great water-saving ideas, activities for kids, and much more.
Earth Day is Saturday, April 22, and Arbor Day is Friday, April 28. For highlights of sustainability events that contribute to making Mesa a more sustainable and green community, visit the City of Mesa's Earth Day site.
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Visit Mesa is looking for volunteers to be extras in a music video and are available to film at varying times from April 10 - April 15. The filming will be held in different locations along Main Street in Downtown Mesa, with more specific locations to come. Join me in being part of this special opportunity while we highlight our very own Downtown Mesa!
Visit Mesa has commissioned a custom song entitled We Walk, written, produced, and performed by the band Cardinal Kids exclusively for the City of Mesa. The song celebrates the opening of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, and the city's proud commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
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The 6th Annual Mesa Music Festival is the world’s premiere emerging artist festival. It welcomes participation from industry veterans, emerging artists and everyone in between. This unique even is a true celebration of music in Downtown Mesa, hosting artists and attendees from around the world for two days of music, art and fun (April 13-15).
The festival offers live music, a Vendor Village, food & beverage trucks, and art activations - something for every musician and music lover to enjoy. For more information visit mesamusicfest.com.
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In this free 60-minute class, you will:
- Learn the ins and outs of City government and how to become more involved in decision making
- Learn how to take on leadership roles beyond your neighborhood and into the community
- Learn the impact of serving on City advisory and non-profit community boards and how to be appointed to one
- Hear inspiring stories of local leaders and gain support in exploring your next volunteer leadership role
- Tour Mesa's Council Chambers and learn how to participate in public meetings
Sign up now!
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In honor of Cesar Chavez and his legacy of doing for others, the City of Mesa Citywide Volunteer Office is seeking volunteers to assist a small, local non-profit organization that has a big impact on the Mesa community. This is the perfect day to pay it forward and help the most underserved populations. Resurrection Street Ministries helps Veterans, families in crisis, and those experiencing homelessness. Please join us on Friday, March 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As we assemble food boxes, organize clean and assemble furniture and other donation items. Volunteers must be 18 and older to participate.
“Together, all things are possible.” – Cesar Chavez
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As the South Pacific Island Festival kicked off in Downtown Mesa, Mayor John Giles was pleased to proclaim March 3, 2023 as South Pacific Island Day in Mesa! It was a beautiful weekend of cultural activities, food and entertainment. |
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It was a fun day in Escobedo Park with the City of Mesa's Police, Fire and Medical, and Parks and Recreation Departments. It was a day full of fun activities, displays, demonstrations, music and food for everyone! |
I enjoyed a morning walk with students from Eagle College Prep Mesa. Walking to school increases physical activity, burns off extra energy resulting in increased focus and better academics, helps to reduce traffic congestion at schools and reduces pollution!
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I’m excited to see that the new Southeast Justice Center will soon be open to the public. The new technologically-advanced facility will house four justice courts and serve up to 100,000 people each year. This beautiful two-story brick facade will open to the public on Monday, April 3.
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April 7 - Dino Egg Hunt!
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Search for eggs throughout the Arizona Museum of Natural History. |
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April 8 - Easter Egg Hunt at Reed Park
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Mesa Police Department invites families to attend the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Reed Park. Lot's of fun and activities for the entire family. |
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April 19 - Bike to Work Day
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join the City of Mesa's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program for Mesa Bike to Work (or wherever you need to go). We are excited to announce that 2023 will be the first year the event will be open to anyone who lives, works, or enjoys spending time in Mesa. RSVP to reserve your spot! |
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Every Saturday - Downtown Mesa Farmers Market @ Mesa Arts Center
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.
*New location beginning April 8 - Inspire Farms, 206 E Main St.
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April Council Meetings
Monday, April 3 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, April 17 - 5:45 p.m.
April Study Sessions
Monday, April 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 13 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, April 17 - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, April 20 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 27 - 7:30 a.m.
Sustainability and Transportation Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 13 - 8:00 a.m.
*- Meetings subject to start time changes
The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. View the process for public participation in meetings. Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook. View Council agendas.
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