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 April 2023
Greetings District 3 Neighbors!
Spring is in full swing, and there are plenty of exciting things happening in our city! From community events to important city projects, there is something for everyone to get involved in this month. As Vice Mayor of Mesa, I am proud to be a part of the great work being done in our community and I am honored to share with you some of the highlights of what's happening in Mesa.
Firstly, I am thrilled to announce that The City of Mesa is among 20 finalists in the competition to receive the 2023 All-America City Award. The finalists are being recognized for their work to improve the health and well-being of young people and, by extension, all residents. An important focus of the All-America City Award is to highlight communities that authentically involve and welcome youth in this work. Read the full press release here! Our city's commitment to innovation and collaboration has truly shone through, and I want to extend my congratulations to all of the residents, community organizations, and city staff who have worked tirelessly to make Mesa such a great place to live, work, and play.
In this month's newsletter, you will find updates on key initiatives that are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all Mesa residents. Additionally, we will be highlighting some exciting community events and programs that are taking place in Mesa throughout the month of April. I encourage you to read on and stay up-to-date on all of the latest news and events in West Mesa!
As always, please contact my office if you need any assistance: District3@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-3003.
~Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia
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Share your Knowledge and Experience with Mesa
Do you or someone you know have the desire to share your unique knowledge and experience with your community? Do you know someone invested in Mesa’s success and looking for ways to get more involved? One of the most effective ways to provide input to local government is through service on one of the City’s citizen advisory boards and committees.
The City of Mesa accepts applications on a rolling basis as members term out or cycle off at regular intervals. Applications are available at the Advisory Board & Committees Application Center. Applicants must first create a profile with login and password before applying. Board and committee members are appointed by the office of the Mayor and approved by Council. Unless otherwise noted, the term of service is three years.
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The 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?
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Save the Date for Celebrate Mesa April 15
Mesa's free family-friendly spring party in the park will celebrate Earth Day with fun activities for people of all ages. Celebrate Mesa takes over Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event celebrates Earth Day with a Living Green Village featuring over 20 exhibitors. Residents attending Celebrate Mesa can learn about tree planting, composting, recycling household items and new energy efficiency incentives available to homeowners. With the City's new "Trees are Cool" tree planting challenge, master gardener's will have a tree bookmark activity and the nonprofit organization Trees Matter will share food forest recipes using native tree pods. Electric car owners will have their vehicles on display and answer questions.
Other fun 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
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Mesa Music Festival Connects Musicians and Industry Pros
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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Crawfish Café is now in the Mesa Asian District!
Join me in welcoming Crawfish Café to District 3 in Mesa. They offer Viet Cajun Style food! Vietnamese Cajun cuisine is a culinary fusion between the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam & the ethnic Southern flavors of the Louisiana Cajun culture. Vietnamese Cajun food first began in Houston, TX where Crawfish Cafe's first location was founded. We are lucky to have their first AZ location in the heart of the Asian District!
The Viet-Cajun seafood boil takes the main component of the Louisiana Cajun style's method of boiling & soaking seafood in seasoned water, then tossing the seafood in a blend of aromatics, garlic, butter, & other Southeast Asian spices to create a wonderful flavor profile that is aromatic & flavorful on both the inside & outside. I had the pleasure of visiting with them and enjoying their cuisine. Highly recommend!
28 South Dobson Rd, Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 833-1642
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CSS Presentation Systems Grand Opening. Members of Council joined me attending the Grand opening of CSS Presentations Systems in District 3. Their new headquarters are now in Mesa Riverview, bringing 100+ jobs!
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Walk to School Day at Adams Elementary. I joined the City of Mesa Bike and Pedestrian Program and the Mesa PD Fiesta Division for walk-to-school day to Adams Elementary. Though we got some rain, that didn’t stop the students and parents from having a fun experience!
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HLI-East Local Government Session. I had the opportunity to share my story and the importance of local/state government along with Mesa Deputy City Clerk, Lisa Anderson, and Rep. Lorena Austin.
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Broadway Corridor Brand Launch. Our Mesa Economic Development Dept. launched this exciting project last week. From the Loop 101 all the way to Mesa Drive, this employment corridor is critical for our city and we're stoked to showcase it as a thriving commercial hub for even more opportunities! Calling all business owners and stakeholders! Let's work together to make this the best branding process yet!
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MHN Lunch and Learn in Honor of Cesar Chavez. I participated as a panelist in a Lunch and Learn hosted by the City of Mesa, Mesa Hispanic Network, along with my spouse, Carmen Heredia, Director of Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
The theme was "La Lucha Continúa", the work of Cesar Chavez continues. We talked about our family/work balance, our own personal journeys, the causes we strive to improve, and how we hope to make a positive change in our communities through public service.
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April 8 - District 2 Spring Breakfast
Join Councilmember Julie Spilsbury this Saturday, April 8 for a FREE Spring Breakfast at Greenfield Park! Come enjoy a pancake breakfast, bounce house, petting zoo, arts & crafts, and an Easter Egg Hunt at 9am!
April 13-15 - Mesa Music Festival
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. It’s a unique event that is a true celebration of music in downtown Mesa. We host artists and attendees from around the world for 3 days of music, art and fun.
FREE! Watch for additional details at mesamusicfest.com.
April 15 - Celebrate Mesa!
Join us Saturday 4/15 10am - 2pm at Pioneer Park. Celebrate Mesa is a free family festival that will feature Earth Day activities, live entertainment, free bounce houses and kids games, visits from superheroes, a petting zoo, carnival rides, food trucks and much more! See full details here!
April 19 - Bike to Work Day
Join the City of Mesa's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program for Mesa Bike to Work (or wherever you need to go) Day 2023 on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. 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.
You can join the group ride - OR - bike directly to the celebration located at the Plaza at Mesa City Center (56 Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201). The first 300 to RSVP and check in at Mesa Bike to Work Day Celebration will receive a limited-edition T-shirt designed and a breakfast voucher to use that morning.
RSVP to reserve your spot!
April 22 - 5th Annual Dobson Ranch Spring Expo
The Dobson Ranch 5th Annual Spring Expo and Pancake Breakfast will be on Earth Day - April 22nd starting at 8:00 am! They will have a Pancake Breakfast served by the Dobson Ranch Retirees' Club, sustainable local vendors and exhibitors, and fun activities for kids! Several City of Mesa Department will be there! We look forward to seeing you there!
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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.
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
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