July 2023

Greetings District 3 Neighbors!

I hope you're enjoying a fantastic and safe summer season. As the Mesa City Council session approaches its summer break, our final study session and council meeting will take place on Monday, July 10th at 5:15pm. Tune in to my Facebook page for a live stream of the event. Even though Council will be on break, I want to assure you that my door is always open. I'm here to address your questions, listen to your concerns, and assist you in any way I can.

Furthermore, I'm excited to bring your attention to an exciting opportunity to contribute to Mesa's General Plan through the District 3 Interactive Urban Lab. This is your chance to engage in discussions about Tomorrow's Mesa's vision, gain insights into what we've learned thus far, and help identify long-term opportunities for our district. For more details, scroll down to find the relevant information.

Remember, if you require any assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact my office at District3@mesaaz.gov or reach out by phone at 480-644-3003. Wishing you a remarkable summer break, and I eagerly anticipate our continued connection and engagement with the community.

~Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia

AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Join the coolest Independence Day celebration in Arizona!

The AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom is guaranteed to be one night of spectacular FREE fun and entertainment. The state's coolest festival to celebrate America's freedom and independence is Tuesday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre campus, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between First Street and University Drive.

The temperatures may be hot, but you can stay cool at the event with Cool Zones that include giant fans and misters. There will be many activities, displays and events inside Mesa Convention Center.

District 3 Urban Lab Public Meeting

Calling all District 3 Residents!

We're updating our city plans, and we need you to help shape our future! Join us for an interactive session to learn about Mesa and to share your vision and priorities. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-decade opportunity to plan the future of your community. Learn more about this project and other ways to shape our city at www.tomorrowsmesa.com.

Dobson Ranch Community Center

 Grande Room - 2719 S Reyes

July 26th from 6-8 PM

See you there!

Heat Relief & Summer Safety

Heat Relief Locations

If you need help getting to a local hydration station or cooling center, please call the 211 Transportation Hotline at 1-855-345-6432 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day to schedule a ride.

• Day Respite Center
  Resurrection Street Ministries
  1135 E. Main St.
  Services include air-conditioned space, water, rest areas, meals, navigation services, medical care, showers, laundry and more
  Open through September 30
  Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Sundays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cooling Centers

Locations provide water and access to air-conditioned space:

• MesaCAN
  635 E. Broadway
  During excessive heat warnings
  Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Salvation Army
  Mesa Citadel Corps
  241 E. 6th St.
  Daily through September 30, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Allows leashed and well-behaved pets
• Friends @ First Mesa
  First United Methodist Church
  15 E. 1^st Ave.
  Mondays & Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Assistance Programs and Resources

DES Emergency Rental Assistance Program

ERAP offers rental assistance to eligible Arizona households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing eligible households up to $3,500 per month in rental assistance. Total assistance may not exceed 18 months or $63,000.

Effective July 1, 2023, new eligible applicants may apply for past-due (arrears) and up to one month of future rental assistance. This program is being offered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security. If you have questions about your ERAP application, please call 1 (833) 912-0878. For additional information and eligibility requirement please visit the link below.

Limited Income Senior Rate Program

This program is a residential utility assistance program that provides a 30% discount on the Water Service Rate, one of the water rate components on a customer’s bill.  On a 3/4" water service (most common size for residences), the discount reduces the fixed, monthly charge from $30.03 per month to $21.02 per month.  This is an $9.01 savings per month!  This program does not change any other water rate component.

Who qualifies for this program?

• Senior citizen - 60 years of age and older
• Applicant must be the utility account holder
• Permanent, full-time resident at the service address
• Limited income (200% federal poverty level - 2022)

Summer Electric Assistance (SEA) Program

SEA is a residential utility assistance program for income-qualified customers residing in Mesa’s Electric Service Area and receiving their electric service directly from the City (not SRP). SEA provides Mesa electric utility customers with limited short-term assistance for their electric bills during the summer months of July, August, and September.

SEA eliminates Mesa’s monthly service charge and usage charge for the first 80 kilowatt hours. SEA participants can expect to save between $16.86 and $17.10 on their July, August and September bills. Full participation could result in total savings between $50.00 and $51.00. Actual savings are dependent upon submission and approval dates as well as the total number of kWh consumed each month.

Fireworks Rules and Safety

Fireworks Rules and Safety

If you believe someone in your neighborhood will be setting off illegal aerial fireworks this year, we want to know!

Simply email: Fireworks@mesaaz.gov

We'd love to educate them on how to celebrate legally and safely! To learn more about the legal and safe use of fireworks, please visit the link below.

Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign

Help us Reach 700,000 bottles of water!

The 17th Annual Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign, from June 5 through September 29, 2023, provides supplies of water to people in need. The City of Mesa works with nonprofit agencies and businesses to collect the bottles of water which are distributed through United Food Bank to numerous agencies in the valley, including A New Leaf, Paz de Cristo and Mesa United Way.

The campaign is a life saver for the less fortunate during the hot summer months. Since the campaign began in 2007, more than 5.2 million bottles of water have been donated. $5 or less buys a case of water. Follow the link below for drop-off locations and other ways to donate.

Monsoon Season

Mesa Asks You to be Monsoon Ready

Summer ushers in the season of storms, when 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. 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.

Sand and empty bags are available at the following locations (bring your own shovel):

• Fire Station 202, 830 S. Stapley Drive
• Fire Station 205, 730 S. Greenfield Road
• Fire Station 209, 7035 E. Southern Ave.
• Fire Station 212, 2430 E. Ellsworth Road

Mesa Transportation Department has pre-filled sandbags at the following locations: 

• Transportation Building, 300 E. 6th St. (west side of building)
• East Mesa Service Center, 6935 E. Decatur St. (front parking lot)

For additional storm preparation information and

a complete list of contact numbers, visit:

OUT IN THE DISTRICT

WHAT'S HAPPENING

July 4 - AT&T Fiber Arizona Celebration of Freedom

July 8 - Family Fun Day at Commemorative Air Force Museum

Don't miss Family Fun Day at Mesa's Commemorative Air Force Museum from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 8. There will be fun and educational experiences for all ages! 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.

July 12 - Mesa Fire and Medical Monthly Immunization Clinic

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 Superstition Springs Center 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.

July 26 - Mesa General Plan - Urban Lab Public Meeting

Calling all Mesa residents! The General Plan is coming to District 3 for an Urban Lab workshop. Join us for an interactive event to discuss Tomorrow’s Mesa’s vision, learn about what we have heard so far through the process, and help identify long-term opportunities for areas in your District. Location: Dobson Ranch Community Center 2719 S. Reyes. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

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.

July Council Meetings
Monday, July 3 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, July 10 - 5:45 p.m.

July Study Sessions
Monday, July 3 - 5:15 p.m.
Monday, July 10 - 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