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October 2024
Hello!
I hope you're excited to welcome the fall season! This month's newsletter shares several important updates, including staff presentations on the utility rate adjustment, the 2050 Transportation Master Plan, the Retail Coach Study, upcoming events, and much more!
Earlier this spring, we asked for help identifying safety issues on our roadways. Now, we need your input to help us prioritize safety strategies. Please share your thoughts by taking the Mesa Safer Streets Survey by November 15. Your voice matters!
As Chair of the Sustainability and Transportation Committee and a board member of the Economic Development Committee, I wanted to share a couple of important updates with you. Last month, staff presented an update on the 2050 Master Transportation Plan. Since our meeting in May, staff has finalized the street typologies graphics, corridors of opportunity maps, developed the executive summary, conducted phase III of Public Engagement, and completed revisions and assembly of the final document. Please take some time to review the SAT presentation and read the Draft Transportation Master Plan.
Additionally, the Economic Development team and the Retail Coach consultant presented an update on the results and recommendation from the Quality Retail Attraction Strategy Report. Mesa's objectives include actively recruiting retail businesses to Mesa, developing and enhancing relationships, and marketing Mesa as a retail destination. For additional information, please review the presentation.
Lastly, the City of Mesa is committed to maintaining predictable and gradual rate adjustments, ensuring that residents are not faced with sudden, significant increases. I encourage you to review the staff presentation to the Council on the Utility Fund Forecast, Rates Recommendation, and Cash Flow Projections.
While operating costs are expected to remain relatively stable throughout the forecast period, Mesa will see a considerable rise in project costs. These increases stem from regional commitments, lifecycle replacements, growth-related projects, and debt service, largely influenced by inflation and city growth. Fortunately, our healthy reserve allows us to draw from it, mitigating the need for more substantial rate increases.
The Notice of Intent to increase utility rates provides a 60-day comment period. If you'd like to provide a comment or have any questions, please email the City Clerk's Office at clerk.info@mesaaz.gov or submit an online meeting comment card.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, or to simply say hello!
Warm Regards,
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
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The City of Mesa has placed 4 key questions on the General Election November 5 ballot that'll impact the future of the City.
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Question 1 - Permanent Base Adjustment (Resolution 12204)
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Question 2 - General Obligation Bond – Enhance Community Safety (Resolution 12225)
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Question 3 - General Obligation Bond – Enhance Recreational Facilities and Expand Educational and Cultural Experiences (Resolution 12225)
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Question 4 - 2050 General Plan (Resolution 12209)
Excited to announce that the East Valley Institute of Technology is launching a new STEM Academy in the summer of 2025!
In partnership with The Boeing Company, Intel, and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, this academy will offer a variety of training programs designed to prepare students for the future workforce. Enrollment begins November 2024.
Tracks:
Aviation - Flight, Specialist Projects, and Aircraft Mechanics
Applied Engineering - Engineering
Manufacturing - Technician and Quality Control Technician
*Additional programs/tracks to be added in future years.
McDowell & McKellips Water Transmission Main Improvements
The scope of the project is to install access ports into an existing 30” Water Transmission Main that run along McDowell and McKellips from Val Vista Rd. to Recker Rd. Once the ports are installed, personnel and equipment can enter the pipes to perform inspection and minor maintenance.
Project construction started on September 30 and is anticipated to be completed May of 2025. There will be traffic control at various points, which will be posted when approved.
Red Mountain Shared Use Path Project
The first phase of the Red Mountain Shared Use Path (SUP) will be beginning construction in early 2025. The 10-foot pathway will begin at the Power Road Park and Ride at the SR 202 and continue north along the east side of Power Road, terminating at the city limit boundary. Future city SUP and trail phases will tie into this project to connect to the west and south. The project is funded by a federal grant specifically dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
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I am so excited to share that last month we celebrated the expansion of Red Mountain Park! We’ve added ten new multi-use fields for sports like soccer and lacrosse and four new baseball/softball fields, making this park a true destination for sports and recreation.
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I had so much fun joining the Sousa Stars last month with Mayor John Giles! It was wonderful to talk with the students about my role in supporting our Mesa community. |
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My colleagues and I had the privilege of joining the Sodhi family in giving back to our community at Paz de Cristo Community Center in his honor. This was a powerful reminder to lead with kindness and compassion as we honored the memory of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Mesa resident who became the first victim of a hate crime in the wake of 9/11. |
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I attended the Girls in Aviation Day event at Falcon Field Airport in the Wings of Flight Foundation Hanger. It was nice to see so many young women interested in the field. The passion and excitement in the room were inspiring, and it was incredible to witness future leaders and innovators in aviation taking flight toward their dreams. |
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Last month, I had the pleasure of joining many dedicated volunteers for Mesa's Love Your City - National Day of Service event. It was inspiring to see so many community members come together to make a difference. Our focus this year was the Red Mountain Trails, where we worked side by side to clean and restore this beautiful local treasure. |
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Celebrate Mesa - Free Fall Festival
Join us for a fun-filled evening at Celebrate Mesa on Saturday, October 12, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Red Mountain Park South Multiuse Fields.
This FREE family festival has something for everyone! Enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including:
- Free Bounce Houses and Kids Games
- Live Entertainment
- Delicious Food Trucks
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Mesa Arts Center is pleased to celebrate Día de los Muertos with an annual event created in collaboration with the community on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of Latin American art and culture related to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The annual free event offers a variety of features, performances and more in celebration of the memories of the deceased.
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Cockpit Close-Up: Halloween Edition at Falcon Field Airport
Join us for the Halloween edition of Cockpit Close-Up, a FREE event perfect for families and kids in costume! Explore the Historic WWII Hangar, trick-or-treat with City of Mesa departments and Falcon Field businesses, and get up close with private aircraft presented by WOFF, a volunteer pilot organization based at Falcon Field.
Saturday, October 26
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Historic WWII Hangar
4626 E Fighter Aces Drive
Mesa, Arizona 85215
Halloween Boo! at the Red Mountain Library
Be sure to wear a costume and bring your treat bag to this special preschool Halloween event. We'll be joined by Kids Need to Read and other special guests.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Red Mountain Library
635 N. Power Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
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 October Council Meetings
Monday, October 7 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, October 21 - 5:45 p.m.
October Study Sessions
Thursday, October 3 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, October 7 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 10 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 17 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, October 21 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 24 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 31 - 7:30 a.m.
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Monday, October 12 - 3:30 p.m.
*Meetings subject to start time changes
The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. Learn more about the process for public participation in meetings. City Council and advisory board meetings will operate on a hybrid system.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
Council agendas.
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