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April 2025
Greetings, District 3 Neighbors!
I hope you're doing well as we dive into another exciting month in our community! I'm excited to share that my Annual Spring Blast is coming May 23, 2025. Be on the lookout in the upcoming weeks for additional details! April brings plenty of opportunities to get involved—from registering for Mesa’s summer camps and recreation programs to applying for the Mesa College Promise program. We're also making strides in sustainability! If you live in a qualifying neighborhood, you can apply for up to three free trees through the Arizona Sustainability Alliance. Keep reading for details!
Looking for a way to make a difference in Mesa? Consider serving on a City Advisory Board or Committee! These volunteer groups help shape policies and programs that guide our city's growth. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, public safety, economic development, or the arts, there's a board or committee that needs your voice. Appointments are recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council, with most terms lasting three years. If you're ready to get involved, I encourage you to apply!
As always, If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to contact my office at District3@mesaaz.gov or call 480-644-3003.
Best,
Councilmember Francisco Heredia
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Escape the Heat and Have Fun: Mesa Summer Camp and Recreation Programs Registration Begins April 7
Beat the heat with action-packed camps and programs from Mesa Parks and Recreation! Registration opens for Mesa residents on Monday, April 7 at 8 a.m. with non-Mesa residents following on April 14. From thrilling adventures for kids to engaging activities for teens and adults, summer in Mesa promises something for everyone.
There are four ways to register for summer programs and activities:
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Online using the ACTIVENET Registration System
- Email a completed registration form to ParksRecInfo@MesaAZ.gov
- By phone at 480-644-PLAY (7529)
- In-person at the Mesa Parks and Recreation office at 708 W. Baseline Road. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Don't Miss Celebrate Mesa at Pioneer Park
Get ready for a day of family-friendly fun at Celebrate Mesa, happening Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park (526 E. Main St.). This year’s theme, Spring Fling, brings new experiences, including the unveiling of two mobile units:
- Read Runner Bookmobile – Mesa Public Library’s new mobile unit expands access to books and educational materials.
- M.O.R.E. Mobile Recreation Unit – Bringing outdoor activities and educational programs to City parks.
Celebrate Mesa will also feature a Living Green Village in honor of Earth Day, with resources on tree planting, composting, recycling, and energy efficiency. Plus, enjoy live music, food vendors, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and more!
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Caffenio is Now in Mesa!
You don’t have to go to Mexico for your favorite coffee anymore! Caffenio, a beloved Mexican coffee chain, has opened its first U.S. location right here in Mesa at 1252 W Southern Ave.
Founded in 1923, Caffenio has been serving high-quality, 100% Mexican coffee for over a century. With more than 200 locations in Mexico, the brand has now made its long-awaited U.S. debut. Their menu features a delicious variety of hot and cold drinks, pastries, and food options—all with the authentic flavors that have made Caffenio a favorite.
The Mesa location is open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Stop by and experience a taste of Mexico—right here in Mesa! 🧁☕🌵
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Join a City of Mesa Advisory Board or Committee
Want to make an impact in our community? The City of Mesa is seeking applicants for its advisory boards and committees. These volunteer groups provide valuable input on City policies, programs, and services. Appointments are recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Most positions require a three-year commitment.
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Application Period Opens for Mesa College Promise
Mesa Community College has started accepting online applications through June 15 for the Mesa College Promise program for the 2025-2026 academic year. The successful program launched in 2021 as a public and private partnership involving the City of Mesa, Mesa Community College (MCC) and the corporate sector covers two years of tuition and fees at MCC for eligible 2025 Mesa high school graduates and eligible adults who are 25 years or older.
The program provides financial support to students with demonstrated financial needs who have not received enough FAFSA funds or other scholarships to cover the total cost of college. Eligibility includes a 2.0 or better high school GPA, Mesa residency and a commitment to taking at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Adults 25 and older who are Mesa residents are eligible to apply by meeting the following requirements:
- Demonstrating financial need through FAFSA completion and supporting documentation
- Earned a high school diploma or GED
- Not previously attended college or some college/no degree
- Enrolling at MCC with a minimum of 6 credits as a degree or certificate-seeking student in an eligible program of study
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Find Out if You Qualify for Three Free Trees
Want to get up to three free trees to increase the shade around your home while improving environmental sustainability in your community? The AZ Sustainability Alliance (AZSA)
is offering free trees to eligible residents who sign up. To qualify, residents must meet the following requirements:
- Be a homeowner or have planting permission
- Live in the designated project neighborhood (Tempe Canal to Alma School and Rio Salado to University)
- Have space on your property that meets planting guidelines
- Be available for up to two site visits and submit a utility locator ticket (AZ811) before planting day
- Be available on April 19th from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for tree delivery and planting
- Commit to watering and maintaining the tree(s)
- Apply by April 8
Funded by the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act.
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Did You Know?
Celebrate Safe Digging Month with us! April is the perfect time to tackle your outdoor projects. Remember to notify Arizona 811 at least two full working days before you start digging to have underground utility lines located and marked. The depths of utility lines vary, and multiple lines may exist in the same area. This simple step can help prevent injuries, property damage, and service outages.
Once you’ve called 8-1-1:
- Wait until you receive responses from all the facilities listed on your ticket to begin digging.
- Hand-dig within two feet of marked facilities, supporting and protecting exposed facilities.
- Keep all locate marks visible and valid (15 days) for the duration of your project.
Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Contacting Arizona 811 is easy, free, and it’s the law.
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I had the pleasure of hosting Spencer Golden from Boeing this week as part of the Mesa Leadership Program! Spencer is a proud Mesa resident, and it was great sharing how our city operates and the leadership challenges we tackle. His passion and commitment to our community truly stood out!
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Exciting news! I’ll soon be joining the United Food Bank board! As part of my onboarding, I had the opportunity to tour their facility and see their incredible work firsthand. I look forward to being part of this amazing organization!
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Had a great time at the opening ceremony of the Asian Festival at Mesa Community College! This event brings people together to celebrate cultural diversity, unity, and a healthy lifestyle. It’s more than just a showcase of traditions—it’s a chance to build connections and strengthen our community. Special thanks to the event organizers, volunteers and small businesses for making this event a success year after year!
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April 5 - CycloMesa
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main Street
The CycloMesa Festival hosted by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is designed to bring our community together and is perfect for all ages. The festival encourages our community to use alternative modes of transportation, like bicycling, and will feature live music, food trucks, BMX stunt shows, a rock wall and much more! This is sure to be a must attend event! L
April 5 - Family Fun Fair
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mesa Community College, 1833 W Southern Ave
Celebrating Week of the Young Child, the event is hosted by Mesa Community College and sponsored by First Things First Southeast Maricopa Region Family Support Coalition who was formed to allow family services agencies to enhance and coordinate resources that assist families across the Southeast Region.
April 8 - Resident's Guide to Heat Safety Webinar
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Join this informative 60-minute heat safety webinar where you will learn to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and discover practical ways to provide assistance. The session will also cover strategies to prevent these illnesses and minimize heat exposure. The webinar will feature experts from Mesa Fire and Medical and the Office of Homeless Solutions and include a Q&A session.
April 12 - Celebrate Mesa
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Pioneer Park, 526 E Main St
Mesa’s family-friendly Spring Fling in the Park offers free fun for all ages, featuring the debut of two new mobile units. The Read Runner bookmobile expands library access with books and educational resources, while the M.O.R.E. (Mesa Outdoor Recreation Experience) unit brings free recreational and educational activities to parks across the city.
April 16 - Bike to Work Day
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Plaza at Mesa City Center, 50 E. Main Street
Grab your bike and helmet and join us for a bike ride to the event. Bike to Work Day hosted by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program encourages everyone to utilize an alternative mode of transportation to work and brings everyone together for a breakfast and social hour. This event will kick off with a group ride to the event from Lehi Sports Park at 7 AM and is open to the public. We ask that everyone participating bring their own bicycles and helmets.
April 19 - Spring Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Greenfield Park, 4105 E Diamond Ave
Join Councilmember Spilsbury for a free spring celebration filled with fun for all ages! Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, explore bounce houses, visit a petting zoo, get creative with arts and crafts, and don't miss the Easter egg hunt at 9:00 am!
April 19 - Easter Eggstravaganza
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Mesa
The Easter Bunny is egg-cited to hop all the way to Downtown Mesa for a FREE day of egg-citing family fun and celebration! After the egg hunt, join the rabbit of the hour, the Easter Bunny, for free eggs-clusive photos. Kids of all ages can create egg-dorable Easter crafts at the Arts & Crafts station or play some fun Easter games.
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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.
April Council Meetings
Monday, April 7 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, April 21 - 5:45 p.m.
April Study Sessions
Thursday, April 3 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, April 7 - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, April 10 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 17 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, April 21 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 24 - 7:30 a.m.
Audit, Finance, and Enterprise Committee
Monday, April 7 - 3:30 p.m.
Sustainability and Transportation Committee
Monday, April 8 - 8:30 a.m.
*- Meetings subject to start time changes
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