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May 2025
Hello, Neighbors!
May is blooming in Mesa, bringing not only sunshine but plenty of opportunities to connect and grow together as a community! It’s been fantastic seeing so many of you at recent events—from honoring our local heroes at the Police Department Awards & Promotions Ceremony and discussing city developments at the Las Sendas Town Hall, to pedaling our way through Mesa on Bike to Work Day. Your enthusiasm and involvement are what make Mesa truly special.
This month, I invite you to join us in celebrating Historic Preservation Month, to share your valuable input on the city’s budget, and to consider taking advantage of our enhanced Grass-to-Xeriscape incentives to create a beautiful, water-wise landscape. I’m excited to connect with you at our upcoming community gatherings and always eager to hear your thoughts on how we can keep Mesa moving forward.
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
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 Historic Preservation Board Special Event
Join us to celebrate Historic Preservation Month! You'll enjoy...
- Historic District tours
- Pizza and cupcakes
- Student Art and Essay Contest Award Ceremony
Saturday, May 3, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Post, 26 N. Macdonald
 Keep Your Family Safe: Easy Tips to Protect Your Natural Gas Meter
Keeping your natural gas meter in good condition is an essential part of home safety. Follow these simple tips to help keep your family safe:
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Keep it clear: Ensure the area around your meter is clutter-free for easy access.
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Don’t stack items: Avoid placing anything on the meter — it must stay uncovered and unobstructed.
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Protect it from vehicles: If your meter is near a driveway or parking area, shield it from accidental bumps or collisions.
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Plant Smart: Avoid planting trees, shrubs, or bushes within three feet of your meter — root growth can cause damage over time.
New Higher Incentives Make Grass Conversions A Win-Win
Big news for Mesa homeowners! We’ve turned up the heat on our Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape incentive program. When you apply to remove established grass and replace it with gorgeous, low-water-use plants and trees that thrive in the Sonoran Desert, you could qualify for an incentive up to $2,100! It’s a win-win for your water bill and your wallet! Ready to transform your yard into a desert oasis? Incentives are for future conversion projects only on a first-come, first-served basis.
 Mesa Retail Survey
We want your opinion! The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development is expanding our current retail options, including dining, shopping, and entertainment. Take our survey and let us know what shops, restaurants, and entertainment you want to see in Mesa. Survey closes May 16.
 Budget Open House
Want to learn more about Mesa’s budget process and provide feedback on our proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget? Attend an upcoming community information session where you can speak to City staff and share your thoughts. Residents can also review budget documents and provide comments online.
Following public input and City Council review, the tentative budget is scheduled for adoption on May 19, with final budget adoption planned for June 2. The new budget would go into effect on July 1, 2025.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Red Mountain Center, 7550 E. Adobe St.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Post, 26 N. Macdonald
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program is a means of assisting Mesa residents who, due to limited financial resources and/or physical limitations, are experiencing difficulties maintaining the exterior of their homes.
This program also assists neighborhoods in completing community enhancement projects such as clean-ups and painting projects that improve the look of the neighborhood. Projects can include assistance with landscaping, exterior painting, wall paintings, etc.
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Experience Corps
AARP Experience Corps Mesa is a volunteer program that places adults who are over 50 to serve as literacy tutors in Mesa Public Schools. Volunteers are trained on AARP’s evidence-based curriculum, which targets struggling readers in second and third grade, and given extensive on-site support as they engage students in short, one-on-one tutoring sessions.
We are recruiting new volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year! All volunteers must attend an in-person or virtual information session as part of the application process. Spots are limited.
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Police Awards & Graduation Ceremony
I was honored to attend the Police Department Awards & Graduation Ceremony, where we celebrated the achievements of officers advancing in their careers and recognized those who've gone above and beyond in their service to Mesa. I'm continually inspired by their dedication to keeping our community safe.
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Las Sendas Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who joined me and Mayor Freeman at the Las Sendas Town Hall. It was great to discuss the latest city developments and hear directly from residents about your priorities and concerns.
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Urbix
I recently toured the Urbix facility in Mesa and learned firsthand about their innovative contributions to battery materials and sustainable technology. Urbix is another example of Mesa's growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
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New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning
I enjoyed participating in the New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning session alongside Mesa's Budget Director, Brian Ritschel. We had an engaging discussion on the city budget, providing residents valuable insights into how their tax dollars are managed and invested.
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Bike to Work Day
Bike to Work Day was a fantastic opportunity to pedal through Mesa with community members and colleagues, promoting safe multimodal transportation. I appreciate seeing our city embrace cycling as a healthy, sustainable commuting option.
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We Run Mesa
I was thrilled to celebrate with Mesa’s Police and Fire & Medial Departments, and other city officials at Stevenson Elementary’s "We Run Mesa" program completion. It was uplifting to see our youth energized about fitness, teamwork, and community pride.
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Arbor Day Storytime at Las Sendas Elementary
What a delight it was to read The Lorax to the 3rd graders at Las Sendas Elementary for Arbor Day! I’m always inspired by our young residents' enthusiasm for protecting our environment.
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Mayor's Youth Committee Graduation
It was a pleasure attending the graduation ceremony for the Mayor’s Youth Committee, celebrating a talented group of young leaders who dedicated their time learning about civic engagement and public service. Congratulations to these outstanding students—I can't wait to see how they shape Mesa's future!
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Looking for Information on New Developments?
Mesa has projects in all stages of the development process from planning to construction. Our Active Development Map offers you the chance to take a look at the latest Mesa projects coming to a street near you. Each project overview includes the location, project acreage, and the planned use. Take a tour today by clicking the map below.
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May 6 - State of the City 2025 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join Mayor Mark Freeman to reflect on the progress made, hear a forward-looking vision for what’s ahead, and learn how Mesa continues growing from strong roots.
Watch live on Mesa 11
May 8 - Small Business Network Event 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Join us as we celebrate one year of supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, and building community at Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios!
May 13 - Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign Kickoff Event 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mayor Mark Freeman, United Food Bank President and CEO Jason Reed and Mesa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sally Harrison will be among the speakers at the kickoff of the campaign to collect and provide water bottles for people in need during the extreme summer heat. The campaign will ask for donations of bottled water and cash to help buy water. The campaign runs through Sept. 30.
May 14 - Real Stories, Real Mesa Entrepreneurs – Successes & Lessons 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Join us at The Studios to hear from successful Mesa business owners as they share the highs, lows, and lessons learned while building their companies during an inspiring Entrepreneur Roundtable.
May 20 - Resident's Guide to HOAs Live Webinar 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Board Excellence: Roles and Responsibilities and the Board Member Code of Conduct” - Register to participate in this discussion about board member roles and responsibilities and get tips on how to use a Code of Conduct to handle board issues effectively.
May 23 - Spring Blast @ Rhodes Aquatic Complex 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Get a sneak peek at Mesa’s pool season before it officially opens.
Join Councilmember Francisco Heredia for the Annual District 3 #SpringBlast and enjoy FREE open swim, FlowRider rides, food, music and entertainment.
Don’t miss this early splash of summer fun!
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 May Council Meetings Monday, May 12 - 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 19 - 5:45 p.m.
May Study Sessions Thursday, May 1 - 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8 - 7:30 a.m. Monday, May 12 - 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 15 - 7:30 a.m. Monday, May 19 - 5:15 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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