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 February 2026
Happy New Year, District 1!
As we welcome 2026, we want to thank you for being such a connected and caring community. From our neighborhoods to our hopes for future urban and community gardens, District 1 continues to thrive because of the people who call it home. It is truly an honor to serve you, and we are excited for all that this year has in store.
In this issue, we are proud to spotlight one of Mesa’s everyday heroes, Mesa Fire Captain Sierra Aulik. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to keeping our community safe reflect the same spirit of service that makes Mesa such a special place to live.
We also highlight an important topic in District 1 Perspective: Fiscal Responsibility – A Matter of Trust. Fiscal responsibility is about more than balancing budgets. It is about trust, fairness, and making thoughtful decisions that ensure Mesa remains strong, resilient, and well-prepared for the future.
If you ever have any questions, want to share about issues that are important to you, or if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at district1@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-4002. My door is always open.
Thank you for being part of our District 1 family. We wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Warm regards,
-Councilmember Rich Adams
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District 1 Perspective: Fiscal Responsibility - A Matter of Trust
Fiscal responsibility is more than balancing the books. It is about trust, fairness, and protecting Mesa’s future. Every tax dollar represents a sacrifice by our citizens, and careful stewardship ensures essential services today while safeguarding tomorrow. As your City Councilmember, I am committed to making thoughtful, transparent decisions that keep our city strong and resilient.
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Protecting Mesa, Inspiring the Future: Fire Captain Sierra Aulik
An Arizona native, Fire Captain Sierra Aulik is a Captain/Paramedic with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, where she has proudly served for 11 years. Passionate about coaching, teaching, and mentorship, she has played a key role in programs such as the East Valley Fire Cadets and Aspire Academy, helping prepare the next generation for careers in fire service, EMS, and public safety.
Most recently, Captain Aulik was honored to serve as Mesa Chapter President for United Mesa Firefighters, Local 2260, where she advocates for members while supporting the mission and values of the City of Mesa. Grateful for her career in public safety, she is committed to serving the community with integrity, professionalism, and dedication. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her twin two-year-old daughters, along with golf, bowling, and competing with her horses in sorting and penning.
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Mesa Students Invited to Learn About City History
The Mesa Historic Preservation Board and Mesa Historic Preservation Office invite local students to explore their City's past by participating in the annual Historical Essay and Visual Arts Contest. The 2026 theme, "Mesa Through Time: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future" aligns with the America 250 events organized and promoted by Mesa's A250 Committee in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.
The contest is open to all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including those attending public, private, charter or home school programs.
The visual arts contest is open to students of all grade levels while the historical essay competition is open to students in grades four through twelve. New this year is the opportunity for groups of three to six students of any age range to participate in a group project instead of an individual entry. Registration is open through March 24.
Visual arts entries may include video production, sketches, painting or building a 3D model. Writing entries may take the form of a historical essay or fictional story inspired by Mesa's history.
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Mesa Marathon Returns Feb. 14
Nearly 10,000 runners are expected for the 14th annual Mesa Marathon on Saturday, Feb. 14. The race, which is a key early-season Boston Marathon qualifier, is along a course recently recognized as the best marathon in Arizona by Race Rave's "Best Marathons in the U.S." poll for 2025. This year's race is not only on Valentine's Day, but participants can also celebrate their accomplishment of crossing the finish line as well as Arizona's 114th birthday on the same day.
The scenic, downhill course begins near the white Phoenix sign on Usery Mountain and drops nearly 1,000 feet to the finish line at Mesa Riverview Park, offering sweeping desert and valley views along the way.
Race-day road closures will be in effect from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. An interactive detour map is available at gis.mesaaz.gov/mesamarathon, and roads will reopen as runners pass and cleanup is completed.
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Stay Safe Around Natural Gas Pipelines
Natural gas pipelines safely bring energy to homes and businesses in our communities. Most pipelines are buried underground, so you might not know when you live or work near one. Yellow pipeline markers help indicate their presence. These markers tell you:
- Who operates the pipeline
- What’s inside the pipeline
- Who to call in an emergency.
Knowing where pipelines are is the easiest way to stay safe and protect the essential services we all rely on.
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 2026 Lehi Crossing Historical Ride
On January 31, 2026, community members gathered to take part in the annual Lehi Crossing Historical Ride, a cherished Mesa tradition honoring the city’s pioneer heritage. Riders retraced the historic crossing of the Salt River, commemorating the resilience and determination of the early settlers who helped establish the Lehi community. The event served as a meaningful reminder of Mesa’s rich history and the strong sense of community that continues to connect generations today.
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It was a pleasure visiting the dedicated crews at Fire Stations 206 and 211 in District 1. Thank you to our firefighters and paramedics for the outstanding work they do every day to keep our community safe. Your commitment to public safety and service is truly appreciated.
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The Lehi Community Light Parade was a festive celebration of neighborhood spirit, with Councilmember Adams, our amazing Community Action Officers, proudly supporting this beloved community tradition.
It was a pleasure meeting with Captain Birks of the Salvation Army. We are grateful for the positive impact he and his team have on our community, serving those in need with compassion and care while meeting human needs without discrimination.
It was exciting to attend the Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline event, where the final pipeline was lowered into the ground, marking an important step forward for our community’s water sustainability.
I had the exciting opportunity to participate in the SRP Watershed Tour, an incredibly educational experience that provided valuable insights into our local water resources and conservation efforts.
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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 to edit this placeholder text.
Development Pre-Submittals
Did you know every new development in Mesa starts with a pre-submittal application? This helps clarify important next steps in the development process and offers valuable insight for residents, too. You can learn more about the pre-submittal conference process, view recent applications below, or explore more detail through our publicly accessible DIMES portal.
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Tuesdays thru Fridays – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Walk-Ins
10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Red Mountain Library, Roadrunner Room (635 N Power Rd) IRS-certified volunteers from Mesa United Way provide free basic tax prep and e-filing for qualifying residents; additional dates and locations available.
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February 7 – S’mores and MORE at Falcon Field Park
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
4800 E. Falcon Drive Join us for a fun evening outdoors filled with s’mores, hands-on campfire skills, and star gazing under the night sky. Enjoy learning the basics of building a campfire, relaxing by the fire, and entering to win raffle prizes. Perfect for all ages!
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February 7–8 – Mesa Historical Museum: Annual Book Sale Fundraiser
Sat 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Mesa Historical Museum Explore over 50,000 gently used books, DVDs, and CDs spanning more than 20 categories, all available at incredible bargain prices. Pricing starts at just $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers. Rare and unusual books are priced separately. On Sunday, items will be half-price.
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February 13 – Downtown Mesa Sunset Market
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Main St & Macdonald Join us in vibrant Downtown Mesa for an unforgettable evening. Explore Main & Macdonald Streets, where local vendors will showcase unique, handmade treasures. Stroll through your favorite downtown shops, savor delicious dinners, sip on refreshing drinks, and share the experience with friends. Don’t miss this perfect blend of shopping, dining, and fun!
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February 13 – Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum: Spring Exhibition Opening
7:00 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center (1 E Main St) Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum celebrates the opening of five new free spring exhibitions exploring the depth and diversity of contemporary craft, alongside a season of free public programs designed to engage audiences of all ages.
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February 16 – Mesa Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Mesa Firefighter Memorial Park (305 E. 2nd St.) Please join us for this solemn ceremony honoring Mesa Firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
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February 19, 26 – Out To Lunch Concert Series
12:30 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center campus We’re excited to announce the return of our extended outdoor concert series this spring! In celebration of America 250, this season's Out to Lunch lineup features a wide variety of musical genres that highlight the evolution of American music and culture.
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February 20 – Teen Dodgeball @ Red Mountain Center
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
7550 E. Adobe St. Enjoy an evening of dodgeball at the Red Mountain Center, where participants can take part in friendly competition and enjoy drinks and snacks.
February 21 – Arizona Baseball Museum Grand Opening
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Lehi Campus, Mesa Historical Museum The historic Lehi Auditorium on the Mesa Historical Museum’s Lehi Campus has been transformed into the Arizona Baseball Museum, opening just in time for Spring Training 2026. Join us for a full day of celebration as we officially welcome the public into this exciting new museum space.
February 7, 21 – Mesa Feastival at Pioneer Park
5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Pioneer Park (526 E Main St) Food trucks, live music and boutique vendors—bring chairs, friends and an appetite.
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Council Meetings
Monday, February 9 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, February 23 - 5:45 p.m.
Study Sessions
Thursday, February 5 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, February 9 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 12 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, February 23 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 26 - 7:30 a.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.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
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