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June 2026
Dear District 5 Neighbors,
As summer arrives in Mesa, June brings time off from school, exciting opportunities for families, neighbors, and friends to connect through our outstanding Parks and Recreation programs and community events across the city.
This month, Mesa pools are officially open for the summer season, offering residents a fun and safe way to stay active and cool during the Arizona heat. From public swim days and aquatic events to youth activities and recreation programs, there is something for every age to enjoy. I also encourage families to check out upcoming events like the Skate Party at The Plaza, Play & Splash activities in our parks, summer reading kickoffs at our libraries, and the many camps and recreation programs happening throughout Mesa.
With school out, make sure parents, teens and older children are aware of the laws in our city surrounding E-bikes. The Mesa Police Department has gone to great efforts to increase education about when, where, and who can legally ride E-Bikes to make sure everyone in our community is safe.
As temperatures continue to rise, please remember to make heat safety a priority. Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and take advantage of Mesa’s pools, splash pads, cooling centers, libraries, and indoor recreation programs. Please also check in on seniors, neighbors, and anyone who may need extra support during extreme heat.
Thank you for continuing to make Mesa such a strong and connected community. I hope you and your family have a safe, active, and enjoyable start to the summer season, and I look forward to seeing many of you at events throughout District 5 this June.
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
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 Updated Guidelines for City Council Meetings: Effective June 1, 2026
We are introducing updates to support a safe, fair and respectful environment for all at City Hall public meetings.
Key updates include:
- For “Items from Citizens Present,” up to three speakers will be selected at random from requests submitted before the meeting. Selected speakers will be announced at the beginning of the meeting. This update provides equitable access for residents and removes advantages based on sign-up timing. Watch a video about this process
- Attendees may bring one handheld sign no larger than 18″ × 12″.
- To help maintain clear and accessible pathways, solicitation and leafletting will not be permitted inside the building or near entrances.
The limited-bag policy will remain in place to support safety and efficient entry into City Hall.
Mesa Opens Respite Center and Cooling Centers to Offer Heat Relief
With the arrival of triple digit temperatures, the City of Mesa's Human Services Department is collaborating with local community partners to activate a day respite center, cooling centers and hydration stations to provide heat relief.
Traffic Control Notice
A sewer improvement project along Higley Road between McDowell Road and Longbow Parkway will require temporary traffic restrictions. Starting June 1, 2026, northbound travel along Higley Road will be limited to one lane with construction expected to be completed in September, 2026.
Please remember to slow down in work zones and plan for extra travel time in this area. We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure infrastructure systems are prepared to serve this area for decades to come.
June is Home Safety Month!
This month, make sure your family knows how to recognize and respond to a natural gas leak. Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, a rotten egg smell is added to help you detect it. You can also identify a gas leak by:
- Hearing a blowing or hissing sound coming from a pipeline, meter, or appliance
- Seeing unusual changes in soil, dead or dying plants, blowing dirt, or bubbling water
If you suspect a gas leak:
- Leave the area right away and go to a safe location.
- Call 911 and our emergency gas hotline at 480-644-4277 to report it.
For more natural gas home safety tips, visit mesaaz.gov/gassafety.
Learn more at mesaaz.gov/gassafety
Building a Firewise Community: Lessons from the Hazen Fire
As Arizona enters another active wildfire season, the importance of wildfire preparedness continues to grow. The recent Hazen Fire near Buckeye serves as a powerful reminder that fast-moving brush fires can threaten homes, impact air quality and strain emergency resources across the Valley. The fire rapidly spread through dense vegetation near the Gila River bottom, fueled by dry conditions and heavy vegetation growth.
While large wildfires may seem distant from urban communities, the reality is that wildfire risks exist throughout the region including Mesa’s desert interface areas. That is why the Mesa Fire and Medical Department continues to promote its Firewise USA® program to help residents better prepare their neighborhoods and homes before a wildfire occurs.
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Hydration Donation Campaign
The City's Hydration Donation Campaign runs from May 4 through September 30, 2026 to provide supplies of water to people in need. We work with nonprofit agencies 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 7.6 million bottles of water have been donated. $5 or less buys a case of water.
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Celebration of Freedom
We are seeking volunteers for the 2026 Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom, the coolest independence festival in the state! There are multiple times and shifts available including splash zone, carnival games, entertainment and info booths.
Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt, free meal, snacks, cold drinks and are entered into a raffle for awesome prizes. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or 14 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Open to individuals, families, friends and corporations.
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We Run Mesa - Kino Junior High
I love supporting We Run Mesa, and the final day at Kino Junior High was all about uplifting and encouraging hard working students. SO many parents, teachers, administrators, staff, volunteers, city officials, police officers, and firefighters were on hand to celebrate these kids.
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Longbow Stakeholder Group
We had a great turnout to discuss the future of the Longbow area and where residents, business owners, and landowners see for the future of this special part of District 5.
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Mental Helath Month
The City of Mesa officially declared May Mental Health Awareness Month and the council wore green to highlight the importance of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, reduce stigma, and connect residents with vital resources.
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Mesa Sister Cities : Peru Students
It was a pleasure to help Mayor Freeman welcome visiting Youth Ambassadors from Mesa’s Sister City of Caraz, Peru. They took a tour of city hall as part of their exchange program between high school students in Mesa and Caraz.
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Mesa Police E-Bike Info Sessions
It has been a pleasure attending Mesa PD’s E-bike info sessions at various neighborhoods throughout District 5. Many residents are still learning the laws surrounding e-bikes, especially where teens are concerned. I really appreciate the effort that Mesa PD has put forth to educate and inform our residents.
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Mesa Business Builders: Mayor on the Move
Touring Mesa Business Builder @ the Studios was a highlight of this past month. It is great to be reminded of the amazing services offered to our residents. Mesa Business Builder is supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs with modern workspaces, podcast and AR/VR studios, and access to tools, training, and business resources.
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Restaurant Week: District 5
May 15-34 was Arizona Restaurant Week and District 5 had several participating restaurants; I stopped by the Grille at Las Sendas Golf Club to check out their menu and toast to good times!
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East Valley Trail To Leadership Award Breakfast
It was a privilege to honor former Mesa Mayor John Giles and his wife, Dawn Giles, and the owners of Schnepf Farms, Mark and Carrie Schenepf, for their commitment to service, leadership and mentorship here in the East Valley.
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Door Dash Robotics Academy Graduation
I was so proud of the students graduating from the Door Dash robotics Academy at the STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch. Watching the Design Learning process in action and seeing DoorDash Dot deliver the diplomas to these promising young learners in this pilot program here in Mesa as inspiring!
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Royal Air Force at Falcon Field : Mesa Historical Museum
It was an incredible evening to celebrate the opening of the new Royal Air Force exhibit at the Mesa Historical Museum. This special one-year exhibit tells the story of the over 2000 British cadets who came to Mesa during World War II to train at Falcon Field.
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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.
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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June 1 – Summer Reading Kickoff: Dino Crew Entertainment
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Kick off the Summer Reading Program with a fun dinosaur experience featuring a big dinosaur show, baby dinosaurs, sensory bins and storytime. Space is limited, and tickets will be handed out 30 minutes before the program.
June 6 – Cockpit Close-Up: America 250 Celebration
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. • Falcon Field Airport Terminal Building, 4800 E. Falcon Dr.
Bring the family to Falcon Field for a free aviation event honoring aviation, American history and the spirit of community.
June 6 – Skate Party @ The Plaza
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. • The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St.
Get your skate on at this free summer skate party featuring music, food trucks and a fun community atmosphere. Bring your own skates and enjoy an evening on wheels downtown.
June 6 – Dive-In Movie: Zootopia 2
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. • Brimhall Aquatic Complex, 4949 E. Southern Ave.
Make a splash before the movie begins at sunset, then relax poolside for a family-friendly film night with a petting zoo, vendors, sponsor booths and activities. Admission is $7.
June 10 – Hot Weather and Night Riding Class
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Learn practical tips for staying safe while biking during Mesa’s hottest months, including precautions for riding in extreme heat and low-light conditions. Registration is required.
June 10 – Monthly Childhood Immunization Clinic
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave.
Families can access free monthly childhood immunizations at this east Mesa clinic hosted at Superstition Springs Center.
June 11 – Teen Field Trip: Arizona Museum of Natural History
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. • Departs from Red Mountain Center, 7550 E. Adobe St.
Teens can head downtown from Red Mountain Center for an afternoon exploring the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Registration is required. Admission is $10.
June 17 – Jan Sandwich presents Martha Washington
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Children’s performer Jan Sandwich brings history to life with storytelling, humor and audience interaction in this America 250 program.
June 17 – Teen Resume Workshop
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Red Mountain Center, 7550 E. Adobe St.
Teens can bring their resumes and receive hands-on guidance to strengthen applications, highlight their skills and prepare for summer jobs or future opportunities.
June 20 – Didgeridoo Down Under
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Enjoy a high-energy, family-friendly performance that blends didgeridoo rhythms, percussion, audience participation and lessons about Indigenous Australian music.
June 23 – No Fear AI: A Simple Introduction for Beginners
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
AI doesn’t have to be scary. This beginner-friendly class explains artificial intelligence in plain language, shows how AI is already part of everyday life and gives participants a chance to try a simple AI tool.
June 24 – Family Movie Night
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Bring the family for a cozy library movie night featuring The Good Dinosaur. Families are welcome to bring blankets and pillows, and crafts, coloring sheets and limited snacks will be provided.
June 27 – Rockin’ & Rollin’ Storytime
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Rd.
Bring the kids for a music-focused storytime filled with dancing, songs, live music and musical books. Best for ages 2–5.
 June Council Meetings
June 1, 2026 5:45pm; Special Council Meeting 5:50pm
June 8, 2026 5:45pm
June Study Sessions
June 1, 2026 5:15 pm
June 4, 2026 7:30 am
June 8, 2926 5:15 pm
First Council Summer Break: June 9 - July 15, 2026
*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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