2026-09-28 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

Called to order at 5:45 PM and adjourned at 6:01 PM; all seven members present, Mayor Freeman presiding.
Consent agenda approved 7-0 on a motion by Vice Mayor Somers, seconded by Heredia. It included a sewer-cleaning truck ($965,700), a sewer line inspection truck ($701,800), gas service regulators ($365,000 a year), a barricade rental limit increase, a Victims of Crime Act grant ($475,076) and a liquor license for Ox Korean BBQ.
Two contracts pulled from consent (police security systems within the existing $1,000,000 a year, and Pierce fire apparatus parts and repair up to $475,000 a year) passed together 7-0.
Three residents spoke on Flock cameras, the Legacy Park area and a planned drag-themed Christmas performance.

Consent resolution 12576 approved 7-0: intergovernmental agreement with Gilbert and Maricopa County for Power Road from State Route 202 to the East Maricopa Floodway. Estimated cost $61,315,900; Mesa pays $22,386,364 (36.51 percent), Gilbert $21,190,441 (34.56 percent), the County $17,739,095 (28.93 percent). The County's first payment is not available before July 1, 2031, so construction is not expected before fiscal year 2032.

Ordinance 6033 introduced on consent (7-0); public hearing set for October 5, 2026. The request is to rezone about 5 acres near Power and Guadalupe Roads from limited commercial to multiple residence for a 78-lot attached single-residence development. Staff and the Planning and Zoning Board (7-0) recommended approval with conditions.

During citizen comment, Jerrica Trimble cited reported misidentification and wrongful detention elsewhere, raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, and asked for an audit, consideration of ending the contract, and an ordinance prohibiting the technology.

Chris Hamlet opposed the upcoming performance at the Mesa Arts Center on religious and community-values grounds and asked Council to prioritize the issue.

Noah James Markham, a Tempe resident, spoke in favor of the pulled public safety contracts and, in citizen comment, of continued investment in Mesa, including the Legacy Park and Gateway Crossing projects, downtown, the Asian District and more police presence on the light rail.
Minutes of the September 14 regular meeting approved on consent.
The study session before this meeting is on 2026-09-28 - City Council Study Session.