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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MINUTES
August 27, 2026
The City Council of the City of Mesa met in the Study Session room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, on
August 27, 2026, at 7:30 a.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT
COUNCIL ABSENT
OFFICERS PRESENT
Mark Freeman
Scott Somers
Rich Adams*
Jennifer Duff
Alicia Goforth
Francisco Heredia*
Dorean Taylor
None
Scott Butler
Holly Moseley
Jim Smith
(*Participated in the meeting through the use of video conference equipment.)
Mayor Freeman conducted a roll call.
1.
Review and discuss items on the agenda for the August 31 2026, regular Council meeting.
All of the items on the agenda were reviewed among Council and the following was noted:
Conflict of interest: None
Items removed from the consent agenda: None
In response to a question from Mayor Freeman regarding agenda Item 5-a, (Setting the date
and time for the public hearing on the continuation of the Mesa Town Center Improvement
District No. 228 to be October 26, 2026, at 5:45 P.M. (District 4)), on the Regular Council
meeting agenda, City Manager Scott Butler confirmed that this item is to set the public hearing
only.
Councilmember Duff commented on the current water crisis and emphasized the importance of
the Council being sensitive to water availability and how water is being used.
Responding to a request from Vice Mayor Somers regarding agenda Item 4-a, (Elliot Road:
Eastern Maricopa Floodway to Ellsworth Road, Design-Bid-Build Contract (District 6)), on
the Regular Council meeting agenda, Transportation Director Erik Guderian stated that the Ray
Road project is anticipated to be completed by the end of November 2026. He explained that the
proposed contract includes pre-construction services; therefore, construction is not expected to
begin until late 2026. He confirmed that, upon completion of the project, the traffic signal at the
Study Session
August 27, 2026
Page 2
intersection of Ellsworth Road and Elliot Road will be reconfigured, and the intersection will be
restriped.
In response to a question from Vice Mayor Somers regarding agenda Item 4-b, (Eastmark
Aquatic Complex - Pre-Construction Services and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
(District 6)), on the Regular Council meeting agenda, Parks, Recreation and Community
Facilities Director Andrea Alicoate explained that staff had been working collaboratively with the
Queen Creek School District to finalize the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the joint
partnership. She stated that the proposed IGA is expected to be presented to the Queen Creek
School Board in October 2026, with the finalized agreement anticipated to return to the Council
for approval in early 2027. She confirmed that the project includes an additional 60 parking
spaces, bringing the total to 200 spaces at this location. She stated that the additional parking
should be sufficient to accommodate all programming, as well as the nearby school’s parking
needs during applicable hours.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Goforth regarding both the Eastmark and Red
Mountain Aquatic Complex projects, Mr. Butler stated that Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
contracts have proven to be more successful for complex projects due to their collaborative
approach and the involvement of all project partners early in each phase of the project. He added
that the CMAR delivery method has also resulted in more competitive pricing while maintaining
the delivery of high-quality projects.
Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Deputy Director Zac Koceja noted that the proposed
contractor, Sun Eagle Corporation, specializes in government aquatic complex projects and has
previously completed successful projects for the City of Mesa (COM).
City Engineer Lance Webb noted that Adaptive Architects had also completed numerous projects
for the COM and added that the team’s familiarity with the City’s processes and requirements
would be beneficial to the project.
In response to a question from Councilmember Goforth, Ms. Alicoate explained the public input
process and consideration of the feedback received. She noted that the additional design time
planned would allow staff to incorporate community feedback and ensure the project considers
the existing aquatic facilities and amenities at Queen Creek, Eastmark, Red Mountain, and other
locations. She added that the Parks Department would evaluate the COM’s overall portfolio of
aquatic and recreational offerings and look for opportunities to incorporate unique features and
current trends into the project, with the goal of making each aquatic facility distinctive and
reflective of the community it serves.
Responding to a question from Mayor Freeman, Mr. Webb stated that the CMAR process is
anticipated to take approximately one year, with construction of the Eastmark project potentially
beginning in fall 2027 and taking approximately 18 months to complete. He added that
construction of the Red Mountain project is anticipated to begin approximately one year after
completion of the Eastmark project.
Mayor Freeman expressed his appreciation to the voters for approving this bond measure.
2.
Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees.
2-a.
Design Review Board meeting held on July 14, 2026.
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August 27, 2026
Page 3
2-b.
Approval of minutes from City Council executive sessions held on April 20, May 7, and
July 16, 2026.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Somers, seconded by Councilmember Duff, that receipt of the above-
listed minutes be acknowledged.
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed:
AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Duff–Goforth–Heredia–Taylor
NAYS – None
Carried unanimously.
3.
Current events summary including meetings and conferences attended.
There were no reports on meetings and/or conferences attended.
4.
Scheduling of meetings.
City Manager Scott Butler stated that the schedule of meetings is as follows:
Monday, August 31, 2026, 5:15 p.m. – Study Session
Monday, August 31, 2026, 5:45 p.m. – Regular Council meeting
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 7:30 a.m. – Audit, Finance, and Enterprise Committee
5.
Convene an Executive Session.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Somers, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, that the Council
adjourn the Study Session at 7:58 a.m. and enter into an Executive Session.
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed:
AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Duff–Goforth–Heredia–Taylor
NAYS – None
Carried unanimously.
5-a.
Discussion or consultation for legal advice with the City Attorney [A.R.S. § 38-431.03A
(3)]; Discussion or consultation with the City Attorney in order to consider the City’s
position and instruct the City Attorney regarding the City’s position regarding contracts
that are the subject of negotiations [A.R.S. § 38-431.03A(4)]:
Development agreement and related agreements for a project generally located west and
south of State Route 24, east of South Ellsworth Road, north of East Williams Field Road,
south of a portion of East Williams Field Road, and west of the future South Crismon Road
Alignment.
At 10:03 a.m., the Executive Session adjourned, and the Study Session reconvened.
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August 27, 2026
Page 4
6.
Adjournment.
Without objection, the Study Session adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
____________________________________
MARK FREEMAN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_______________________________
HOLLY MOSELEY, CITY CLERK
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Study Session
of the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, held on the 27th day of August 2026. I further certify that the meeting
was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
_______________________________
HOLLY MOSELEY, CITY CLERK
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