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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MINUTES
February 23, 2026
The City Council of the City of Mesa met in the Study Session room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, on
February 23, 2026, at 5:21 p.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
Mayor Freeman conducted a roll call.
1.
Review and discuss items on the agenda for the February 23, 2026, Regular Council meeting.
All of the items on the agenda were reviewed among Council and staff 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-d, (One-Time Dollar
Limit Increase to the Term Contract for Stadium Lighting, Lighting Control Systems
Equipment for the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department (Citywide)), on
the Regular Council Meeting agenda, Assistant City Manager Marc Heirshberg reported that
general capital funds are being used to replace lighting at Hohokam Stadium and Fitch Park,
consistent with upgrades across the City of Mesa’s (COM) park system. He noted that the project
includes converting ballfield lighting from metal halide to LED. He stated that specific cost savings
vary based on usage; LED lighting provides improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance
needs because the fixtures have a longer lifespan and require less frequent replacement and
adjustment. He confirmed that these upgrades are expected to lower overall energy consumption
and maintenance efforts.
City Manager Scott Butler pointed out that the contract under consideration is the same
agreement used for ballfield lighting services across the entire Parks system and that the
increased contract amount reflects both the addition of the current project and the ongoing annual
costs associated with maintaining lighting at existing park facilities. He added that the increase
Study Session
February 23, 2026
Page 2
will allow the Department to maintain current lighting infrastructure while also funding the
replacement of lighting at five ballfields included in this project.
Responding to a question from Mayor Freeman, Energy and Sustainability Director Scott Bouchie
confirmed that the Hohokam and Fitch Park lighting upgrades fall within the COM’s electric utility,
where similar rebate incentives are not currently offered. He pointed out that staff recently worked
with the Red Mountain ballfields project to secure available rebates for lighting replacements and
indicated that he would follow up with the exact rebate amounts at a later date.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Goforth regarding agenda Item 5-e, (One-Time
Dollar Limit Increase to the Term Contract for Video Display/Scoreboard Maintenance and
Repairs for the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department (Citywide)), on the
Regular Council Meeting agenda, Mr. Heirshberg explained that facility use agreements with the
Cubs and Athletics require the COM and teams to collaboratively identify and complete scheduled
Capital Improvement Projects at established milestones, including the 10-year mark. He
confirmed that planned improvements include conversion of stadium lighting to LED and
upgraded scoreboards to keep pace with evolving technology, such as enhanced replay
capabilities and new game features. He noted that while some equipment may appear relatively
new, rapid advancements in technology necessitate periodic upgrades.
Additional discussion ensued regarding the parameters of the facility use agreements.
City Attorney Jim Smith clarified that required capital improvements under the facility use
agreements are not automatic replacements at each milestone, and that upgrades are based on
need and current industry standards. He stated that recently replaced equipment that remains
current would not need to be replaced solely because a contractual milestone has been reached.
2.
Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees.
2-a.
Judicial Advisory Board meeting held on October 22, 2025.
It was moved by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, that receipt of the
above listed minutes be acknowledged.
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed:
AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Heredia–Duff–Goforth–Taylor
NAYS – None
Carried unanimously.
3.
Current events summary including meetings and conferences attended.
Mayor Freeman and Councilmembers highlighted the events, meetings, and conferences recently
attended.
4.
Scheduling of meetings.
City Manager Scott Butler stated that the schedule of meetings is as follows:
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7:30 a.m. – Study Session
Study Session
February 23, 2026
Page 3
5.
Adjournment.
Without objection, the Study Session adjourned at 5:36 p.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 23rd day of February 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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