Extracted text (via pymupdf)
13650 characters
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2026 The City Council of the City of Mesa met in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, on February 9, 2026, at 6:01 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 (*Participated in the meeting through the use of video conference equipment.) Mayor’s Welcome. Mayor Freeman conducted a roll call. Mayor Freeman led a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no awards, recognitions, or announcements. 1. Take action on all consent agenda items. All items listed with an asterisk (*) will be considered as a group by the City Council and will be enacted with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember or citizen requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as a separate item. If a citizen wants an item removed from the consent agenda, a request must be made prior to the Council’s vote on the consent agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Duff, that the consent agenda items be approved. Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Duff–Goforth–Heredia–Taylor NAYS – None Carried unanimously. Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 Page 2 *2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings as written. Minutes from the Study Sessions held on December 4, 2025, January 8, and January 12, 2026; and the Regular Council meeting held on January 26, 2026. 3. Take action on the following liquor license application: *3-a. Arusuvai Kitchen A restaurant that serves lunch and dinner is requesting a new Series 12 Restaurant License for VRS Kitchens LLC, 1940 West Baseline Road, Suite 1 - Vindoh Irudayaraj, agent. There is no existing license at this location. (District 3) 4. Take action on the following contracts: *4-a. See: Items not on the Consent Agenda. *4-b. Three-Year Term Contract with Two One-Year Renewal Options for Landscape Maintenance Services - Zones 1 and 2, for the Facilities Management Department. (Districts 1, 3, and 4) This contract will provide landscape maintenance services for 43 City-owned facilities within Zones 1 and 2. A committee representing Facilities Management and Procurement Services evaluated responses and recommend awarding the contract to the highest scored proposal from Mariposa Landscape Arizona, in an amount not to exceed $380,000 annually for Zone 1 and $380,000 annually for Zone 2, for a combined annual total not to exceed $760,000, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5% or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. *4-c. Three-Year Term Contract with Two One-Year Renewal Options for Shutoffs and Nozzle Tips for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. (Citywide) This contract will be used to replace existing end of life fire suppression nozzles and shutoffs on current apparatus hand line hoses that have been damaged with day-to-day wear and tear and fire suppression activities. The Fire and Medical Department and Procurement Services recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder, MES Service Company LLC, in an amount not to exceed $225,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5% or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. *4-d. One-Year Term Contract for Qiagen Forensic DNA Supplies for the Public Safety Support Services Department. (Sole Source). (Citywide) The Biology Unit of the Forensic Services Division completes DNA analysis of samples from criminal investigations conducted by the Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Tempe Police Departments. Forensic Services is requesting the purchase of supplies needed for DNA analysis. The supplies include reagents and consumables for the extraction of DNA. Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 Page 3 The Public Safety Support Services Department and Procurement Services recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor Qiagen, in an amount not to exceed $170,000, based on estimated requirements. 5. Take action on the following resolutions: *5-a. Approving and authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply for and enter into Highway Safety Contracts with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and accept up to $354,000 in grant funding. These contracts have historically included overtime for added traffic enforcement (e.g. impaired driving, safety education and awareness, etc.) as well as funding for additional traffic supplies, equipment, and training. (Citywide) – Resolution No. 12471 *5-b. ZON25-00056 "Destination at Gateway FLM." 117± located at the Southeast and Southwest corners of East Williams Field Road and South Signal Butte Road. Council Use Permit for Freeway Landmark signs. This will allow for two freeway landmark signs. BCB Group Investments, LLC, owner; Sean Lake, Pew and Lake, applicant. (District 6) – Resolution No. 12472 Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 6-0) *5-c. Calling the Primary Election, including designating election dates for the Primary and General Elections as those dates prescribed by law and providing the last date for candidates to file nomination papers. (Citywide) – Resolution No. 12473 6. Discuss, receive public comment, and take action on the following ordinance: *6-a. ZON25-00256 "Sun Devil Auto - Signal Butte." 5.9± acres located approximately 280 feet east of the northeast corner of East Southern Avenue and South Signal Butte Road. Major Site Plan Modification and amending Conditions of Approval Nos. 1, 6, 7 and 9 of Ordinance No. 3884 for the development of an approximately 7,689± square foot Minor Automobile/Vehicle Service and Repair facility. WS Holdings I, LLC, owner; George Pasquel III, Withey Morris Baugh, PLC, applicant. (District 5) – Ordinance No. 5990 Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 4-0) For continuance to a future City Council meeting. 7. Discuss, receive public comment, and take action on the following resolution and zoning ordinance related to the development known as "The Lincoln": *7-a. ZON25-00313 "The Lincoln." 9.1± acres located 340 feet west of the southwest corner of Hampton Avenue and Crismon Road. Minor General Plan Amendment to change the Placetype from Urban Center to Urban Residential. Virtua Mesa Crismon Owner, LLC, owner; Brennan Ray, Ray Law Firm, applicant. (District 5) – Resolution No. 12474 Staff Recommendation: Adoption P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 6-0) Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 Page 4 *7-b. ZON25-00210 "The Lincoln" 9.1± acres located approximately 340 feet west of the southwest corner of Hampton Avenue and Crismon Road. Rezone from Planned Employment Park with a Planned Area Development Overlay (PEP-PAD) to Multiple Residence 2 with a Planned Area Development Overlay (RM-2-PAD), and Site Plan Review to allow for a 102-lot attached single residence development. Virtua Mesa Crismon owner, LLC, owner; Brennan Ray, Ray Law Firm, applicant. (District 5) – Ordinance No. 6001 Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 6-0) 8. Discuss, receive public comment, and take action on the following ordinance adopting titles and schedules of terms/rates/fees/charges for City-owned non-residential water utility services: *8-a. See: Items not on the Consent Agenda. 9. Discuss, receive public comment, and take action on the following ordinance adopting titles and schedules of for terms and conditions for the sale of utilities: *9-a. An ordinance proposing and adopting amended Terms and Conditions for the Sale of Utilities. (Citywide) – Ordinance No. 6003 Items not on the Consent Agenda 4-a. Arizona Farms Road High Pressure Gas Line Replacement Design-Bid-Build Contract. (Pinal County) This project includes replacement of existing 4-inch diameter high-pressure natural gas line within the Magma gas system located in Pinal County. The proposed project will replace approximately 26,000 linear feet (4.9 miles) of 4-inch high-pressure steel gas line with a 12-inch diameter high-pressure steel gas line to support system redundancy, and the continuing growth in the region. Staff recommend awarding a contract to Arizona Pipeline Company, in the amount of $5,598,357.15, and authorizing a change order allowance in the amount of $559,835.72 (10%), for a total authorized amount of $6,158,192.87. This project is funded by Utility Systems Revenue Obligations. David Winstanley, a Mesa resident, expressed his concerns with the City of Mesa (COM) supplying gas to the Magma area and the impact on taxpayers, and requested further information to review. City Manager Scott Butler advised that staff would follow up with Mr. Winstanley to answer his concerns and questions. He clarified that the City’s natural gas utility operates independently and is funded only by its ratepayers, meaning residents outside the service area who do not purchase City natural gas are not charged any fees or taxes. He added that any infrastructure bonds are paid by gas customers, similar to how Southwest Gas operates. He explained the City’s decision in the 1970s to own and operate their own natural gas utility and the uniqueness of the utilities. Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 Page 5 Mayor Freeman noted that the Water Department services areas that are unincorporated and everyone is paying their fair share for each enterprise. In response to a question from Councilmember Adams, Assistant City Manager Marc Heirshberg explained that the City’s utility service area decisions in the 1970s were intended to support future growth and expansion. He noted that parts of Southeast Mesa are currently served by Southwest Gas, and while territory swaps were discussed in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was no interest at the time. He stated that the significant residential, commercial, and industrial growth in the area is now benefiting Mesa Utilities and is expected to continue. It was moved by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, that agenda Item 4-a be approved. Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Duff–Goforth–Heredia–Taylor NAYS – None Carried unanimously. 8. Discuss, receive public comment, and take action on the following ordinance adopting titles and schedules of terms/rates/fees/charges for City-owned non-residential water utility services: 8-a. An ordinance adopting titles and schedules of terms/rates/fees/charges for non- residential water utility services. (Citywide) – Ordinance No. 6002 Councilmember Duff explained that during previous utility rate adjustments, resident concerns resulted in a lower water rate increase. She mentioned that the City reallocated a greater share of the cost to commercial customers, which led to an average increase of approximately 20% for businesses to minimize the monthly impact on residents. She said she opposes placing additional pressure on businesses and does not support the ordinance. In response to a question posed by Councilmember Taylor, Mr. Butler confirmed that Council directed staff to accelerate the timeline for achieving parity between residential and commercial ratepayers. He noted that this adjustment was intended to accelerate progress toward that goal. Councilmember Goforth added that the majority of small businesses use less than 6,000 gallons of water, three of which are covered in the service fee. She agreed it would impact small businesses, but not significantly. It was moved by Councilmember Gofoth, seconded by Councilmember Adams, that Ordinance No. 6002 be adopted. Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: AYES – Freeman–Somers–Adams–Goforth–Heredia–Taylor NAYS – Duff Mayor Freeman declared the motion carried by majority vote. Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 Page 6 10. Items from citizens present. Rohith Chandrashaker, a Chandler resident, argued for the end of the 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and shared his concern for the mistreatment of individuals. Regi Bron, a Mesa resident, expressed his concern with ICE’s treatment of Alex Pretti in Minnesota that resulted in his death. Ryan Jara-Bersch, a Mesa resident, urged the Council to terminate the City’s 287(g) agreement with ICE and expressed concerns about public safety. 11. Adjournment. Without objection, the Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 6:30 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 Regular Council Meeting of the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, held on the 9th 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 lr