[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6123808,"mediaKeyId","2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1","parentId",2687885,"title","Votes at a glance: Mesa City Council study session, March 17, 2025","audioSeconds",84,"startMs",2873000,"endMs",2957000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=2873&end=2957","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_2873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123808/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Mesa-City-Council-study-session-March-17-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123808-506ac4d295e5a04005e7190d39632c79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=iAS~qyjeyUNaiL8MhpmwZ2~p6rBPlb0EJwqpSKBk3qBVi8nDR9Hb0mJ~-ncNJwdG-QkyE2i5HmhE7uDPIs6MLgDWO8d2Rh89Ub2ahRxC1QyozSOFkidDraf8SvdgYpTtGkW2g0NqT~RHyH1s2Xyv3j3J1PkQlB35Bh~s38~l10cT6NHRclNj6~6CTEVHxDFf49XyXfK~4cesRoOy7WDbM7m26Ft44ZxA~hbY-o2wRwD86KC~pMKmsE7CxpdqcXnXzUE2AO5Hp0GpgrDmLp3fjRBy1luf7JL7Fk7m57ufYJJyGGX41nKFv2bZn6ctm2gO453Vg09wD8TMyIVcrNpFJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mesa, AZ","date","2025-03-18T02:33:00Z","article","Mesa — During the March 17 study session, the council recorded routine procedural actions.

The council acknowledged receipt of minutes from prior meetings after a motion. Councilmember Summers moved to acknowledge receipt, Councilmember Duff seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote. Later, Vice Mayor Summers moved to adjourn, Councilmember Adams seconded, and the meeting was adjourned by voice vote.

Nut graf: The actions were procedural and unanimous by voice vote in the study session context; no substantive policy votes occurred during this session.

Ending: The study session concluded with adjournment; the council’s next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 a.m.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Study Session - 3/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council took routine procedural votes during the March 17 study session: acknowledged minutes and adjourned by voice votes.","taxTitle","Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2210,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123811,"Mesa treasurer briefs council on general‑obligation bonds, debt capacity and interest environment",78,540000,618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=540&end=618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6123811/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-treasurer-briefs-council-on-generalobligation-bonds-debt-capacity-and-interest-environment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123811-af061c6edaa21975528bd2003b9e578c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=m50Y1QmwMO4T2ngmYA9Vn-Stj~g3Cdh5v385jyyoXLV4ZRZovvxZy-XaG98xe1DSSA9~wLIJxrvp3loDfLd87LEa-s0y~TsBk4U5GqwAD~r6V1Skd8WUe1t7wajxmHnaswm1r3x97Wq04G4ocsgx1uVd~071K7~Af~8T0gTSyVs2IeQ2XGULooBDuHQCNXmP~NkRxuFQmC6ScKwlhDUzeqqJCfzr9JgNnZk6-M7mmUHnZTiq4ohvpWWLTg8Jxj7SijTi58ZuhRpWT4yAjDvalT0Xmtk1evr6y~lWh5bzVzrMxszyf83-dLUu6cIuI~0dAlkHGVUP3YYTSZpyUmO1jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa — During the March 17 study session, City Treasurer Mark Hoot briefed council on a proposed general-obligation bond issuance intended to reimburse the city for large capital projects and said the city’s overall outstanding general-obligation and utility‑bond interest rates have been favorable in recent years.

“These bonds will go to pay for or reimburse the city's costs for a variety of large projects, whether it's the Northeast Public Safety Complex, whether it's fire stations, whether it's police headquarters, libraries, the idea museum,” Hoot said. He reported that the average interest rate on outstanding general‑obligation bonds to date is 2.57 percent and 3.18 percent on utility bonds, but added that market rates for new sales are likely higher.

Nut graf: staff emphasized that the proposed issuance is reimbursement financing for capital projects already under way or planned and that the city appears to have debt capacity to issue additional general‑obligation bonds under state limits.

Councilmembers asked about indebtedness limits and voter thresholds. Hoot said the city’s internal calculation (with its financial advisor) puts Mesa at about 20.4 percent of its capacity under the state’s indebtedness report (the 2024 report was not yet published). Councilmembers noted that voter approval thresholds for bond measures are near 70 percent for certain ballot questions and discussed arbitrage and IRS timing rules for tax‑exempt bond proceeds; the treasurer said reimbursing the city for past expenditures avoids holding tax‑exempt bond proceeds longer than IRS rules allow.

Ending: The briefing provided context for a bond authorization item on the agenda; no formal bond sale occurred at the study session and final issuance terms will depend on market conditions and future council approvals.","City treasurer Mark Hoot told council that Mesa’s average outstanding general‑obligation interest rate is historically low but that current market conditions differ; staff said the city’s general‑obligation debt capacity is about 20% of its limit based on an internal calculation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123817,"Mesa Fire Department to expand SCBA and helmet cleaning to reduce cancer risk",130,335000,465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=335&end=465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_335000.jpg","/articles/6123817/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-Fire-Department-to-expand-SCBA-and-helmet-cleaning-to-reduce-cancer-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123817-1e5c3eb6c71e1b36c615840ae95583a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=GT9uDZEukBE0OjyBnP4siwZLIsu0OSOZVlnkauzDnvaR8~E3vYrbPjQxNsBK6b-qmwiOcyFeOfyjmdURFY~RmkUnYupcKZ3Xr3Bl34FNTYAva3wdTx7xLvRcC37vd771JDfzf1lnY-39odUkBMyNcEepLzQGxX8~RA2IEDHhbTvs2sudYlWSEA98AKtIzDCazexQQh1DOgAmPatajgkSEFYEZqd0buamSX0ECtN6~BNAjST9LopyUgxIqTK9cWMlTFzK3Yzw2yxpRJZt~NqM-Va5MXS5S~lPvrxAgCCCF2eGBi2J8bUBv~4v44uWhU4jjbFO7KwrkVnSAOUzs87~hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa — Mesa’s fire leadership told council on March 17 the department is expanding cleaning protocols for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs and helmets as part of a cancer‑mitigation effort.

At the study session the fire chief said the initiative responds to research linking carcinogen residues from fires to elevated cancer risk among firefighters. “As we're going through cancer mitigation and cancer risk reduction, we found that in the SCBA packs and on the helmets that we have not cleaned in the past…that still emits fumes and still emits toxins,” the chief said. The chief added the program will be supported with grant dollars.

Nut graf: the department is formalizing decontamination practices for protective equipment and apparatus to reduce potential long‑term health risks for firefighters while maintaining operational readiness.

Staff described current and expanded practices: crewmembers now decon at scenes and remove packs from cabs and side compartments; vehicles and personal gear are sprayed down to limit contaminants brought back to stations. The chief said helmets historically were seen as a “badge of honor” and not routinely cleaned, but residue can re‑emit toxic gases when reheated on later calls. “Getting them clean, getting the SCBAs clean is all very much, appreciated,” Councilmember Duff said in support.

The department noted it keeps two sets of turnout gear so firefighters can swap out contaminated sets for washed gear after large incidents. The chief said studies indicate carcinogens can persist on packs and helmets, supporting the expanded cleaning practice.

Ending: The study-session discussion did not include a formal council vote; staff said grant funding will pay for the cleaning program and the department will continue to phase in decontamination work to reduce cancer risk.","Fire department staff described a cancer-mitigation program that adds routine cleaning of SCBA packs and helmets, funded in part by grant money, to reduce carcinogen residue carried by firefighters.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123822,"Mesa: construction contract for Fire Station 224 on agenda; staff outlines timeline and community room",37,226000,263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=226&end=263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6123822/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-construction-contract-for-Fire-Station-224-on-agenda-staff-outlines-timeline-and-community-room","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123822-5251ff74d274739c6bb5bd7f941ed760/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=LDZ4~FcBMt2wFPgSCJyKSR2XpCxVfVZUyvP~cRxndsc3Qfbu5ZTa1rVI0SHoJDYboC7humP2QjuwKQ4FxwDcT~W7Jp6lCBE1HZHX1yCyMdW6UYs08eXalR~qUkKLrjCuxWcGG4Dn-0jb9pZz9pkBzJeL3jdyaw4gO1rDKb36Hv1IvkRMkYTZ~PfDWohmhHWJEQ2WDzxdsGTWPPMr57o9t4YRjtW~Qa3ei9bMp8tlMDuSYrUEBQyGfJgiYqg4xCjRULa7RMhVckJ5RJWl-TY9Tu17ZTC0OeLPXGnd8r-1CtPplGqb32pHgEQKO1yjs38AmpFc2ohrWz25yOl-qDZjyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa — The city’s proposed construction contract for Fire Station 224, located on 80th Street north of Elliot, was discussed at the March 17 study session. Project staff said construction will begin shortly and take about one year to complete.

“Three‑bay station going in at that location…so it will be starting construction here very shortly,” said project staff member Beth during the presentation. “It’ll be about a year to complete it and complete construction, get to the point where we can cut a ribbon.”

Nut graf: The project is part of public‑safety siting driven by response‑time data; staff said the new station includes a community room and that the nearby Eastmark library also will offer community space for residents.

Council discussion emphasized the use of data to site public-safety facilities. Mayor Freeman and other members said proactive placement of stations can reduce response times. Council members asked whether the new station includes a community room; staff confirmed that it does and also noted the Eastmark library will have community space as well.

Ending: The construction contract was presented on the agenda for the council’s consideration; no final contract vote was recorded during the study session.","Staff said a new three-bay Fire Station 224 on 80th Street north of Elliot will begin construction soon, likely completing in about a year; the facility will include a community room and library community space nearby at Eastmark.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123825,"Mesa staff propose narrower secondhand-dealer license requirement for short vendor markets",66,59000,125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=59&end=125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6123825/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-propose-narrower-secondhand-dealer-license-requirement-for-short-vendor-markets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123825-92030f19454a20e5107d447f96e5e021/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=ffNe0OHFrwyykSSR-nTvUuQo7Ce5~PNE-Tmi54l34p~kXHRMxhHPYeGFkFa2GbC0hOAEtyGmSmfMr5z4PbIrRicCxGESNH~tk7o1OBnPGQ7S7Pj3jp0C4q1sPVt8cua~KuG7Lo~I-e-rByEvpshICKfAM0Bi81rx9mlAe8WLe1mkPvdX5-151enGe02uJ9jqv~yBXwY9h33sltovGXPpuYjMtUMnVSLb1q5hTeZ~HYIolDQPsrV8b3idb75EobUv6APR3REmCHRNXKoBYV-jrWBcp9yIJErmSFLra0VfHFEuqzBxb-NQ0952G58XMhEaFTwym0p6OlhL-6igrC3u4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa — City staff told council on March 17 they plan to amend the city’s secondhand-dealer licensing rules so temporary vendors and pop-up markets that only sell used or vintage items would not need a secondhand-dealer license.

Leanne Cardenas, assistant director for business services, told council the change would allow downtown businesses and antique-mall operators to host one‑day vintage markets without requiring every vendor to complete background checks and fingerprinting. “If they’re only here selling items and not purchasing from the general public, they won’t need a secondhand license,” Cardenas said.

The nut graf: the proposed change keeps the licensing requirement focused on purchases from the public — the city’s primary tool for tracking potentially stolen goods — while reducing licensing costs and administrative burdens for short-term sellers.

Staff said vendors would still need a transaction-privilege tax license and must report and remit Mesa sales taxes. Cardenas said the secondhand-dealer license’s main purpose is to require dealers who buy goods from the public to file police reports when items appear stolen. “The main reason for the secondhand license is to report when they purchase goods to make sure they’re not stolen,” she said.

Vice Mayor Summers asked whether Mesa Police Department had reviewed the change; Cardenas said Mesa PD had input and “Yes” in response to the question. Councilmembers praised the change as a way to encourage small, short-term markets without creating enforcement gaps; staff emphasized that dealers who purchase used goods from the public would remain subject to the background checks and reporting requirements attached to the secondhand license.

Ending: The item was presented for review at the study session; no formal council vote occurred at this meeting. Staff indicated the ordinance language will return to a public meeting for formal action.
","City staff recommended removing the secondhand-dealer licensing requirement for vendors who only sell (not purchase) used or vintage goods at short-term markets, leaving tax reporting and police reporting requirements intact.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123831,"Mesa council reviews FY2025–26 funding recommendations for CDBG, HOME, ESG and local human services",1291,801000,2092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1&start=801&end=2092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2687885-d1c9a8d252d66a65f1a408878c1f58e1/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6123831/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-council-reviews-FY202526-funding-recommendations-for-CDBG-HOME-ESG-and-local-human-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123831-c11a75b92d0dfe738fb16ed906f6aa4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188730&Signature=ab4JcQBmfVFT2syEy1JDpWn~DiDVKLY26zjXv283lS-hkc6IDqEk9N9V-VTe7mvADDbq~cNKnNmozutexVli6~hPeStN2zu9yMk74n3fjCBqllZQsyeMh41jTXnUtnl2OawKoHX1ogeupvgHlybYOklPG5azZ~ZylU-1VFxQhiJaWFjbmOZ4qdUFa9hYdKEPj6m9L9MHnJxz6xmRnW9mN5Gvtwd00-Qn6STdypDQDqkPx6JDfs3dC2HnQ8VpNfhUdSDmWT24U1SYagt2-IK7Jk6VHxQxbK04IZy5PfBexKF2Yzbp2OBUVd7sv0IBSRfAUFx-Kd0xbanin~Xbz5qBZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa — City staff on March 17 presented councilmembers with recommended allocations for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) monies for fiscal year 2025–26, along with proposed local human-services funding and administrative process changes.

The presentation, led by Michelle Pillsbury of the city’s housing and community development staff, outlined how the city scored applications, the timeline for public comment and HUD submission, and contingency plans if federal funding levels change. “For our programs, we have already been allocated those dollars to get us through the rest of the fiscal year,” Pillsbury said, noting that Congress had approved a continuing resolution that keeps the government funded through Sept. 30 but did not set new program amounts.

The nut graf: the city is proceeding with its nine-month funding cycle to meet HUD timelines while building contingency options if federal allocations fall. Staff recommended funding mixes that prioritize timely expenditure, regulatory capacity and Council strategic priorities.

Key details: Pillsbury said the funding process includes a staff eligibility review, scoring by the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board (30 points) and staff scoring (70 points), with deductions for late or missing follow-up. She described the three federal programs as distinct: CDBG supports both public services and capital projects (with a 15 percent cap on public-service spending), HOME targets housing development and tenant-based rental assistance, and ESG funds homelessness response such as rapid rehousing and shelter operations. Human services and the city’s ABC utility-donation fund use separate criteria and fewer federal reporting requirements.

Staff proposed specific program amounts based on last year’s allocations (subject to change when HUD announces final FY2026 amounts). Among the recommendations Pillsbury described: roughly $2.5 million recommended for an emergency repair program that provides up to $25,000 per household for repairs (air conditioning, roofing, ADA ramps, mobile-home repairs), $400,000 for small-scale tenant-based rental deposit assistance, and targeted HOME funding as gap financing for affordable housing projects such as New Leaf La Masita Phase 4 and a Copa Health family project — both contingent on successful low-income housing tax-credit awards from the Arizona Department of Housing. Pillsbury said such HOME contributions act as local leverage to score higher on state applications.

Council members asked about program specifics and capacity. City treasurer Mark Hoot and staff emphasized the need to award funds to agencies that can both comply with federal reporting and expend funds promptly; HUD enforces timeliness-of-expenditure rules, and the city may need to reprogram funds if agencies cannot spend them. Pillsbury said the city will prioritize agencies with demonstrated capacity for federal compliance but keep smaller agencies eligible for local human-services dollars where reporting is less onerous.

The presentation also noted a set-aside of roughly $301,000 for navigation services within the city’s homeless-response funding and recommended funding three shelter-service providers from ESG for a combined total of $329,000 (shelter and rapid rehousing categories). Staff said applications were ranked by score and that this year the city would require more specific criteria for navigators.

Next steps and deadlines: the city will open a 30-day public comment period beginning March 30, return to council for formal approval of the funding recommendations and consolidated plan on May 12, and tentatively submit the annual action plan to HUD around mid‑May, pending final allocations. Contracts with agencies will follow HUD approval. Pillsbury stressed that if funding is reduced “significantly” the city will return to council; otherwise small adjustments (about 10 percent) may be made administratively.

Council discussion also covered fairness concerns. Several council members praised staff and the advisory board for an extensive review process while acknowledging that many worthy applicants will not be funded because requests exceed available dollars. Councilmembers and staff discussed strategies for helping smaller organizations build capacity and suggested future council conversations about strategic priorities and potential adjustments to funding pools.

The presentation closed with staff offering follow-up workshops for agencies and a reminder that the city’s five-year consolidated plan will be presented on Thursday, March 20, with the May 12 council meeting set for formal action.

Ending: The council did not take a formal vote on the recommendations at the study session; staff will return with the formal funding ordinance and the draft consolidated plan at future meetings.","City staff presented recommended allocations for federal CDBG, HOME and ESG grants and local human services funding for fiscal year 2025–26, explained the application and scoring process, and outlined next steps pending federal allocations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Mesa City Council study session, March 17, 2025

Mesa treasurer briefs council on general‑obligation bonds, debt capacity and interest environment

Mesa Fire Department to expand SCBA and helmet cleaning to reduce cancer risk

Mesa: construction contract for Fire Station 224 on agenda; staff outlines timeline and community room

Mesa staff propose narrower secondhand-dealer license requirement for short vendor markets

Mesa council reviews FY2025–26 funding recommendations for CDBG, HOME, ESG and local human services