[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6574307,"mediaKeyId","3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25","parentId",3086804,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes acknowledged; council moved to executive session","audioSeconds",490,"startMs",3915775,"endMs",4406135,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25&start=3915&end=4406","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25/thumbnail_3915775.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574307/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-acknowledged-council-moved-to-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574307-925e6beee214809b7036738a8b2f5e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142000&Signature=H5TkNZAh~JGjWO0VLdDnWqQ3ACeOSgG7D5gVYl4Vcio-PDiwoS1w~C8QsBwOCIjyKNPqXos72-o7~DmX2qUs-YMqJT0g0vqbvfUhr6iK42BuP~kwkW8uoX3psTe-Raikhe36pXVvVTVqOGchODGPU51k~nUiYwRBvpglZMOPW6uOdh34JFHMvT1Pb4~GOPCF2gSZt1j4yHakWaNXfy0yyTPWJ1YImyzfWvwfvTBtgJuUcrgYf7B~Ip6iEb7gNkfNVNm9i6dyeMRWrgiW9DRhBx5UuM4p~6JliqfmRT~5b8aXCpEM7TMagYVymEkrNROKgt2-rBqeL3ahbcX2LAPqmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T00:09:11.497Z","article","Two formal actions were recorded in the April 24 study session minutes.

Acknowledge receipt of minutes
Motion: A motion was made to acknowledge receipt of minutes for the meeting record. The mover and seconder were recorded on the audio as Councilmember Duff (mover) and Councilmember Pillsbury (second). Outcome: motion passed; the audio records the motion carrying with affirmative voices but does not include a roll-call tally in the transcript.

Convene executive session regarding city manager’s contract
Motion: Councilmember Adams moved to convene an executive session to discuss the next city manager’s contract; Councilmember Duff recorded support on the audio and the council voted in the affirmative. Outcome: motion carried; council proceeded to an executive session. The transcript records the motion and voices saying “aye” but does not provide a formal roll-call tally in the study-session audio.

Notes: the study-session transcript records the motions and that the motions passed by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Study Session - 4/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the April 24 study session the council unanimously acknowledged receipt of minutes and then voted to convene an executive session on the next city manager's contract.","taxTitle","Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2210,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574313,"Mesa updates council on Climate Action Plan funding, youth grants, watershed and airport studies",2286,1584605,3871245,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25&start=1584&end=3871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25/thumbnail_1584605.jpg","/articles/6574313/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-updates-council-on-Climate-Action-Plan-funding-youth-grants-watershed-and-airport-studies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574313-8201457e030863e99d228769b77042e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142000&Signature=iu3cjv1AYzjjdpo-Ks5BbVvICkpi09mmkWD6q5658j4hBkNow6oo5pR82ZqxMENYssiQMMC4x5MwtZqWj8N-VPNVYM5~RofExdZCiAOdoecTWUObgyaT~QShehyQw3F60Z5URfcN0DbLq6JNzyjyGrF62UGCoIlCEibt6AyhacJWZwILh0zBxwasgBVxEWcSnbqzHAgVmfX~Gn8ALj212Tn-Shn~gxz1q8JE6Mywo6olxRzvQLVmrpfnFHYpGqLP4KzSNtKtjWjQA4wC7jumvwvYW7Yf56oDuxBV~kQUUVNazIx6fK9y~A6coGe6sdd6X5TFqFVY7-7wftSuePuQ7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Boucher, energy and sustainability director, and Laura Heinemann, deputy director for environmental and sustainability, presented the department’s strategic priorities and an update on MCAP-funded projects at the April 24 study session.

Why it matters: MCAP funding and related grants support local tree planting, water conservation, electrifying municipal vehicles, and studies that could affect long-term water reliability and municipal energy planning. The department said MCAP commitments total about $17.8 million across roughly three years of work.

Laura Heinemann described the Mesa Climate Action Fund’s youth program, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program awards grants of up to $5,000 to youth teams aged 15–24; the city received $50,000 for round one and a $100,000 award for round two. Staff said round-two awards funded 13 projects and the final application deadline for remaining funds is May 13, 2025. Heinemann said projects have included air monitors, tree-planting, reusable-cup programs and community gardens.

The department highlighted partners that have supported tree-planting and other projects: the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, Arizona Conservation Corps and corporate volunteers from Amazon supported recent plantings and tree-trimming events. Staff said SRP provides rebates and incentive funding for energy-efficiency projects and that staff aim to capture the maximum available SRP incentives when possible. Staff also noted they received approximately $267,067 from SRP last year.

Planned MCAP investments and requests: staff proposed a suite of water-conservation incentives and irrigation improvements. They requested roughly $290,000 for nonresidential grass-to-xeriscape incentives (about $270,000 for project incentives and $20,000 for irrigation upgrades). The department said the incentive does not cover full project cost but is designed to encourage HOAs and other non-single-family property owners to adopt desert-adapted plants and more efficient irrigation. Staff also proposed phased irrigation upgrades in parks and improvements to municipal landscaping that the transportation and parks departments are also addressing.

Studies and regional partnerships: Boucher and staff proposed funding feasibility studies for two water-supply projects: potential Bartlett Dam modifications to increase capacity and a Salt River/CAP interconnect facility. Staff said these studies are long-term efforts to evaluate options as Colorado River reliability and regional supply change. The department also proposed a sustainability and energy planning study for Falcon Field Airport to review airport-owned infrastructure, vehicle and ground-support electrification, public EV charging, potential electric-aircraft charging and resilience options such as PV and storage.

SRP watershed biomass agreement: staff described ongoing support for SRP’s watershed protection and biomass agreement, which thins forested areas in the Verde and Salt River watersheds and uses biomass for renewable electricity. The department said the program has an insurance-like value in protecting watersheds against severe wildfire and associated turbidity impacts on water treatment. Staff said the city’s budget included $375,000 to participate in SRP watershed thinning activity; they described benefits that include reduced downstream turbidity events and potential renewable energy credits associated with biomass generation, but said a precise ROI is difficult to quantify because benefits include avoided costs and improved watershed health.

RNG and food-to-energy projects: staff said the renewable natural gas (RNG) “flare to fuel” project is at the commissioning stage and that design work on a separate food-to-energy processing facility is on hold pending updated financial analysis. Staff said earlier feasibility work showed challenging payback times for a full food-to-energy processing facility; they plan to revisit financials as tipping fees and other costs change.

Community engagement and urban forestry: the department outlined community engagement efforts including events, partnerships, and an urban forestry program. Staff said they are building a GIS-based dashboard to track city-planted trees and canopy goals and highlighted recent successful plantings and volunteer events.

Ending: staff asked council to consider the proposed MCAP budget items during the FY26 budget process and to support the planned feasibility studies. Council asked clarifying questions about payback periods for LED conversions, project timelines and how event and outreach capacity might be sustained through partnerships.","Environmental and Sustainability staff briefed the council on the Mesa Climate Action Plan (MCAP) investments, youth grant rounds supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, tree and urban-forest efforts, SRP watershed partnership, and proposed feasibility studies for water supply and airport energy planning.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574318,"Mesa staff report lower electric supply costs, request locating hires as fiber rollout increases workload",1513,66980,1580605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25&start=66&end=1580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086804-dac955c0b33ee8ffbb56c84f47c79b25/thumbnail_66980.jpg","/articles/6574318/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-report-lower-electric-supply-costs-request-locating-hires-as-fiber-rollout-increases-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574318-3357cced5d497996ec23e580d42146a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142000&Signature=mJteqGrZrdZ23uvwq6UwZJpgFDuN-oKDP-CnskhThdgACC~8lm~yRRfMOS3jPJh~Cym-XT293VSeaGiEsXfTVF1J30ID7bMU6k8rddQj6vHQYrW4u0Dg0O5LCl5QbqkU94H09JxnGKvpJY0JYxCQJcHgJepmArVTLbM882AqTRbc~iSGRIA6129dfqdH0cdzabAZO9O2SAq6En3qWtq5mwBn59dFz0~oj6COT~CZCe0NwkyKu9iSeotxEcRl0mypQ5JtpFAHZ6rtYUvaaG9PsxT4fJ6Xq7ckVZ-ngLFnCDxwffYC0VvNuZxT4t9M~CeUgF~PkX688EZtu64cE-cYTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Boucher, the city’s energy and sustainability director, told the Mesa City Council on April 24 that the Energy Resources Department projects lower electric supply costs for the coming fiscal year after executing new contracts and beginning a power purchase agreement with Salt River Project.

Why it matters: the council received detailed budget and performance briefings that could affect customer bills, reliability and staffing. Staff presented commodity forecasts, performance measures for electric reliability and gas emergency response, and budget requests to support a significant increase in underground utility locating tied in part to the city’s fiber-to-home rollout.

Boucher summarized the department’s public purpose as providing “safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable electric and gas utility services.” He said Mesa’s utility has shown strong reliability compared with peers and highlighted a safety milestone: the utility had recorded 2,443 days without a lost-time accident.

Anthony Cadorn, program manager, presented a four-year comparison of average residential supply costs and told the council that the department now projects its supply costs to be about 0.6% below SRP for the coming year. Cadorn attributed the movement to execution of several market contracts in fall 2024 and a new SRP agreement that began Jan. 1, 2025. Councilmembers asked about contract length; Cadorn and staff said the SRP arrangement includes a 10-year term, with other market contracts typically five years (base) and three years (peak) where suppliers would not offer longer terms.

Staff said a combination of favorable contracts executed last fall and changes to contract terms account for the electric supply forecast. The department also forecasted that electric supply would come in under budget by approximately $2.4 million and that a warm winter and favorable market conditions reduced the gas year-end estimate for FY24-25 to about $14.7 million.

On renewable energy and local generation, Boucher said the current round of city projects adds 2.8 megawatts of solar, and that downtown installations and campus projects will bring the total downtown capacity to roughly 3.6 megawatts.

Budget changes and savings: staff reported targeted reductions of roughly $358,000 and said they achieved about $416,000 of reductions and new revenue. One revenue source cited was development agreements with gas developers that yield about 8% in administrative revenue; staff said those contracts typically total about $3 million per year, producing roughly $240,000 in revenue.

Utility locating and staffing: staff described a large workload increase in locating activity—an approximately 92% increase in annual tickets (2021 to 2024) and a 310% increase in bore monitoring related to fiber and other construction. Staff said about 40% of locating requests are tied to the fiber-to-home program. The locating team currently includes 24 full-time staff and one supervisor plus four temporary and four contract employees. Boucher and staff asked the council to approve one additional supervisor and four locators to keep pace with growth; ongoing costs were presented at about $537,000 and one-time equipment costs at about $511,000.

Staff emphasized that the locating workload is expected to remain elevated for several years and said the department planned to reduce temporary and contract staff first if demand declines.

Gas operations and emergency response: staff said response times for gas-smell calls remained within the department’s target (less than 30 minutes) despite an 11% increase in service calls. The department said it had ramped hiring more than a year earlier and that training takes about a year before new hires respond independently.

Other requests: staff requested a one-time vehicle purchase for the renewable natural gas (RNG) coordinator tied to the flare-to-fuel project: $90,000 one-time and roughly $8,000 ongoing. Boucher said this would be the first dedicated “flare to fuel” vehicle for that role; he noted the city’s solid-waste fleet already includes many CNG vehicles that could receive RNG fuel once the project is operating.

Council questions and clarifications included whether right-of-way fees charged to fiber companies go to the city’s general fund (staff said they do), why commodity supply costs were treated separately from the 2% departmental reduction target, and how long the city is likely to need additional locating staff (staff said forecasts show elevated work into at least 2028). The meeting record shows no formal council vote on the budget items during the April 24 study session; staff left with direction to incorporate these requests into upcoming budget materials for council review.

Ending: staff will incorporate council direction and return with budget materials and further cost details during the council’s formal budget review process.","Mesa Energy Resources staff told the City Council that recent contracts and a new SRP agreement should reduce electric supply costs versus SRP, while growth (including a fiber-to-home buildout) has sharply increased utility locating work and prompted a request for one supervisor and four locators.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: minutes acknowledged; council moved to executive session

Mesa updates council on Climate Action Plan funding, youth grants, watershed and airport studies

Mesa staff report lower electric supply costs, request locating hires as fiber rollout increases workload