[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6242820,"mediaKeyId","3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725","parentId",3244422,"title","Mesa staff outline CDBG five-year plan; federal budget draft could affect next fiscal year","audioSeconds",308,"startMs",82000,"endMs",390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725&start=82&end=390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725/thumbnail_82000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242820/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-outline-CDBG-five-year-plan-federal-budget-draft-could-affect-next-fiscal-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242820-6a386687c62adc206fe90d0343cc3fcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159573&Signature=JJVQB69LzOxeR7GBsqqF6hpqJHqoZvXFBSVKWZvsLZZwNHtoKNJCS7EHX99mbMCC-1elrH4ZFlOfrNpoVYmc0L650mjcf4-N1WbZCr1CdmDLEhK4ftXjiuTJzZohrRE539bs~bkT978yTAtomONWzOkyAcvyk6lGqTwWh6mEP6I97-o9mgU3myh7zGaqYRRoOItNiGsGDRnS2whBH4iWJcsiwHtZD3hy8sHnpp8K0IJZNK4OPaclWw4zB6F47C0qvEIXg7mC9fGSDh0zDKzAtSD2txDbZXIdSTPqWlts1D0Kuajmx2JWgewghCpP9xvCVyjqXIiRqr1zL83Hx96azg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesa City, AZ ","date","2025-05-08T16:47:39Z","article","Mesa City Council staff told the council at its May 8 study session that the city’s five-year consolidated plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds is based on level funding from last year and that any reductions proposed in the President’s draft budget would not affect the city’s CDBG plan for fiscal year 2025–26.

The consolidated plan matters because CDBG funds support local social-service safety-net programs, housing rehab and other community projects that the city routes through nonprofit partners and city divisions.

Michelle, a city staff member working on the grants process, said, “what is proposed in front of you today is based on level funding from our previous year.” She told the council the federal continuing resolution currently funds programs at prior-year levels and that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was expected to provide the city’s exact allocation by May 13. “We do not have the funds at this time,” she said.

City staff and council members discussed how CDBG is a reimbursement-based program. The city or participating nonprofits must provide services first and then submit documentation to HUD for reimbursement; staff said that reality often favors larger nonprofits with capacity to front expenses. Jeff (city staff) described the cycle: after council approval of a plan, staff develop contracts with agencies, the agencies perform services, then submit reimbursement requests electronically to the city for processing and HUD approval.

Council members pressed about timing and risk. One council member asked whether the city would be financially on the hook if the federal government ultimately reduced or eliminated allocations; staff replied that the immediate risk to the city’s budget is low because the contracts will not be executed until the city receives HUD’s final allocation and letter of authorization. Staff said that if the next federal budget year includes cuts, the reductions would affect the following funding round (fiscal year 2026–27) and could force the city to revisit allocations and return to council if changes are large.

City staff summarized key procedural facts raised in the discussion: HUD works on an October–September federal fiscal year (the city’s fiscal year begins in July); the continuing resolution passed earlier this year temporarily funds programs at level amounts; HUD would notify Mesa of the final CDBG allocation by mid-May; and most CDBG activity is reimbursement-based, not upfront awards like American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) distributions.

Councilmembers and staff said they would monitor the federal budget process through the summer and revisit program funding during next year’s allocation process if the President’s draft budget or congressional action reduces available funds.

Staff also noted that contingencies were included in the plan so a minor adjustment to HUD’s allocation could be absorbed administratively, while a substantial reduction would likely require returning to council for reauthorization or reallocation decisions.

The city did not take a formal vote during the study session on the consolidated plan; staff indicated the plan and related public hearings remain on the council’s agenda for the regular meeting cycle and that the city would not execute contracts until it received final HUD allocations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Study Session - 5/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mesa City Council staff told the council at its May 8 study session that the city’s five-year consolidated plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds is based on level funding from last year and that any reductions proposed in the President’s draft budget would not affect the city’s CDBG plan for fiscal year 2025–26.","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},6242810,"Downtown Mesa Association outlines 2024 accomplishments, parking and events push for 2025",760,778000,1538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725&start=778&end=1538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725/thumbnail_778000.jpg","/articles/6242810/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Downtown-Mesa-Association-outlines-2024-accomplishments-parking-and-events-push-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242810-c4c690abe7c8751038c6494312a01821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159573&Signature=FhWOtZEJdZe2Wu~kzjGafNAECoCCnktKSKLyNSxFIiUn84llRgwz~Nc-3Vu3jE6n1WjSN5BxZxQEJqEX6MSujCqLP66VZp1go-E7HCEonBBch1BQhUd6Y6yntw6F8ugE1LIL8l1LQIUCxinidk3ImbSbSe2FirjLJAWfQk38~zb6yZwT1JxXHv25U5LPNFXQuaN0m6n8zIiTDJwBcOd0Q09msPvdT8tDIE~fhkN18IrevExanR1uSITe9XDfF5EoLh9CY2MWc9Xqcs~Dul~p9ijvazAisDs2zWprXxTMw0gEsZpThxFrbUg3IUpdvNooZhCA3f0-CW~FDnkydEZoog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Terry Medexa, president and executive director of the Downtown Mesa Association (DMA), reviewed DMA’s 2024 accomplishments and 2025 priorities at the Mesa City Council study session on May 8, highlighting DMA’s clean‑team operations, a slate of new events, parking coordination with the city and an upcoming public hearing for the district assessment.

“We have a team of five full‑time employees that are out there working to keep our district looking great,” Medexa said, describing DMA’s clean team and new bright blue uniforms and vehicle wrap. Medexa told council DMA’s clean team handles more than 16,000 service requests per year and removes about three tons of trash per month on average.

DMA and city staff discussed parking availability and near‑term actions. Jeff McVay, manager of urban transformation, said the city will hold a ribbon‑cutting for the Hibbert Garage at 8 a.m. next Monday and plans to transition roughly 550 city employees (and city vehicles) into the Hibbert Garage over the following weeks. McVay said those moves should free about 30 spaces in the centrally located Pepper Garage for time‑limited customer parking and that an overall inventory of more than 5,000 public parking spaces exists across downtown garages and lots.

Council members and DMA discussed signage and wayfinding. Medexa said DMA worked with the city to standardize parking signs with a recognizable “branded blue” symbol to help visitors find parking; staff also identified the need for clearer on‑site rule signage that conveys hours and availability for permit and public spaces. City staff said a parking app is in beta and currently standalone; staff will evaluate whether to integrate it into the city’s Mesa Now platform.

Events and marketing were a major focus. Medexa said a Visit Mesa sponsorship provided $150,000 to underwrite four signature events this year. DMA reported several attendance figures: a baseball block party drew about 2,500 attendees, a first‑year New Year’s noon‑year event drew more than 5,000 people, and DMA’s downtown gift card program produced more than $14,000 in direct spend at more than 40 businesses. DMA said it collects attendee ZIP codes via RSVPs and geofencing to analyze where visitors come from and plans to expand events that can generate overnight stays.

Medexa described business engagement and commercial vacancy work, saying city staff and DMA meet with brokers and property owners to attract tenants; staff estimated downtown commercial vacancy above 10 percent and said a single property owner controls a significant portion of that vacancy. McVay said facade improvements are in final design for 18 participating properties and construction on the first sites will begin later in May; city staff said the facade program will continue over the next 12–18 months.

On funding and governance, staff reviewed DMA’s professional services agreement with the city and the Special Improvement District (SID 228) funding structure. City staff said the SID’s annual commercial assessment public hearing is scheduled for the May 19 council meeting; at the time of the study session the city had received three letters of protest covering four parcels out of 525 assessed commercial parcels.

Medexa identified alleyway beautification, a mobile information kiosk to link convention and event patrons to downtown businesses, and continued emphasis on free family‑friendly events, marketing and walkability improvements as DMA priorities for 2025. DMA said it had set aside funding to support small‑scale public‑space projects and would pursue partnerships with the city, Visit Mesa and ASU.

Councilmembers praised DMA’s recent work and asked for more operational details. Several asked DMA to provide a breakdown of personnel and non‑personnel expenditures; Medexa committed to provide budget detail in the May 19 council materials. The council did not take immediate action on DMA’s contract; the SID assessment public hearing will be on the May 19 council agenda.","The Downtown Mesa Association told council it expanded cleaning services, launched new branding, ran large free family‑friendly events and is coordinating with the city on parking improvements and a May 19 assessment hearing; DMA said it will set aside funds for alley beautification and a mobile information kiosk",{"_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},6242816,"Mesa council asks about photo‑enforcement upgrades as state bills to ban photo radar stall",235,531000,766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725&start=531&end=766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244422-dd3e2e81a46398678e1ce9c5d37e5725/thumbnail_531000.jpg","/articles/6242816/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-council-asks-about-photoenforcement-upgrades-as-state-bills-to-ban-photo-radar-stall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242816-4c49adcb21156415603f80d29326fe12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159573&Signature=EOKTFSfb0QoDbAyFHjpEY2K9h4ebRf-W0UVbWNbmtApYboOtuTaxkAnfo2JoEdYl31yS0zusVmw1N0S83C5~FCM6W66c4Yei5GbCiurZshw3I8xwSZK1KxTvSbr9rVK0148uP5~lTYAw3GOtawfDLeIkey2hnovbDwl9u-ucNxrTiG0qv3AgKjKTa9kxvHWurwNKga~xTZW~B70-WartSpknrB79oSIQAfm~ZiIb1kaLtHDhQrgLXwqWQafO4FNpc9v4Cg5B6RNr1gyZTI0bLmb5F0OBGLzSuzDckMGwfbt0R~hLZKIt4siau53eMwvgcnM1OIxXa-ZHSXxfky4Bgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa council members asked about a planned upgrade to the city’s photo‑enforcement equipment and whether state legislation could force the city to discontinue the program.

Council member Go forth noted the agenda item to replace outdated photo‑enforcement equipment and asked whether any new sites were planned. City staff said the priority for photo radar is school zones and high‑risk intersections and that two new school‑zone locations are part of the planned deployment.

Council members also raised recent state legislative activity that could prohibit photo radar. Scott, a city staff member following the bills, said two bills introduced this year proposing changes to photo‑enforcement have been “stalled for about the last month or so” and the legislature was adjourned for a short break, so there was no immediate movement.

Council members asked whether the city’s contract with the photo‑enforcement vendor includes protections if state law changes. City staff said the city extended the existing contract for a limited period to monitor legislative progress and that the contract “allows us to terminate if it's no longer permitted.” A council member confirmed that if the state banned photo radar, the city would not be able to collect fees and the contract would terminate, and that there would be no call on the general fund as a consequence of a statutory ban.

Staff committed to follow up with the police department to answer constituent questions and to provide council members with additional details on proposed new sites, enforcement coverage and contract terms. No formal action was taken during the study session.

Council discussion also referenced intergovernmental issues: if the state adopts a ban it would supersede local authority to operate photo‑enforcement cameras and the city’s contract provisions would control how the vendor relationship ends.","Council members discussed a proposed update to photo‑enforcement equipment and two state bills that could eliminate photo radar; staff said contracts include termination language if state law changes and that the two bills introduced this year are currently stalled","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesa staff outline CDBG five-year plan; federal budget draft could affect next fiscal year

Downtown Mesa Association outlines 2024 accomplishments, parking and events push for 2025

Mesa council asks about photo‑enforcement upgrades as state bills to ban photo radar stall