[{"_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",6234817,"mediaKeyId","3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6","parentId",3409610,"title","Mesa council pauses proposed Parks & Recreation program cuts after public concern; staff says fee increases still needed","audioSeconds",2283,"startMs",415330,"endMs",2699125,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6&start=415&end=2699","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6/thumbnail_415330.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234817/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-council-pauses-proposed-Parks-Recreation-program-cuts-after-public-concern-staff-says-fee-increases-still-needed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234817-f3a0f2753321d9c8b882e0419677fd40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775404224&Signature=N39WXgJd~eOWmrp1zwKd7WQONh4LbRCxUGjtmiXpk1Od2gUOgr9~Ymf~Ou5bjsTRcPmCLv4iEA9rUIyZNgpB8RohJyQUFGVky777BLCYzxtgFNXh1nZltr6Z2PT5J7gd~SNqD~k06RRK9H--RADQ5VWd1Ct2Twn7MreSszS~EIwMkZnd9qVIlEKrstg1pBeFYL1Dthfr1PmuZhE0K7s8na9h~MyZVhItfCxWc5eRAqnNNjNHKlQrBJVxnAE8Kxhajvc-XTXuWrgoG2KeEYUM1~XT9uriFHlbwqx6IkmoasYPAQ9s-7NLN006LXGSxdY5FobnZzaWSp0wCyproievxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesa City, AZ ","date","2025-05-20T02:19:12Z","article","Mesa City Council members spent the bulk of their May 19 study session on Parks and Recreation’s proposed budget adjustments and program changes, including potential eliminations, fee increases and the future of Fremont Pool. After more than an hour of presentations and public-subject discussion, council directed staff to pause proposed program eliminations and return with options while continuing to pursue fee adjustments.

Parks staff (Andrea) reviewed targeted reductions in aquatics and youth-sports services that the department proposed to meet budget reduction targets with what staff described as “minimal overall impact.” Staff said the department had identified low-participation time slots and programs to scale back, and that the advisory Parks and Recreation Board had reviewed and supported fee and charge adjustments. Andrea said staff initially proposed eliminating off‑season Flowrider league sessions but, after receiving public comment, had explored reintroducing the sessions at a higher fee to achieve full cost recovery.

Staff gave several specific figures during the presentation: canceling two low-attendance swim-lesson sessions would remove roughly $21,000 in costs while those sessions produced about $8,500 in revenue (staff characterized that as a roughly $40 per‑participant subsidy); lane rental fees for affiliated groups were proposed to rise from $3 to $4 per lane per hour; field use fees for affiliated daytime users were proposed to increase from $10 to $11 per hour and to $18 per hour at night; site supervision for non-affiliated groups would be charged as $32 per day per complex; a midday field-prep fee was proposed at $85 per field; and staff estimated $120,000 in revenue tied to lane‑rental and field fee increases. For the Flowrider, staff said a user group had proposed $115 per session but staff estimated it would require about $190 per session to fully cover off‑season costs; in that scenario the department would require at least eight registrations per month to run the offering.

Staff also discussed the broader budget context: the department estimated an additional $765,300 would be required to keep programs as presented. That figure included continuing to operate Fremont Pool; staff said Fremont needs about $2.1 million in renovations to remain in service for five more years and that keeping Fremont open for a single additional year would cost roughly $430,000 in operations. Staff further noted the department had requested 26 full‑time equivalent positions (FTEs), which staff said would require roughly $1.3 million if funded.

Council members and staff discussed alternatives. Some members suggested reallocating funds from community events such as Celebrate Mesa (estimated cost discussed as $54,000) or seeking greater sponsorships for youth leagues; others warned that higher fees could reduce participation. Councilmember Duff expressed concern that raising prices might reduce participation; staff said that if a higher fee did not produce enough registrations the offering would not be scheduled.

At the end of the discussion council directed staff to pause elimination of identified programs and return with options and timing for any changes, while noting that fee adjustments already scheduled (and additional August 1 increases proposed by staff) would be part of the department’s revenue strategy. Staff repeatedly emphasized that fee increases are needed to support part‑time staffing levels and program operations; council asked staff to continue outreach with user groups and to return to council with refined options.

Two routine votes occurred during the meeting: the council approved a board appointment unanimously and unanimously acknowledged receipt of minutes from the planning and zoning board and the Sustainability and Transportation Committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Study Session - 5/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mesa City Council members spent the May 19 study session considering Parks & Recreation budget recommendations and potential program cuts; after extended discussion council directed staff to pause proposed program eliminations and return with options while staff said fee increases are still needed to meet staffing and operational costs.","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},6234821,"Council reviews final Safe Streets plan; staff says adoption needed to apply for implementation grant",77,160470,238320,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6&start=160&end=238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6/thumbnail_160470.jpg","/articles/6234821/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-reviews-final-Safe-Streets-plan-staff-says-adoption-needed-to-apply-for-implementation-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234821-109f3db3f6ab10fa6b0e9bf2b692dfc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775404224&Signature=lUYEUjhr9JC2BjKBh2uEX5U~J-rjc2sr17DHJuuejUZkZ5kOcu5941WGrIeL6GfjR8YRmIjVkwjan6CTyOuYGtF37DI5pE7LEW5K7GQVwY4fmFzFH1dFdDrB0rEbR2LJcbwUsqJXID21mcMnZH1ftOWjHVwXDZ9NxbHgEn4f-bJOilkHsiZ4RVW1dtIvfGOQhs6reLmKVe4BqQjX6Bk3zLOxdSk~YChx95vI6k8h5jyuE-tG2JMu71xG95Mpcf9DhWLezL0L-coVyL-~iB79-235yaCd3Sju1kv6SY5GMjHmvkUzPTbarAMynV6pH42jI6pxBlk1T3bdCa8ORG38xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa transportation staff reviewed the final draft of the city’s comprehensive safety plan at the May 19 study session and urged council to adopt the plan so the city can apply for implementation funding through the federal Safe Streets for All program.

Transportation staff described the draft as the final report and said the plan will support applications to the Safe Streets for All implementation grants, which were advertised recently and have applications due June 26. Staff told council the grant application would focus on infrastructure projects that offer the largest reduction in fatal and serious-injury crashes—specifically upgrading several signalized intersections to protected left-turn phases.

Councilmember Adams asked about signal timing and the “all-red” interval. Transportation staff said all-red timing (the interval when every approach displays red to allow vehicles to clear an intersection) varies by intersection width and approach speed and typically lasts one to two seconds. Staff also noted that engineering standards and national studies inform signal timing and cautioned that overly long all-red intervals can have adverse effects.

Staff said the city will pursue both the infrastructure upgrades targeted by the grant and non-infrastructure strategies such as public education on driver, pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety. Council did not adopt the plan at the study session but staff said they were presenting the final draft to position the city to apply for the June grant deadline.","Transportation staff presented the final draft of Mesa’s comprehensive safety plan and said council approval is required to apply for Safe Streets for All implementation funding; staff prioritized protected left-turn signal upgrades and identified the grant application deadline.",{"_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},6234827,"Mesa staff brief council on proposed text amendment to allow conventional construction in manufactured-home and RV subdivisions",58,25895,84025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6&start=25&end=84","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409610-0e35c5d0d702f78bad13de40c14db9f6/thumbnail_25895.jpg","/articles/6234827/Mesa/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Mesa-staff-brief-council-on-proposed-text-amendment-to-allow-conventional-construction-in-manufactured-home-and-RV-subdivisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234827-833a87b4408b7f4a18004fa811a9ca44/orig.mp4?Expires=1775404224&Signature=nbiN~ROXIy1jXRC7mm3q0RfGzx7RiIc8QazVf1nQ0crtM9woDp~ghTtJA6Yy6gNzG7w~UMwT~vE0S0Yrx-SWKr1PZUGRTJGehQRXEwz9WlRFOo-MZ0OR9J~gEsnKeJJep1nieIHjLhSrnJfCGo1PsJsZhTrSItQgo19M~AzQegUL6SHnqdg4aLXsB9CmK9ckVYb7ILbU3fpyl241V0H1bxEYi~Fp-OWGO1-1l4bMM0BOSgdPedBFzj7k3oQl4yxJX9mR7-zhqqtua9WjLgztdOlnXrLXG5MJ7NdvfdObmfvwVgAz9epozVPE2X84li~Bls6KYsr9BBrLwSAdz3PgXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa City Council members heard a staff briefing May 19 on a proposed zoning text amendment that would permit conventional (site-built) construction within manufactured-home and recreational-vehicle subdivisions and in subdivisions where homeowners own individual lots.

City planning staff said the proposed change would not expand conventional construction into manufactured-home parks where lots are rented; it would apply to subdivisions where residents own individual lots. The petition submitted by residents of the Venture Out neighborhood was circulated in support of the amendment and, according to staff, was signed by a majority of homeowners in that neighborhood.

The planning staff said the proposal grew out of the city’s Balanced Housing Plan as a way to expand housing types within Mesa. Under current city rules, staff said conventional construction is not permitted in manufactured-home or RV subdivisions or in parks. Staff presented the amendment as a legislative text change to zoning regulations; council members asked clarifying questions but did not vote on the amendment at the study session.

Council members asked whether Venture Out would be allowed to build conventional housing under the proposed amendment; planning staff answered that, if enacted, the amendment would permit conventional construction in subdivisions where homeowners own their lots and that Venture Out had submitted the petition in support.

The staff briefing did not include an ordinance number or a staff recommendation to adopt on first reading; nor did the council take formal legislative action at the study session. Council discussion focused on the scope of the change (owner-occupied lots versus rental parks) and the connection between the amendment and the Balanced Housing Plan.

Council members and staff indicated the item will return for formal consideration in the ordinance process; no vote or adoption occurred at this meeting.","City staff told the Mesa City Council that a proposed zoning text amendment would allow conventional (site-built) construction within manufactured-home and recreational-vehicle subdivisions and that a petition from Venture Out supports the change; council did not take formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesa council pauses proposed Parks & Recreation program cuts after public concern; staff says fee increases still needed

Council reviews final Safe Streets plan; staff says adoption needed to apply for implementation grant

Mesa staff brief council on proposed text amendment to allow conventional construction in manufactured-home and RV subdivisions