Inside Mesa

The Mesa City Council meeting of January 10, provided several items of great importance with positive outcomes. Three key items will influence our city now and in the future, the first being our new city manager — Swearing in of new City Manager Christopher Brady. Mayor Hawker’s 2006 State of the City Address. The Transportation Advisory Board recommendations regarding traffic control changes on Baseline Rd. near Longmore St., which included public comments.A sincere welcome to Mr. Brady as he embraces a new job, a new challenge, administering business throughout a city that has a remarkable record of awards earned by city staff and departments, and a unique opportunity to be part of a process in resolving some critical city issues.The Mayor’s City Address gave us a chance to acknowledge the many accomplishments, positive outcomes and trends Mesa has enjoyed. A review of each councilmembers valuable contributions and discussing the issues in our immediate future regarding revenue sources for the city budget. He encouraged all residents to educate themselves about the city’s budget, read the 2025 Financing the Future final report and other documents on the city website. I particularly liked the kind of Mesa the Mayor would like to live in, in 2025 - One of pride and opportunity, a community where citizen involvement is high and government lean. I know from my own experience how much I value being part of the process, being part of my community fosters a sense of belonging. Mesa citizens have many opportunities to engage as volunteers, a chance to be utilized and feel valuable because our city government gives its citizens a voice, a chance to be heard whether on a city board or commitee, at city council meetings, or other public settings. The recommendation for traffic changes brought by the Transportation Advisory Board in an area on Baseline Rd. brought about a passionate plea from many citizens, including the parents of Sean Casey 14, who was tragically killed in a crosswalk on his bike as he left Rhodes Jr. High School, September 23. The city council and audience listened with compassion, hearing and feeling the pain from those that spoke - relatives, friends, classmates, Boy Scouts, and school staff - about the senseless loss, their personal loss, wanting to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone again. The silence as each spoke seemed to convey everyone’s deep sympathy for the loss of Sean.Many ideas emerged. Most of those that spoke wanted a permanent reduction of the speed limit to 35 mph around the clock, 7 days a week. The council discussed and reasoned a best outcome. Several ideas emerged with varying revisions, considerations, and safety precautions that could effect not only this particular school but schools city-wide. The council agreed Baseline Rd. is unique; it is and has been an arterial street which continues to carry a large amount of traffic. The council felt this supports a change in traffic control in the Rhodes Jr. High school zone only. I agree, having lived in the area for decades, Baseline Rd. continues to be used heavily and frequently.The results of the council’s motion approved by a vote: school zone effective M-F, hours extended to 8PM, 48" signs replacing 30", flashing lights with radar device reflecting MPH that clearly alert drivers of the school zone and their speed. The area includes many businesses, residential neighborhoods, a school with many, multiple after school activities, and ineffective, "invisible" traffic controls. Many citations have been given to speeding drivers as if unaware of the school zone. It appears the problem lies in the traffic control methods.I believe the council came to a best solution by drawing more attention to the upcoming school zone and speed limit. A comparison after implementation in 6 months will be a good indicator if the problem has been effectively addressed. I’m hoping we’ll see a difference!