We believe that providing access for citizens to communicate with the Council is vital for a strong representative local government.
All council meetings are open to the public to attend in-person or electronically by watching live on local cable Mesa 11, YouTube and Facebook.
The Mayor conducts Council meetings to accomplish the public’s business in a fair, efficient and orderly manner.
Participating in a Council Meeting
Members of the public may share comments with the Council in the following ways:
Request to Speak at a Regular Council Meeting
A person may request to speak on agenda items for Council action or during “Items from citizens present”. To do so, submit a request-to-speak form prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting using one of the digital kiosks available in the City Hall lobby. The form may also be accessed on a mobile device by scanning QR codes located throughout the lobby. Help is available for individuals in need of assistance with the digital system.
The request to speak form becomes available at 5:00 p.m. on City Council meeting nights and must be completed prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Each speaker must be present and is limited to three minutes, unless otherwise determined by the Mayor. Groups with similar comments are encouraged to designate a spokesperson.
For agenda items for Council action, comments need to relate to such item and, unless otherwise determined by the Mayor, the number of speakers is not limited; however, if numerous participants request to speak on an agenda item for Council action, reductions in speaking time may be implemented or a spokesperson may be required.
For “Items from Citizens Present,” a participant may speak on general issues within the Council’s jurisdiction, Councilmembers generally may not discuss or take legal action on issues raised, and, unless otherwise determined by the Mayor, the number of speakers is limited to three.
Effective June 1, 2026: To ensure a fair and equitable process, speakers for "Items from Citizens Present" are selected at random from all requests submitted before the scheduled start time of the meeting. Selected speakers will be announced at the beginning of the meeting. This provides equitable access for residents and removes advantages based on sign-up timing. Watch a video about this process
Submit Written Comments
Residents who do not wish to speak at a meeting, but would like to share a comment or opinion for Council consideration may do so as follows:
- Submit an online comment card.
- Submit a paper comment card to City Clerk staff at the meeting location prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting.
While the online comment card option is always available, if you want your online comment provided to the Councilmembers prior to the City Council meeting, it must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting. Online comments submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on the day of a City Council meeting will also be posted publicly on this page before the scheduled start time of the meeting. Online comments received after 2:00 p.m. and paper comments submitted to City Clerk staff at the meeting location prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting will be shared with the Councilmembers and posted publicly on this page the day after the City Council meeting. Please note, paper comments submitted to City Clerk staff at the meeting location prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting will not be provided to the Councilmembers at or prior to the meeting and will not be read aloud at the meeting (but will be sent to the Councilmembers and posted on this page the following day, as stated above).
If you do not wish for your comments to be published on our website, you may email the Council directly as noted below.
Email the Council
Written feedback to the Council regarding agenda items or general issues may be sent to council@mesaaz.gov. Emails are not published on this page.
Limited-Bag Policy and Security Screening
To help ensure safe and efficient entry during City Council meetings at City Hall, a limited-bag policy is in place.
Allowed
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12” × 6” × 12”
- Small clutches or bags approximately the size of a folded 8.5” × 11” sheet (maximum 8.5” × 5.5”)
Not Allowed
- Backpacks, large purses or totes, laptop or camera bags, and other non-clear bags exceeding 8.5” × 5.5”
Notes and Exceptions
- Mesa does not use X-ray screening machines; bag limits and clear bag requirements help reduce manual searches and keep entry lines moving efficiently
- Medically necessary items, infant/diaper supplies, and assistive devices are permitted and may be subject to visual inspection
- No on-site bag storage is available; attendees should plan accordingly
- This policy applies to all City Council meetings at City Hall and may be adjusted based on attendance and safety needs
Meeting Guidelines and Expectations
Effective July 9, 2026: Signs ARE NOT permitted inside City Hall or during public meetings held at City Hall.
All persons attending Council meetings are expected to observe rules of politeness, propriety and good conduct. Applause and audience commentary are not permitted. Individuals who disrupt the meeting may be asked to leave, removed and/or not permitted to return.
To help ensure a safe and respectful environment for all attendees, the following guidelines apply:
Signs and Presentation Materials
To help maintain a safe, accessible and orderly meeting environment for everyone, signs, flags, banners, posters, placards and other held or carried display materials ARE NOT permitted inside City Hall or during public meetings.
Individuals speaking on an agendized item may use presentation materials. Materials must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office (20 E. Main Street) at least one business day before the meeting. Materials will be provided during the speaker’s comment and returned after the meeting.
Attire
Visitors must wear basic attire, including a top, bottom and footwear (e.g., shirt, blouse, pants, shorts, skirt, shoes).
Restricted Activities
Protesting, petitioning, solicitation and leafletting are not permitted inside City Hall or in areas near entrances and parking lots. These areas must remain clear to ensure safe and unobstructed access for all visitors.
City Hall and Facilities Use Policy(PDF, 710KB)