All right, good evening, everyone.

I'd like to welcome everybody to the city council meeting.

Um December 2nd, 2025.

If uh Bonnie Clark, if you could lead us an invitation, please.

From City Church.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the city councilman and our mayor and all the staff here, and we lift them to you and we pray for wisdom for them.

We pray for their servants' hearts and to give them vision for our city, your vision.

Guide them to make wise decisions out of concern for the residents of the city.

We lift their health, their families, and their safety.

We also thank you for our police, our firefighters, and all our first responders that serve surprise.

Lord, we thank you for peace in our city and your guidance in our lives.

May this meeting tonight be a blessing in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you.

All right, Madam Clerk, roll call, please.

Mayor Sarder.

Present.

Councilmember Haney.

Here.

Councilmember Greenberg.

Uh, Councilman Greenberg has an excused absence.

Thank you.

Councilmember Duffy.

Here.

Councilmember Melton.

He also has an excuse absence.

Thank you.

Councilmember Judd.

Can I get one of those?

Thank you, Mayor.

We have quite a disminute.

All right, thank you.

Can you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

One nation under God.

Indivisible liberty and justice for all.

Yes, thank you, Mayor, Council members.

I'd like to introduce Shelby here tonight to introduce our youth council.

Thank you.

Thank you, Andrea.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'd like to introduce to you the two Dais members with you tonight.

Uh first up is Kate Donick from Paradise Honors.

Hello, Mayor and Council.

My name is Kate Donick.

I'm a junior at Paradise Honors and a fourth year youth council member.

This semester, our council has been busy volunteering in events, including the Sci Tech Festival, the Veterans Day Parade, Gain Night, Nerf Battle, and much, much more.

Upcoming, we're looking forward to this weekend's surprise party and the annual teen summit on February 25th.

If uh if not familiar, the teen summit is a one-day conference where schools send delegates to learn life skills, participate in team building, and get leadership training.

Our committees are also busy with our projects, including a teen entrepreneur entrepreneurship course, art programs, and community cleanups.

Thank you.

Kenzie.

Thank you, Kate.

Next up is Kenzie Mies from Paradise Honors.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is McKenzie Myes.

I go to Paradise Honors High School, and I'm a senior.

This is my fifth year on the council and many times on the dice.

This weekend is the surprise party and SYC will be volunteering volunteering across the event.

We're super excited to support the city and help it make a great experience for the rec residents.

We also want to give a warm welcome to our new city manager, Andrea Davis.

We look forward to collaborating with her as we continue our work.

This semester has been super productive from our nerf battle with the surprise PD to volunteering at multiple events and continuing our community initiatives.

We also have a few upcoming committee projects in the works, and we're super excited to share with you more as they develop.

Thank you.

Thank you, Kenzie, and thank you, Mayor and Council.

Okay, thank you.

Anything else?

No, okay.

Uh Madam Clerk, you have a report.

Uh yes, Mayor.

You'll see tonight before you two items, uh, recommendations from our nomination committee for two vacancies in um two of our commissions.

So I will at this time turn it over to our chair, Councilmember Haney.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh so uh I was going to have my fellow committee members say a few words, but they they just knew I was gonna do such a great job, they didn't want to be in attendance while I did it.

So um like I like I always said this this committee is always um a lot of fun, but also very challenging because we get the opportunity to interact with so many of our amazing surprise residents who have uh a lot of things on their plate, but they still want to take some time to make our city better and volunteer.

And so um I I know we're going to do one.

Uh we'll have her in in person for the next meeting, but um Gloria is here today.

Um, some of you might recognize Gloria.

Gloria um has a long history of service to others, and I was so excited to see her um apply for the audit committee.

Uh her interview was unique and in the fact of the matter was uh the passion that she injected in her interview with the audit committee, understanding the importance of working with others, and so it was um a great decision by by us to have her on this audit committee, and I know she's gonna continue to not only serve on this committee but also continue to give back to our city that we both love so much.

So um, I want to thank my fellow council members as well for their effort and their thoughtful discussion as we continue to appoint folks on our various committees throughout the city.

And with that, I would like to move to appoint Gloria.

Oh, wait, do you need to read it in?

Yes, I got I got too excited, Gloria.

I'm sorry.

We'll vote on each of the items and then okay.

So uh item one consideration and action to appoint Gloria Bianco Daly audit committee for term expiration of June 30th, 2027.

I'll entertain a motion.

All right, I move to appoint Gloria Bianco Daly to the audit committee for the term expiring on June 30th, 2027.

Second.

It's been moved and segmented, please cast your vote.

Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

That's a yes vote, Mayor.

Item two, consideration and action to appoint Kimberly Hale to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for a term expiration of June 30th, 2029.

Did you have any discussion on that?

Uh no, no.

Yeah.

All right.

I will entertain a motion.

I move to appoint Kimberly Hale to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for the term expiring June 30th, 2029.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you.

At this time, I would like to invite Gloria upfront to take her oath.

Okay, ready?

Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

I state your name.

I Gloria Daily.

Do solemnly swear.

Just solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the laws of the state of Arizona.

And the laws of the state of Arizona.

That I will bear true faith.

And I will bear true faith.

And allegiance to the same.

And allegiance to the same.

And defend them against all enemies.

And defend them against all enemies.

Whatsoever.

And then I will faithfully and impartially.

And uh faithfully and partially discharge the duties.

Discharge the duties.

Of the position of the position.

Name your committee.

I hereby attest to abide by all official ordinances.

To abide by all official orders.

Policies and procedures.

Of the city of surprise.

According to the best of my ability.

According to the best of my ability.

Either so help me God or so I do affirm.

So help me God.

Thank you, ma'am.

You're officially swore in.

Thank you, ma'am.

Yes.

All right.

Thank you.

Oh, I want to say that.

There are three items on the consent agenda.

Would any of the council members like to pull one for clarification or have a discussion?

Hearing none, I will entertain a motion.

Motion to approve consent agenda.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

All right.

Thank you.

Please read item number six.

Item six, consideration and action pertaining to recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on application number three six five four zero eight.

Requested by Rodrigo Arturo Jimenez for Tacos Chilango, located at one four four two zero West Elm Street, surprise eight five three seven four for a new series twelve liquor license.

All right.

I did not, Mayor.

I will close this item to the public.

Council, do you have any questions or comments?

I'll entertain a motion.

Super excited about this restaurant, one of the many that are coming to Elm Street, so make sure to check it out.

Um I move to approve uh or recommend approval to the liquor licensing control board.

What is it?

I can't remember what it's called.

Yeah.

Recommend approval uh for application number three six five four zero eight.

Was that the right verbiage?

We got it.

We get the number on that.

Okay, perfect.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Something like that.

I don't have to vote on the past vote, Mayor.

Thanks.

Please read item seven.

Item seven, consideration and action pertaining to the adoption of the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, including local amendments.

Good evening.

How are you?

Okay.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

Um, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Uh Carl Keith and I are definitely thankful that tonight is our final presentation on the international code and local amendment adoption process.

So the city's transition to the current version of the international codes represents an important step in maintaining safe, consistent, and high quality development in surprise.

Back in June, we introduced the code updates to the city council and the planning and zoning commission.

At those meetings, we explained how the international codes are developed and why local amendments are necessary to align with Arizona law, incorporate regional best practices, and address the specific needs of surprise.

So we also outlined our code review process.

We discussed our approach to outreach, and we provided our overall adoption timeline.

So through the course of daily work, as staff interacted with homeowners, builders, and design professionals, they documented reoccurring recurring questions and concerns, many of which shaped our initial draft amendments.

Once our draft was complete, we conducted outreach through multiple channels.

We posted the documents on the city website.

Communications issued a press release, and the department hosted two public outreach meetings on September 3rd, one here at City Hall and one at Asante Asante Library, where no opposition was received.

So public engagement throughout the process reinforced community confidence in the city's approach.

So the comments shown here reflect the appreciation we heard from our residents for the level of engagement and civic support provided during the code update.

Stakeholders also acknowledge the city's collaborative approach.

So they specifically expressed appreciation for the methodical, thorough, and transparent um transparent manner in which we approach approach the process.

On November 6th, 2025, the planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed code updates.

So we're grateful for the collaboration that occurred across departments throughout this process.

So we're also great grateful for the engagement from our community and for your consideration tonight.

So that was short and sweet.

That concludes tonight's presentation.

Carl Keith and I are available for any questions or comments you may have.

That was very quick.

This item's open to the public, so I'm gonna open this item.

Madam Clerk, do we have any requests to speak?

I do, Mayor.

Uh James Ashley.

Thank you very much.

Mayor, members of the council, and James Ashley with the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.

Appreciate this opportunity to speak about the city of Surprise and the updates to the 2024 building codes.

Communication and transparency, that is critical to us in every city on every issue that we deal with, especially something as impactful for our industry, the residential construction industry for single family homes, the way the building codes are.

And we appreciate surprises proactive and early stakeholder outreach.

Two big things, proactive and early.

That was very important to us.

And that continued throughout the code adoption process.

I want to thank Chief Building Official Carl Montgomery for the responsiveness and transparency.

When you think about a code adoption process and the volume of the codes, if you think back to the mid-1990s and earlier, think about our Phoenix phone books.

And those phone books are split into two, A through L and M through Z.

That is the size of these code books that we are dealing with.

And all of these that are so impactful to the single family residential construction industry, the international residential code, the international energy conservation code, and also the National Electrical Code, those are all significantly important.

And our primary concern in any update are unnecessary regulations and increases in the cost of construction.

And the city's proposed amendments will mitigate many of these concerns.

The city's amendments also add clarity and they eliminate some real tangible regulatory burdens for homeowners here in Surprise.

And all of this, while maintaining surprises tradition of adherence to important and critical building safety standards.

Want to thank you very much for your time and express support for the adoption package.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Council, do you have any comments or questions?

That is I had two comments.

One, um, I went to the side tech festival and there was a one the department was there and they had the old books out.

I saw them, and I guess we were talking about it now.

It's more uh digital now, but I can appreciate all that you've done.

But uh so I just want to say thanks.

I know it was a long process, uh, a lot to go through, kind of work through it all, and I just appreciate each and every one of your commitment to it and get us to this point.

It's a big big deal.

I mean, it's it's gonna allow surprise to move forward.

So I just really wanted to say thank you for your efforts.

I will entertain a motion.

Uh I move to approve ordinance 2025-14.

And I also want to thank Carl and Keith, you guys, for your all your long-term service to surprise and this heavy lift getting this thing through.

Mindy, thank you.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Okay, thank you.

At this time, I'll do a call to the public.

Madam Clerk, do we get any requests to speak on a non-agendized item?

I do not have any, Mayor.

Okay.

Does the council have any other business or future agenda items?

Start with district one.

Councilman Haney.

For the city council report.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for clarifying because I don't go rogue.

Um so out of a few things.

Uh first, I just want to address the giant elephant in the room.

Yes, ASU lost.

Um I just we're dealing with it.

It's okay.

Our starter was out.

Um Tyson got hurt early.

I know we're all struggling with it, but um tomorrow's a new day, and we will get through this, and we'll be okay.

So uh the second thing is I had a community meeting um kind of towards the end of November, and it was really it was raining, um, but folks did still show up.

And I want to thank Holly, uh, the youth council for really bolstering our numbers there.

That was great.

Um, but also Kendra and Travis, we got to take a tour of the surprise stadium.

Um, hear all the exciting things that are going on um through recreation, sports and tourism.

And uh it was just really good to get out of um just kind of meeting in a formal setting and actually go out and see different parts of the city.

And and um it was it was really, really cool.

And I and I appreciate you guys taking the time to be there.

Um, and also our youth council got up there on the fly and and and did an incredible job presenting to the members of the community.

So kudos to them.

Um, my next community meeting will be December 9th at 6 p.m.

at Asante Library.

It'll be our last one um for the year.

Uh and so we'll have uh Scott Phillips is gonna come and talk uh about a few exciting things going on throughout our city.

Um obviously Eric will be there.

We'll have a quick transportation update on the things going on on 163rd Avenue, and then I'll be there to answer any questions.

And then I did just finally want to give a last shout out to uh Lloyd, um, Eric, Chief Beecher, um SB.

Who else am I missing?

Just team surprise.

There's been a few instances where um we've had some residents who uh had some concerns about some issues, and and we really did a good job of just meeting them where they're at.

So um over this week, we've been in living rooms, we've sat down and met for coffee, and those conversations have really gone well.

And there's very few cities where you can get um your police chief and and so many different people there to sit down and have coffee and just have a good conversation.

I'm I'm proud that we get to live in in one that does that.

So thank you guys for taking the time.

I like I said, I think those conversations went well, and I hope to see everybody uh Tuesday, uh December 9th.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Appreciate the brevity.

Um councilman Tuffy.

Thank you, Mayor.

So the only thing I have is a meet and greet Saturday at 9 a.m.

at the rec office.

So in the back office, so it's Bullard and Buck O'Neill way.

If you're going north on Bullard, take a left on Buck O'Neal park.

Why are you shaking your head?

No.

Oh, how do you like explain to me how to get there then?

I'll show you how to get you a map.

We're gonna get a map.

It's on your Facebook.

Actually, I think you can go what park view to paradise.

And around the back.

See, I'm no dummy.

I used to work in that department.

You can't make it, they didn't come to mind.

Yeah, park view to paradise.

We're closing roads.

Mine's vital is my idea.

Sorry about that.

I'm gonna stop.

That's it.

Awesome.

Great information before the meeting.

Yep, Vice Mayor.

I didn't read you.

Thank you, Mayor.

See if I can get some correct words out tonight.

Uh so I had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving, had time with their families.

Um, super thankful, obviously, for all of our staff.

Um, specifically um Andrea Davis, who is is here at her post as the um what I did not know, but from what I understand, she's the first female city manager, permanent, like full time.

We had an interim for a while.

Um, in surprise history.

So congratulations to her.

Right.

Um, so that's that's awesome.

And uh, so Saturday, we have the meet and greet group meet and greet.

Are you messing up?

Uh we also have aisles for smiles I can't remember the date for that one but that's where they shop with the firefighters and they get to you know students in need get to um go on a shopping spree and kind of get some some guests for Christmas who might not get any or as much as they you know normally would because of their situation and then after that whenever kind of the kids get back I'm gonna try to head over to the rec office via park view yeah because yeah so so I'm I'm looking forward to to that and yeah it's it's been a wonderful kind of holiday season decorations like lovely thank you to everybody did it probably Leana and Karina so and Virginia so much to be thankful for um and as we go in this holiday season just looking forward to 2026 uh new year fresh start for everybody um also shout out to transportation public works uh there is a pothole in Mount Vista Ranch that we found out or that I found out about last night and I mentioned it in email and they got out there and and fixed it someone Kirsten Taylor Kirsten Morgan Tiffany some someone got it done so whoever whoever did it thank you um there's a lot of stuff you know when that gets done behind the scenes that I think people sometimes the elected officials get the credit and also the other way for but a lot of the time um there's a lot of staff behind the scenes that make it happen so thank you thanks Councilman Judd thank you mayor so yeah the the community meeting at uh the community room at the recreation center coming in off park view except for hastings come up bullard oak snails palm and then also uh had the honor to uh to to represent the city of surprise with councilman duffy at the National League of Cities in Salt Lake just before Thanksgiving and and Jody was our chaperone and did a great job of of helping us set up meetings and and keep us engaged so it was it was interesting it was it was it was fun to meet our colleagues from other cities and and uh sort of share some of our problems and uh that's about it thank you okay thanks mayor one quick thing Kirsten Taylor not the name I previously stated sorry about that yeah yeah I I assumed you were talking about somebody else um I also wanted to welcome welcome Andrea to the dais we appreciate you being here um over the last couple weeks we got to work together it's been it's been really great so I look forward to working with you I wanted to just talk about this the side tech festival it was an incredible thing I went there uh earlier I think um Karina and I went up there and there was every single department was there the HR director was sitting at a booth for residents to come by and talk about HR things which I mean it was just uh and it wasn't I mean it was our staff but then the community was there Dice our suit broadcasting it was just uh highlet Highland prep with their I got they had salsa highland prep at salsa I don't know how I don't know why but they did it's delicious I had some over Thanksgiving but just a great community event and I appreciate everybody's effort in the city the staff to put it together uh all the residents were coming out just a really cool thing um let's see who did that oh and I went to the it was a plans review the booth it was our well who was the just plans review right and so they had two two plans that one like a simple plan and one like an engineering one I got to brush off my engineering skills from the army I was like heck yeah let's do it so we got to identify different stuff so it's fun I enjoyed it um and then I also just want to say thanks to the staff for you know PD and Fire have their charities but then the the staff the employee uh group has their charities it's just a really cool thing to be a part of uh an organization that is that willing to give back and and go above and beyond especially during the holiday season and and so I just want to say thanks you know really from the bottom of my heart to all of you and I you know like with uh like my vice mayor said we have these different events and really we kind of show up and and support but it's really all the the staff that does the the hard work and puts the time in so I appreciate that and I look forward to our first tree lighting ceremony on December 5th at 6 30 this right this Friday.

So it'll be fun I heard there's a bunch of people I went to Glendale's last Friday my sister in law wanted to go I didn't want to go into you know rival territory but I went and uh no they they did a good job it was really really special I grew up in the Glendale area so it was cool to see it but um I know ours is probably gonna be that much better so I'm looking forward to it so um I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

Move to adjourn.

Second all in favor aye all opposed or adjourned we said we'd never break the three second rule