All right, good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the surprise city council meeting on January twentieth, twenty twenty six.

We have Miss Shauna Dangle, who's going to help us with the uh D I say it wrong.

Sorry.

Oh with the invocation.

Father's coming for you, and I just thank you for a gorgeous day that you give have given us, Lord, to serve you.

Lord, I just come before you, and I just ask that you just lay your hand upon the council lord and the directors of each department, Lord.

Give them wisdom and discernment, Lord, and all the decisions that they have to make, Lord.

Lord, I just pray that you just um make your light shine in the city.

Have surprise be known for your gifts and your glory, Lord, for the good things that you are going to be doing in this city this year.

Again, Lord, I just pray for wisdom and discernment for our council and the department heads, Lord.

I pray this your precious name.

Amen.

Present.

Here.

Councilmember Haney.

Here.

Councilmember Greenberg.

Here.

Councilmember Duffy.

Councilmember Melton.

Present.

Councilmember Judd.

Here.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have quorum.

Thank you.

So tonight we have the Skills USA group from Paradise Honors High School to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I talked to him briefly.

They said they do engineering things.

We'll have to go check it out one day, so please, if you wouldn't mind inviting us over, but uh they'll lead us in the pledge.

Go ahead.

Oh, sure.

Go ahead.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Thank you for having us.

My name is Olivia.

My name is Emilio.

We are the president and vice president of Skills USA Engineering at Paradise Honors High School.

Every year, members of our Skills USA Engineering chapter compete at the regional, state, and if we qualify, national levels in commun in competitive events related to engineering.

These events range from job interviews and speeches to additive manufacturing and engineering technology design.

This past year, one of our members, Hadley Gray, qualified for nationals in prepared speech, a first for our chapter.

Over the past four years, our chapter has grown from five to thirty-six registered members, and we're excited to see where we'll go next.

Over the last three years, this fundraiser has grown from 57 participants to this year's 191 participants.

During these programs, children are exposed to basic STEM-related knowledge, which allows them to picture what a career in this field may involve.

We design and lead activities like bottle rockets and lava lamps, encouraging STEM interest and fun experiences.

These enrichment programs are not limited to limited to those attending Paradise Honors, but to everyone in the community who wishes to be involved.

These outreach opportunities have allowed us and our peers to be more involved in our community, and we hope to continue this trend in the upcoming years.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

All right, we'd represent skills, you guys.

Good job.

Okay.

All right.

So we have uh Ashley from the Maricopa County's attorney's office, if you wouldn't mind joining me up here, we have a proclamation.

Thank you.

Okay, proclamation from the office of the mayor.

Whereas human and sex trafficking are serious crimes that violate fundamental human rights and impact individuals, families, and communities across the city of surprise.

And whereas trafficking often occurs in plain sight and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, making community awareness and education essential to prevention and early intervention.

And whereas informed and engaged residents play a critical role in recognizing the warning signs of trafficking, reporting suspicious activity, and supporting victims and survivors.

And whereas the Maricopa County Attorney's Office is launching the Break the Chain campaign to promote prevention, awareness, community responsibility, and addressing human and sex trafficking.

And whereas raising awareness helps reduce stigma, encourages reporting, and connects victims and survivors to critical resources and services.

Now therefore I, Kevin Sarter, mayor of the city of surprise, to herebright proclaim January 2026 as human and sex trafficking awareness month, and encourage all residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations to participate in awareness efforts, learning the signs of trafficking and working to protect the safety and dignity of all members of our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So I think you're very well.

Yes.

Yes, Mayor Council.

I have two items tonight.

First, we're going to start off with Seth, who has an award to present.

Thank you, Mrs.

City Manager, Mayor, members of the council.

It's an honor to be here with you tonight to introduce our guest speaker who is representing uh Just Serve.

Um, but before I introduce her, I'd like to share that Surprise is proud to partner with Just Serve.

That's uh it's a it's a neat organization that helps us promote volunteerism in Surprise and beyond the provide more information about that.

But um they've been steadfast uh partners of the City of Surprise for over 10 years.

They're on our city website.

So if anyone's interested in finding volunteer opportunities, they're a great platform to have.

So tonight with uh with me, we have Ruth Pagan, who is the Arizona director of Just Serve to make a special presentation.

Welcome, Ruth.

Thank you.

Good new Earth.

How are you?

Thank you.

I'm great here.

Thank you.

Okay, let me get my glasses.

So evening, Mayor, City Council members, and city leaders.

It's a pleasure to be here.

My name is Ruth Pagan, and I serve as Arizona Director for Just Serve.

And I'm here tonight to recognize the City of Surprise as a just serve city.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Just Serve, it is a community service movement that connects individuals with local volunteer opportunities through its free online platform, just serve.org and the Just Serve Mobile app.

Since its Arizona launch in 2014, Just Serve and its team of volunteer just serve specialists have worked with hundreds of organizations statewide to post their volunteer opportunities on Just Serve and to make serving others more accessible to everyone.

We partner with many organizations right here in Surprise and in the West Valley, including St.

Mary's Food Bank, Women for Women, Dice Art Community Center, Valley View Community Food Bank, Benevia, and others.

Our Just Surf specialists also work with cities who want to engage their citizens in building their communities through volunteerism.

And we've been happy to enjoy a 10-year relationship with the City of Surprise.

And we are just tremendously grateful for this partnership.

And which also display the vibrant collaboration between civic, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations in surprise.

I witnessed that culture last Saturday at the city's 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr.

Day of Service at Willow Canyon High School.

And I do want to congratulate you on that 10th annual day of service.

Surprise citizens gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for supportive inclusive communities and left us with the great truth that everybody can be great because everybody can serve.

Then those people got to work bagging pasta and packing hygiene kits to bless the lives of people served by Valley View Community Food Bank and Women for Women.

And I will tell you that building was filled with joy, with optimism, and with unity.

That's what serving together does.

It builds the unity that is needed for communities to do great things.

And it exemplifies the mission of Just Serve to build unity through community service.

In 2023, Just Serve launched the Just Serve City initiative to honor cities that are doing exactly what the City of Surprise has been doing for years.

Just serve cities are connecting volunteers with meaningful service opportunities, fostering collaboration across all community sectors, encouraging inclusive service for for all ages and backgrounds, and celebrating the power of community-driven change.

Since 2023, we have honored over 100 U.S.

towns and cities and more internationally that exemplify this vision.

And we are here to honor one more.

It is my pleasure to present this certificate in recognition of the city's efforts to promote volunteerism and unite its community community and hope and goodness through service and to bestow on the City of Surprise, Arizona, the designation of Just Serve City.

I am also pleased to nominate the City of Surprise for the Global Just Serve City Award, an honor given at the National League of Cities Conference to select just serve cities that demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting volunteerism, cities that lead by example with innovation, collaboration, and consistency, inspiring individuals, families, communities, and peer communities to serve.

So congratulations to the City of Surprise, a model just serve city.

Thank you, Ruth.

We'd like to invite the council to come down or stay up there, whatever you pick for a photo walk up.

Thank you so much.

We'll follow him.

Oh yeah.

Yeah, you guys want to go up behind the game here.

Well, what's all we gotta be one more year?

If you want to form a good question, well, you should give it if I get up there, it's gonna be good.

I want to give you this one.

We figured it out.

All right.

We look right here.

Thank you.

Nothing.

I've had enough questions.

Anything else?

Davis.

Yes, Mayor, we have one more item.

We have Casey here to introduce our youth council.

Good evening, Mayor, members of the council.

I'm pleased to be here tonight to introduce two fantastic members of our surprise youth council.

First, we have Chloe from Dice Art High School.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Chloe Eastburn, and I'm a junior at Dysart High School and a second year member of the Surprise Youth Council.

I'd like to share some exciting opportunities coming up for the teens of our community.

On February 25th, the Surprise Youth Council, the City of Surprise will be hosting the Surprise Teen Summit, an event designed specifically for high school students.

This summit will focus on personal development, career and college readiness, and essential skills for the future, giving teens valuable tools to help them succeed beyond high school.

In addition to the teen summit, the Surprise Youth Council continues to stay actively involved in community events and service opportunities, allowing youth voices to be heard and represented throughout the city.

Surprise Youth Council recruitments open February 9th and encourage students who are interested in leadership, service, and making differences in our city to apply.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

Next, we have Anaya from Shadow Ridge High School.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Anah Hood, and I'm a sophomore at Shadow Ridge High School and a second year member of Surprise Youth Council.

I'm excited to share that tomorrow the Surprise Youth Council will be holding our mid-year retreat.

This retreat is an important opportunity for our members to reflect on the work we've done so far, strengthen our leadership skills, and plan for the remainder of the year as we continue serving the surprise eCouncil.

I'd also like to highlight an upcoming community event.

Parson Recreation will be hosting the rescheduled back backyard bash 90 90s edition on Friday, February 6th.

And members of the surprise youth council will be volunteering to support this fun and engaging event for a community.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

That's all we have.

All right.

That's it.

That's it.

Okay, thank you.

Uh, Madam Clerk, you have some stuff to report as well.

Uh, but before we get to it, I just wanted to take a moment to um thank Vice Mayor Hastings for his his time and energy and effort this year.

It means a lot.

It was my first year as mayor, and um a lot going on, but I appreciate your support.

I know um between events and really just kind of talking through different things.

There's a lot to do as mayor and a lot of uh decisions to make and where to put energy and effort, so I appreciate that from you.

So thank you.

Madam Clerk, go ahead.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, first item is consideration and action pertaining to selection of a vice mayor in accordance with city code, section 241, and direct the city clerk to administer the oath of office.

You have in front of you your paper ballot, and I will read the rules and then if you have any questions, let me know.

Uh, pursuant to our code, no later than January 30th each year.

The council selects the member to serve as vice mayor.

Any council may serve as vice mayor, even if the council member has served as vice mayor previously.

The council member selected will serve as vice mayor until they resign from office, vacate council or replaced by another council member as vice mayor for the nominations.

Any council member may nominate any other council member or any council member, including themselves.

The council must use their written ballot.

The person receiving the majority of the vote will serve as the vice mayor.

If no person receives the majority of the vote, the top two candidates will be considered in a runoff, and voting will repeat until the winner is determined.

As a city clerk, once you have voted, I'll collect your ballots and do the vote count and announcement.

This is where we write in our names.

Oh no, we have to nominate all a nomination.

Mayor, I would like to uh nominate councilman council member Greenberg.

I think he would be a fantastic right-hand man for you.

He's he's he's available, he's well liked in his community.

He'll be able to attend a lot of those meetings that you're double and triple booked on.

And so I think uh I think he would do a great job representing our city.

Thank you.

Any other nominations?

All right, hearing none.

I think we have our nominee.

Do we just vote now?

Aye.

Do we need a second?

I want to write it.

You don't have a second.

I didn't think we did.

Uh so the attorney, do we need a second?

I think you're I think you have one.

Vote.

I'm not seconding.

Thank you for making my job easy.

Okay.

Do you want to count the ballot?

Let's see.

I didn't vote for my congratulations, Councilmember Greenberg here.

Now, Vice Mayor.

You gotta make it official.

No, I'm gonna I'm gonna pass it down.

Here's my vote.

Make sure it's official.

I will take them and then we can go in the application, sir.

Okay.

Write me in.

Right, you in okay.

Vote for one vote.

He lost.

We still have to vote.

What did I ever do to you guys?

I know some of you guys run unopposed, but you still had to get votes.

I mean your one condition.

Nothing happens to you during next year.

Councilman.

Everyone.

Do my best.

Okay.

Are you ready, sir?

Raise your hand and repeat after me, please.

I state your name.

I girl Greenberg.

Do you solemnly swear?

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the constitution of the United States.

That 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.

And I will bear true faith.

That I will be a 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.

Whatsoever.

And I will faithfully and impartially.

That I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties.

Discharge the duties.

Of the president has.

Out of the position of Vice Mayor.

And hereby attest.

And hereby attest.

To abide by all official ordinances.

To abide by all official ordinances.

Policies and procedures.

Policies and procedures.

Of the city of surprise.

Of the city of surprise.

According to the best of my ability.

According to the best of my ability.

So help me guide our I do affirm.

I do affirm.

Thank you, sir.

Don't forget your water.

It's good.

Vice Mayor, I think there's a I'm going to keep this seat.

It's the next one.

No, that's not how we're fixed that vent up there, so it doesn't for tonight.

You all stay in your seats, and we'll make the seating chart for no.

Okay.

We will do that next meeting then.

All right, I believe you have a second item, Madam Clerk.

Yes, sir.

I assure you.

Okay.

Item number two is consideration and action to approve recommendation.

Recommendation of Lisa Everett to the planning and zoning commission with the term expiration of June 30th, 2027.

And with that, I'll turn it over to our chair.

Um, Councilmember Haney, if he wants to make mention of anything.

Sorry, so recapping.

Uh yeah, so uh I always kind of say this, but it's important that we take some time to recognize uh not only the folks that interviewed, but also the folks um that we're able to recognize and accept um being willing to serve.

So these commissions um are really important for us.

So we as a city council, we try to evaluate things, but sometimes on a broader, larger scale.

And so we really rely on our commission members to hyper focus on certain issues that really have relevance and matter to our community.

Um this commission specifically in our growing city, speaking as the council member who has a lot of land that just seems to be prime for development, um, is really really important because not only do they uh seek feedback, uh they really offer another opportunity for folks to have a voice as uh different developments go through the planning and and zoning process.

Um Miss Everett has continuously been engaged.

Um she always comes with uh a fair opinion.

Um she's not just one-sided or whatever, or one side or the other, excuse me.

Um and what I appreciate about her is she has um an honest uh personality, and she also uh has a commitment to serve, and she's going to do an incredible job on the planning and zoning commission, and so I'm happy that we are able to nominate her to serve.

Is anyone else on the commission like to say no?

A few words, that's well said, Vice Mayor.

No, no, you I don't need to kim me.

You did a great job.

I still feel like we should move seats, but okay.

We need a motion.

Um I move to approve the recommendation of Lisa Everett to the planning and zoning commission term expiration of June 30, 2027.

Second.

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

Do you have a prior twice?

Thank you.

That's a unanimous yes vote.

Lisa, if you would join me at the podium, please.

You have to sing now.

You really don't want that.

Okay.

You just heard most of these words.

Are you ready?

Raise your hand and repeat after me, please.

I state your name.

I Lisa Everett.

You solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States.

That I will support the constitution of the United States, and laws of the state of Arizona, and laws of the state of Arizona.

That I will bear true faith.

That 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.

Whatsoever.

That I will faithfully and impartially.

I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties, discharge the duties of the position of the position of planning and zoning commissioner.

Planning and zoning commissioner.

And hereby attest.

And hereby attest.

To abide by all official ordinances.

To abide by all official ordinances.

Policies and procedures.

Policies and procedures.

Of the city of surprise.

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 swarming in.

All right.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Ms.

Everett's wanted to say congratulations.

And uh appreciate you stepping up and building that.

I'm official.

You're official.

Thank you.

Yes, congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, yeah.

That would be fantastic.

All right, council.

One more time.

One more time.

Here we go.

No funny thing.

So I can say to right things.

That's the natural state.

Beautiful.

Thank you.

Oh, yeah.

That's bad bad.

There are 15 items on the consent agenda.

I'm gonna pull item number four.

Uh so there'll be 14 if any council member wants to pull another one or has a point of clarification.

If not, I will entertain a motion to approve consent.

Uh motion to prove to approve the consent agenda without item.

You said four, right?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Thank you, Mayor.

That's a unanimous pass vote.

All right, thank you.

Please read item number 18.

Item 18, consideration and action for adoption of proposed updates to the surprise municipal code.

Chapter 58, utilities, article five, sewers and sewers sewage disposal ordinance number 202603.

Jeff, do we need to take action on item four?

Pull it.

It's been pulled already, but I mean, do we have to do something?

I think if we're gonna postpone it till later, yeah, it's been postponed.

I would say it's stable until later.

Okay, so it's a nothing item right now.

Okay.

Good evening.

Good evening, Mayor, members of council.

This item and the next three items are associated with our municipal code updates to chapter 58.

These are the items that we've been talking about the last couple of work sessions.

And so um each slide corresponds with the item on the agenda.

So the clerk just read into this, read in this item.

So the next slide will be the next item.

And so what I intend to do is just recap um what the intended changes are to the municipal code sections, and obviously answer any questions or uh comments that you have.

To recap, this item here uh corresponds to our sewer interceptor um ordinances as we begin to stand up our own sewer interceptor program.

We wanted to take the time to clean up this ordinance.

So we're just cleaning up some of the language to better correspond with industry jargon, make the sizing of these interceptors more um applicable to the international plumbing code, clearly establish, you know, when interceptors would be needed for industrial or commercial um application, and again, standardize uh the mess the methodology for uh sizing them.

So happy to take any comments or questions regarding these municipal code updates before we move on.

Council members have any questions or comments?

Hearing none.

Go ahead.

I will entertain a motion for item 18.

Uh move to accept item 18.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Maybe nope, hold on one second.

Did we move to approve the specific ordinance number?

Oh, sure.

24604.

Yes.

Uh move to approve ordinance number 2026-03.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Murray, thanks for that point of clarification.

Sorry, I'm new with this, Joe.

Thank you, Mayor.

That's a pass vote.

Thank you.

Please read item number 19.

Item 19, consideration and action for adoption of proposed updates to the surprise municipal code chapter 58.

Utilities, article four or six, sorry.

Stormwater service ordinance 20.

Oh, 2026 04.

Yeah.

Okay.

The update that we're making to Article 6 is pertinent to stormwater service.

And so these updates again, just like the sewer interceptor ones are uh pretty administrative.

So the first bullet point there, we're updating the language to be more consistent with uh industry terms and our engineering design standards.

Uh we want to clarify what releases can be can make its way into our storm uh drain facilities.

Currently it's it's limited only to stormwater.

The EPA has released a list of what can be released into those uh basins.

So generally it's irrigation, hydrant flushing, condensation from air conditioners.

Um most importantly, it clarifies who's responsible for the operations and maintenance of uh the stormwater facilities on private property and in the right-of-way.

Uh clarifies the billing methodology for agricultural properties, and in summary in that one, is we do not this will we will not be billing um agricultural properties that have uh primarily uh impervious surfaces, and it clarifies how commercial properties uh may be may go about requesting a credit.

So this update provides a path forward for commercial property owners to get up to a 25% reduction of their stormwater bill by following some pretty easy to implement practices like documenting how they manage and maintain their stormwater infrastructure, some of the low impact development standards that can be implemented to uh better convey stormwater.

So pretty achievable.

And that's the uh that's the end of that article update.

Okay, thank you.

Councilman Judd has a question.

Sure.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Mike.

I have a quick question on that credit.

I know a few years back there was a business owner out in the uh in our industrial area that was he was required to capture 100% of a stormwater with on site storage.

And uh as I understand it, uh the purpose of our of our stormwater utility, the stormwater billing is to make each person pay their their proportionate share of the amount of stormwater they're discharging in our stormwater system.

And we were still setting a bill.

So have we set it up now to where if you're capturing 100% of your stormwater, you're not paying into that system.

So you're still paying a bill, and it's it's based on the calculation based on the impervious area of your property and the fees associated with the stormwater utility are go to really maintain and operate the city stormwater system uh within the roadway networks, the culverts that lead to the storm drains, uh, the capital improvement projects that are necessary also to help mitigate flooding, specifically in up in district one.

So I guess the problem I have with that is I mean, we required him to put the system in.

He spent this was 15 15 years ago.

We spent $200,000 to put this system in.

It was only about a four acre project.

So it's a significant amount of money.

Now, the bill we're sending him each month each year is just a few hundred bucks, but it it I mean the the principle of it drives me crazy, right?

We're saying you're not allowed to discharge stormwater, but we're gonna charge you for discharging stormwater.

Right.

So can we fix that?

So can we fix?

I mean, that I mean the credit button in that case should be 100%.

I think that if you can help us with that individual, we can certainly kind of lock in to see what we can do for that person.

But I think more globally, as we look forward to the next utility rate study, where we're identifying the purpose and principle of of what we're using this utility for specifically for commercial, that'll also provide us an opportunity to make sure that um you know it's relevant and still something that we want to do.

Okay, all right.

Thanks, Mike.

Okay, article seven.

Um, so this one is specific to water conservation, and this one focuses on non-functional turf.

So this one uh work to really tighten up um where grass can be placed in new developments.

Um it namely identified uh again active recreation areas, areas where side slopes aren't greater than four to one or 25%, grass that finds its way um farther away from curbs or sidewalks, 10 feet to be exact.

Um these are these are standards that we've been working with developers on as part of our engineering development standards with no pushback and quite a bit of support.

So this really just formalizes um what we've been doing, and we worked with the home builders of Central Arizona to you know refine this language to make sure that it had their support as well.

Any questions on this one?

I'm not seeing any.

No.

Is that the end of this part of the presentation?

Yeah, okay.

I'll entertain a motion for item 19.

All right, motion to approve our uh ordinance number 2026-02.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

19 doesn't zero three.

I have zero four on the agenda.

So the you called item 19, correct?

The only one that's been read in the record.

That's the one they're voting on right now.

Item 18.

Uh okay, because you just showed oh two.

All right, so back up.

Uh motion to approve ordinance number two oh two six-04.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

No.

That's a pass vote.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Please read item number 20.

Item 20, consideration and action for adoption of proposed updates to the surprise municipal code, chapter 58 utilities, article 7, water conservation ordinance number 2026 oh two.

I got ahead of myself.

I apologize.

So that we just went through this slide.

Yeah.

Right.

So motion to approve ordinance number 2026-02.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Okay, and finally, uh, Article.

I thank you.

That's a pass vote.

Please read it on number 21.

Item 21, consideration and action on the adoption of proposed updates to the surprise municipal code, chapter 58, utilities, article eight, high water user regulations, ordinance number 202607.

Go ahead.

Okay.

This item is associated with the high water user ordinance that we discussed at the last uh council work session.

Again, the the overall intent of adopting a high water user ordinance is to give staff in this council more discretion associated with water users that come to the city and want to use more than 100,000 gallons per day.

This ordinance adopts a three-tier approach, zero to a hundred thousand gallons per day is is allowable.

100,000 to 200,000 would be the discretion of this council with the support of staff.

And anything beyond 300,000 gallons a day would require the developer to bring the water uh to the city.

So uh again for context, the highest water user currently in the city uses 30,000 gallons a day.

So this is purely um in preparation of a potential large commercial or industrial user.

Uh and with that, I'll take any questions.

Thank you.

Councilman Hastings has a comment or question.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, I was thinking about this, Mike, and I appreciate you putting this together.

Um, because what we wouldn't want to happen is um, you know, a big you know, business come in and and and use so much water that the rates have to be increased on residents who you don't like use that amount of water.

And I actually was kind of curious um how how many how long of a shower a hundred thousand gallons was.

And I I think I looked it up and it was like a week to like a month long shower.

So it's it's not anything.

I was kind of like counting my it's like am I showering too long, but um, in all seriousness, it kind of protects the residents everyday uses of water, you know.

So that if people are you know taking advantage of they are using that level of water, then they are paying for it.

So thank you.

Councilman Judd.

Thank you, Mayor.

Mike, thank you very much for getting this through.

This has been a long time coming.

I know we've dodged a couple of bullets in the past with some really really high water users that if they had come in, they could have sunk a very deep straw right into our uh assured water supply.

So I'm so glad that you've put this together and that we had this resource to help protect the future of our water supply.

So thank you for your guys' work on this.

Welcome.

All right, thank you.

I'll entertain a motion for item number 21.

Um, I move to adopt ordinance 202607.

Second.

So move and seconded, please cast your vote.

That's a unanimous pass vote.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Boulet.

Madam Clerk, please read item number 22.

Item 22, consideration and action pertaining to the correction of a resolution for the intent to annex or portion of the project known as Vista Vistas Montanas, case FS25-0291 resolution 2026 19.

Good evening.

Hi, good evening, Mayor and City Council.

The item before you is an attempt to a request for attend to annex for right-away for the Vista Montanus project.

So this item was before the mayor and council two weeks ago.

However, an outdated legal description that had some minor errors was attached to the recorded blank petition.

Therefore, what is before you tonight is the consideration and action to the correction of early resolution for a blank petition.

So just as a reminder, the two 55-foot white parcels are located south of the CAP Canal along the Dixoleta Drive and 179th Avenue Roadway Alignments.

So this slide shows the existing city boundary.

As shown, the two parcels total of 5.57 acre site is currently located within Miracopa County.

And these are the two 55-foot wide parcels that are proposed to be annexed.

If the annexation is approved, this is what the proposed boundary would look like.

So at this time, staff's available to answer any questions.

Okay.

Council, you have any comments or questions?

Councilman Haney.

Thank you, Mayor.

So just to clarify, this is more so just to kind of clean up from what we did in the past just to make sure everything is accurate and correct.

Um, mayor uh council member Haney, that is correct.

Okay, and this this just starts the process.

This isn't is that kind of what we voted on previously in the last council meeting.

Yes, council member Haney.

This is an intent to annex.

Oh okay, thank you.

Slide Mayor, thanks.

Okay, so you have another question or comments.

I'll entertain a motion for item 22.

All right, I move to approve uh FS 25-0291.

19 second he did the FS number, not the resolution.

Uh resolution 2026-19.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Turn them to me.

Well, there's two.

I forgot this.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you.

Please read item 23.

Item 23 presentation and discussion regarding the surprise police department strategic plan.

Good evening.

Second and I'll leave this up.

A whole lot of new brass walking down.

Congratulations on the promotions, gentlemen.

Yeah, I know that's pretty exciting, right?

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I appreciate you letting us come up here.

Uh so your council strategic plan priorities, uh, it's near and dear to us.

Uh I'm excited to talk about that.

And as you can see, I have a number of members here alongside me.

And so instead of me coming up here and talking about each and every single priority, I decided to bring up some of our staff members who can talk specifically about these priorities, how they affect the police department, how they impact the community.

And so uh they will come up here one by one.

They have a couple slides that they've been uh assigned to speak on, and so great opportunity to get in front of you, great opportunity to get in front of the community here.

And so uh and feel free to ask them any questions if you have any.

So and then I'll be up here, I'll be the goalkeeper.

So if there's something that comes up uh their way that stumps them, then I'll I'll take that from you.

But uh I have the first slide here.

So uh I'm excited to speak about um the mission statement here, uh, a couple different reasons.

And so the mission statement, when I first started here in 2007, I think it got revamped in about 2014, and it stayed that way up until the day I got promoted up until today.

And so uh we put a committee together to establish so what does this look like for this price police department?

What's the true mission for the Sprise Police Department as relate to your priorities to the community's priorities?

And so, how are we going to correlate that to like I said, a law enforcement body?

And so uh we came up with this, and I'll read this off.

Sprise Police Department serves our community ethically and with unwavering commitment by upholding the highest standards while enforcing the law fairly and impartially.

I mean, it's pretty cut and dry, and so that's the way it should be, in my opinion.

So I'm super proud of the work that we put into this mission statement.

Uh it's gonna get uh provided to each member of our staff.

And like I said, it's just uh a move uh move forward in the right direction.

So uh just humbled to be here, and so I'll kick that off.

Uh well, we'll kick it off with Commander Mike Robbins.

Thank you, Chief, and for being the goalkeeper.

I appreciate it.

Uh mayor council, good evening.

Um, I am Mike Robbins, commander of our tactical support division.

Uh, I've been doing the uh working for surprise police department for 20 years now.

Um appreciate the opportunity to speak to you on this.

Um, so you see in front of you the core services in function of our police department.

We got a full service police department 24-7, as you all know.

Um, patrol operations, as we move through this, they will remain the foundation of what it is that we do with the surprise police department.

Um, we will continue to that's our marked units that are out there for visibility for responding calls for service.

Our investigations function.

That's our our problem, our crime solving.

That's our follow-up that we do.

Our traffic and road safety.

Uh, we lean on three E's for that.

That's our enforcement, um, education, and we like to work with our partners over in in traffic engineering and refer to engineering as well.

Community game engagement and outreach for us.

The focus for us is always building trust in our community and partnering partnering with them.

Professional standards and training.

Uh that's us making sure that we're up to standards, and we're we are with our industry uh best practices.

Professional standard.

Um, sorry, that's one I don't want to say that one twice.

Support in specialized services.

So think uh critical incident response or large scale response.

Um, think tactical services or tactical responses, canines, uh, intelligence gathering, and our administrative and strategic services.

So that's our that's those are those people that help us manage our resources here, and that we can strategize and move to the future as as the city continues to grow, and we need to make sure that we are adaptable and growing with it.

Commander, I just wanted to say one thing about the patrol aspect of it.

And I know um there was some concern about it uh just a few months ago, but I think the changes that you made, the focus clearly in your strategic plan uh is a very important to our community.

We hear from residents and you see officers out there all the time on patrol in those high uh traffic areas, high incident areas.

So I appreciate your effort in that and continuing it in the strategic plan.

Absolutely for sure.

And moving forward here, as you'll see is as uh what I'll do is as the chief mentioned is I'll kick off to the next uh to the next people here, but they'll be going through the actual strategic goals that you guys have given for public safety.

But this year's kind of just showing that alignment that we have with your strategic goals is our strategy as well.

Um we are part we do um we lean on our strong partnerships, whether that's internally or externally, uh, with other police departments in here with the city or with our community that we serve.

Um, we do ensure that we recruit, read uh train and retain and professional and resilient um staff.

Uh planning training, um, planning training, coordinated response across all disciplines.

Um, and again, we see community engagements up there again, but we are very trust-based.

So ultimately, this alignment ensures the police department is supporting the broader city vision.

Uh, and we and we will remain adaptable to growth and emergency emerging emerging challenges.

That was so easy, went so well.

Uh so what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna kick this off to our recruitment and hiring team.

Uh Ryan and Briesa who are to the other side.

Right.

Thank you.

I'll uh I'll jump in here real quick as it gets set up.

But um, so is as we all know that there's there's a ton of professional staff that goes on the law enforcement, and so we're blessed to have uh Ryan and Burisa here.

Uh they make up two of the 80 some professional staff members that we have with the police department, they're doing a terrific job.

And so I'll kick it off to you.

Evening, Mayor and Council.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

My name's Ryan McNeil.

Um, I've been employed with the City Surprise since March of 2001.

Uh, I spent most of my time so far as a sworn officer in late 2017.

I'm medically retired and was lucky enough to stay here as a civilian and be in hiring and recruit mayor ever since.

And I currently supervise that unit.

Uh some of the things we want to focus on on our hiring and recruitment and our staffing.

Um, our focus is making sure that we have adequate staffing across patrol investigations and our support services divisions, which includes all civilian staff as well.

Uh our com as our community continues to grow.

We also see staffing challenges with retirements and increased service demands of the city and its growth.

Uh to address these gaps, we've implemented targeted and recruitment strategies, which Brisa will touch on because she's been a huge uh piece of those new systems that we use and have seen great benefits.

Uh we're focusing on candidates who bring strong training, relevant experience, and a commitment to community-oriented policing.

That is very important to the city.

It's very important to us within the department, and that's the one thing we are looking for.

We're also using lateral hiring, academy partnerships, and outreach efforts to bring in qualified personnel on board more quickly.

Uh, these efforts are helping us to reduce vacancies and ease workloads train on the existing staff that we do have.

By placing qualified personnel where they're most needed, we are improving overall operational effectiveness.

And at the same time, we're emphasizing retention and secession planning to ensure long-term stability.

Ultimately, these efforts strengthen public safety outcomes while maintaining high levels of service that our community expects.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Brice Daniel.

I'm the hiring and recruitment coordinator for the department.

And I've been with the PD for about almost three and a half years.

The department has taken more of an initiative, um, innovative and initiative approach to recruiting a strong workforce that is going to be reflective of our community and its growing needs.

One initiative that has been the newly created Speed Program, which stands for Surprise Police Education and Development Program, in which prepares individuals with both physically and mentally.

And this year, we have had already 798 participants come through the program, which 16 have been hired with our department in 2025.

And our current officers are in the academy.

And I do would like to note that for them, um, additionally, in this last October, we sent 12 recruits to the academy.

This being one of the largest class ever in this for the city is surprised, for in which our female are going to be female officers in addition to our department force.

We are also preparing to roll out a first ever prep and recruitment workshop series this spring that will give attendees a realistic and motivating look and at a career in law enforcement with our department specifically.

This workshop will ensure we continue to attract and invest top quality candidates and exceed our expectations for our targeted recruitment and strategy.

Thank you.

And now I present assistant chief Warren.

Well, we had a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.

Councilman Haney, go ahead.

Yeah, don't go away.

Don't get off that easy.

Uh, this I just have a question.

Um, so from can you give a timeline basically of if someone is interested in becoming a police officer, because the fire department's not hiring, do they just kidding?

Well, that's our only joke, maybe.

Uh, but in all seriousness, from the time we get someone that's is interested in the being a police officer with our within our police department to then being out on the street.

What is that time frame?

How long does it take us to recruit and train an officer?

So the recruitment and training total, if you're looking at that, the estimation is about one year.

Okay.

Uh, that is because it's six months of academy time for them to start the academy and graduate the academy successfully and then begin their training itself.

The actual portion that we use, the hiring and recruitment portion that we do, uh, we've shortened down to roughly three months from the date they test to the date they're hired through that entire process.

Uh, we can actually get that done in usually six to eight weeks in certain circumstances or with laterals.

As we mentioned, we've made a lot of changes and we're uh progressing forward and doing things uh more innovatively than many other departments that will help our candidates uh get a quicker time and hopefully choose to come to surprise uh on top of all the things that we are showing them of why we are the best place to be.

Um but that time frame roughly is two to three months for a sworn officer.

So if I'm understanding it correctly, obviously it takes a year, but you all are consistently trying to look at innovative ways to still maintain the quality of training for that officer that's gonna hit the street.

Yes.

Well at the same time shortening the amount of time.

Yes, by shortening our end of what we can shorten, which is the hiring and recruitment and the testing that we do and changing the way that process works.

Um, that can shorten the overall time of what it takes someone to get in.

Well done.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I had a question for you regarding uh veterans and hiring.

Are you are there any special?

I know they get 10 points in the written exam.

Are you doing anything else to coordinate like with Luke Air Force Base and transitioning service members?

Uh yes, we've actually been working with several of the military and like doing job fairs and that such.

But I mean, um, in the process of creating those and establishing those relationships with those external um partnerships, just because then we can work closely with them.

We do already have a couple of veterans a lot in the pop the pipeline.

They do come out to speed.

Um, but we are doing a lot of things that we're going to be investing, especially with our veteran force because going from civilian to law enforcement, I sell the that they are coming back to camaraderie.

And they really enjoy that, and they're seeing that already.

So we're investing at the beginning of an employee's career.

So that's how we're getting them to be more like engaged and wanting to come work for the surprise police department.

Okay, thank you.

Appreciate that effort.

That's all I have.

All right.

Yeah, they're trying to sprint off the stage here at this legislation.

Which one?

Yep.

Okay.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Uh, I will go back to the last slide real quick because they can do uh themselves justice, but we wouldn't be in the position we are without Ryan and Brees.

They do a phenomenal job where a lot of agencies are having trouble getting people to apply.

Our last testing, we had so many people, the most we ever had, and we have a ton of great candidates and so all because of those two.

And not just the sworn side, our uh support staff, civilian staff are they do a great job with that.

So I get to talk about uh ensuring uh we are prepared for emergency through planning and training.

We have several goals uh that will do that uh with continuous uh training and to refine our emergency response and also strengthen our coordination with regional and state and our federal partners.

Uh first, as far as our training, we uh have great uh training.

Um, Sergeant Will Bilson, uh Patrick Brown's lieutenant.

They're great uh training and our training is phenomenal.

So we will do regular scenario-based training for sworn and support staff, uh, emphasize uh critical incidents such as active threats, critical incidents, critical incidents and crisis response with continuous evaluation to incorporate best practices and lessons learned, uh clearly defined emergency response protocols aligned with state and national standards, and how we're planning planning in the future.

Uh we use data-driven planning methodology to align police services with community needs, identify and categorize risks such as crime trends, traffic collisions, special events, school safety, vulnerable populations, and quality of life concerns.

Uh we will use that to establish appropriate service levels, including patrol staffing, uh response time objectives and investigation capacity.

So we want to use all that to determine what our staffing needs across all divisions, patrol investigations and our tactical support as well.

Uh far as our strength and their coordination with regional and state and federal partners, uh, we had a well-established uh partnerships when I got here, and not just internally, because the partnerships here internally, I think is the envy of all cities across the valley.

So I think what we have here is great.

Uh, but uh we will do that with uh joint training exercises and simulations with regional, state, and federal agencies.

We've already done that in the past.

We've done a hundred-year flood exercise.

We've done a down aircraft with Luke.

So that just solidifies the partnerships that we have.

So we just continue us with those partnerships and just build off that foundation that's already been established.

So any questions.

I'm not saying anything, but thank you.

Oh, thank you.

And we'll turn it over to uh I think Lieutenant Rostrial.

That's right.

Thank you.

I mean, if we're gonna do it, we might as well go all right.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Uh so the reality is we're doing a lot of things right as the city.

But what I won't tell you is it's just us.

It's partnerships.

And so when you look at what we're doing with the fire department, what we're doing with human resources, these wellness health-related wins that we've had, it's because we're part of a much larger, larger organism.

So uh we are working together, developing and implementing these wellness programs.

And over the last three years, I think we've made a lot of strides.

We still have more that we want to do.

Uh, but we all know that employees who are healthy and feel cared about, supported, they they have increased morale, they use less sick time.

Uh, they're gonna have less injuries and a higher quality of life.

And Brees and Ryan did a really good job talking about it very selfishly.

We have almost 300 recruiters in our department.

A lot of agencies have six or eight.

We have almost 300.

They're bringing in their friends and their families to work here.

They're solving our recruitment challenge that are other agencies, some of whom have put together these huge sign on bonuses and all these other programs, they're still having challenges, and we're not.

And it's because the men and women who work here have gone out and brought in their backup.

And the proof is in the pudding on that.

The reality is we have been able to, and Briesa won't tell you, she has spoken a national conference because people have said, how is this city able to do that?

And you're not offering all these other things.

And the reality is culture matters.

Wellness matters.

When an employee is going through a bad thing, whether it's personal or professional, we walk with them.

And we won't lie to them.

We're going to tell them, hey, we're going to be with you the entire time.

We we may not even have the right words.

We've got a tremendous amount of resources and partnerships, and we're going to get through this together.

And this has really resonated with them.

Uh, one of the strong partners we have in addition to fire is human resources, because they've helped us create this robust employee assistance program that has gone out and and vetted and hired clinicians who speak their language.

So I might not understand what a dispatcher or firefighter has gone through, but we have people who do.

And those people will sit with their families and take as much time as possible and walk them through that to make sure they're as healthy and strong as possible.

Not because it's a it's about saving sick time, it's because it's the right thing to do.

Our goal is that they get through their career and they have long, happy, healthy, resilient, wonderful retirements.

That's truly our goal.

And I think we're doing when you look at the amount of people who stay here.

I think we're we're starting to really hit the mark.

Um, the fire department, though, however, has been an amazing partner.

They helped create or they really did create an infectious exposure response protocol.

So if you can imagine if you are exposed during your work shift to something that's scary and you don't have the answers, if you're going to be okay, those minutes seem like hours.

And so what they've been able to do is help us triage immediate care for the employees.

Uh, we're on the phone with doctors with the employee.

The employee and their families have answers you sometimes within 24 hours, usually within 24 hours.

And that is something that at the end of the day, of course, they're relieved if they get a uh a positive outcome, but they really do truly believe that the city has put its money where its mouth is on that because we have shown them in those times of need that we're going to be there with them.

Uh, there's other things that we've brought in.

You know, Chief Espy has done a really great job showing us about pre-planning and investments.

Umness costs a lot of money in a lot of places.

And so what the city has done, and and you were support, very supportive of this, is we now have the ability to have our employees try different modalities infrared, red light therapy, cryotherapy.

Why?

Because if they like it, and if they'll use it, then we can invest more in the future.

It's silly to go out and invest all this money into something we think will work if the employees won't use it in their families.

And the um so far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

In fact, I got an email from someone today who said, Hey, how do I become an ambassador to tell others about this?

Uh, a couple of other things, heal the heroes, Vitania program, focusing on increasing brain health and sleep quality.

We brought in nutrition classes, retirement classes, and even something called struggle well, which no matter where you are in the public safety spectrum, we know that you are going to spend time with your loved ones, you're gonna live a long career.

Uh, this prepares you for that.

I say all that to say we've made tremendous progress, making sure that the employees' physical, emotional, mental health is our priority, and it's our cultural foundation and our leadership has supported that.

Uh, and we look forward to building even more in the future.

And so far, uh, I say very humbly and selfishly on behalf of the agency.

It's it's an incredible compliment when other agencies come to us and say, How are you managing to do that?

And the reality is it's because we got strong partners and support through council through our electeds and through our partners throughout the city.

So thank you for your support.

Okay.

Vice Mayor or Hastings has a commoner question.

Oh, wrong button.

Thank you.

I was just gonna, I wasn't sure if you guys wrap, I was gonna address all you guys.

But um, just thank you.

Thank you for saying that, especially at the end.

You know, I'm gonna talk in a second, I think about how, you know, in this budget process, we need to focus on, you know, we I think we need more officers, but also like caring about the officers we do have too.

And that's not just like pay, but it's like benefits and mental health.

Like, I cannot imagine um the things that you know you guys have seen, the things that you guys go through or that um your brothers and sisters, firefighters, you know, go through as well.

Um our city is is growing like rapidly.

I mean, as we're all aware, and you know, we're constantly playing catch up.

Like we hired 15 officers last year.

And I just as you guys were here, we're about to start the budget process.

It was it was 50, I say 15 officers, but that was I think sworn, right?

There was a couple of sergeants, I think a lieutenant in there, and then there was obviously the non-sworn, you know, supporting um the folks out on the road.

And I just think like that needs to be a starting point for this year's budget.

And, you know, if it means we have to keep the tax rate flat, then that's something we can talk about.

We have to have those conversations because I can't count how many times, you know, I've been on Bell Road, um, or maybe other councilmen have been on other roads that run north and south with the numbers 163.

But um, but in all seriousness, right?

And you see cars flying past, right?

And it's just they just they just get away with it, right?

And you know, we love having, I love having, you know, 14 officers in schools.

That's a huge deal.

Having like the specializations, having SWAT, canine different specialties, but ultimately, right?

That all pulls from the same pool of your like rank and file patrol officers, the traffic officers on the street.

So, you know, I think we all have kind of, you know, we talk about those those two roads.

I won't repeat them, but um, you drive by and you see a horrific accident, and you see three or four patrol cars there, and you start to do the math.

You know, there's only so many, I don't say buys, but it's only so many of you guys, and you know, we ask so much of law enforcement.

And so nobody really thinks about it, maybe perhaps me obviously you guys do, maybe we do a little more until it's like, you know, you're not calling the police on the best day of your life, right?

You're calling them on the worst case of your life, but who's gonna pick up that phone and stuff?

And so I just thought it was something I wanted to bring up too as we start this, you know, budget season.

Um, I really hope that we can, you know, continue to provide you with the resources you need.

And you're and you're never gonna come up here, right, and say, like, hey, like, you know, we need help, we can we can't do it.

You're gonna do it the best of what you have.

Um, but I'm just I'm super grateful for you guys.

Um, I know our community is super grateful for all of you.

And just with from the bottom of my heart, and I know I speak for a lot of my residents, just thank you guys for all the work you do and congratulations to you guys who've been promoted and everything too.

It's it's awesome stuff.

So Vice Mayor, may I add one thing?

Yeah.

So there's a misnomer in law enforcement says you should never work where you live in law enforcement.

Uh-huh.

We didn't impromptu just random sampling over 90% of our employees, and overwhelmingly almost all of our applicants live in our city.

And when asked why, it's because they want to make the school safer, they want their families to live in a better community.

I've never seen that in any other agency.

Uh, and the support of the elected of the council of our leadership.

Um, at the end of the day, I've watched, I've interviewed hundreds of people walk away from police work uh in my prior life.

Uh and one of the things that was always getting cited is the support.

The support is immeasurable, and we can't put a price tag on us.

So thank I think on behalf of all of us, thank you.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Lieutenant, I had one thing for you.

I know you're you're a humble guy, but what you brought into this department as far as uh the care for our officers, the resiliency part of it, the mental health part of it is huge.

I was in the army for 20 years.

I'm sure you know, deployed a couple of times, and and the army try to implement that, but it's I think it starts at the top that the you know, the those leadership supports those types of programs, and for you to do that and then go all the way down to you know, the the newest officers is critical to their well-being, their mental health, and their ability to can like bounce back, be resilient in those times of critical um in their career.

So I appreciate your effort in doing that.

I appreciate your wealth of knowledge that you bring to the city and your continued effort to support our officers.

Thank you, sir.

But the reality is the best programs die when the leadership doesn't flourish.

So thank you for that.

Yeah, thank you.

I didn't see no things.

Hiding I was trying not to hide.

I'm the one wearing a tie.

So, mayor, city council, vice mayor, good evening.

It's good to be around y'all.

Again, I did I'm wearing a tie they're not.

That's why I had to go hide myself a little bit out of shame because I dressed up too much.

There is such things.

So that being said, I'm here to talk about what our police department's doing to support uh the city council and the mayor's school safety initiative when it comes to school safety.

Uh, right now we have approximately 41 schools within the city surprise and nine more that are affiliated with surprise, where we have parents that are sending their kids or they work at or go to other schools.

So total it's about 50 schools that are impacted by our city.

Out of those 50 schools right now, we have 15 schools that have dedicated SROs and that are there day in, day out.

And we have seven other schools that are filled with the school safety officer program, which is an off-duty program where officers can go in and work those schools as an opt-of-the program, which is funded by the Arizona Department of Education through their school safety program grant.

So with that, uh as part of that school safety initiative, we have reached out and contacted all 50 of these schools.

We've reached out to them.

We've had a meeting last year where we was during the summer.

We met with representatives from nearly every single one of those schools to discuss things as far as the school safety program grant to discuss what it is that we're doing and our dedication to help make their lives safer to make their children safe for their students and staff.

And as we've done that, we've met with them on multiple occasions, and we've discussed things like emergency operations plans, different safety programs and things they can do to get more support from the city and from the state.

One of those things that we've done is we started getting into threat and vulnerability assessments.

And so those threat and vulnerability assessments is something where we have our officers, uh groups primarily made up of our SROs or school resource officers that have been trained.

They have access to different programs to go ahead and do these safety assessments for specifically schools throughout our entire city at no expense to any of these 50 schools.

We've had a lot of success, had a lot of people sign up, have done several assessments so far and continue to move forward in doing so.

Uh by doing this, we're checking schools' physical security, procedural security, and even cybersecurity to make sure that they're protected on all ends.

And this also satisfies a requirement of the schools to have an audit done.

So most of the time they have to pay money for a different company to come in and do that audit.

Uh our police department, our city is willing to go out and do that for them at no cost to those schools.

So that is what we're doing right now.

Okay.

Well, I appreciate your your effort in the school safety thing.

It was one of the main reasons why I ran for office.

Um, and I think the you talked about the five-year audit thing.

I want to thank the chief for reaching out to the state uh Arizona Department of Education and their uh top security guy or safety guy and coordinating that because before the law was written, and it just said ambiguously you have to get a five year every five years get an audit.

And we reached out as a city and said, hey, this is our program, this is what we're doing.

And they accepted that you know, our police officers can do us.

I feel like we're trailblazers.

You are all trailblazers in doing that.

I think it makes our schools safer, it makes our community safer.

So I appreciate your effort in doing that.

Thanks for your support.

Thank you.

I appreciate the tie too, Fred.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council.

My name is Kendall Moreland, and I am the commander of the agency support division.

I've been with Surprise PD for about three years, but a total of 36 years in law enforcement, and I couldn't be more happier than service under this dude right here.

So uh he's given me some opportunities to change that I haven't seen and some partnerships that we didn't experience in other departments.

So I'm raw surprised.

I'm up here to uh give you some uh updates on some of the projects we're involved in, and I'll start with the public uh safety master plan.

Um kudos to Commander Robbins and Lieutenant Barker.

They've been working with some of the consultants.

This uh process has included multiple on-site meetings as well as several feedback sessions with key stakeholders and city of surprise division leaders, and the estimated completion and delivery of this plan is slated for spring of 2026.

Uh regarding our police precinct, this project is near completion of the design phase.

The next step will be uh pulling permits and then estimated completion of the precinct is projected for summer of 2027.

Uh we've just uh, as of October 25, full implementation of our Mark 43.

We uh gone away from Spielman.

Uh as with any new system, there's been some growing pains, but uh this transition has ultimately been successful and is fully completed and instituted.

We'd like to thank the mayor and the city managers for your support and the uh 250 patch celebrating America's 250th anniversary patch.

It looks like the chief have has created a um a process where we had this patch developed, and then once we chose this patch, uh he authorized it so we could wear it for a full year on our uniform.

So thank you for that, Chief.

Skeets.

Challenges and opportunities.

Uh funding, just like anybody else.

Uh many city departments, one of our primary challenges is securing adequate funding for the future, particularly for new facilities and capital improvement programs to keep pace with the city's continued growth, including uh, excuse me.

Including uh, excuse me.

Chief Beecher has been working collaboratively with other other departments, including fire department to model and project growth plans based on future development throughout the city.

Staffing, as a city grows, a police department must grow alongside it.

In addition to funding challenges, staffing remains a priority.

And we talked about did Ryan and Brees will leave.

They've been instrumental in uh keeping up our uh recruitment efforts.

Uh they have streamlined the training timelines and through thoughtful and rigor rigorous planning.

Opportunities, collaboration as we pursue growth funding and major initiatives, continued collaboration with other city departments is essential.

This includes efforts such as a public safety master plan and Northwest Operations Facility.

And lastly, as a city partner, we will continue to leverage emerging technologies to enhance both community safety and officer safety.

Very good.

That concludes our presentation.

So I'll be willing to take any questions that you may have.

And if I drag somebody else up, I'm happy to do that for you.

All right, Councilman Duffy.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to say thank you for this and the attention to this update.

And as a city grows, we want to keep up.

And the last thing we ever want to do is fall behind in public safety, including fire.

So I know Councilman Hastings said you don't have to come up here and say we need help, but I kind of do want you to do that.

You don't have to say it like that.

But if we fall behind, we're not doing anybody any good.

Right.

So I appreciate the focus on staffing.

Because believe it or not, residents like seeing you guys out.

They do.

And I hear it all the time that they just feel better when they see you guys out and about.

And you're all friendly.

I know most of you, and you guys are great.

People want to see you out there, and we have to keep pace with the growth of the city because we can't stop the growth.

And we can't stop this department or fire from growing with it.

So I appreciate the focus on here, and we're here to help you.

So we're on your side.

We cannot fall behind.

So I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Councilman Haney.

Thank you, Miriam.

Chief, thanks for you and your team for the presentation.

Love the tie.

Don't let anyone dictate whether you wear a tie or not, brother.

Because I feel your pain.

Yeah.

Um, but no, I really like this presentation because it really encompassed several uh aspects of um concerns from our residents.

Obviously, district one in the Northwest area is a rapidly growing area.

But with that, uh, it's not like district one has its own police department.

You guys are responsible for keeping communities throughout our city safe.

And as we know, as one part of our city grows, those resources have to go from maybe down south north.

And so to make sure that we're being proactive, kind of what was said today, is is important.

And I really like the fact that we're developing a I said in my community meeting, it's almost like a playbook for us, not only as leaders, but for you all, because we can say, hey, we want you to have 10 plus patrol officers out there.

But as we've seen, it takes a year to train a patrol officer.

And not only that, we have to recruit good people that we feel comfortable with patrolling our streets and keeping the men and women that are already here safe.

And so I appreciate you outlining kind of the not only how your priorities are aligning with our strategic plan, but I really look forward to seeing what that public safety master plan will look like because I can tell you, speaking from experience, uh there's uh several moments in my day where I wish folks would have forecasted what we're going through now.

But it's not our fault, but it is our problem.

And so to have the ability now to set a new course where we're able to be proactive, uh, making sure that we're keeping our communities safe as we continue to grow, uh, is going to be critical.

Uh I also liked the fact that we're looking at different ways to uh utilize different funding sources to get resources to our police department.

Obviously, our most important asset is always going to be the people, and I appreciate the wellness aspect because I I'm sure just like the fire service and the and the and the police service as well, there's been a shift where the things that our public safety folks see on a day-to-day basis are things that won't be repeated because no one should really see those.

Um, but the fact that we're now taking strides to making sure that when they leave their time here serving our community, they are well-rounded individuals, they can spend that time with their family.

And so I really appreciate the work that you're doing to make sure we're taking care of our people.

Um, and the last thing I'd like to say, and then I want to echo the same things is and I appreciate this, council, for the fact that almost every single budget cycle that I've been here, we have prioritized public safety.

Um, but I also have to give you all your kudos because in the meantime, every time I have a resident reach out, can I get an officer out here patrolling the street or hey, we have this problem?

Number one, there they usually get a response.

Sometimes they get a phone call directly from the police of child uh the chief of police, which can be intimidating to some, but once they get to know you, it's really not that intimidating.

Um don't share that, please.

Yeah, just no, he's really intimidating.

Yeah, um, but what I really appreciate is, and you guys do it all the time on your social media is you always say it's your police department.

Well, what does that really mean?

It's it's to make sure that we're not having our communities view you as adversaries, but instead allies, because we're all in this together to keep our community safe.

And you know, right now, tonight people are gonna go to bed and they're they're not gonna think twice about what's going on in their communities, and that's how it should be.

But we all know that tonight there's going to be those calls, stressful calls.

Your officers and our fire department and paramedics are gonna put themselves in harm's way to keep our community safe, and then people are gonna wake up and sometimes it doesn't even make the news, and that's how it should be.

People should be able to go to bed and not worry about the safety of their families.

And that's a testament to the work you all are doing with the resources you have.

And I think it's up to us here up on the dais to make sure now that once we get that strategic plan or excuse me, public safety master plan to make sure we're giving you guys the resources, the funding, and the support that you need, not only to keep members of our community safe, but to make sure that when your men and women walk out their door and lead their families, they come back the same exact way.

So um, thank you guys for your commitment.

I love the vision.

I love the excitement.

I gotta tell you that um from a council member standpoint up here.

It is very nice to see the amount of passion and pride you all have for keeping our community safe.

This isn't just a job for you all.

This is clearly something that you guys believe in, and that that means the world to not only me but my residents.

So that's the only time a firefighter is gonna say something nice about a police officer out here for the rest of the evening.

So seriously, thank you guys for everything they do.

Yeah, the councilman have any questions or comments.

Chief, I appreciate the presentation.

You did a phenomenal job.

I think you're your forward thinking.

Um, you know, strategic master plan, all those things are are gonna be the way forward, and I appreciate your effort.

I appreciate your commanders, uh, everybody's efforts.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Madam Kirk, let's do the call to the public.

Do we get uh Mr.

Murray?

I didn't even know you had a button that would say request to speak, but go ahead.

There it is.

First time why did that work?

That's that's a better question.

Go ahead, Mr.

Murray.

Uh Mayor, I think I think uh Councilman Hastings brought this to my attention.

I think it was the question that councilman Judd was asking me.

I think we need to go back and address item G four, the item you pulled off the agenda.

I think the way the code reads is you may pull an item and consider it out of order, but I think it's intended to be considered at the same meeting.

So if the intent is to pull it off the item and remove it completely until a future date, I think we should vote on that.

I think that establishes the ground rules going forward.

We don't want the ability to just pull items off the agenda without it being hurt.

So my apologies, Mayor, I should have clarified that earlier.

Okay, Madam Clerk, can you please read item number four?

Yes, Mayor.

Item four consideration and action to approve the revised version of the city council meeting date for 2026.

Yeah.

So this item came up.

We have our first meeting in March, which we'll be able to to have our second meeting will be at the National League of Cities, and this agenda item moves that meeting to the third week of March.

Fourth week.

Yes.

I think there's one more.

There's March 31st.

There's one more meeting in in March.

And so after talking to the city um manager, uh, there's only one item that we ness that we need potentially to see.

We don't even know for sure.

So um, I think because we're gonna be out of the state at the National League of Cities, we're just going to not do that meeting at all instead of moving the meeting to the 24th of March, which is why I pulled the item.

So we have to decide now, or is it or go to what the amount changes it just said?

Up to you guys if you want to table it or what do you need for timing?

We'll try if we bring it back to the next council meeting.

So we'll table it until the next council meeting when we determine if we have to have that meeting on the 24th.

What's the date of the next council meeting?

February 3rd.

There you go.

Move the table.

I move to table this item regarding the meeting schedule for continue this item.

Um pertaining to the schedule of council meetings for 2026 until until the first meeting in February.

February 4th.

Yeah, I'm not vice mayor anymore.

I can't say you can't just been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

Wow.

I told you.

Thank you.

That's past vote.

Thank you.

Madam Clark, let's move to the call to the public.

Do we get any requests to speak to the council on a non-agenda item?

Yes, Mayor, I do.

Uh first I have Lauren Donovan.

As you're making the way to the podium, when you when you get there, please state your name and crossroads for the record.

And you'll have three minutes for your remarks.

Good evening.

Lauren Donovan, 187th Avenue and Bell Road.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you today.

My name is Lauren Donovan.

I'm here today to request that the council reconsider the outline of the city code regarding home occupations for personal services.

I'm here to speak on behalf of not only myself, but a large group of women and mothers in this community who face similar difficulties with this code.

Operating as an independent and licensed nail technician along with other personal service professionals from home would allow myself and many other women to homeschool our children while ster still earning a living in an economy where the majority of families depend on two incomes.

After many efforts to comply, losing the ability to operate has caused financial hardship and threatens my ability to continue homeschooling.

There are many women in this community that currently operate and seek small residential personal services.

Modifying this code will with necessary guidelines would create more opportunities for family to live and survive in this city.

This would allow women to continue caring for and educating their children while still being able to help financially support their families.

Restrictions regarding products being used in reference to ventilation is regulated by the Arizona State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology during random inspections.

If the city can confirm during their own inspections that personal service professionals have licenses from the state, personal licenses to practice and passing inspection reports, then I cannot understand why these in-home occupations would not be allowed.

Regarding understandable parking and traffic concerns, licensed personal service professionals should be limited to one client at a time and should not permit be permitted to having any employees while operating from a residence.

With these guidelines, these types of home occupations would cause less issues than that of the already approved in-home occupations.

With a huge community already operating in this way, it is clear that there have been little to no complaints to the city.

I was specifically informed of the IMC code regarding ventilation being an issue with operating nail services in a residence.

Not a single commercial-based nail or hair salon in this city is in compliance with the specifics of this code.

Not to mention there can be restrictions in place to clarify the very minimal products that should not be used, which again is already regulated by state board.

Please ask yourself why it should not be acceptable for a residents to receive a personal service in another resident's home, especially when they are regulated and approved by state who controls their license, and there can be modifications made to control parking and traffic concerns.

Is my time up?

Oh sorry.

Many women intentionally seek in-home personal services due to the fact that we hold ourselves to a higher standards regarding professionalism, sanitation and disinfection standards, and one-on-one experiences.

I'm just here to ask that not only the code be required by all personal services across the board, whether commercial or residential, but also that you would please consider more leniency on in-home occupations, especially especially those of personal services.

Okay.

Thank you.

Ms.

Davis, um, Councilman Haney showed shared a letter that that resident had written to him.

Um I think we need to look further into that and see what uh what we can do, look at our ordinance and make sure that uh we don't want to do anything to prohibit business or not have residents be able to operate a business.

I know it has to be within code, but we got to be able to make some sort of common ground here.

Can you look into that, please?

Okay, thank you.

And as far as the um, you know, we have a lot of residents coming here and and say different things for or against any particular item.

Uh if you could refrain from clapping or any of those types of things.

I know we are a passionate about these issues, but I don't want one resident to feel intimidated because we're on the other side of a of an issue.

So if we just once people do their comments, just let that comment stand on its own.

Madam Clerk, go ahead.

Thank you.

Next, I have Joe Mansor.

I don't know if I said that correctly.

Mansour.

Joe, are you in the audience?

No, he's not.

Um Amanda Gervan.

Amanda.

Doctorino.

I'm sorry, I totally probably said that wrong.

Thank you.

Good evening, sir.

My name is Tim Jacquarino.

I live in Coyote Lakes, 115th in Bell Road.

I've been a resident here, surprised for about 30 years now.

Um, and where I live at, Cairo Lakes, we have the main drag, and we have a lot of cul-de-sacks.

And I live in a cul-de-sac, and during the time that I've lived here, the trucks that come through to clean the streets never pull in the cul-de-sac.

And now, because of the neglect, the cul-de-sac that I live in, the road is completely deteriorated.

I don't know.

I call to see if there's a schedule of them coming out to resurface, but I I never get anybody to uh respond back to me.

And um the the trucks that they drive, I've been told that no, they don't they don't maneuver in there, but the the garbage trucks do come in.

I spent 24 years in the Air Force out here.

I retired out of Luke, and after I retired from Luke, I spent another almost 20 years working on the flight line.

We have the exact same trucks that the city has.

It comes out, they maneuver around the aircraft, they maneuver around the aerospace uh equipment that we have.

So I don't understand why these trucks can't come and clean the uh the cul-de-sacs.

But the bottom line is that the street where I live, or the cul-de-sac I live in, it's almost like a gravel road now.

I mean, you drive on it, I get the stuff in my driveway, I get it in my garage, it gets it in the house, and should be on it.

You know, the basic I would imagine the basic services for our city is to maintain the streets.

You know, this is my first time here in the city hall.

I've been like I said, I lived here in 30 years.

And I I don't, I'm not one to come and complain about things, but you know, I've tried numerous ways of getting people's attention on this issue, and I hope maybe you guys can do something about it.

Okay.

And that's all I have.

I appreciate your time.

All right, thank you, sir.

All right.

Um talk to him.

Yeah.

Um, Andrew, do you mind connecting with that gentleman?

Thank you.

Sir, uh our city manager is gonna talk to you for a minute.

Okay.

Well, no, we're good.

Kristen got him.

No, we're yeah, she's Madam Clerk.

Please go ahead.

Uh Roy Denbar.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, Mayor Sarator and the City Council.

I'm back again.

Um there's uh much to be concerned about about Project Bacara if it is approved.

With increased noise and pollution reduced reduced property values for surprise neighborhoods.

I have always thought the primary function of elected government is to serve the interests of the people.

We feel that if the city of surprise do not join in opposition to Project Bacara, we will consider that the city has failed to do its duty to represent the people's interests.

The city council and mayor have considerable legislative and executive decision-making powers to pass ordinances, make appointments, and create city policy.

The hesitancy and inaction by the city to oppose Project Bacara due to feared political impacts or outside influences or bureaucratic impediments are not acceptable to us and should not outweigh the people's interest in the matter of Project Bacara.

The grassroots opposition of Project Bakara by surprise residents has been made very clear by now to the city and the mayor of surprise.

The movement to stop Project Bacar is only intensifying as people are becoming more aware.

This is not going to go away, but will become more intense in the next couple of months.

We, the Project Bacara opposition coalition, are doing the heavy lifting, spreading the word, and taking action to oppose it.

It is a time-consuming and costly process process.

We have asked the city to communicate to the city residents, informing them about the existence of Project Becara.

Its location, the size and potential impact to the environment.

This has not been done.

Why?

We have asked the city council to issue unanimous resolution opposing the project.

We are still waiting for a response.

We respectfully ask and expect that this body will do its job to represent the just interests of its residents and aid in the opposition to this massive industrial project so close to our homes.

We see no justification for why the city should not do so.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

And final speaker, Alexis Young.

Good evening.

My name is Alexis Young.

I'm at Greenway and Con.

Good evening.

As you know, Project Bacara is not merely three data centers.

It is first and foremost a massive power plant with 18 gas-powered combustion turbines with the nearest residential home less than 2,000 feet away.

This pose poses an extreme danger to the environment and to all surprise residents.

Proven negative health impacts include increased rates of cancer, miscarriages, lung disease, chronic inflammation, negative cognitive impacts, and premature death.

Not only is this form of energy outdated and more expensive to run, but this plant is estimated to run result in over 19.3 million dollars worth of health care costs per year.

Will the city of surprise be held responsible for our increased health care costs?

Tecanic claims their project will have minimal impact on the environment.

This is completely untrue.

Their own air permit uh application reveals that they will pump at least 89.9 tons of nitrogen oxides into our air every single year.

It will also produce nearly 200 tons of greenhouse gases annually and consume over 59 million gallons of our alter already depleted groundwater each year, equivalent to about five million gallons of water a month.

Our area is already classified as serious non-attainment for ozone, which means our air is already dangerous, un dangerously unhealthy.

Under imminent federal rules, any source over 50 tons is a major source of pollution.

Techanic is nearly double that limit.

They're asking you to passively allow a massive new polluter right next to our neighborhoods when our air is already failing federal standards.

Again, studies linked to near power studies link studies link living near power plants like this to higher rates of asthma and respiratory illnesses.

Clean air is not a luxury, it's a necessity and a human right.

As our elected officials, you have an obligation to ensure that our environmental rights are respected.

We demand you value our health over industrial expansion and publicly fight this development alongside us.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Um, this project Bacar is it's uh it's a frustrating thing because it lies really with the county.

Uh, and they're they're the decision makers, they're the elected body that's going to vote to pass this or not.

And I know that we've been asked to do a resolution um for this project, uh, an opposition to this project.

Uh I know we have it on our website.

Sorry, you said we don't communicate, but we do have all the information as requested by your group to put it on there.

We have our uh staff going out and and going to the different meetings and making sure that what they're saying is accurate.

And so I don't think anything that we're gonna say or do tonight's gonna um make the matter any better, but we hear you.

I do want to say that we hear you.

We're we're doing everything we can as a city that's it's not within our jurisdiction to to say should be built or shouldn't be built.

It's with the county.

And so um, we do care about our residents.

We care about you, we care about our everybody's health.

Our whole job up here is to make sure that our city is is growing and people are healthy and people love to live here.

And so um, we're gonna continue to monitor it.

Uh, we're gonna continue to listen to you, and what we appreciate you coming in and voicing your concern.

Thank you.

Are there any other future agenda items or other business that councilmen are want to bring forward?

Hearing none, I'll move to city council reports.

Councilman Haney.

Uh, thank you, Mayor.

Uh, just wanted to uh thank all the folks who so every month I have a community meeting.

Um, we alternate between the northern part and the southern part of the district.

Uh, these are usually within community to make it as accessible as possible.

So you usually it's in a Sante Library for up north, and we try to alternate if you know a happy trails or an elementary school, some someplace that's almost neutral, you feel comfortable coming in and having good conversations.

And honestly, those are probably one of the most uh rewarding parts of the job because you really get an opportunity to meet the folks that uh you get to represent, not just on social media, um, but also just kind of having the face-to-face communication, realize we're all human beings here just trying to make our city a little bit better.

And um, but the reason like those meetings are so successful is there's a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into that.

Oftentimes we ask uh staff to stay late, they're long days, um, but they always greet everyone with a smiling face.

Uh the library or the school is always set up.

Uh, we have tons of information.

And so I don't I don't thank them enough as I as I probably should, but I appreciate them so much for the work that they do um to make those successful.

And um I want to thank the residents who take time out of their evenings to come and not only hear me speak, but uh also hear from staff because uh not to brag, but I think we have one of the higher uh attendance rates uh out of all the districts.

Um, and I think that's a testament to the involvement engagement of of residents that want to get to know what's going on in their city.

And so uh this last meeting, we we had uh I think 30 plus or maybe even more um than that, but it was filled with people that had great uh questions.

We had our surprise police department out there.

We talked about issues of importance, we were able to resolve a lot of issues.

Um and we were also able to identify new challenges that will be needing to be solved.

Um, but I I appreciate those conversations.

I appreciate those of you who came tonight and and were willing to speak to us uh because the conversations that we all have are are really the most important.

That's what's so good about local government is you're the closest contact that people have.

And I just want to say I appreciate the engagement.

I appreciate all the behind the scenes work that goes into making nights like tonight and these community meetings a success.

And um, my next community meeting will be TBD.

Uh, we're trying to kind of adopt what Duffy and Judd and Hastings do and try to kind of do field trips so you can get to see different parts of the city.

So um, I will let you guys know if you're not following my social media channel uh channels or uh my monthly newsletter, I would highly encourage you to do so.

They have great information and they also will have updates on where we're gonna be meeting next.

So that's all I have.

Thanks, Mayor.

All right, thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Oh, me.

Um, I don't have anything coming up right away.

I'll talk at our next meeting about what I'm doing at the end of February, uh combined uh traditions and grand uh seminar, we'll call it right now, and I'll fill in more information at our next meeting.

Okay, I'm gonna kick it over to my council member, District Three.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, towards the end of last week, I was sent a bunch of screenshots about um growing concerns about a couple crosswalks bordering Grey Ranch.

So what I did was they're gonna have a community meeting on the 27th at 6 p.m.

at Sonoran Heights, which is Greer Ranch Parkway in Choya, right around there, to discuss the two crosswalks, but I don't, it's not limited to that.

So we'll talk about that and then any other issue Project McCarra, people want to come talk about that because Greer Ranch is not far, I'm all for it.

So Tuesday, January 27th at 6 p.m.

at Sonoran Heights.

Thank you, Mayor.

Okay, thank you.

So January 27th.

Councilmember.

Yes, sir.

January.

Okay.

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday.

Councilman Mountain.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I only have one meeting coming up.

That's next week, the 28th.

That's a Wednesday at 6 p.m.

at Sun Village in the Acadia Room.

Um, that's that's all I have today.

Thanks, May.

Okay.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

So, first off, congratulate uh congratulations to Vice Mayor Greenberg.

Uh well deserved.

Um, yeah, we can we can clap again.

Can we clap again?

Yeah.

So uh we had our town hall last week to wrap up uh my year is vice mayor um over at the public safety uh auditorium.

Always forget what it's called.

Um so I just want to thank those who came out.

You know, we had a lot of good conversations about you know, small businesses, public safety, roads, and again, like councilman Haney said, just to reiterate thanks to the staff who came out, you know, because they're humans too and they have families and um I know they love hanging out with us, you know, every Tuesday until you know 7, 8 p.m.

to answer your questions.

But you know, it was great to have them there.

So um just called you Chief Davis over here, but um City Manager Davis, um police chief, fire chief, Gina was there, you know, just in case like someone I was gonna say, someone couldn't log in just because that's my biggest issue with IT is I can ever remember, you know, my password.

But um, anyways, so thank you to the staff.

So as I return to my role as your one of your councilman this year, I I kind of wanted to highlight uh one of my goals is your you know representative in district five for 2026.

And unlike, you know, maybe District One or you know, district three, like District Five is a little bit less defined.

People here district five, and they're like, What is District Five?

My district five.

And so district five is is where we're at right now.

It's kind of the center of developed surprise.

And one thing that is unique about District Five is it includes the longest stretch of Bell Road in the city.

Um, it stretches um, it it covers the portion of Bell Road between Litchfield Road and the 303, which is I mean, I'm biased.

But when I think of Bell Road, that's kind of the area I think of.

And that's what I want to highlight.

So I had a resident Yvonne at one of our meet and greets with Councilman John Duffy um a while back.

Um, just kind of ask bluntly, like, hey, like what's going on with Bell Road?

And I was like, you know, what do you what do you mean?

And so she just kind of said, like, you know, you know, it's aging and there's been so much focus, and I think some of us as residents feel this sometimes on new growth and new surprise residents.

And it's like, well, what about the rest of us?

Like, you know, we don't want you know, certain areas to be, I mean, so you have like old town surprise, new town surprise, but um we have to obviously preserve our current areas as well.

And so worked with staff to kind of create somewhat of initiative that that is that kind of consists of three pillars, um, which would be um focusing on Bell Road, which are lanes, lights, and landscaping.

Uh lanes being, you know, whether it's lane width or intersections, um, safety.

Um, as city center builds out, you know, one of my biggest struggles, I guess, with government, one of the reasons I ran for this office um was because sometimes government is is reactive, right?

Not proactive.

Like we have city center building out, we have all this great stuff, but traffic is gonna increase.

We have to be ready for that.

Um, also light that includes the stoplights, right?

We talked about Bell and Letchfield last time, but also too, um, the lights along Bell Road are aging, and so making sure that we can see on Bell Road.

Um, and then also the landscaping too.

Where we've gone back and forth with okay, we're gonna have all grass, but then that's not the most water conscious, but then like ripping it all up isn't the best choice either.

So, like kind of beautifying it and also making it um environmentally responsible.

So more details coming soon um on that.

And I want to close with a quote that I heard, and I won't I know what it means to me because I read it a few times, and it's easy these days to type something right into um you know, Chad GBT, not that I've ever done that, and asked kind of what it means, but I I thought about it a bit and I wanted to share it with um some of you, and it's it's a quote by Theodore Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt, and it's called Man in the Arena.

And it goes, um, quote, it's not the critic who counts, it's not the man who points out how the strongman stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who had the best in the end of his triumph of high achievement, and who at his worst, he if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

And so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who never knew victory nor defeat.

And I guess I'll expand a little bit, but um, the people up here, the gentleman I serve with, and the staff members along the sides um kind of have all chosen to enter the arena.

And you know, it's easy to sit on the side and voice criticisms, and obviously that's that's great.

That's what makes our country, but um, and our Republican democracy.

But um, I want to thank all the people who are kind of in there with us who try and do we make mistakes, absolutely.

But um, I'm grateful for them.

And I'm also grateful for those who you know came out tonight.

I love the signs.

Um, I I told my students once, I was like, hey, like I'd rather you be involved and disagree or be upset than not be involved at all.

So that being said, thank you.

Thanks.

Councilman John.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

A couple of things.

Um, I think our next meet meet and greet isn't gonna be until the seventh, so Saturday the seventh, it'll be the public works facility.

Um, which is right next to the water facility, went to what last month, month before.

Um, and then I just want to thank all you guys for coming out for putting the energy and the effort into into paying attention what's going on as surprise.

So many residents don't pay attention as you're finding out with with talking to people.

So it's it's really it's great to see impassioned residents getting involved.

And a lot of you have been really good at sending me updates as to what's going on and and talking and and uh hopefully you keep coming to these meetings or come to our community meetings so we can keep talking about uh you know about what to do about this and other things that are happening in our city.

Um with that's all I had, Mayor.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Uh this last weekend I went to the Martin Luther King Jr.

Day of Celebration, our 10th annual Seth.

You and your team did an incredible job.

As soon as you walked in, you could just feel the energy, the positivity, the uh and the program was great.

Um the the volunteering was great, and I just really appreciate all of you putting that together and all the residents showing up.

There were two residents, Paul and Mary Outlaw, who had been a part of the MLK Day of Celebration Committee.

Uh and they had started a scholarship fund uh in remembrance of MLK.

I don't know that is it the MLK Scholarship Fund.

And so they'd asked for donations, and I'm gonna uh donate $500 out of my discretionary funds to start that program.

I told them that.

Um staying true to my word.

I submitted the request today, so I'm excited to see that uh fund grow and see what they can do and help inspire young people in surprise to uh continue their education.

I want to thank the uh councilman Haney.

We did uh a mayor's minute.

Um it was the first one doing it with the council member.

I appreciate it.

And any other council members that want to highlight something in their area, but I think the transportation north surprise is a critical critical thing for us to be in the tra um the in the transportation area with all the cameras and seeing what's going on and working through all that and highlighting you know what we've done, but the work isn't done as you had mentioned in in the um video.

And so with that, I went to the opening of the legislature or legislation.

Legislature.

And uh House Speaker, Steve Montenegro invited me there, and it was a great opportunity to one be there to see the opening, but also advocate for the city of surprise, which is what um I did when I was down there.

Uh Jodie Toss, our government relations also did the same thing.

And so we're doing everything we can.

We're gonna continue to fight, continue to support, continue to advocate for the city of surprise.

Today I went and visited with Senator Mark Kelly down at his office.

He did a meet and greet, had another opportunity to uh talk to him uh briefly and told my you know, appreciate his support.

We're putting in for a uh build grant for $25 million for the 155th TI um uh Artillery Roads, and I told him I appreciate his support and anything he can do to help support the city of Surprise.

And so it's through that advocacy, Councilman Haney's advocacy, all of our um working together to try to get this over the finish line.

So um Dwyn did that today.

We have our uh 250th banners up.

It's one of the things when I came in on as mayor's where you know there's not very there's a few times in a I mean it happens every 50 years, I guess.

There's the the uh what is the 200 year old bicentennial?

And so I was living in South Carolina, I was stationed there as a drill sergeant, and I remember there's a bicentennial St.

Park.

And I became mayor.

I'm like, oh my gosh, there's uh try to say this word, but it's uh by I don't even want to say it.

But the 250th.

Semi-squincentennial celebration.

I got it out.

And we gotta do something with the city.

We gotta celebrate.

We gotta celebrate our American history, our heritage, our city.

I know we have a young city, but we're doing everything we can, and it started with the 250 banners.

I drove up to City Hall and I saw them.

I was super proud of um just being able to be in a role where we can appreciate and celebrate America and all that it is, and I appreciate that.

So thank you uh for the staff for getting that going.

Um we have an executive session.

That's all I'm gonna say for tonight.

So I'm gonna entertain a motion to adjourn to executive session.

Motion to adjourn.

Thank you, take it.

It's been moved and seconded.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

We're adjourned to executive session.

I look at that.

I'll readjourn the regular city council meeting and entertain a motion to adjourn.

Move to adjourn.

Second.

It's been moved and second.

All in favor.

All opposed.

We're adjourned.

We said we'd never break the three second rule.

We'd never make a separate dinner.

And never do that.

We'd never let them sleep in our room.

And never become a minivan mom.

Hey, Chris.

Um