All right, good evening, everyone.

I'd like to call this regular city council meeting Tuesday, February third to order.

Oh, today we have Reverend Andrew Moore for the invitation.

Sir, if you lead us in prayer, please.

Good evening.

Let us pause for a moment in silence as we gather our thoughts.

Gracious God, source of wisdom and justice and compassion.

We pause at the beginning of this meeting to seek guidance beyond ourselves.

Bless, we pray this city of surprise, its neighborhoods and homes.

Here.

Councilman Haney.

Here.

Councilman Duffy.

Here.

Councilman Melton.

Present.

Councilman Hastings.

Here.

Councilman Judd.

Here.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have forum.

All right, thank you.

So tonight we have a special group to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

We have the Dysart High School, Skills USA and Broadcasting Team here.

Oh, in the back.

Okay.

So if you could help lead us in the pledge, I would appreciate it.

So we have a proclamation too.

So you go ahead.

Then we'll do the proclamation.

Good evening, Mayor Sarder and Council.

My name is Grace Brennan, and I am a senior at DIS Art High School and the president of our Skills USA chapter.

Skills USA is a career and technical student organization that empowers its members to become world-class leaders, workers, and responsible citizens.

We are also part of the DISART Student Broadcasting Program, a program that is student-led, student driven, and student produced.

We broadcast academic and sporting events live to our school's YouTube channel for any and all to join us.

Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, DISAR and Film, Dys Art Film and TV gave back to our community in ways I could have never imagined we'd achieve.

As a two-time, hopefully going on three gold chapter of distinction, we are proud to share some of our accomplishments over the last year.

Working in DISE Art Student Broadcasting, we have worked closely with Surprise TV to cover events such as the Veterans Day Parade, the Sci Tech Festival, and with other events like Partnership Day coming up.

We have participated in multiple street cleanups for Adopter Street in Glendale and have collected over 160 pounds of trash, and we are still counting.

Additionally, we held our second annual Toys for Touch Drive, raising nearly 240 toys for children in need.

In just a few weeks, 38 of our members will be headed to the Glendale Community College to compete in the annual Region 5 Leadership in Skills Conference.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share more about our accomplishments and contributions to the city of El Mirage Glendale and Surprise.

Thank you.

All right, so proclamation from the Office of the Mayor, whereas February 2nd through February 6, 2026 has been designated by the Skills USA National Association as Skills USA Week.

And whereas career and technical education provides students with a school to career connection and is the backbone of a strong and educated workforce that fosters productivity and business and industry and contributes to the leadership and the national and global economies.

And whereas career and technical education and Skills USA gives high school students empowering experiences in the meaningful application of skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, as well as the development of Skill USA framework skills, including personal skills, workplace skills, and technical skills granted in academics, thus improving the quality of their education, providing increased motivation to learn, and giving all students leadership opportunities in their career fields, schools, and communities.

And whereas career and technical education offers students opportunity to learn skills and have career experiences that may lead to further education or meaningful employment.

And whereas the cooperative efforts of career and technical educators working with business and industry stimulates the vitality of our nation's economy by preparing graduates for careers, forecasts to experience the large largest growth within the next decade.

And whereas Skills USA is the number one workforce development organization for students preparing middle school, high school, and college post-secondary students and technical skills and career programs to be high performing workers.

Now, therefore, I, Kevin Sarder, mayor of the city of Surprise, to hereby proclaim February 6th and February 2nd through February 6th, 2026 as Skills USA Week, and urge all citizens to acquaint themselves with the mission of Skills USA and to give support to the members who are working hard to achieve the goals that will make them outstanding skilled workers in our community.

Okay.

Yes, please.

Council, you want to join us?

I don't want to be out there.

I know.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey, way to represent skills, you guys.