City staff presented a package of eight code-update bills to the Mesquite City Council during a tech-review session, and council members voted to move the items to the consent agenda for the next regular meeting.

Why it matters: The package updates the city's building and development regulations to recent national and international model codes, affecting permitting, inspections and technical standards for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, pools, energy conservation, existing buildings, residential construction and the city's building code.

Staff described the bills as routine housekeeping to adopt current model codes: B25-006 (2024 Uniform Plumbing Code), B25-007 (2024 Uniform Mechanical Code), B25-008 (2023 National Electrical Code), B25-009 (2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code), B25-010 (2024 International Energy Conservation Code), B25-011 (2024 International Existing Building Code), B25-012 (2024 International Residential Code) and B25-013 (2024 International Building Code). A council member described the changes as the standard periodic update (the city had been using 2018 editions).

Council action at tech-review: One council member moved to place 5.1 through 5.8 (the eight bills) on the consent agenda; Councilman Fielding seconded the motion. The transcript records the council moving the items to the consent agenda at the tech-review; staff and council noted that any member of the public may request removal of an item for separate discussion when the consent agenda is considered at the formal council meeting.

Public comments at tech-review: Several members of the public spoke during the tech-review preview: Nick Alfonsetti urged the council to consider an annual inspection/permit for residential pools for safety and suggested a nominal fee to fund inspections, saying inspectors could address electrical hazards and unlocked pools. The city staff response pointed to an existing fee schedule in another section and said staff would review and possibly return with an amendment. Another commenter, identified as West Balgru, asked whether council members had read the code packages and raised a concern about gender-neutral restroom language being snuck in to codes, urging council members to read the codes before voting.

Staff and council clarified process limits: Staff reminded speakers that the tech-review is a preview and not the forum for final council deliberation; detailed policy proposals such as creating a new residential annual-inspection program would follow the normal code amendment/fee-schedule process and be coordinated with staff (Simon) and code enforcement if pursued.

Next steps: The eight bills were placed on the consent agenda and will appear on the upcoming regular council agenda where public hearings and formal votes will occur. Any member of the public may request an item be removed from consent for separate discussion before final adoption.