Internship program.

The six-week program wrapped up about two weeks ago, and it gave young people valuable hands on experience across city departments.

Thank you to all the teams in the city that made this opportunity possible.

Kara, the floor is yours.

Thank you very much.

Good evening, Mayor Sarator, City Council members, City Manager Wingenroth, and distinguished guests.

My name is Kara Poling, and I am the community engagement partner for human service and community vitality.

Tonight, I am honored to present the 2025 Summer Youth Intern Program participants.

This year, we had the privilege of selecting 20 exceptional interns from a competitive pool of 63 applicants.

These interns began a journey of comprehensive workforce development with real world experience from start to finish.

They navigated each stage of the employment process beginning, excuse me, beginning with a job application and video interview, followed by a four-person panel interview and culminating in a new employee orientation.

Throughout the program, interns participated in weekly professional development workshops through a partnership with Arizona at work.

These workshops included essential skills such as resume writing, job interview techniques, financial empowerment, workplace readiness, and youth leadership.

Over the course of six weeks, the interns earned minimum wage while working up to 25 hours per week across nine city departments and are partners at the DISART Community Center.

Through hands-on job shadowing and a variety of real assignments, they gained a behind-the-scenes look at how our city operates, guided each step of the way by dedicated department supervisors.

Several interns were unable to attend tonight due to school open house.

However, I would like to invite a few representatives to briefly share in their own words what this opportunity meant to them.

It has offered so much more than just behind the scenes look at the judicial system.

It's provided meaningful hands-on experience that brought classroom knowledge to life.

It's rare to find an internship that offers this level of access and real world learning in such a supportive environment.

And one of the other major benefits of this program is a mentorship and professional development that it encourages.

So a few of our interns ended up going to another department, so she went to public works.

My name is Janice Meriti, and I go to Lokanyan High School.

I am currently at South Mall.

My experience in the semi-youth internship program has been an amazing journey.

I would also like to comment on the Monday lessons.

They were very educational.

Some of the lessons learned were job interview practice.

There were practical lessons that I will use in the future.

I got a chance to work at the Desert Community Center and a week at public works.

I learned useful skills.

The Desert Community Center was not only a great opportunity to learn about taking care of children, but also learning to be a good role model to them.

I played with their kids, ranging from the age of four years to the age of 12 years, and spent quality time with them.

It is always such a great joy to see children, interacting and playing with each other.

The public works, on the other hand, was more engaging considering it is more dedicated to enhancing communities through infrastructure, development, maintenance, and service delivery.

I got a chance to visit all the four divisions, including fleet, facilities, solid waste, and engineering.

I can say that it was a good way to spend my summer and a chance to learn new things.

Apart from working, the supervision is good and I'd highly recommend if people could join the semi-youth internship program.

Thank you for your support in your time.

Thank you, Janice.

Now I would like to introduce Stelana Carter.

She worked in the city manager's office.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

As a little reintroduction, I am Delana Carter.

I've just begun my senior year at Valley Vista High School, and I was assigned to the city manager's office over the course of this internship.

That of which I've prepared some words that state the following.

We face daily to-dos such as mail call and item delivery, as well as manage various organizational support, accompanied by specific specific research projects for city directors.

We even got to partake in a mock council meeting after attending June's council meeting to see what the process of leading a presentation in chamber is like.

Overall, I have acquired many skills and substantial experience over the course of this internship, that of which one may not be able to immediately gain at a standard first job.

This opportunity was henceforth one I feel both lucky and grateful to have taken.

I would like to say thank you to the city for hosting this impactful youth program and give a big thank you to everybody who has been so uplifting and willing to share their knowledge during our time at City Hall.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lastly, I'd like to introduce to you Charles Higgins from the Water Resource Management Department.

All right.

Good morning.

Or good evening, my baby.

Um my name is Charles Higgins.

I was with the water resource management department.

I'm a junior at Imagine Prop Surprise, and I was a recent intern here.

I'd like to take this moment to thank the council for this opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with our city's workforce.

Uh during the program.

Uh again, I was assigned with water resource management.

I cycled through every group uh within the department and in every group, whether it be environmental, wastewater maintenance, water operations, or stormwater and water conservation.

Everybody asked me the same thing.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

My response, my response was simple.

I want to be a mechanic.

I'm going to WestMec for their automotive technology program so I can earn my ASE certifications, and then I'm going off to work.

It's all changed now.

Yes, I'll still follow through with WestMec, but why with all the knowledge of how everything water works?

Would I just be a mechanic?

I can go work with Chuck and Sal in uh wastewater maintenance or go fix leaking fire hydrants with the guys in distribution.

My point.

My career-seeking mind has been shown jobs that I never knew existed and that are surrounded by such positive people that I never would have never would have met without the City of Surprises internship program.

Aside from my personal experience, every Monday, Arizona at work would teach all 20 of us interns new things about resume writing, professionalism, finance, time management, and all the things the kids in my generation need to know before heading out into the workforce.

This whole internship changed who I am as a person for the better.

And I can't wait until I'm of the age to apply for a position with the city's water department and relive this experience.

Thank you again for this opportunity to reflect on this experience.

I hope you have a great night.

Charles, you can still go to WestMec.

WestMec has a great water program, one of the best in the state.

So hopefully we'll see you there next year.

And he teaches it.

Firsthand knowledge.

You know, I will say too, you know, two years ago I was an intern at the city of Surprise as well.

So you never know like where those opportunities will lead you to.

So I wish you all the best of luck in the future.

I know you guys are gonna do amazing work.

And lastly, I want to say I'm so very proud of the four of them, not only all of our interns, but the four who offered to come speak because that is um intimidating sometimes to do public speaking, especially at a city council meeting.

So some of them came in to this program.

I won't call anyone out.

Some of them came in and that even the department supervisors said they're so shy.

They like I we can't get them to open up.

And one of those presented to you tonight.

So I'm I'm extremely proud.

Um, lastly, I want to say this program would not be possible without the support from uh economic development funding for workforce development and the participating city departments and their supervisors.

Their commitment to mentoring these and guiding these young individuals is invaluable.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to the city council, the city manager's office, human resources, IT, and staff for human human service and community vitality department for their unwaving wavering support.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the interns on a job well done and thank their families for their support throughout this journey.

With that, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you the 2025 Summer Youth Interns.

And with your permission, I'd like to invite them forward for a photo.

Absolutely.

Okay, come on.

Let's go down with them.

That's what we Johnny Walker.

Oh, we see anyone talking about.

Um, we'll stand behind them.

Councilman Job will stand up here.

Dang it.

I almost had Johnny down there.

I know.

It moves quick.

It's Matthew, right?

Charles.

Yeah, I'm gonna have you.

Don't look at me that way.

Rory, let's go.

Scoochie Scoochie.

There we go.

There you go.

Rory, can you get up on the thank you?

And then I'll have you go behind Cara.

Is that okay?

You're good.

Ready?

One, two, three.

Congratulations.

Finally, I'm excited to meet this year's Surprise Youth Council, a group that represents the future of civic engagement and surprise.

They are officially returning to the dais this evening to begin their new term.

To introduce them, please welcome our superstar recreation coordinator, Shelby Fenwick.

Good to see you, Shelby.

Good to see you too.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Wingenroth.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

It's great to be back with our uh new and returning youth council members.

I have two uh returning all-stars up on the dais tonight.

First up is Peyton Anthony.

She is one of our seniors this year from Highland Prep.

Right.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

It's a privilege to see all the amazing things that are happening in this community.

It's truly heartwarming.

Um, and I'm thrilled to share some updates about our new members.

I've never felt more optimistic in leaving this legacy that we built together.

Each member brings a wealth of fresh ideas and um strong sense of confidence.

They've made a mark in their respective fields.

As they familiarize themselves with our process, I'm confident that they will contribute significantly to the betterment of our community.

The Surprise Youth Council is also taking steps to emulate the workings of the real life council.

Um, by introducing a new role of a parliamentary in um, we ensure that we uphold uh Roberts Rules of Order.

Additionally, we've set aside more time this year to plan our events and enhance our social media presence, aiming to establish a stronger representation in the community for more impactful event outcomes.

And then finally, we're gearing up for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns conference by creating more impressive poster boards to showcase all that we've accomplished to our youth advisory boards.

So thank you guys for your continued support.

We wouldn't be here without you.

Thank you, Peyton.

Next up, we have Emma Tran.

Emma is a freshman at Paradise Honors.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Emma Chan, and I'm a freshman at Paradise Honors High School.

This is my second year serving on Surprise Youth Council.

We recently held our annual retreat, and we I had the chance to talk and bond in plan and brainstorm with all of the other members in our group for the year ahead.

I want to thank Mayor Soidal, Council Member Haney, Greenborg, and Judd, as well as Mike Hoovel and representatives from Supai's PD for joining us in auto retreat and sharing their insight and support.

It means a lot to us.

To wrap up a retreat, we participated in a service event with Feed My Soving Children.

We packed 72 boxes each having 36 meals, and they were sent to children in the Philippines.

Is a meaningful way to end our time together.

Looking ahead, O committees are exploring several exciting ideas.

The outreach committee is considering an Air Force appreciation night to welcome the Airmen into our city.

The events committee may host a family Valentine's Day Dance.

And the Youth Development Committee is looking to organize a citywide youth old events.

Thank you for your time and continue support of SYC.

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

Thank you.

For the Youth Council, we are 100% on board to support you.

So anything in need, any events you do, let us know.

And we're look forward to working with you.

Okay.

I think it's time to get to work.

So there are 10 items on the cassette agenda.

Are there any questions or requests to pull an item?

If not, I will entertain a motion.

Quick for Chris Finders and I move to approve the consent of that.

Second.

All right, a motion and a second.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read item 13.

Gotcha.

Item 12.

Consideration and action pertaining to recommendation for the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on application number 348764.

Requested by Ryan Winter Anderson for Fries Marketplace number 661 for a series 9 liquor license.

And the applicant is here, Mayor.

Okay.

Uh this being a public hearing, I'm gonna open the floor to the public.

Did anybody request to speak on this item?

No requested speakers, Mayor.

I'll close this item to the public.

Uh are there any questions from the council?

Do we want to hear from the applicant?

No.

No.

All right, I'll entertain a motion.

I move to recommend approval of application number 348764 to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing Control.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's unanimous pass vote, Mayor.

All right, thank you.

Please read item 13.

Item 13.

Consideration and action pertaining to recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on application number 249290.

Requested by Camilla Arlkarn for HeadWright Brewing Company for a series three liquor license.

And I do not know if the applicant is here tonight.

Okay.

This being a public hearing, I'll open this agenda item to the public.

Do we get any requests to speak?

There are no requests to speak, Mayor.

Hearing none, I'll close this agenda item to the public.

Council, do you have any questions?

Hearing none, I will entertain a motion.

I move to approve liquor license or move to recommend approval of liquor license number two four nine two nine zero to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

Thank you.

Second, it's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a unanimous pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read item 14.

Item 14, consideration and action pertaining to a recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on application number 350743 requested by Montes Darnell Jefferson for Royal Distributing LLC for Series 4 liquor license.

Royal Distributing LLC is located at 18249 West Tasha Drive.

Surprise 8538.

I don't know if the applicant is here, Mayor.

Okay.

Is the applicant here tonight?

All right.

This being a public hearing, I'll open this agenda item to the public.

Did we get any requests to speak?

No request to speak.

I'll close this agenda item to the public.

Is there any questions or comments from council?

Yeah.

Uh one second.

Uh Councilman Haney.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh well, I see you're up there.

I just want some clarification on this, because if I'm looking at this, this appears to be a residence.

Mayor council, Councilman Haney, that is correct.

It's uh wholesale distribution basically of liquor out of our garage in a residential zoned neighborhood.

Okay.

And is this compliant with code?

It would not be, it would be prohibited by code under section um 106-10-2 uh 2318 um 13.

Okay, so this is already prohibited by our city code.

Correct.

Yeah.

Well, we haven't seen with this application as a business license yet, so we don't know the extent of it.

So if voting for recommendation of approval would be in sense going against our current city code that we expect all of our residents to follow.

Correct.

Okay.

I know there's someone else that would like to speak, so I'll answer my question.

You got my question taken care of too.

So uh Mr.

Abrams, if there was uh business license, would it still violate code?

Yes, in my opinion, that type of use within a residential district would not be acceptable as a home occupation.

Okay.

So I read through the packet to me, it seemed like it would be um it would store the alcohol and have a cargo van to bring it in and bring it out.

It wouldn't be individual sales from the residents.

Is that correct?

That is what I think uh uh our police department was told when they uh reached out to the applicant.

Um but I also know from fire safety and speaking with our fire department, they have concerns because that typical use falls in a commercial setting where they have the authority and typically you have some life to safety um detection systems in there where a residential home does not.

Okay.

Councilman Milton, did you?

No questions, Mayor.

Okay.

Vice Mayor Hastings.

Thank you, Mayor.

Is the applicant here?

Okay.

And then you cited uh quite a lengthy code number there, which I was very impressive, but uh do you know specifically what that code provision is?

Yeah, specifically for that code it it mentions retail and also wholesale as um not to be subsequent.

It says basically no basically shouldn't have an impact on the residents based off a delivery of services coming and going.

Um in this case, I don't know whether or not it would or wouldn't, where there's not enough information, but just the idea um of the use within a residential district, in my opinion, and under section B of that same code, that discretion of when it's in question falls to community development director.

And in my opinion, I don't believe it would be appropriate.

Yeah, I want to set the presidents that we're gonna go against their own code, but I mean if the you know applicant wanted to reach out and maybe we could work with them and see kind of what's going on, I'm sure we talk about so yeah.

Uh councilman Haney.

Thank you, Mayor.

I have one more question.

Lloyd, this may be for you or maybe Jeff.

So and I know we've had conversations in in the past here as a council of you know, this violates our our city code and kind of having items that have to go up for a vote where there's kind of some implications of we're contradicting ourselves as a governing body.

And so why, if this is already violating a city code that we have standing, why are we still having to deliberate it tonight?

By the rules of ARS, um, they basically have to send us and we have to provide a report back to the liquor license board of either approving or denying it.

So this is a state statute requirement that we can't, so we have to, no matter what, has to go to us.

And then this tonight, the vote would be just a recommendation for either approval or denial to the state liquor board.

That is correct, sir.

Okay.

Uh Mayor, if it does it, is there anyone else?

Yeah, I just have I mean, I think I feel like this is a balance between individual freedoms and government oversight.

You know, I think this is really um and I'd re I mean we you say the code.

I feel like we need a little bit more detailed, you know, presentation on this specific one.

Uh maybe bring the applicant in, have them explain what they're doing.

Uh work with I don't know I'm sure you worked with the applicant already.

We have not typically it's through the business license process that we end up working with the applicant.

So um through this process through the liquor license, we just review the application, look at the zoning, whether or not it fits.

This type of zone, this type of use tip um falls within an industrial zoning, I one I2 zoning district, not within a residential district.

Okay.

Councilman, yes, Chad.

So I mean, just a couple of things, so at least for my viewpoint.

Um the first the applicant's not here to defend himself to say this is why you should make this exception for us.

Um I mean that that's the biggest.

So I'd want to see the applicant here and probably his neighbors to see if they're cool with this or not.

And so absent of that, yeah, I'm I'm inclined to vote to deny.

Thank you.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and just clarification, Lloyd.

So if we recommend denial, then will there be will the applicant have an opportunity to come back and address Mayor Council?

Councilman uh Haney, I'm not uh I do not know what the state process is for that.

But you can always if denies there's a potential you can reapply, come talk to us.

Because I think I think we're all one, it's already in violation of our code, but also the concern is you know, what kind of precedent now are we setting and you know, with regards to city code, obviously we live in a gray area kind of world, but the city code is sometimes black and white, and so we want to make sure we're not setting a precedent that can have some negative implications that maybe we're not seeing right now as well.

So um, okay.

Uh with that, uh hold on one second, councilman.

Um, you know, I I don't disagree with you, but if you look like the Fox Cigar, we change city code for them to be able to come in with their you know uh smoke cigar smoke.

So I just I don't want to, and Councilman Goomer got something else to say, but I don't want to deny this.

If we can do a little more due diligence, talk to the applicant.

I mean, I don't I'd hate to stifle business, small business.

Mayor council, I understand.

Um I do think though, a lot of times when you allow for a business to operate inside a residential neighborhood and it expands beyond the capacity, it creates other issues that we have to staff and and the city have to work through.

Um so councilman Greenberg?

Um I'm all for entrepreneurship.

I spent 40 years doing it.

Um but I'm gonna take a wild guess, and even though it's out of our domain, I'm gonna guess that the uh CCNR is from surprise farms, does not permit uh a wholesale operation out of somebody's garage.

Um, besides the fact that if it's in violation of our code, it that that is black and white to me.

I mean, I would be inclined to turn it down now, and if they want to come back and present new information, better information.

Um, but I don't see how this can go forward.

Okay.

Seeing no other questions or comments, I'll entertain a motion.

All right, all right.

Um I move to recommend denial of application number 350743 to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licens and control.

And obviously, depending on the vote, how it goes tonight.

I I agree with you, Mayor.

I'd love to have an opportunity to reach out to that applicant and get more information and see if there's a way we can work with them and have something that's not in violation of our city code as well.

But secondly, all right, it's been in a little bit and seconded.

I got a question, uh Jeff.

The way that is phrased.

Uh little tough.

Um, yeah, we I mean we should Yeah, fair enough.

We shouldn't have a motion to deny something, we should just have a motion to approve it and then we deny it, right?

I I would withdraw the motion and restate it, otherwise it's gonna be very messy and what's gonna be very difficult to figure out what we're voting on.

Okay, I withdraw my motion, Mayor, and I'd like to make the motion uh the councilman Jonah uh withdrew a second.

It's our first meeting back, you know.

We're just getting all right.

I move to recommend denial of application number 350743 to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

We state the motion, please.

I just said you say the word again.

I have to make the motion to approve.

We can't make the market.

We're recommending we're evaluating the liquor.

Hold on one second.

Mr.

Murray, can you provide some parliamentary guidance, please?

Yes, Mayor.

I believe.

I believe the motion from Councilman Haney is to recommend denial of the liquor license application.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Yes.

If that's the motion on the table, then I will second it.

And a yes vote would deny it.

Yes.

A yes vote is a recommendation of denial only to the state liquor board.

The state liquor board then considers the city's motion in conjunction with everything else they consider, as Lloyd mentioned.

Okay.

It's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Okay.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read item 15.

Item 15, consideration and action pertaining to a proposed zoning text amendment to update.

Surprise municipal code in conformance with recent legislative updates regarding adaptive reuse.

Ordinance number 2025-15 case.

FS25-047.

Good evening, Tiffany.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Can you hear me okay?

To bring this down.

Hopefully I will make this motion a lot easier for you all.

So I'm here before you tonight to discuss a zoning text amendment for adaptive reuse.

For those of you that were on the council in December, this is going to sound familiar.

This text amendment is to further modify the adaptive reuse uh language that was in a bill that we um passed conforming language to in December.

So this legislative session, um HB 2297 was passed.

And um, or I'm sorry, last legislative session, HB 2297 was passed, allowing for the adaptive reuse of commercially and economically obsolete buildings into multifamily residential.

Again, this council passed an ordinance in uh December adding conforming language to our municipal code.

This past legislative session, the governor signed HB 2210, amending that original adaptive reuse bill, and um adding some additional clarifying language.

That bill had an emergency effective date of July 6th and is retroactive to December 31st.

So essentially the legislature and the governor uh were stating that that this language was intended to be part of the original bill and they want it to be treated as such.

So staff is proposing tonight adopting updates in conformance with these most recent updates to this bill.

A timeline of this project, we had a neighborhood meeting on July 2nd.

Planning and zoning commission heard this item on July 17th, and we are here before you all tonight.

Summary of changes.

Um HB 2210 impacts uh chapter 11 infill incentive districts of our city code, specifically sections 1121 through 112.3.

As a reminder, um, when we first adopted the adaptive reuse bill, there was discussion about how much of our city, what percentage of our city is actually impacted by this bill, and that is just 22% of our city because the bill does not apply in land in the territory in the vicinity of a military airport or ancillary to a military facility.

So 98% of our city falls within the territory of the vicinity of the military airport.

We are only talking about the 22% of surprise that is outside of the blue box and within the yellow and black dashed line.

So largely the far west and far northeast portions of the city that are yet undeveloped.

So when we're talking about this bill and the changes that we need to adopt, it doesn't have the same impact on the city of surprise as it does, say Phoenix, Scottsdale, cities like that.

So additional changes.

Um within 90 days after the effective date of the bill, um, cities shall adopt an ordinance allowing for multifamily residential development on at least 10% of existing commercial.

That language used to say on not more than.

So that is one of the changes that was made.

And then cities have to continue to update this percentage every 10 years.

The bill has a bunch of language about what cities shall not do.

So again, it's further limiting some of our control with regard to this adaptive reuse.

Um we cannot designate individual parcels that are eligible for redevelopment.

We cannot exclude any commercial office or mixed-use parcels.

Again, we're just talking about in that 22% that today doesn't have this type of development on it.

Um, and then we cannot exclude commercial office or mixed use parcels from redevelopment or adaptive reuse if the average sound level is below 65 decibels.

Uh, not being a sound expert, I wanted to provide a slide that gave some perspective as to what we're talking about.

And um, from the hearing and health foundation.org, what we're talking about is uh sound from the parcel can't be more than just your average office use.

Additional changes throughout the bill, the word building is stricken and replaced with parcel.

Um the word multifamily is added throughout for clarification.

There's a clarifying reference to the building code.

It used to say building and fire code, it now says building code and fire code.

Um there are several actions that a city shall take in the bill now that used to say may, and then um the bill does modify or lessen setback requirements, height requirements, and density restrictions on these buildings.

So essentially, what what the bill is saying is the city can't come in and require that building if it meets all the other criteria for adaptive reuse.

We can't require it to meet the multifamily setbacks, height requirements, things like that.

The building is intended per this bill to be reused for multifamily.

There were several definitions that were modified, uh statutory definitions.

So we will the text amendment proposes updating those definitions in our code as well.

And then um again, the bill establishes retroactivity to December 31st.

A neighborhood meeting was held on July 2nd at 6 p.m.

at the surprise regional library.

We did have one attendee.

There was general discussion, but no opposition uh to the proposed text amendment.

On July 17th, the planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed text amendment, ordinance 25 2025 15 case FS 250477 to the mayor and council.

And with that, I am here before you tonight for your vote on this proposed text amendment.

I'm also here for any questions or comments if you have them.

Okay, thank you.

This being a public hearing, I'm gonna open this agenda item to the public.

Madam Clerk, do we get anybody to request to speak on this agenda item?

Um, I didn't have an early request, but I see a hand waving.

One, okay.

Sir, when you come up, if you could say your name and crossroads for the record, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, council members, uh Alejandro Christ, Alex Christ, I'll be here at 174th in Waddale.

Um, I I'm kind of confused on what this uh is really pertaining to.

Are we saying that any commercial that either has been built or will be built will be allowed to build multifamily units next to it or above it?

Was that your only well?

Because you have three minutes to state your in um I I don't know how the legislator had passed this.

Um it kind of throws the city's control out the window, if I'm if I'm reading this right, if I'm understanding this right, um, uh I don't see any kind of control that we might have.

22% is 22%.

You know, so I I I believe as as citizens and of course, as um uh as you as council, um, you should have a little more control on what's going to be coming into our city, you know.

So um those those are my current statements.

I'm just kind of confused about just are is any kind of these commercials that do not open as commercials, are they gonna be transformed into multi-family units?

Um, or these other ones are gonna be built that are already there, are gonna be built on top of these and get away with multifamily units.

Thank you, council.

Okay, thank you.

Madam Clerk, do we get any other requests to speak?

No, Mayor, I don't.

Okay, I will close this agenda item to the public.

Councilmember Melton.

I'm looking at this map.

I'm just I if I read if I'm looking at this map correctly.

Most of the 303 corridor is unaffected by this legislation.

Do I have that right?

Am I Mayor Council Member Melton?

Yes.

So the areas that are are largely impacted are undeveloped today.

And so what would have to happen is development would have to come in, commercial development, office, whatever.

Um that development would have to develop as whatever it was supposed to be.

Then it would have to become over time, either functionally obsolete or economically obsolete.

And then someone could come in and say, hey, I'd like to turn that building into multifamily housing.

Um we would have to consider that.

Copy that.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Um I guess my last comment is uh uh yes, but we the legislature is gonna do what they're gonna do, and we just have to play with the hammer dealt with, I think.

Um it's not always ideal, but uh I'll end with that, Mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, so this this is mostly just to comply with state law, right?

I think a lot of residents, you know, sometimes reach out with great ideas for ordinances, but you know, us here at the local level have to comply or the supremacy clause in the constitution, you know, federal, state, even county and city, and we're obviously we have this this area down here.

And you know, maybe there will be a time in the in the future where you know local governments pick a fight with the state.

I don't know if it's on this one necessarily.

So essentially we're we're talking about kind of um, I don't say dead space, but like kind of those types of buildings.

Okay.

Well, even regardless of you know how we you know feel about this specific issue.

Um, I definitely want to make sure we're in compliance with state law because I believe that our funding can be affected if if we don't comply with state law, and um, so okay, thank you.

Councilman Judd.

So we have to pass this.

This is something that we're required to do.

Mayor.

Councilmember Judd, yes.

So we have we are required to adopt a conforming ordinance.

And so why did we have the public hearings if it didn't matter?

I mean, what was the point of the public hearings?

You can come in, you give us all kinds of of comments and statements on it, and at the end of the day, we're gonna say, well, those were great points you made there, but they don't matter.

So why why would we have those meetings?

I I'm gonna defer to Mr.

Murray on that, or Mr.

Abrams.

Per code?

It's required to have this item as uh public hearing.

So any text amendments we do.

It's per our code.

We have to go through the process of holding neighborhood meetings, advertising it, and then having the public hearing in both planning and zoning and city council.

Okay.

And and we have to vote yes on this.

Uh yes, uh you do.

All right, thank you.

Councilman Haney.

Thank you, Mayor.

This kind of goes back to my last point, and this is not directed at Tiffany Lloyd or Jeff, but we're almost going through this act where we go in front of a council meeting, we get a presentation, we have members of the public address us, they say they state concerns, valid concerns, and then we're still backed into a corner.

And my frustration is, and I I deal with it a lot of that area that could potentially be impacted is district one.

And I deal with this a lot of having to pay for the decisions that were made long before I got here.

And what I can see happening is we are we have to conform to what they want us to conform to is kind of what I'm hearing.

And then years down the road, someone's going to say, You voted to support this, but you're telling me you're in favor of smart growth and infrastructure and everything that comes along with it.

And then my response has to be, well, I had no choice, but it's like if we're not having a choice, is it really a vote?

And I know this isn't directed at you, and I and that's kind of my frustration is so if I don't vote yes, because I have some concerns about it, then what happens?

If it's if this does not pass, what happens?

Yes, please.

Sorry.

Whatever.

I thought you was leaving with the chief.

Well, I mean, it's it's difficult, if not impossible to say what might happen, what will happen, what certainly could happen is that the city of surprise could have a 1487 complaint filed against it for not being in compliance with state law.

Okay.

That does as I believe as Councilman Melton or Greenberg or or Councilman Judd indicated that would impact our funding, or Vice Mayor Hastings mentioned.

Um, and that's the real concern.

Uh in addition to what Lloyd said, it's in our code.

It's also in state statute.

So the legislature has passed certain laws that affect land use and zoning, but they've left intact other laws that impact land use and zoning.

For example, in the state statutes, we're required to have public hearings and public meetings before we vote on any zoning ordinance.

This is clearly a zoning ordinance, albeit our hands are a bit tied in order to comply with what the legislature has mandated.

So it is it is pro forma, it is going through the process.

Um, but you can't bifurcate or separate or ignore the existing state statutes that require us to have these public meetings.

Okay.

And so I guess if I'm understanding correctly, the options are this.

I could vote to deny or vote against this.

And then we could have basically we're putting the city in jeopardy of losing the very funding that we would need to hopefully get some infrastructure into the area.

Or I can approve this and hope that we just do a really heck of a good job making sure that any commercial development that comes in is successful in that area, and just be best friends with Janine and economic development.

So, mayor, council member Haney, if I could, we have already passed this.

This is already in effect in our city.

The the zoning text amendment before you today is to clean up language that the legislature did this year to that bill.

So this is already in effect in our city.

Um I think this slide is just helpful to understand the little to no impact we have today and probably will for many more years until this develops.

But yes.

Thank you.

That's all I have.

Okay, Councilman Duffy.

Thank you, Mayor.

Tiffany, just for people who are watching or any questions.

How long does a building need to be vacant?

Or does that the rule has to be vacant?

We have to be able to deem it commercially, or I mean um functionally or economically obsolete per the definitions in state statute.

And if you bear with me a moment, I can find those for you.

Do we even have any of those right now?

No.

I didn't see it.

And the good thing about the legislators they fight every year, so this crappy law could go away.

I'm very honest, that's just this is terrible.

I have the definition here for you.

Um so economically or functionally obsolete means the commercial office or mixed use parcel, again, not building.

Um, this is the new language, is in a state of disrepair or has at least a 50% vacancy in the total leasable square footage.

So again, the building would have to be constructed, it would have to operate as it was intended.

They would have to get to the point where it's deemed economically or functionally obsolete before we would consider an application from somebody to do adaptive reuse on that building.

Okay, so we're nowhere near any of this happening.

So we have I do not believe so.

We have a lot of time for them to argue about this and hopefully change it.

Okay, that's it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Greenberg.

So maybe move maybe moving forward.

If these kind of issues come up again, we can just put out a little note that says you can come to this public meeting, but it doesn't matter what you say because the legislature is shoving this down our throat.

So don't waste your time coming.

I mean, I hate to see staff wasting their time doing this, and us and the residents just put in handcuffs.

Councilman Greenberg, I sure hope that's never quoted.

I don't really care.

It doesn't matter.

I just want to save our time, our money, our staff time, yeah, residents' time.

It's crazy.

That's it.

Mayor, Councilman Greenberg, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I do have about four other text amendments coming from this legislative session that I'll be bringing back at some point.

So race yourself.

Appreciate the honesty.

Vice Mayor.

We'll be here too.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, we we've all been pretty vocal up here, I think, consistently that we think to probably quote Councilman Judd that it's frustrating when you vote on things and you're told you have to vote a certain way.

Um, but anyways, and just so people know, like the way it works, too, with like the 1487 you mentioned, it's not a vote by the legislature.

Any single Arizona state representative or Arizona State Senator who makes you you could be someone from from Tucson, it could be someone from any political party files a complaint with the attorney general's office, and we've had it happen, uh, and says, you know, we're out of compliance, attorney general investigates it and decides that we are, then automatically, you know, I mean, I don't I don't want to get too in the weeds with how much funding comes from the state, but it's a good portion.

So uh that's kind of what we're up against.

And that is just a reality that we deal with.

Um, and it's something that I've learned, and I think me to know.

So I think we're good.

Okay.

Uh, you know, I think this is just a good demonstration of, you know, residents, you know, we need to get residents engaged in the city process in the state process.

Uh, you know, we uh uh Jody R.

Uh you know, we uh Jody Rgov goes down there and advocates against a lot of these housing bills.

I know we as council talk to legislators one-on-one advocating against those things, and I feel like you know, uh, for my experience, so we can see things from the city level, the state legislators say from their level, they're seeing things that we don't see necessarily.

They're trying to create a law that you know fits within the entire state, but you know, cookie cutter laws aren't aren't one size fits all for state uh local government.

And so it's a real challenge.

But um, you know, it's we're still gonna advocate for the city and have our own you know individuality as a city and make sure that you know this council, this staff, our residents have a say in the process.

So that's I think we just need to get more engaged and let our legislators know that you know this is not the kind of laws that we want to pass or or see, you know, impact our cities.

So um with that, I will entertain a motion.

I'm not district of city number.

I move to approve ordinance 2025-15.

Sorry.

It's yeah, case FS25-0477.

Second.

All right.

There's a motion and a second.

Please cast your vote.

One second.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Okay, thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read item 16.

Item 16, consideration and action pertaining to a comprehensive sign program for the tri-color auto Arizona project, generally located at the northwest corner of Summit Way and Cactus Road.

Case number FS24-1219.

All right.

Tanner, good evening.

The item before you is a comprehensive sign program for the uh tri-color uh auto AZ case FS24-1219.

So this project is located on the northwest corner of Cactus Road and Summit Way.

Uh this parcel, as well as the parcels directly to the north, east, and south are all zoned uh I2 General Industrial.

The parcel to the west is zoned Planned Area Development Cactus Commerce Center.

So the purpose of this CSP is to create uh sign design guidelines that are cohesive with the tri-color development um and to propose deviations uh from the signed standards for uh building mounted blade signs.

So this CSP includes a class five or sorry, class six monument sign um along Cactus Road.

Uh the sign is 15 feet in height and has a sign area of 80 square feet, which complies with um the class six sign standards outlined in chapter 109 of the surprise development um land development ordinance, um also known as the LDO.

Um these signs are constructed of white aluminum paneling and red color accents that are consistent with the tri-color corporate branding.

Um since these signs comply with the current sign code, uh a sign permit has been issued, and the sign is currently existing on site.

Um also included in the CSP are building mounted signs.

Uh the building mounted signs are um uh sorry, the building mounted signs um included in CSP comply with the signed the um the sign dimensions and sign area uh required by the LDO, um like the class six monument signed sign permits for the building mounted signs um have been issued and are currently installed on the tricolor building.

Um so again, going back to the purpose, one of the purposes of the CSP, it's just to kind of uh memorialize those uh sign guide design guidelines.

Lastly, the CSP includes uh building mounted blade signs.

Uh these signs are proposed to be 20 feet tall and protect 34 inches from the building.

Uh the dimensions of these signs uh meet the standards of the LDO, howard the LDO currently only allows for one sign per building.

And the CSP is proposing um eight blade signs.

A neighborhood outreach was held on April 8th, 2025 at the Surprise Regional Library.

There was one residents in attendance.

Um it mostly concerns or just general questions about the proposed CSP.

On July 17, 2025, the planning and zoning commission recommend approval to city councils uh subjects to stipulations A and B.

That concludes my presentation.

Um I'm available for questions as well as the applicant.

Okay.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Greenberg.

Is anybody from Tricolor here?

Uh we have uh the applicant uh from design uh permitting company here.

I just have a really silly question.

How come the name Tricolor is only in one color?

Uh unfortunately code doesn't require three, but that's it.

Yeah.

Any other councilman's have questions or comments?

I don't I don't think the sign package is consistent with the identity of surprise.

I think it's too much for one building.

I know it's an industrial area, but I still, so that's that's the reason I'm gonna vote against it.

See no other questions.

Oh, Councilman John.

Can you go back to the picture that has all the signs on it?

Yeah.

And so the zoning around this, I mean, it's industrial all the way around.

This the where the signs are, it's facing more industrial.

So the signs, uh the proposed signs, they're supposed to be uh located on the southern elevation of the building, which faces cactus road.

Okay.

It faces cactus road and the cross cactus is uh more uh industrial employment use.

And then off to the west.

So the west, um, so I'll actually back up here.

Um so to the west, it's currently vacant um farmland.

It's vacant farmland, but what's it zoned?

It's zoned the Cactus uh Commerce Center PAD, uh, which is primarily uh limited to commercial and employment land uses.

Not primarily completely, right?

Completely, sorry, yes.

I mean, because it's in the crash zone.

Yes, in the flyover area.

Right.

Um and then going back to the signs, are they illuminated at all?

Uh the the blade signs are not proposed to be illuminated.

So they're just they're just flags on the side of the on the side of the wall that that uh talks about their company, advertises that they're here, that they've got a nice presence here in surprise.

Correct.

Okay, well, I like it.

Thank you.

Councilmember Greenborough, do you have comments?

Sorry.

So okay.

Mayor, that's public hearing.

Okay.

With that, I'll open this agenda under the public.

Do we get any requests to speak?

We did not receive requests to speak.

Okay, I'll close this agenda under the public.

See no other requests from council members.

I'll entertain a motion.

I move to approve the tri-color auto az comprehensive sign program case FS24 1219, subject to stipulations A and B as outlined in the staff report.

Second.

All right, it's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a pass vote, Mayor.

Okay, thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read item 17.

Item 17 consideration and action pertaining to the acceptance of an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Peoria to provide a temporary dispatch location for the city of surprise.

Resolution 2025-32.

RFLS 9920.

Good evening, Chief.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Thank you.

I just want to say one thing before I get going on this.

Uh, this shouldn't be too uh too lengthy here, but just uh I'm absolutely humbled and honored to be the chief of police for this city.

Uh yeah, been here since 2007, and it's it's been phenomenal to see it grow and uh just an honor, like I said.

So I have Domila here with me if uh any technical questions pop up.

She's our communications manager and she's been with the city of surprise for a number of years as well.

So thank you, Domila and all the dispatchers that we have.

They do a tremendous job for us.

So uh so right now uh what we're seeking approval of is a IGA with the city of Peoria as it uh relates to uh continuity of uh operations uh during emergency moments.

So this agreement allows surprise police department to temporarily relocate our dispatch services to Peore EPD until the operational dispatch center is online.

Uh this is a renewal of a ten-year agreement that was already in place.

Uh this coverage will incorporate uh anything that will shut down our emergency operations center uh that would allow us or force us to relocate, I should say.

Uh important to you, there's no charge for this service.

And uh their IGA has already been approved in June of this year.

So that's already done on this end or on that end.

Uh so we just need to complete the circle on our end now.

Uh some of the more important uh components to this is just it allows us uh operational space within the city of surprise and their dispatch center, gives us uh authorization to use some of their equipment and just make us fully functional for the city of surprise.

Any questions or comments for us?

Vice Mayor Hastings.

Thank you.

So this is just a supplement and it's not in replacement of anything necessarily.

Yes, yeah.

Okay, Vice Mayor Hastings, that's correct.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Councilman Haney.

I love commenting when police comes up and says but in honor of you being sworn in, I'm not gonna make any police and fire jokes.

I'm just I'm glad you're up there.

Uh so this is this isn't really this is just a backup in case when our center goes down, we'll have kind of like a continuity of operations.

Correct.

So yeah, we have electrical shutdown, or yeah, something happens with infrastructure here at the city of surprise, and we we have no operational capabilities here.

We would relocate to the city of Peoria until we're able to get something up and running.

Gotcha.

Awesome.

Thanks.

All right.

And with that, I guess good.

No, I I had a comment.

Um, I just appreciate the forward thinking, uh, the collaboration and thinking regionally.

I mean, we have to.

There are neighbors uh in a time of emergency.

We we can help them, they're gonna help us.

I think it just makes uh the West Valley stronger.

So I appreciate you on that.

With that, I'll entertain a motion.

I move to approve resolution 2025-32.

Second.

It's moved and seconded by someone.

District three councilman Duffy.

Please cast your vote.

It's my councilman.

That's a bad move not to give it that's a unanimous pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read item 18.

Item 18, consideration and action pertaining to declaring intent to be reimbursed from future bond proceeds in connection with certain capital expenditures relating to public safety and transportation projects.

Resolution number 2025-45.

All right, good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

It's my pleasure to be here.

I'm Eric Martin, Assistant Director of Finance.

Uh, tonight I have an action item that gives the city some flexibility of timing of uh bond projects and being able to reimburse ourselves with future bond issuances.

A quick background.

Let's see.

On November 7th, 2023, residents approved the issuance of 100 million dollars in bonds, and that was made up of two questions $66 million going to transportation projects and $34 million going to public safety.

Um that debt is repaid through secondary property tax after we issue, which means that we have the ability to influence um the amount that we issue to uh keep that tax rate low.

Um, and that's why we issued 27 just 27 million of that 100 million in September of 2024.

Again, we issued just 27 to keep that tax rate low.

We plan on uh issuing the remaining 73 million in September of 2027 again to uh time those debt payments.

Um between now and then, we probably will spend all of the first issuance and also incur additional bond costs.

Um normally we can't spend bond money until we have the bond money in our pockets, unless we have a resolution stating our intention to reimburse ourselves.

Um so one thing to note is we're not committing to any additional bonds, bond issuances, we're not changing any tax rates or changing the budget to any projects.

We're simply stating our intent to reimburse ourselves if the timing works out.

Um as always, anything that I want to do with regards to uh bonds, we have to fire follow IRS and SEC rules.

And again, I'm just asking for council to approve a resolution that declares our official intent to have bond eligible costs reimbursed with future bond issuances.

Okay, with that, I'll take any questions.

Council, you have any questions or concerns?

Uh Eric, is this your first presentation to council?

Uh it's been a while.

Yeah.

First time, well, good job.

Um a few times.

You know, I think the residents trusted us with a with a bond, and it's important that we use that money wisely, but I also think it's important that we minimize the impact.

So I think to time this so that you know their their secondary property tax doesn't go up as smart.

So I think it's it's good governance, and I appreciate your forward thinking of that as well.

Absolutely.

With that, I'll entertain a motion.

I move to approve resolution 2025 45.

Second.

All right, it's been moved and seconded.

Please cast your vote.

That's a unanimous pass vote, Mayor.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Uh thank you.

Uh Mr.

Murray, I'd like to potentially move.

Uh no, I would.

I'd like to move the public comment in front of um the executive session.

You're the chairman.

Is there any well I yeah, I get that.

Is there any parliamentary is that to move?

We're gonna move the pursuant to our city code, mayor.

You have the authority to do that.

I appreciate that.

Yep.

I'm gonna move the public comment forward.

It's good to be came here.

It is.

Well, mayor.

Uh all right, madam clerk.

Do we get any requests to speak to this body on an unagendized item?

Yes, Mayor, we do.

Um, I'll call the first person up, Gregory Garcia.

Right.

Good evening, Greg.

If you can state your name and the crossroads, clear record.

Yes.

Uh Gregory Garcia with uh Epic Networking Series.

I'm at uh 99th and um Bell Road.

Uh just want to thank everybody, uh, Mayor Council, uh, for allowing us to speak.

Uh it is uh Jeffrey Compos with the Southwest Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Sorry.

West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It's been a long day.

Sorry.

We we wanted to make sure we didn't just tell you we changed the name.

Yeah, we yeah.

Sorry about that.

We wanted to thank the City of Surprise asks you for becoming members with the West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, which uh has done great return for our local communities and local business owners.

We've had um uh several mixers in our in our community with local businesses that were excited about jumping on board with this from Dylan's barbecue from the zoo.

We had Brookside Bar and Grill in Surprise.

We've had uh Booty's wings and more.

They were in uh out of Goodyear Uptown Alley in Surprise, real Mirage in El Mirage, as well as surprise and Tap House here in Surprise.

Uh we had an overwhelming uh turnouts when before we were with this uh partnered with this uh chamber.

We uh we were getting around average of 40.

And now with our local business owners, uh we averaged about 70 to 90, over 90 was the last one.

Uh we had several mayor uh attend several of our uh events as well as city council members, and we're very thankful for uh supporting us uh the chamber of commerce as well as with our Epic Networking series.

And um just given great opportunities for the local officials uh from El Mirage, Avondale, Tolson, Goodyear, Littlefield Park, and even Surprise to be actually part of this.

It's it's really taken off and just thank you for giving us that opportunity.

The local business are excited about it, and the membership is starting to grow.

And the only downside to this, and as I speak toward, um, is that we've had several people come in and they were excited.

We just joined the chamber, and we talked to them, unfortunately it was the other chamber.

Found out they were Googled uh West Valley Chamber of Commerce, and it was a redirect to the other chamber.

So um that was the only downside of the net.

It's been really great to have uh the West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and Jeff Thank you, Greg.

Uh Mayor, it's been great getting to know you in the last few months.

But and council, good to be here again in front of you and city manager.

It's good to see you as well and and the staff around here.

Uh it's this is just wanna take a brief opportunity to talk about how uh us, our organization is uh is a business, uh we help businesses collaborate and provide advocacy across the region, especially here in Surprise.

We made a commitment to surprise.

Um we have a board seat, and then Patrick, you'll be joining us, I understand, next week at our next board meeting.

But uh we are an organization that has over 1,100 members.

We continue to grow.

Uh we probably had about 20 new members.

Uh we've dedicated a person here from Surprise.

20 new members just from Surprise itself.

And uh we have uh Cliff Yoder, who's committed to this area, and he's been uh part of our chamber, and we're really excited about the growth that we're anticipating and uh and what we're already having.

Uh whether it be we're off we're we want to make sure that we communicate our offers about all the workshop training programs we offer.

We want to make sure that uh uh we talk about the advocacy we're doing and then also events that we have as an organization.

Uh last year we had uh or just here, just about 60 events we've held and programs.

So you could see we're very active chamber.

Uh we have a business expo coming up tomorrow that uh we know surprise businesses are involved in that, be able to demonstrate uh their businesses to other people walking through.

Uh but most of all, you know, we look forward to our continuing collaboration with the city of surprise, and we're here to help you.

Anything you need, we're there for you.

Just have to reach out for us.

Um and then we have a couple big things coming up.

Uh we have Mr.

Uh uh Campos.

Campos.

Um this is uh it was three minutes when you guys came up together.

No, it's okay.

But Janine, I believe there's uh there's uh in the contract we signed, they had to come back and give us an update uh at some point.

You know, we do some officially.

Yeah, we will.

Okay.

Then we can interact.

Right.

When is that gonna be?

Do you know approximately I know we'll put you on the spot?

Um uh mayor council.

Uh we had talked privately that um we hope to do uh more of a one-on-one, more in-depth update.

Okay, but we but we are due for that uh probably in the next month or two.

Okay, and Janine and I have been talking on we've had meetings.

Okay, perfect.

Well, let's um let's do that.

But I appreciate you coming in.

I wish we, you know, there's I want to give everybody the same respect as far as time.

Okay, sounds good.

Thank you.

Good seeing all of you.

Thank you, Mayor.

I wanted to express my uh uh kudos to the transportation department and the contractors.

They've done an excellent job and uh all the projects that have been going on out here.

And I don't see my uh BFF Eric here today, but good job, brother.

Doing great.

But um they're they're doing uh an awesome job, and I just wanted to express my kudos to them.

Uh mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members.

I don't usually inject national politics into our neck of the desert, but there is a political party and its leaders that have for the last 12 years have lied and deceived the American people through their deception.

They kept President Trump's first term from coming to full fruition.

They lied about the capabilities and mental acuity of our president president or previous president President Biden.

And they continue to usurp our government process with public stunts.

And I hope my fellow surprise that you never elect these people into any kind of leadership ever again.

Mayor, this underscores the necessity of citizens to hold our leaders accountable for their actions.

And it was great to be here to see um the youth coming up and and wanting to work with the city, wanting to work in city government to see how how government works, and I hope that the rest of our citizens as well, those that that can't even take the time to come here.

Uh I'm sorry, uh Ms.

Frays, that aren't able to come here, but their voices need to be heard as well.

And I just hope uh I think it was uh three or four months ago at a meeting.

One of the uh ladies came up here and thanked you because you were totally different counsel.

She said you listened to her, you heard her, and you understood what her concerns were.

And I want to express that because I believe that as well.

You as a council have really been a different type of counsel that that I've come up here, and I want to thank you for that and and great greatly appreciate that to our leaders as well.

In um PD, uh, our our new police chief, our our chief of uh fire as well.

Um, throughout this whole city, we're growing, and it's so exciting just to see how great and wonderful of a city that we are becoming.

We still have some growing pains here and there.

We we we still need to improve on some things, but who doesn't?

You know, I still gotta lose 20 pounds, so that's but um so mayor, we vote for our local leaders, our state leaders, and national leaders in this great republic of ours to do what is right, to do what is holy, and to do what is necessary, and that is my prayer for you all.

Mayor, vice mayor, uh council members.

I leave you with this from the book of Galatians.

Do not be deceived.

Our God is not mocked.

What you sow, you shall also reap.

And to put that in today's vernacular, our actions have consequences.

Thank you very much, Council.

Thank you.

I have a few more that came from online, so I'll just go one at a time.

Diane Gimble.

Dan are here tonight.

Did she did she write any public comment?

Just one uh sentence.

So it just says that there are street racers up and down the street on the Avenue of the Arts all through the night, extremely loud and disruptive.

Okay, so thank you.

Uh Mr.

Wing Roth, can you look into that with the police chief, please?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Uh next speaker, Donald Newland.

Are you here, Donald?

I did not see him.

Donald.

No, did he have a was it a online request?

He just listed a subject about speaking for constitution victims' rights.

Um, but he's not here.

Okay.

Erica Martin.

Erica.

Did she have any online comment?

Um, request for recycling for apartment communities.

Thank you.

Santiago Sanchez.

Santiago.

Did he have any comments?

Just a comment just says we ride and no other information.

Santiago.

Okay.

Okay.

Um, Todd Herberg, are you here?

Oh, there you are.

Thank you, sir.

Good evening, sir.

You can say your name and crossroads for the record, please.

Thank you.

My name's Todd Herberg.

I'm at Mary City Center over here in La Comida.

First thing I want to do is thank Vice Mayor Jack Hastings.

After our last meeting, he came over and met with about 50 seniors and answered a lot of questions.

We really appreciate that.

Last time I was here, I talked about my uh concern about the process that was used with the two and a half year pilot.

How it uh didn't come up with much because I don't think it was handled right.

But now I want to talk about the decision and how you guys arrived at a decision that eliminated all transportation services to seniors in surprise.

I hope all of you know about how many elderly shut ins you have in your district.

Um I want to read a couple.

I found a lot of documentation, didn't find much about what you guys used as your rationale for decision.

But in the last 10 years, every one of your community surveys has identified transit as uh major issue.

The general plan ratified by the voters last year, expressed a commitment to high quality life for residents of all ages and community-wide mobility and accessibility.

And quoting from your policy manual, transparent local government demands deliberations and discussions be conducted openly.

Quoting from your new strategic plan, the council is dedicated to operating with transparency, striving to ensure transparency and budget processes and engaging city residents in decision making processes.

So again, what I'm trying to do is figure out how you guys arrived at the decision you arrived at and what kind of data you use.

The only thing I've gotten from your offices is that it was money and numbers.

Didn't hear anything about the unmet needs, didn't have any alternatives.

Uh folks were just left out on their own.

So anyway, thanks.

Thank you, sir.

Uh Patricia Davis.

Patricia.

Was that an online request or a written?

Oh, yes, online request.

Um comment just says discontinuation of WeRide, the need for public transportation for citizens with no other transportation options.

No other information.

Thank you.

Uh Linda Varness or Varns.

Apologize if I said that wrong.

Thank you.

Good evening.

If you could say your name and your crossroads for the record, please.

I'm just coming to ask you guys to keep the support as far as transportation in surprise.

They have them in all the other cities, but they stopped it in surprise.

And I think that's not right because we need the service too.

We need the everything that the other cities are getting.

And I would just like to ask you guys to keep it.

Bring it back because we need transportation as far as seniors, everything, you know.

You have to be able to get around.

It's not like out in California where you can catch the bus at.

So that's what I'm trying to just get across that.

We need we ride.

We need it.

The city need it.

Just like all the other cities need it.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you, ma'am.

David Mills.

Good evening, sir.

You can say your name and crossroads for the record, please.

Thank you.

David Mills, I live in Lichfield Manor.

Uh Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council, I appreciate everything.

Uh I want to say it was really nice.

I've got to say something positive first.

It was really nice earlier seeing the uh young student interns that came up.

Uh negative comments will in no wise go against you two on the end down here.

Oh, that was wonderful.

Seeing the chief sworn in was fantastic.

I don't think y'all helped him at all by approving the liquor licenses, but that's okay.

And um, you know, the the young enlisted man who went above and beyond, and he expressed in his humility, you know, that he thought that was pretty common, that everyone should do the right thing.

And uh I'm sorry to say that it's it's just like common sense is not that common anymore.

And uh, you know, it's just like up here with counsel saying to the attorneys, and forgive my representation here, but do we have to vote yes?

Yes.

Are we going to be sued later?

Yes.

But we have to vote yes, yes.

That explains a lot.

What I don't understand, and what is totally incomprehensible is the shutting down of a viable public transportation service.

As you've heard, many, many people groups are affected, not just the seniors are differently abled.

Those services were used by everybody of countless ages, and for a variety of reasons.

If you wanted that to be more successful, one promote it.

Two, I heard it was operated by grant.

Apply for more grants.

Three, if you had to raise the cost a little before you shut it down, we do not have another alternative here.

I have tried ride choice.

They didn't want to take me and my three grandchildren to fat cats and then to Nick's diner and then back home.

Amazing.

Paratransport didn't want to do that either.

There is no other public transportation service out here, and all I hear is growth, growth, growth, growth.

And I'm proud of surprise.

I've lived here for quite some time.

But you know what?

Y'all, you know, turned your back on such a large segment of your constituents.

You didn't even come out and say we were planning on shutting this program.

I've never dreamed.

Even though I knew it was called to pilot initially, I never dreamed it would have been shut down.

It is needed, it is necessary.

I can't even support many businesses anymore because I can't afford to get to them.

At the end of June, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

All of my doctors, uh see y'all just 30 seconds.

All of my doctors are here in surprise, except for one that's at the mail clinic.

It's cost me a fortune in travel because we route is not here anymore.

And again, I'm just one that it's used for employment, it's used for fun, it's used for all types of reasons.

Please resurrect it and bring it back.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

I'm sorry I went over.

Well, I gave you a little more time, sir, if you had anything else to say.

Well, no, that well, that was me.

That was it.

Okay.

Yeah, y'all can y'all can y'all can make it a very successful program again by seeking more grants, expanding your territory, expanding your hours, expanding the vans.

Look at Avandella's was mentioned.

Good year.

Even Peoria, that was they didn't even want to start with Peoria because they thought they'd be doomed from the beginning.

And it's growing like crazy.

Give surprise a shot.

You would be amazed at how much it is used.

And with that, I will be quiet.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

And then one more Catherine Ryman or Riemann.

Apologies.

Catherine.

Was that an online request?

It was an online request.

It just says reconsideration for funding of ride choice for non-disabled 65 and older citizens.

Okay.

Uh Councilman John and I talked to uh Linda at the uh community uh event this weekend.

So thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Yeah.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Hey, Bob.

One thing I would like to take a look at, and I had a great time at Mayor City Center um speaking with the folks out there is when we we've done a few pilot programs since I've been here, but kind of taking a look at best practices for those pilot programs because I think we start them, and I think we need to set you know clear goals, have the public involved, you know, have a board of some sort, yeah.

But just like let's look into that process.

Like if we're gonna do a pilot program, um, I think let's do let's do it right, involve the community.

Um, I know we did one, I think when I first got on the council regarding like it was e-scooters and it kind of ended, and we weren't really sure we were at, so that way we have like a process in place we we go out, we do that.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Vice Mayor.

Madam Clerk, do we have any other requests to speak?

No, Mayor, we don't.

Okay.

Well, move back to the regular agenda, and I will uh entertain a motion to adjourn to the executive session to discuss items 19 and 20 before we take action.

Do we need anything right in, or can we just go all this?

Well, move to adjourn to executive session for the reasons noted on our agenda.

It's been moved and seconded.

All in favor of voice vote.

All opposed.

All right, this regular meeting is adjourned.

I'd like to readjourn this regular city council meeting.

Madam Clerk, can you please read item nineteen?

Item nineteen consideration and action.

Authorize the city attorney or his designee to initiate litigation against Mr.

Lee Garcia and AALL Insurance.

I move to authorize the city attorney or his designee to initiate litigation against Mr.

Lee Garcia and AAL insurance.

Second.

It's been moved in segments.

Please cast your vote.

That's a unanimous pass vote, Mayor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read item 20.

Item twenty, consideration and action to authorize the city attorney or his designee to file a third party complaint in the matter of Williams, the City of Surprise et al.

I move to authorize the city attorney or his designee to file a third party complaint in the matter of Williams versus City of Surprise et al, pending in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

There's been a motion in a second, please cast your vote.

So uh I have a community meeting coming up on August twenty sixth at a Sante Library at six PM.

Uh I would encourage everyone to go.

We're gonna be covering a lot of uh great topics and also give an update.

We just uh completed uh the 163rd Avenue expansion project.

Uh there's a lot of con we didn't complete it fully, but we did we got a lot of work done, but there was some um traffic restrictions associated with it that our residents were super patient with, and so I just want to provide them an update with that.

Uh so please attend.

There's a lot of great information, and staff will be there to answer any additional questions.

So that's all I have.

Thanks.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Greenberg.

I have a community meeting in 14 hours at the Grand.

Uh Chief Beecher will be there.

Uh, he was at my last one at Arizona Traditions, went very well.

Everybody likes him.

Uh he spoke very eloquently.

Uh it was lovely to hear.

And uh, not that I expected anything different.

Uh, but he talked to a lot of people afterwards and I think they uh were very receptive.

His uh position on how he's gonna be treating policing in our community.

Yeah, thank you.

My councilman, Councilman Duffy.

Thank you, sir.

I'm always here for you.

Um I just wanted to thank Chief Beatrice for being at the meet and greet Saturday and letting us use his public safety auditorium, and then also Eric Boyles for showing us the transportation room.

It's kind of nice to see how all that works.

Um kind of roadshow meet and greets is starting to take off.

Yeah.

So I know we're back at Total Wine in September, but after that, if anyone has ideas, what do they want to see, go let us know and we'll talk about it and try to find different spots because it seems to be pretty popular.

We can come to Sante Library.

No, we're good.

Uh thank you.

All right, Councilman uh Melton.

So gentlemen, it's gonna be back.

Missed you guys.

Uh I do not have a meeting in August.

My next meeting is not till September 10.

Community will be in Kylie Lakes.

And I'll I'll play time to get staff notified who's going, but I have no meetings in August.

So that is all.

And welcome back, guys.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh District Five.

Thank you, Mary.

It's great to be back.

Uh, thank you to all the staff.

I know staff had some, I mean, July is kind of the time we're kind of quote off, but um, staff works really hard during the year, and so it's it's great to you know give them time to be with their families to go on vacation.

Um, but obviously they're always still working.

I know I called a few of them when they're on their their vacations and they still answered, and I didn't even know they were on their vacations until someone else told me.

Um so, you know, someone asked me this summer um if it's hard to be an elected official, and I said no.

Um, I feel like it's hard to be a good elected official, and I don't know if I'm that great at elected official, but um the what the the work that this council does.

I mean, we see the two meetings to you know a month, Tuesdays and stuff.

There's a lot of work that goes behind the scenes.

Um, we all have you know pressing issues in our district, and the mayor has all the districts to focus on.

And so I really appreciate the group of people um that we have.

I've never enjoyed this job more than I do right now.

So thank you.

Councilman Judd.

Thank you, Mayor.

So yeah, welcome back.

It was it seemed like forever since our last meeting in July was amazing.

Went camping.

Um the echo councilman Duffy's sentiments are our last meet and greet went through great.

And I really like I really like the format that we've got going where it's we're every other month, we're rotating around, and then we're back at at the total line for the for the off.

And and residents threw out some pretty good ideas for the last one for us to look into.

So we're hoping in October to track something down and keep the roadshow going.

That's it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Perfect.

Uh the only thing I well, I have a couple things, but one is the transportation master plan.

Uh the servo is extended through August 13th, and there's an incentive for residents if they take the survey and decide to uh sign up, they can get uh in a drawing for four spring training tickets or four out of the park music fest tickets.

So uh we need every resident if they can to uh participate in it.

The more information, uh the more input, the better, the better the city is gonna be, the better the transportation master plan is gonna be.

So um and I also appreciate uh, you know, it's been a busy July out engaged with residents, but um I just appreciate residents and inviting me out to events, uh going out and engaging with the residents.

It's just a really cool uh thing to do just to see how many great people are doing amazing things for our city.

Uh with that, Bob, can you join me down in the front, please?

I have one other thing.

Motion to it's fine.

He's easy.

So we don't have a huge crowd here, Bob.

But um hopefully uh they'll hear a message.

So I wanted to give you a proclamation of recognition, if you don't mind.

I know you don't like the big song and dance, and this is pride of your comfort zone, but I couldn't let your 45 years of public service go by without you know, uh recognizing it.

So if if you don't mind, uh whereas local government quietly carries the weight of our nation's future, ensures that families have clean water, the streets are safe, the infrastructure holds, and the businesses can survive and grow.

And whereas for 45 years, Bob Wingaroth has stood at the front lines of that responsibility, serving with excellence and unwavering commitment to doing the work that truly matters.

First as a finance analyst in the city of Phoenix in 1980, and ultimately as a trusted leader in Surprise Arizona.

And whereas Bob understands that local government is not just about potholes and payrolls, it's about shaping the framework in which a community can flourish.

It's about translating a council's vision into action and building organizations where purpose and accountability are not just aspirations, but expectations.

And whereas Bob exemplifies the rarest kind of leadership that is rooted in clarity and conviction and has inspired teams to solve problems while staying grounded in what truly matters service, results, and people.

Whereas his legacy is not just found in the policy documents or project lists, but in the trust he has earned, the leaders he has mentored, and the culture he has instilled within the city of Surprise.

Now, therefore I, Kevin Sarter, mayor of Surprise Arizona, do hereby recognize and honor Bob Wingaroth for its extraordinary contributions of public service and for embodying the very best of what local government can and should be.

His leadership has made surprise stronger, and his legacy will continue to shape our city for years to come.

Bob, thank you.

You want to do a picture?

I'm gonna get all the council behind.

Yeah, let's uh let's stand up here and get everybody together if you don't mind, Bob.

One three.

That's why I'm counting.

So you guys are good.

There you go.

I want to get one of the one for Virginia.

Johnny, look up.

Oh Johnny.

Um nailed it, Jimmy.

He's screwing around with those buttons while you were taking it.

The mayor upstains.

I know.

Well, uh, you know, well, I'll get back on the dice.

Well, we can chat.

Thank you.

Yeah, thanks a lot, Janine.

You busted us.

Okay, motion to adjourn.

Second.

Well, we're not done yet.

I heard it's a good one.

Well, we've got a motion on the table.

Yeah, we have to entertain it.

So there was um some cupcakes, and I think we're bringing them out to the mayor's atrium.

I know there's a ton of people still here, but just to celebrate a little bit.

Those are our cook cups.

Well, they're Bob's cupcakes that you guys ate prematurely, but that's okay.

Yeah.

I don't want to say anything, but um, so I just um, you know, we're starting.

I gotta one more one more statement, and then we'll we'll entertain a motion.

But you know, as I just want I wrote some thoughts down because you know, as we begin this fiscal year, I'm just filled with optimism and pride in what we've accomplished and excitement for what lies ahead.

You know, as one of the top affordable communities in the in to live in, surprise continues to develop a rapid pace, and our vision and innovation must match that in order to remain a community of choice.

Uh, you know, this year we're we're committed to smart growth.

I am committed to working with this council.

I think we have a lot of momentum, and you know, every dollar that we spend has to be done responsibly, and I know that we're gonna do that with this council and this staff.

So together I know we'll turn these ideas into action, and I just am thrilled about starting this new fiscal year together.

It's our first full fiscal year uh together and the all the the strategic plan that we came together with, we're gonna implement that, and it's just an exciting time in surprise.

So I just want to continue that momentum, kind of set the bar or the the tone for success for this year, and I just want to thank each council member for all of their effort, the staff for all their effort, and I'm looking forward to uh seeing what we can accomplish this fiscal year.

So with that, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

We did adjourn.

It's been moved and segment.

All in favor, I all opposed.

This meeting is adjourned.