Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – August 6, 2025
Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – August 6, 2025
The Surprise City Council convened on August 6, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting opened with presentations from the 2025 Summer Youth Intern Program and the Surprise Youth Council. The council then approved a consent agenda of 10 items, conducted public hearings on three liquor license applications, and voted on a state-mandated zoning text amendment for adaptive reuse. Other actions included approvals of a comprehensive sign program, an intergovernmental agreement with Peoria for emergency dispatch, and a bond reimbursement resolution. During public comments, several residents urged the city to restore the WeRide transportation service. After an executive session, the council authorized litigation in two matters. The meeting concluded with a proclamation recognizing City Manager Bob Wingenroth for 45 years of public service.
Summer Youth Intern Program Presentation
- Program coordinator Kara Poling reported that 20 interns were selected from 63 applicants for the six-week program. Interns worked up to 25 hours per week at minimum wage across nine city departments and the DISART Community Center, participating in weekly professional development workshops provided by Arizona at Work.
- Three interns addressed the council: Janice Meriti (worked at Desert Community Center and Public Works), Delana Carter (assigned to the City Manager’s Office), and Charles Higgins (Water Resource Management). Each described gaining valuable hands-on experience and career insights, with Charles noting the program changed his career aspirations. Council members congratulated the interns and commended their public speaking.
Surprise Youth Council Introduction
- Recreation Coordinator Shelby Fenwick introduced the returning and new Youth Council members. Peyton Anthony (Highland Prep senior) and Emma Tran (Paradise Honors freshman) shared updates: the Youth Council has introduced a parliamentary role, increased social media outreach, and is planning events including an Air Force appreciation night and a family Valentine’s Day dance. They also participated in a service event packing meals for children in the Philippines. Council members expressed full support for the Youth Council.
Consent Calendar
- Mayor Sarator asked if there were any questions or requests to pull items; there were none. A motion to approve the consent agenda (10 items) was made and seconded, and the council voted unanimously in favor.
Public Hearings on Liquor Licenses
Item 12 – Fries Marketplace Series 9 license: No public speakers. Council voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Item 13 – HeadWright Brewing Company Series 3 license: No public speakers. Council voted unanimously to recommend approval. Item 14 – Royal Distributing LLC Series 4 license: The applicant was not present. Staff reported that the proposed warehouse distribution operation is located in a residential zone and violates city code. Council members expressed concerns about consistency with code and setting a precedent. A motion to recommend denial passed unanimously (Vice Mayor Hastings noted the applicant could reapply with more information and a business license). The council voted to recommend denial.
Discussion Item: Adaptive Reuse Zoning Text Amendment (Item 15)
- Planning Manager Tiffany presented Ordinance 2025-15, updating the city code to comply with HB 2210 (signed into law July 6, 2025). The amendment addresses adaptive reuse of commercially obsolete buildings into multifamily residential, but applies only to 22% of Surprise (outside the 65-decibel noise contour from Luke Air Force Base). A neighborhood meeting and Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval.
- Council members expressed frustration that the amendment is required by state law and leaves them no discretion, but acknowledged noncompliance could risk funding. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.
Discussion Item: Comprehensive Sign Program for Tri-Color Auto Arizona (Item 16)
- Planner Tanner described the sign program for the northwest corner of Cactus Road and Summit Way. The program includes a class-six monument sign and building-mounted blade signs. The program proposes eight blade signs, which exceeds the standard of one per building but meets other code provisions. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with stipulations A and B. One council member expressed concern about the number of signs but the motion to approve carried unanimously.
Discussion Item: Intergovernmental Agreement with Peoria for Emergency Dispatch (Item 17)
- The police chief presented Resolution 2025-32, renewing a 10-year IGA allowing the Surprise Police Department to temporarily relocate dispatch services to Peoria during emergencies at no cost. The agreement was already approved by Peoria. Council voted unanimously to approve.
Discussion Item: Resolution for Bond Reimbursement (Item 18)
- Assistant Finance Director Eric Martin presented Resolution 2025-45, declaring the city’s intent to reimburse capital expenditures from future bond proceeds. This allows flexibility in timing bond issuances to minimize secondary property tax impacts. The resolution does not commit to additional bonds or change the budget. Council voted unanimously to approve.
Public Comments
- Gregory Garcia and Jeffrey Campos (West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce) provided an update on chamber activities, membership growth, and upcoming events. They thanked the council for their support.
- A speaker praised transportation department and contractors for recent projects.
- A speaker offered political commentary and commended the council for listening to residents.
- Online comments were read: concerns about street racers on Avenue of the Arts, a request for recycling at apartment communities, and a comment reading “we ride.”
- Todd Herberg (La Comida) thanked Vice Mayor Hastings for meeting with seniors. He criticized the process that led to discontinuation of the WeRide transportation service and urged the council to reinstate it, citing the needs of seniors and disabled residents.
- Patricia Davis (online) requested reconsideration of WeRide funding.
- Linda Varness asked the council to restore transportation services for seniors.
- David Mills (Litchfield Manor) praised the intern program and the new police chief, but strongly criticized the elimination of WeRide. He described his personal challenges with multiple myeloma without the service and urged the city to seek more grants and expand the program.
- Catherine Riemann (online) requested reconsideration of funding for ride choice for seniors 65+.
- Vice Mayor Hastings suggested reviewing the pilot program process to ensure clear goals and public involvement.
Executive Session and Litigation Authorization (Items 19 & 20)
- The council adjourned to executive session to discuss items 19 and 20. Upon reconvening, they voted to authorize the city attorney or his designee to initiate litigation against Lee Garcia and AALL Insurance (Item 19) and to file a third-party complaint in Williams v. City of Surprise (Item 20). Both votes were unanimous.
Council Announcements
- Council members announced upcoming community meetings: August 26 at Sante Library (Councilman...); September meetings in various locations. Councilman Melton noted his next meeting is September 10. Vice Mayor Hastings expressed appreciation for staff and the council’s cohesion.
Proclamation for City Manager Bob Wingenroth
- Mayor Sarator presented a proclamation recognizing Bob Wingenroth for 45 years of service in local government, including his role as Surprise City Manager. The council and attendees posed for a photo. Cupcakes were served in the mayor’s atrium to celebrate.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar: Approved (10 items).
- Liquor license recommendations: Fries Marketplace (Item 12) – approved; HeadWright Brewing (Item 13) – approved; Royal Distributing (Item 14) – recommended denial.
- Ordinance 2025-15 (adaptive reuse zoning amendment) – adopted.
- Comprehensive sign program (FS24-1219) – approved with stipulations A and B.
- Resolution 2025-32 (Peoria dispatch IGA) – adopted.
- Resolution 2025-45 (bond reimbursement intent) – adopted.
- Litigation authorizations (Items 19 & 20) – approved.
- Proclamation: Recognized Bob Wingenroth.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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