OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Surprise City Council Meeting - September 3, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, September 3, 2025
BodySurprise, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, September 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:45

Transcript — Verbatim
2:19

All right, good evening.

2:20

I'd like to call this council meeting on September 2nd, 2025 to order.

2:24

Madam Clerk, please conduct the role.

2:27

Invocation, sir.

2:28

Prayer first.

2:29

Oh, there it is.

2:31

Uh well, tonight we'll be led in the invocation by Garth Wigman, sir.

2:39

Let's pray.

2:42

Father, we come to you this evening.

2:45

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

2:48

Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and your mercies towards us.

2:52

We just thank you, Lord, for your blessings upon us individually and upon our city.

3:00

Father, we just thank you, Lord, for your mercies towards us and your blessings.

3:06

God, we just come to you now tonight.

3:09

We thank you, Lord, for our board, our city council.

3:14

God, we just give you thanks, Lord, for what you've done for us in the past.

3:19

And now, Lord, what you're going to do for us in the future.

3:24

God, we just ask now tonight that you would bless this council.

3:29

We ask, Lord, that you would give each one of them wisdom.

3:34

God, understanding.

3:36

Thanks, Lord, that you would bless each one.

3:41

God, we just asked, Lord, that you would uh give them direction and wisdom.

3:48

Lord, as we as they consider the issues and the at hand, we just thank you, Lord.

3:58

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

4:01

Amen.

4:02

Amen.

4:03

Thank you, sir.

4:04

Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call.

4:06

Mayor Sarder.

4:07

Present.

4:08

Vice Mayor Hastings.

4:09

Here.

4:09

Councilmember Haney.

4:11

Here.

4:11

Councilmember Greenberg.

4:12

Here.

4:13

Councilmember Duffy.

4:14

Here.

4:14

Councilmember Melton.

4:15

Present.

4:16

Councilmember Chad.

4:17

Here.

4:17

Thank you, Mayor.

4:18

We have a quorum.

4:19

All right.

4:19

Thank you.

4:20

So tonight we're going to get led uh with the Pledge of Allegiance by the Freedom Traditional Academy National Junior Honor Society.

5:00

Um Ms.

5:01

Crow, did you have somebody do you have some words you wanted to say?

5:04

The principal of Freedom Traditional.

5:08

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

5:10

My name is Amy Crow, and I am the proud principal of Freedom Traditional Academy.

5:15

We are a K 8 School in the Dysart Unified School District, and we are committed to fostering an accelerated and rigorous academics, as well as responsible citizenship in our students.

5:55

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

5:57

My name is Mursada Karlovich, and I'm a sixth grade teacher in the National Junior Honor Society Advisor of Freedom Traditional Academy.

6:05

Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of working alongside these incredible young leaders.

6:12

Our NJHS chapter is deeply committed to serving our community.

6:16

Some of the service projects we are especially proud of include our annual canned food drive benefiting the Bali View Community Food Bank and our snacks for first responders initiative where we donate treats and thank you guides to our local police and fire departments.

6:31

Last year alone, our students collected more than 1,600 food items for the community, an accomplishment that reflects their dedication and compassion.

6:41

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be here this evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Veterans Disability Human Services Commission██████████████14%
Economic Development████████████12%
Elections█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Energy Policy██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Surprise City Council Meeting - September 3, 2025

Note: The meeting was called to order on September 2, 2025, but the provided timestamp indicates September 3, 2025 00:57 UTC. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The meeting included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance by the Freedom Traditional Academy National Junior Honor Society, a proclamation for Library Card Sign Up Month, recognition of community champions, updates on swimming lessons and youth council, a presentation on new state laws, and public comment on several topics. Council discussed splitting the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission and planned to bring forward an action item on business license fee reduction.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: Items included routine approvals and two liquor license recommendations (Cindy's Mini Market #2 and Circle K #9596) after clarifying application numbers.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kasen Snyder (West Watson Lane) requested a traffic light and crosswalk at West Tacoma Drive and North Litchfield Road to improve pedestrian safety, citing proximity to schools and a dangerous detour.
  • Quintus Schultzka (Sierra Montana) referenced the one-year anniversary of a citizen's arrest at a council meeting, urging accountability and comparing it to a similar case in Sahuarita.
  • Nathan Madden (Buckeye, AZ Libertarian Party) opposed business licensing requirements, arguing they hinder economic growth.
  • Ruth Aliciano (online) asked if an independent environmental impact study had been done (no specific project mentioned).
  • Misty Morris (Wadell) expressed concerns about water, noise, and property values from the proposed Project Bacara (data center and natural gas plant) near her neighborhood.
  • Destiny Hearst (online) cited environmental and safety concerns for Project Bacara and requested a public meeting.
  • James Ellis (online) referenced the first amendment rights violation one year ago and urged city leaders to protect individual rights.
  • Cheryl Packham (Bell and Eastham) supported splitting the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission, praised business license reform discussions, and suggested using 'local business' terminology.
  • Eric Bowler (Chandler, Maricopa County Libertarian Party) encouraged reducing or eliminating business license fees and streamlining bureaucratic processes.
  • Angel Gomez (Mountain Visitor Ranch) opposed Project Bacara, citing environmental impacts, health risks, and requested full impact studies before proceeding.
  • Rebecca Massey (District 1) detailed personal trauma from her arrest at a council meeting one year ago, criticized lack of accountability, and called for justice.
  • Alex (no district given) voiced concerns about data centers' water and electricity usage and noise, urging council to consider long-term impacts.
  • Teresa Christensen (Bright Beginnings Preschool) asked for a conversation on creating a childcare ecosystem in Surprise to address the childcare desert.
  • Kevin James (185th and Grand) requested a voice-recognition phone system for the city and recommended reinstating the We Ride transit service using police hiring budget savings.
  • Holly Tomachoff (Acre community) opposed Project Bacara, detailing noise, emissions, and property value concerns, and pleaded for council's help despite the project being in county jurisdiction.

Discussion Items

  • Swimming Lessons Update: Parks and Rec Director Holly Osborne, Aquatics Manager Casey Peterson, and Recreation Coordinator Paris Johnson reported that with the opening of Oasis facility and new staff, the city provided 3,755 swim lessons in the current year, down from a waiting list of 2,800 to 259 (only 84 in summer, 22 in fall). Goals include zero waiting list and zero drownings. Councilmembers praised the progress and emphasized water safety.
  • Youth Council Update: Maddie Mies and Mila Witt reported attending the League of Arizona Cities and Towns conference and planning upcoming events (Backyard Bash, Fiesta Grande, street cleanup).
  • Clerk's Report on New State Laws: City Clerk Christie and Legal Jeff presented changes effective September 2025, including campaign finance rules (bot verification, complaint dismissal timeline, report changes), election procedures (write-in deadline 60 days, recall timeline 120 days), open meeting law exemptions for three-member advisory committees with only one public body member, business license issuance notification, and classification of political flags as political signs. Council discussed implications.
  • Split of Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission: The commission discussed splitting into Veterans Advisory and Disability/Human Services commissions. Chair Michael Tree and staff supported the idea but requested timing after Vet Fest (April 2026) to avoid disruption. They also requested monthly or every-other-month meetings (not quarterly) and suggested naming the veterans commission 'Military and Veteran Advisory Commission' to include active duty. Council agreed to proceed slowly, with a target of May 2026, and directed staff to bring back a plan.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote: Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Vote: Liquor license for Cindy's Mini Market #2 (Series 10) recommended for approval to the state (unanimous).
  • Vote: Liquor license for Circle K #9596 (Series 10) recommended for approval to the state (unanimous).
  • Direction: Council directed staff to bring back an action item on reducing the initial business license fee (potentially halving it or waiving for small businesses) at the next council meeting.
  • Direction: Council supported splitting the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission, with implementation after Vet Fest (April 2026) and a smooth transition. Staff will develop a plan for council approval.
  • Referral: The traffic safety request at Tacoma and Litchfield was referred to City Manager Bob Wingenroth for review with staff.
  • Referral: The childcare ecosystem proposal was referred to Economic Development Director Janine Cherkovich and the mayor's assistant for follow-up.
  • Note: Council acknowledged public concerns about Project Bacara but reiterated the city has no jurisdiction over the project, which is in Maricopa County. Staff will continue to review studies and advocate for residents.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call this council meeting on September 2nd, 2025 to order. Madam Clerk, please conduct the role. Invocation, sir. Prayer first. Oh, there it is. Uh well, tonight we'll be led in the invocation by Garth Wigman, sir. Let's pray. Father, we come to you this evening. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and your mercies towards us. We just thank you, Lord, for your blessings upon us individually and upon our city. Father, we just thank you, Lord, for your mercies towards us and your blessings. God, we just come to you now tonight. We thank you, Lord, for our board, our city council. God, we just give you thanks, Lord, for what you've done for us in the past. And now, Lord, what you're going to do for us in the future. God, we just ask now tonight that you would bless this council. We ask, Lord, that you would give each one of them wisdom. God, understanding. Thanks, Lord, that you would bless each one. God, we just asked, Lord, that you would uh give them direction and wisdom. Lord, as we as they consider the issues and the at hand, we just thank you, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. Amen. Thank you, sir. Madam Clerk, please conduct the roll call. Mayor Sarder. Present. Vice Mayor Hastings. Here. Councilmember Haney. Here. Councilmember Greenberg. Here. Councilmember Duffy. Here. Councilmember Melton. Present. Councilmember Chad. Here. Thank you, Mayor. We have a quorum. All right. Thank you. So tonight we're going to get led uh with the Pledge of Allegiance by the Freedom Traditional Academy National Junior Honor Society. Um Ms. Crow, did you have somebody do you have some words you wanted to say? The principal of Freedom Traditional.

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