Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2025
Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2025
The Surprise City Council met on September 17, 2025, for a regular meeting. The meeting opened with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance led by Sunset Hills Elementary National Junior Honor Society, and presentations from the Surprise Youth Council. The council approved the consent agenda, held a public hearing on a comprehensive sign program for the Asante Trails Commerce Center, and unanimously approved a resolution to reduce the initial business licensing fee. Public comments addressed concerns over Flock safety cameras, microtransit for seniors, and other topics. Council members provided reports on district events and upcoming initiatives.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously. (No items were pulled for discussion.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nathan Madden, Second Vice Chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party, urged the council to terminate the contract with Flock Safety and remove all surveillance cameras, citing privacy and constitutional concerns. He noted the cost of approximately $2,500 per camera per year and referenced Sedona's decision to end the program.
- Sheila Shaver (submitted in writing, not present) also expressed opposition to Flock cameras, arguing they constitute warrantless mass surveillance and violate privacy.
- Catherine Ryman (crossroads: Greenway and North Law Cometa) pleaded for the council to find a way to preserve microtransit services for senior citizens and others in need, stating she had raised the issue three months prior with no progress.
- Kevin James (submitted statement, not present) thanked the mayor for a meeting and expressed appreciation for staff unity, indicating he would attend future meetings.
- Alex Hunkrin (crossroads: 75th and Waddell) spoke about the recent death of Charlie Kirk, urging respect for differing beliefs and condemning violence.
- Robert Bochump (crossroads: 163rd and Pat Tillman) thanked Councilman Haney for his district work.
Discussion Items
- Comprehensive Sign Program for Asante Trails Commerce Center (FS24-1519): Staff presented a proposal to set design standards for signage in the commercial and residential portions of the development located at the southwest corner of 163rd Avenue and Pat Tillman Boulevard. The program includes minor deviations from the sign code, such as a one-square-foot increase in size for residential monument signs. A neighborhood meeting was held on June 23, 2025, with two attendees. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval subject to stipulations A and B. Council questions focused on traffic circulation and sign placement. No public speakers. The council voted unanimously to approve.
- Resolution 2025-11 – Reduction of Business Licensing Fee: The council considered a resolution to reduce the initial business license fee from $168 to $84, effective January 1, 2026. The annual renewal fee of $84 remains unchanged. Council members expressed strong support, noting it lowers barriers for new businesses and aligns with the city's strategic plan. The resolution was unanimously approved.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Comprehensive Sign Program for Asante Trails Commerce Center approved unanimously, subject to stipulations A and B.
- Resolution 2025-11 approved unanimously, reducing initial business licensing fee to $84, effective January 1, 2026.
- Public comments recorded on Flock cameras, microtransit, and other matters; no immediate action taken.
- Council reports included upcoming district meetings, interfaith breakfast, school safety summit, and a request to explore allowing council members to lead the invocation if no one else volunteers.
Additional Notes
- The meeting date as recorded in the official timestamp is September 17, 2025, though the transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on September 16, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. I'd like to call this regular city council meeting, September uh sixteenth, twenty twenty-five to order. Madam Clerk, please conduct the role. We have a special guest for invitation today, Mayor. Miss Yvonne I have uh I gotta get that figured out because in my notes it says call to order, then invocation, then roll call. So, Miss Yvonne, can you please lead us in the invocation? Scriptures coming from New Living Translation, the Bible, John fourteen twenty-seven. I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Philippians four, six through seven. Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done. Then you experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Lord, today I ask that you fill this chamber with your peaceful city council with your peace today, Father. And I also ask, Lord, that you bless this great city of surprise with your peace. And I thank you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Madam Clerk, please conduct the role. Present. Here. Thank you, Mayor. We have quorum. Okay, thank you. Tonight we have some special guests from Sunset Hills Elementary, the National Junior Honor Society to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. So please go ahead. So go ahead. And we also, alongside with the PTO, we run Veterans Day Breakfast, Fall Festival, and things like that. Being a part of NJ Jess has helped me have a more selfless mindset because I've seen that just an hour of my time spelling something small can plant season the community that better strengthen it. Service is often overlooked because it can be hard to put one's needs inside in order to make a difference. This is why I'm grateful to be around peers and teachers and family that push me to be my best self for the chance that I can help one person. We cannot be a strong community if we don't look out for each other, which is why small acts of kindness like donating food to a food bank mean a lot to me. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of Sunset Hills National Junior Honors Society this evening. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Thank you for this opportunity to be here. My name is Raina Gessner. I'm in eighth grade. I'm the Secretary of National Junior Honor Society at Sunset Hills Elementary. Our NJHS participates in many activities to help people need. For example, we hold hygiene, blanket, and sock dries. One of my favorite events is our Bear Drive, where we donate Stuff Animals to Phoenix Children's Hospital for kids spending time in the hospital during the holidays. This project is close to my heart because it shows that even small acts like a can of food, a ball of water, or a Q Kelly teddy bear can make a diff a big difference in someone's life. The National Junior Honor Society stands for five important pillars scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. It's truly a blessing to be part of a club that drives to make the world a better place. I would like to thank the mayor and the council for support supporting students like us and giving me the chance to share about NJHS. I'm also grateful for my peers, fellow officers, and sponsors who inspire me every day to leave a character and to value the importance of making a difference together. Thank you. Can we get a picture together?
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