OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Surprise City Council Work Session on Water Conservation, Library, and HSCV Strategic Plans – October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodySurprise, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 48:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

In front of entry monuments where there isn't a lot of opportunity for you know kids to be playing football or whatever other kind of sports.

0:07

Um and so in this case, we're really trying to encourage other types of landscaping that are not uh not grass in front of entry monuments.

0:17

And then lastly, grass areas that are not utilized for active or programmed recreational purposes or for drainage conveyances, storm basins, or erosion control.

0:27

So we do allow for uh with this code update, we do allow for um grass to be used like in a drainage channel.

0:35

Um in these two examples that I've given you, these are two grass spaces that really can't be recreated on, but they're also not serving a drainage purpose.

0:45

So these would be examples that we would not permit going forward.

0:52

And then what I really wanna call out here, because that now I've spent a lot of time talking about grass and you know, prohibiting certain items in development.

1:01

What I really wanna focus on is um this code update, we've given five different criteria to really um scale, it's a lot of criteria, but the idea is to scale down what we're limiting.

1:12

So making it very specific.

1:14

And and I wanna be real clear that um, you know, the the what we do wanna see in our city is usable recreation areas.

1:23

So we allow for grass and parks, uh, amenitized pocket parks and drainage channels.

1:28

Um and so our team has actually been actively involved in the development review process for the last several years where we're already looking at these things.

1:38

Um we've also made sure that this code update is in line with our planning standards and our open space requirements.

1:45

So this shouldn't really conflict with those at all.

1:48

Um additionally, we've had you know a lot of cooperation from the developers as we're looking at their landscape designs to you know hear our points and okay, you know, make some tweaks to their to their landscape plans.

2:01

So we're pretty confident that this code update um is you know just gonna be reflecting some of our current practices, but making sure it's actually outlined in our code.

2:10

And I'll also say that developments that have existing entitlements like Sterling Grove or Marley Park, for instance, that incorporate quite a bit of grass.

2:17

This does not apply to that, even though they're not built.

2:19

The entitlements associated with what's in those zoning documents will end in in a sense supersede uh this this code modification.

2:28

It's really as Amy mentioned, those developments that we have not seen yet or have not been proposed yet.

2:36

So with that, I wanted to close with some next steps and turn it over to questions.

2:41

Um again, we this is just in draft form.

2:44

We intend to incorporate any feedback that you might have and continue to work with uh Jeff and his team to finalize this language.

2:49

Um we're still working on one more uh code modification associated with a high water user ordinance, and that one's not quite ready to to debut yet this evening.

3:00

And that will also warrant likely its own work session.

3:03

So we'll be back in the next couple months to talk through that one.

3:06

And then once those are all tidied up and put together, we'll have uh the adoption sometime uh later this calendar year.

3:14

So with that, Amy and I are happy to take any questions.

3:21

Uh Councilman John.

3:25

Thank you, Mayor.

3:26

Thank you, Mike.

3:27

Thank you, Amy, and and thank you for the work you're doing for to uh to to get us in a better place for water conservation, yet still identifying ways where we can actively recreate.

3:37

I mean, we we do enjoy grass, so it is good to have grass in our parks and grass in places where we can where we can enjoy them and maybe get them out of the places where they look nice and they're just they're just taking up water.

3:46

Can can you go back to the fog slide, the first slide?

3:54

That one.

3:55

Um, so a couple of questions.

3:57

First, I don't know if you if you so fog's an anchor acronym.

4:00

I don't know.

4:01

Did we go over what that is?

4:03

We did not.

4:04

So um a lot of this ordinance update or uh code update is is aimed at helping us establish our fog program, which stands for fats, oils, and greases.

4:14

Okay, and no pictures of fat burgs here for us.

4:17

I actually I thought about it.

4:19

You totally should have.

4:20

And so, and so the challenge with fats, oils and greases as I understand it is they is they they clog up our plumbing system, they create problems downstream, they can end up damaging the processes of the wastewater treatment plant, right?

4:33

That is correct.

4:34

And we do have some experience with some of those maintenance issues at um at our largest plant, uh the spa one facility.

4:42

Okay.

4:43

And so the maintenance that needs to happen, what does that look like for a property owner for restaurant owner?

4:49

I mean, how frequent is it, how expensive is it, what do they need to do?

4:53

They're typically having their uh grease interceptors cleaned out about every 90 days.

5:00

And so the it's um the manufacturer's recommendation, uh, but there is also sizing criteria.

5:06

They need to make sure that they're sizing it appropriate to either the amount of flow that they anticipate putting into the sewer system or the amount of grease loading, like the actual pounds of grease.

5:17

So based on uh based on those criteria, they'll pick uh an appropriate size of that item, and then um the manufacturer's recommendations are typically every 90 days that they need to have it cleaned.

5:29

And so, how would enforcement work on this?

5:32

So, actually, enforcement as it stands today is uh very much reactionary.

5:38

When we get calls about odor complaints at certain restaurants, we'll go out, we'll send our compliance officer out there and and just do some education, you know, make sure that they have their paperwork in place.

5:49

When was the last time you cleaned this?

5:51

Are you aware of how often it should be clean?

5:53

You know, get some specs on the actual item so that we can help them locate those um manufacturers' recommendations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████████████28%
Arts And Culture██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Libraries And Community Centers██████████10%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Workforce Development████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Surprise City Council Work Session – October 7, 2025

The Surprise City Council held a work session on October 7, 2025, to receive presentations and discuss three major items: code updates for water conservation (fats, oils, greases program, stormwater fee discounts, and turf restrictions), the Surprise Public Library’s new strategic plan, and the Human Service and Community Vitality (HSCV) department’s strategic plan. Council members asked clarifying questions, expressed support for the initiatives, and provided feedback. No formal votes were taken.

Discussion Items

Water Conservation Code Updates (FOG, Stormwater, Turf)

  • Mike and Amy from city staff presented proposed code amendments to address water conservation, including a new Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) program, stormwater fee discounts for commercial properties that implement best management practices, and restrictions on non-functional turf in new developments. The turf restrictions target grass in entry monuments, unused grass areas, and spaces not used for active recreation, drainage, or erosion control. Exemptions include existing entitlements (e.g., Sterling Grove, Marley Park) and parks, amenitized pocket parks, and drainage channels. Staff noted that the code update aligns with current planning standards and open space requirements and has been coordinated with developers.
  • Councilman John asked about the frequency of grease interceptor cleaning (manufacturer recommendation of every 90 days) and enforcement. Staff explained that enforcement is currently reactive but a new pre-treatment position will allow regular inspections. He also asked about stormwater fee discounts for properties that already capture 100% of stormwater on-site; staff confirmed the new code provides discounts for those who exceed minimum requirements.
  • Councilman Momel questioned whether the code applies to existing neighborhoods and how the city would address high water use in existing developments. Amy responded that the ordinance does not apply retroactively, but the city’s rebate program can help existing HOAs with turf removal.
  • Councilman Henny (or another member) expressed support for the water conservation efforts, noting Surprise’s need to demonstrate water-smart practices as part of the coalition for protecting Arizona’s lifeline. He also urged the city to lead by example, citing grass medians on Bell Road that are watered daily.

Surprise Public Library Strategic Plan

  • Kelsey, library director, presented the library’s new strategic plan, developed with input from focus groups, patrons, and the Library Advisory Commission. The plan aligns with the council’s strategic priorities: community experience, fiscal responsibility, economic development, and government transparency. Key initiatives include the America 250 celebration (Stars and Stories reading program with 455 participants and 4,846 minutes read as of the meeting), early literacy programs (Thousand Books Before Kindergarten: 750 participants, 50 graduates, 142,000 books read in the past year), and a new library data dashboard with 33 metrics. Highlights from the dashboard: gate count increased 50% in 2024 year-to-date, 42,800 active cardholders (up from 29,000 under county operations), and an estimated $11.3 million in savings to residents in FY25 (ROI of $3 per $1 of city funding). The library also launched new “Library of Things” items: American Girl Dolls, Tonie boxes, pickleball kits, and caregiver kits. Challenges include aging infrastructure chosen by the county 20 years ago.
  • Council members praised the library’s performance and community impact. Vice Mayor noted the library’s value beyond revenue generation, and Councilmember Haney highlighted the library’s role in community engagement and the positive feedback from residents. Councilmember Henny thanked Kelsey and the commission for their vision, calling the library “10 times better” than before.

Human Service and Community Vitality (HSCV) Department Strategic Plan

  • Seth, HSCV director, presented the department’s first formal strategic plan, celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The plan has five goals: (1) strengthen a coordinated human services system, (2) staff and physical infrastructure development, (3) programmatic excellence, innovation, and growth, (4) community engagement and resources, and (5) strategic partnerships and funding. Key projects include the new 35,000-square-foot Community Resource Center opening summer 2025, a 99-unit affordable senior housing development (ribbon cutting that week), the West Valley Housing Assistance Center (family homeless shelter) operated by New Leaf, and expanded community engagement. The senior center had 20,000 visits last year, and the resource center served 21,000 people despite a 25% reduction in pandemic-era funding. Challenges include housing pressure, limited staff, and lack of indoor gathering spaces for nonprofits. Opportunities include partnerships like Sprouts’ sponsorship of the resource center hall.
  • Council members expressed strong support. Councilman Jug praised Seth’s ability to build the department with minimal funding, calling it “amazing.” Councilman Greenberg noted that HSCV is seen as a subject matter expert in the state. Councilmember Henny called the department “the heart of the city” and commended Seth for connecting with nonprofits and filling gaps for vulnerable residents.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken; all items were presented for discussion and council feedback.
  • Staff will incorporate council comments into the final code update language for the water conservation ordinance, with a related high-water-user ordinance expected in the coming months. Adoption of both is targeted for later in 2025.
  • The library strategic plan was recommended for approval by the Library Advisory Commission; council expressed support and will continue to monitor progress.
  • The HSCV strategic plan was presented as a guiding document; council voiced strong support for the department’s work and direction.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified].

Meeting Transcript

In front of entry monuments where there isn't a lot of opportunity for you know kids to be playing football or whatever other kind of sports. Um and so in this case, we're really trying to encourage other types of landscaping that are not uh not grass in front of entry monuments. And then lastly, grass areas that are not utilized for active or programmed recreational purposes or for drainage conveyances, storm basins, or erosion control. So we do allow for uh with this code update, we do allow for um grass to be used like in a drainage channel. Um in these two examples that I've given you, these are two grass spaces that really can't be recreated on, but they're also not serving a drainage purpose. So these would be examples that we would not permit going forward. And then what I really wanna call out here, because that now I've spent a lot of time talking about grass and you know, prohibiting certain items in development. What I really wanna focus on is um this code update, we've given five different criteria to really um scale, it's a lot of criteria, but the idea is to scale down what we're limiting. So making it very specific. And and I wanna be real clear that um, you know, the the what we do wanna see in our city is usable recreation areas. So we allow for grass and parks, uh, amenitized pocket parks and drainage channels. Um and so our team has actually been actively involved in the development review process for the last several years where we're already looking at these things. Um we've also made sure that this code update is in line with our planning standards and our open space requirements. So this shouldn't really conflict with those at all. Um additionally, we've had you know a lot of cooperation from the developers as we're looking at their landscape designs to you know hear our points and okay, you know, make some tweaks to their to their landscape plans. So we're pretty confident that this code update um is you know just gonna be reflecting some of our current practices, but making sure it's actually outlined in our code. And I'll also say that developments that have existing entitlements like Sterling Grove or Marley Park, for instance, that incorporate quite a bit of grass. This does not apply to that, even though they're not built. The entitlements associated with what's in those zoning documents will end in in a sense supersede uh this this code modification. It's really as Amy mentioned, those developments that we have not seen yet or have not been proposed yet. So with that, I wanted to close with some next steps and turn it over to questions. Um again, we this is just in draft form. We intend to incorporate any feedback that you might have and continue to work with uh Jeff and his team to finalize this language. Um we're still working on one more uh code modification associated with a high water user ordinance, and that one's not quite ready to to debut yet this evening. And that will also warrant likely its own work session. So we'll be back in the next couple months to talk through that one. And then once those are all tidied up and put together, we'll have uh the adoption sometime uh later this calendar year. So with that, Amy and I are happy to take any questions. Uh Councilman John. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mike. Thank you, Amy, and and thank you for the work you're doing for to uh to to get us in a better place for water conservation, yet still identifying ways where we can actively recreate. I mean, we we do enjoy grass, so it is good to have grass in our parks and grass in places where we can where we can enjoy them and maybe get them out of the places where they look nice and they're just they're just taking up water. Can can you go back to the fog slide, the first slide? That one. Um, so a couple of questions. First, I don't know if you if you so fog's an anchor acronym. I don't know. Did we go over what that is? We did not. So um a lot of this ordinance update or uh code update is is aimed at helping us establish our fog program, which stands for fats, oils, and greases. Okay, and no pictures of fat burgs here for us. I actually I thought about it. You totally should have. And so, and so the challenge with fats, oils and greases as I understand it is they is they they clog up our plumbing system, they create problems downstream, they can end up damaging the processes of the wastewater treatment plant, right? That is correct. And we do have some experience with some of those maintenance issues at um at our largest plant, uh the spa one facility. Okay. And so the maintenance that needs to happen, what does that look like for a property owner for restaurant owner? I mean, how frequent is it, how expensive is it, what do they need to do?

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