Surprise City Council Meeting November 19, 2025: Budget Amendment, Vista Agreement, and Farewell
Surprise City Council Meeting - November 19, 2025
The Surprise City Council met on November 19, 2025 (the meeting began the evening of November 18, 2025) to approve a budget amendment for the U.S. 250th anniversary, a facility use agreement with Dysart Unified School District for the Vista Center for the Arts, and to honor outgoing City Manager Bob Wingenroth.
Recognitions and Proclamations
- Special Olympics Arizona: Adaptive Recreation Coordinator Ashley Stevens reported that the city hosted the Fall Games in Bocce and Swimming with over 1,000 athletes. Surprise athletes brought home medals, and two new Special Olympics softball teams were formed, with one taking first place and the other third at a recent area tournament.
- JustServe.org: The city presented a proclamation recognizing JustServe.org for its volunteer platform, noting an 80% year-over-year increase in days of service and a 116% increase in volunteer hours in Surprise.
- Sounds of Autism: Executive Director Jamie Aldama presented the City of Surprise with a Unified Responder Community Certificate, praising the police, fire, courts, and human services departments for their work serving families affected by autism.
- Youth Council: Members Desmond Robert and Grace DeSotel reported on the Veterans Day Parade and a Nerf battle event that attracted about 30 youth, thanking the mayor and police department for their support.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, containing two items, was approved unanimously without discussion.
Public Comments
- John Cavalletto (Vista Foundation) expressed gratitude to Councilmember Chris Judd, City Manager Bob Wingenroth, Mayor Kevin Sarter, and Dysart Superintendent Dr. John Croto for their collaboration on the Vista Center partnership. The foundation looks forward to supporting the city's new presenting program, Surprise Arts.
- Connie Whitlock thanked outgoing City Manager Bob Wingenroth for his leadership and vision, particularly in supporting the WHAM Art Center and its mission to make art accessible to all.
- Kevin James requested the council direct their Valley Metro board representative to propose reduced fares for passengers with handicapped permits on express buses, noting that express buses are the only option for residents in Surprise and El Mirage. Councilmember Greenberg acknowledged the request and said it was already on his list for the next Valley Metro meeting.
Discussion Items
Item 3: FY 2026 Budget Amendment for 250th Anniversary (Resolution 2025-134) City Manager Bob Wingenroth and Holly Osborne presented plans for the city's celebration of America's 250th anniversary in 2026, including promotional materials, a banner program, enhanced July 4th fireworks, and a potential lake show. The council approved a $120,000 budget amendment to support planning, programming, and activities. The resolution passed unanimously.
Item 4: Facility Use Agreement with Dysart Unified School District (Resolution 2025-63) Kendra Pettis outlined a partnership for the city to operate a presenting program at the Vista Center for the Arts (a 1,300-seat theater and 200-seat lecture hall). The initial term runs through June 30, 2031, with a five-year automatic renewal option. The city will pay an all-inclusive rate of $6,830 per day or invest in mutually agreed capital improvements in lieu of rent. The district retains the facility for educational programming and third-party rentals. The council approved the resolution unanimously after recognizing the collaborative effort.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Resolution 2025-134 (budget amendment for 250th anniversary) - unanimous vote.
- Approved Resolution 2025-63 (Vista Center facility use agreement) - unanimous vote.
- Directed Councilmember Greenberg to address the issue of reduced fares for disabled riders on express buses at the next Valley Metro Board meeting.
- Adjourned with farewell tributes to City Manager Bob Wingenroth, who served the city for a decade. Council members praised his leadership, mentorship, and the strong team he built.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. I like to call this regular city council meeting on Tuesday, November eighteenth to order. I feel I hope I got it right. Um lead us in the invocation. Almighty God. Today you have provided us with rain, and with it came a lesson as well. In our biblical reading last week, we learned about Abraham and Sarah, whose tent was open to all sides, welcoming every traveler and offering kindness, hospitality, and dignity. As leaders as a community, may we each be a source of that light, especially now in the season where light and warmth are needed most. Standing here with the mayor, members of the city council, and fellow residents, I pray that you grant us wisdom, clarity, and strength. Council Member Haney. Councilmember Duffy. Here. Councilmember Melton. Present. Councilmember Jedd. Here. Thank you, Mayor. We have quorum. All right, thank you. So tonight we have uh a group with us that's going to lead us in the pledge. It's the City of Surprise uh Special Olympics athletes. So if you could all join me and have join them as well. One nation. Okay. Can we take a picture with them, Council? You guys want to take a look? We're going somewhere. Let's push. Yeah, sorry. That was the interaction. Ashley, did you want to pay a few words? Uh yeah. Oh, yeah. This is boss. There you go. No, they are earlier. Blue's blue. We're blue for you. I followed instructions. I didn't. Hold them a little lower. There you go. Thank you. Thank you. All right, here we go. One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. There. Thank you.
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