Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Surprise City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, covering a wide range of topics including holiday celebrations, city milestones, strategic plans, legislative priorities, development agreements, and financial updates. The meeting featured special presentations from the Valley Vista Choir, the Arizona Rangers, and the Surprise Youth Council, along with public comments on several community concerns.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included five routine items. No items were pulled for discussion.

Public Hearing – Liquor License

• The council held a public hearing for a new Series 9 liquor license (application #365730) for Circle K Store #9626 at 16256 West Joe Max Road. No public speakers requested to comment. Councilmember Haney confirmed the application number was correct. The council voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

Presentations & Reports

• Employee Dependent Scholarships: HR Director Josette presented the 2025 Employee Dependent Scholarship winners: Emma Hudson (first place, $5,000), Claire Avilos (second place, $3,000), and Finn Bush (third place, $2,000). The program, established in 1999, has awarded over $70,000 to 33 dependents.
• Youth Council Report: Youth Council members Alice Bogman (junior at Willow Canyon High School) and Cadence Starter (sophomore at Shadow Ridge High School) reported on their activities, including surveys, food drives, Santa's Workshop, and kindness cards for hospitals. Upcoming events include a street cleanup and the 10th annual MLK Day of Service on January 17, 2026.
• City Clerk Historical Facts: The city clerk highlighted Surprise's 65th incorporation anniversary. On December 6, 1960, 113 of 153 ballots approved incorporation. The town became a city on March 19, 1991. The population was 1,574 in 1961; by 1991 it had grown to over 3,500.
• City Court Strategic Plan: Presiding Judge Louis Frank Dominguez and Court Administrator Elena Cano presented the court's strategic plan, aligned with Arizona Supreme Court goals and city council pillars. Key initiatives include a firearms transfer program, virtual hearing expansion, electronic kiosks for self-service, and a Justice for All Financial Relief Fair to help residents comply with court orders. The court aims to improve efficiency and access to justice.
• 2026 Legislative Agenda: Government Relations Director Jody presented the 2026 legislative agenda and a recap of the 2025 session. Key wins included sober living home reform (SB 1308), a $3.2 million appropriation for Loop 303 and 155th Avenue design, Luke Air Force Base measures on driver's license reciprocity and foreign landownership. The 2026 agenda prioritizes maintaining quality of life, transportation infrastructure, land use planning, public safety, economic development, water sustainability, and protecting Luke Air Force Base. Councilmember Haney emphasized the importance of resident engagement and the need to address transportation challenges, especially for state-owned infrastructure like Grand Avenue and US 60. The council approved the agenda unanimously.
• Surprise 120 Development Agreement: Lloyd Abrams presented Resolution 2025-136 for a 120-acre development east of 225th Avenue, west of 227th Avenue, north of Deer Valley Road. The developer must contribute to traffic signals at 227th and 219th, water resource impact fees, and wastewater improvements. A resident, Kimberly Varostek, expressed concerns about Deer Valley Parkway becoming a six-lane arterial adjacent to rural homes and the need for formalized road shifting and buffers. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• FY 2026 Financial Status Report (First Quarter): Finance Director Sandy reported that through September 2025, revenues exceeded budget by 1.3% due to higher state shared sales tax and franchise fees. Expenditures were 2.4% over budget primarily due to timing of personnel onboarding. The council discussed the city's ability to handle potential economic downturns, noting that the city can scale back budgets if needed.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items

• Michelle Heineke (topic: music at the park) – not present.
• April Butler (resident near Reims and Peoria) – spoke in opposition to the proposed Tecanox Project Becara (a data center near Copper Canyon), noting it would be only 2,000 feet from the nearest home and presented a petition with 4,500 signatures. She urged the council to use their voice against the project, which is outside city limits but affects Surprise residents.
• Hillary Weber (Kingswood Park) – also opposed to Project Becara, citing community-led coalition efforts, lack of informed consent, and potential health risks (e.g., rare cancer spikes from similar data centers in Ohio). She called for transparency and collaboration.
• Alex Chris (175th and Waddell) – offered holiday greetings and expressed appreciation for the council's community engagement, including first Saturday meetings.
• Alisa Everett (163rd and Grand) – thanked the Parks and Recreation Department (Holly Hall) for successful Christmas events, noting the tree lighting at Mark Coronado Park drew thousands.

Council Reports & Announcements

• Mayor Sarter recognized the Arizona Rangers for providing security at the menorah lighting. He also thanked the city staff and praised the community's holiday spirit.
• Councilmembers expressed gratitude for the year's accomplishments, including the opening of a new park, strong collaboration, and successful events. They wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Councilman Melton participated by phone from a work assignment. The meeting adjourned with a motion from a Youth Council member.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda (unanimous).
• Recommended approval of liquor license for Circle K (unanimous).
• Approved 2026 legislative agenda (unanimous).
• Approved Surprise 120 development agreement, Resolution 2025-136 (unanimous).
• Received presentations on city court strategic plan and first quarter financial report with discussion.
• Heard public comments on the proposed Tecanox Project Becara; no council action taken as the project is outside city jurisdiction.