Surprise City Council Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Surprise City Council held its regular meeting on January 21, 2026. Key actions included the selection of Councilmember Greenberg as Vice Mayor, unanimous approval of four municipal code updates for utilities, and a detailed presentation of the Surprise Police Department's strategic plan. Public comment focused on home occupation regulations, street maintenance, and opposition to the proposed Project Bacara data center and power plant.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Mayor Kevin Sartor proclaimed January 2026 as Human and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month, in partnership with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and the Break the Chain campaign.
• The City of Surprise was recognized as a Just Serve City by Arizona Director Ruth Pagan for its decade of volunteerism and community service. Surprise was also nominated for the Global Just Serve City Award, to be announced at the National League of Cities Conference.
• Members of the Surprise Youth Council (Chloe Eastburn and Anaya Hood) announced the upcoming Teen Summit (February 25) for high school students and the mid-year retreat for council members. Recruitment for the Youth Council opens February 9.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously after item 4 (revised 2026 meeting schedule) was pulled and later tabled to the February 3 meeting. The remaining 14 items were approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lauren Donovan (Bell Road area) requested the council reconsider the city code regarding home occupations for personal services (nail technicians, etc.). She argued that licensed professionals operating from home could support homeschooling families and should be allowed with restrictions (one client at a time, no employees). Councilmember Haney asked staff to review the ordinance.
• Tim Jacavarino (Coyote Lakes, 30-year resident) complained about neglected street sweeping in his cul-de-sac, leading to road deterioration. He asked for better maintenance. The city manager connected with him after the meeting.
• Roy Denbar urged the council to formally oppose Project Bacara, a proposed data center/power plant near residential areas. He criticized the city's inaction and demanded a resolution of opposition.
• Alexis Young (Greenway and Con) detailed environmental and health concerns about Project Bacara: 18 gas turbines, 89.9 tons of nitrogen oxides annually, 200 tons of greenhouse gases, and 59 million gallons of groundwater consumption per year. She stated Surprise is already in serious non-attainment for ozone and asked the city to fight the development.

Discussion Items

• Municipal Code Updates (Items 18–21): Staff presented four updates to Chapter 58 (Utilities):
  • Item 18 (Sewer Interceptors): Cleaned up language to align with industry standards and international plumbing code.
  • Item 19 (Stormwater Service): Updated definitions, clarified operations and maintenance responsibilities, added a credit program for commercial properties (up to 25% reduction). Councilmember Judd raised a concern about businesses required to capture 100% of stormwater still being billed; staff noted future utility rate studies would address that.
  • Item 20 (Water Conservation): Tightened restrictions on non-functional turf in new developments, limiting it to active recreation areas and areas with slope <25%. Worked with Home Builders of Central Arizona.
  • Item 21 (High Water User Regulations): Adopted a three-tier approach: 0–100,000 gallons/day is allowable; 100,001–200,000 requires council/staff discretion; above 200,000 requires the user to bring water to the city. Councilmember Judd praised the measure for protecting the city's water supply. All four ordinances (2026-03, 2026-04, 2026-02, 2026-07) were approved unanimously.
• Annexation Correction (Item 22): The council approved a corrected resolution of intent to annex two 55-foot-wide parcels (5.57 acres) for the Vista Montanas project, south of the CAP Canal along Dixoleta Drive and 179th Avenue. The correction fixed an outdated legal description in the previous blank petition.
• Police Department Strategic Plan (Item 23): Chief and commanders presented the new mission statement and alignment with council priorities. Highlights:
  • Core services: patrol, investigations, traffic, community engagement, training, support services.
  • Recruitment: The SPEED program had 798 participants in 2025, resulting in 16 new hires; a record 12 recruits entered the academy in October 2025. Efforts to shorten the hiring timeline to 3 months (6–8 weeks for laterals).
  • Wellness: partnerships with Fire and HR for mental health, infrared/cryotherapy, nutrition classes, and peer support. The department's culture has driven strong retention and recruitment.
  • School safety: 15 schools with dedicated SROs; 7 additional schools covered by off-duty officers funded by a state grant. Free threat/vulnerability assessments for all 50 schools in the city.
  • Public Safety Master Plan completion expected spring 2026; new police precinct design near completion, projected for summer 2027; full implementation of Mark 43 records management system in October 2025.
  • Councilmembers commended the presentation and emphasized the need for continued staffing increases and funding to keep pace with growth.

Key Outcomes

• Vice Mayor Selection: Councilmember Greenberg was elected Vice Mayor by written ballot (unanimous) and sworn in.
• Planning & Zoning Commission Appointment: Lisa Everett was unanimously appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission, term expiring June 30, 2027. She was sworn in.
• Votes on Ordinances: All four utility code updates (2026-02, 2026-03, 2026-04, 2026-07) passed unanimously.
• Annexation Resolution 2026-19: Approved unanimously.
• Tabling of Item 4: The revised 2026 meeting schedule was tabled to the February 3 council meeting to allow more time to determine if a March 24 meeting is necessary.
• Council Reports: Mayor announced a $500 donation from his discretionary fund to the MLK Scholarship Fund. Councilmember Hastings outlined a Bell Road revitalization initiative (lanes, lights, landscaping). Community meetings scheduled: District 3 – Jan 27 at Sonoran Heights; District 2 – Jan 28 at Sun Village Acadia Room; District 5 meet-and-greet – Feb 7 at Public Works facility.
• Adjournment: The regular meeting adjourned to an executive session.