Surprise City Council Meeting Recap - February 17, 2026

The Surprise City Council held its regular meeting on February 17, 2026, addressing a consent agenda, presentations, public comments, and several action items. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Riverview Bear Kudas student council. Key highlights included a VFW award presentation to a Surprise fire chief, updates from the Surprise Youth Council, and a significant portion of the meeting devoted to public comments regarding a proposed ICE detention facility on Sweetwater Avenue. The council also approved budget amendments for a Big 12 baseball championship and development agreements for new housing projects.

Presentations

• VFW Award: Glenn Stark of VFW Post 285 presented a special recognition award to Chief Battalion Chief Lewis D'Angelo for exceptional leadership and collaboration within the Surprise Fire Medical Department. Stark noted that past Surprise Police Officer of the Year, Carlton Williams, received national recognition from the VFW for his role in a hostage situation.
• Surprise Youth Council: Two youth council members, Peyton Anthony (Highland Prep) and Olivia Vaughn (Paradise Honors), reported that the Youth Council will attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., with four members representing the city. They also announced a Mother's Day event, "Memories with Mom," and that Youth Council recruitment is open through April 3, 2026.
• Special Election Update: City Clerk Chrissy informed the council that state legislation moved the primary election date to July 21, 2026 (two weeks earlier), affecting candidate filing and committee reporting timelines.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: four consent agenda items (not individually listed in the transcript).

Public Comments & Testimony

Twenty-six members of the public spoke during the public comment period, with the vast majority expressing strong opposition to the proposed ICE detention facility on Sweetwater Avenue. Many speakers referenced the city council's earlier letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, which they described as insufficient. Several speakers urged stronger action, including moratoriums on detention facility permits and coordination with the Arizona Attorney General.

• Lisa Everett (Bell & Reims): Argued that the current system violates the 2001 Supreme Court decision in Zadvydas v. Davis, as many detainees are held indefinitely because countries of origin do not provide passports. She advocated for the bipartisan "Dignity Act" in Congress and stated, "The punishment does not fit the crime."
• Georgia Spillers (Bell & Reims): Supported the facility, citing examples of illegal immigrants committing violent crimes. She argued that enforcing immigration laws prevents anarchy and protects citizens.
• Alex (Waddell & 75th Avenue): Praised the council's tourism fund investment for the Big 12 baseball championship but also expressed support for the ICE facility, emphasizing that law enforcement should be allowed to enforce laws.
• Kayla Bishop (Bell & Reims): Described the council's letter to DHS as "monotone" and showing the council is "too scared to take a definitive stance." She provided examples of other cities (Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle) taking action to restrict ICE operations and urged the council to "do something."
• Amanda Kaminskis (works near 37th Avenue & Greenway): Opposed the facility due to documented inadequate medical care in ICE detention, the risk of lowered property values, and danger to her high-needs, autistic, brown-skinned client who might be misunderstood by officers.
• Alexa Coulter (Grand & Reims): Called for the council to move from "planning for public governance to planning for public crisis," citing school absences increasing 20–40% in Minneapolis after ICE operations. She requested the council form task forces to evaluate access to schools, food, and healthcare.
• Brooke McNeil (Reims & Greenway): Warned that the facility would increase student homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act, overwhelming school support systems. She stated, "Cities are judged not by what they permit, but by who they protect."
• Callie Overs (Dysart student): Expressed disappointment at the council's lack of urgency regarding student safety. She noted that her school (Dysart) is only half a mile from the proposed site and that many students walk near the facility.
• Tina Malica (Bullard & Cactus): Requested a moratorium on the facility and asked about coordination with police and schools. She also questioned whether water and sewer lines could handle 1,500 detainees and estimated the facility could cost the city lost property tax revenue and community character.
• William Buckingham (Mountain View & Reims): Referenced recent shootings in Minnesota involving ICE agents and urged the council to use the 10th Amendment and state resources to block the facility.
• Vincent Hernandez (83rd & Bethany): Cited statistics from the American Immigration Council showing ICE detention numbers rose from 40,000 in early 2025 to 73,000 by mid-January 2026, and the percentage of detainees with no criminal history soared from 6% to 41% over the same period. He described ICE operations as "lawlessness and fear tactics."
• Rosalind Mellinger Rocho (Cactus & Reims): Raised concerns about potential expansion of the facility, noting that nearby open land and warehouses could allow DHS to grow the site.
• Donna Baronski (Reims & Bell): Called on the council to pass a resolution opposing the facility, and offered to volunteer in creating health and hygiene standards for the facility.
• Christine Ciana (Reims & Greenway): Cited a New York Times investigation reporting overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and denial of medications in ICE detention centers.
• Paul Revere (Perryville & 10th Avenue): Provided legal citations (18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, 245) and argued that DHS was formed under the Patriot Act in response to 9/11, alleging Zionist influence.
• William Spillers (Reims & Paradise): A 30-year Air Force veteran who supported the facility, arguing that entering the country illegally is a crime and that the facility would help remove violent criminals. He cited that even if only 14% of undocumented immigrants are violent criminals, that represents 54,000 individuals.

Discussion Items

• Vista Montañas Annexation (Case FS25-0291): Staff presented a blank petition to annex two parcels (5.57 acres) south of the CAP Canal along Dixoleta Drive and 79th Avenue roadway alignments. The hearing was a procedural step required within 10 days of the 30-day petition period. No action was taken; the council will hold a final hearing after signatures are collected.

• Mesquite Mountain Ranch 5 Development Agreement (Resolution 2026-14): The council approved a development agreement for 265 gross acres south of Deer Valley Road between 231st and 223rd Avenues. The developer's obligations include: paying proportionate shares for two traffic signals on Sun Valley Parkway (at 227th and 219th avenues); improving 227th Avenue from the development's southern edge to Beardsley Road; designing and constructing half-street improvements for Deer Valley Road (shifted south to buffer existing rural residential communities); and addressing water/wastewater infrastructure needs (recharge basin participation or impact fees). Councilmember Haney praised the transparency of the process and the developer's willingness to work with the adjacent rural community.

• Big 12 Baseball Championship Tourism Fund (Resolution 2026-25): The council approved a $100,000 budget amendment from general contingency to the tourism fund (funded by hotel tax) to support the Big 12 Baseball Championships in May 2026. The five-day, single-elimination tournament will feature 14 teams and expects 40,000 attendees (50% from outside the Phoenix metro), 3,500 hotel nights, and $3.5 million in economic impact. Funds are reimbursement-based and tied to verified hotel room nights and attendance. Councilmembers expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with the Texas Rangers and the potential for future collegiate events in Surprise.

• Desert Trails Annexation Intent (Resolution 2026-15): The council approved an intent to annex for a site northeast of Sun Valley Parkway and 219th Avenue (west of Ford Proving Grounds). This is the first of three required hearings; the annexation will allow the applicant to dedicate 55 feet of required future right-of-way per their development agreement.

• Cell Tower Ground Lease at Section 10 Pocket Park (Resolution 2026-18): The council approved a 10-year ground lease (with three optional five-year renewals) for a 40 ft x 40 ft cell tower enclosure at the northeast corner of 183rd Avenue and Norwich Drive. The lease will generate $24,000–$33,000 annually with 3% escalations. The tower will improve cell service in underserved northwestern Surprise; Councilmember Haney emphasized the importance of treating cell service as a utility, noting that some residents have had to revert to landlines due to poor coverage.

• Future Agenda / Other Business: No councilmember requested items for the future agenda.

• Council Reports: No councilmember provided reports.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Approval: Mesquite Mountain Ranch 5 Development Agreement (Resolution 2026-14).
• Unanimous Approval: Big 12 Baseball Championship Tourism Fund Budget Amendment (Resolution 2026-25).
• Unanimous Approval: Desert Trails Annexation Intent (Resolution 2026-15).
• Unanimous Approval: Cell Tower Ground Lease at Section 10 Pocket Park (Resolution 2026-18).
• No Action Taken: Vista Montañas annexation (public hearing only).
• No Action on ICE Facility: The council did not discuss or take any formal action regarding the proposed ICE detention facility during the meeting. The public comment period on the facility concluded with no council deliberation.