Surprise City Council Meeting – April 8, 2026: Rezones, Budget Amendments, and ICE Facility Debate
Surprise City Council Meeting – April 8, 2026
The Surprise City Council held a regular meeting on April 8, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. The meeting included presentations, public hearings on liquor licenses, two major rezone approvals, budget amendments for public safety and parks, a debrief on a federal advocacy trip, a presentation on the Grand Avenue Corridor Study, and an extended public comment period dominated by opposition to a proposed ICE detention facility. The council also discussed the rezoning process and added future agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda (excluding item 3) unanimously. Items included routine approvals and an election update confirming no contest filings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Liquor License Hearings (Items 9-12): No public speakers. All four applications (First Watch, Turquoise Wine Bar) were recommended for approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
- Mesquite Mountain Ranch Rezone (Item 13): Two public speakers from the Desert Rural Overlay area (Michelle Staples and Kimberly Ferris Rowstick) thanked the council for listening and requested a single-story second row and an equestrian trail for rural community safety.
- Surprise 120 Rezone (Item 14): Same speakers returned, expressing gratitude for the buffer zone and equestrian trail but noting concerns about commercial site proximity and trail surface material appropriateness for horses.
- Grand Avenue Corridor Study (Item 16): No public speakers.
- Budget Amendments (Items 18 & 19): No public speakers.
- Federal Advocacy Trip (Item 20): No public speakers during the presentation; extensive public comment later focused on the ICE facility.
- Rezoning Process Presentation (Item 21): No public speakers.
- General Public Comment (after agenda): 74 registered speakers, with the vast majority opposed to the proposed ICE detention facility at 13290 West Sweetwater. Speakers included state legislators (Sen. Annalise Ortiz, Rep. Catherine Miranda), students from Dysart High School, and community activists. Key positions:
- Many urged the council to use local zoning authority, file lawsuits, and refuse cooperation with DHS/ICE.
- Students requested a three-mile buffer zone between any ICE facility and schools.
- Councilmember Judd and others expressed strong opposition, citing threats to Luke Air Force Base, zoning violations, and humanitarian concerns.
- A few speakers also addressed Project Bacara (a proposed power plant near Luke AFB), asking the council to issue a resolution opposing it.
Discussion Items
- Desert Oasis SLID (Item 3): Councilmember Haney presented on the street light improvement district for Desert Oasis parcel 14B. After 15 years of efforts, the city obtained the required majority of property owner signatures. The council approved the intent to form the SLID (Resolution 2026-26).
- Mesquite Mountain Ranch Rezone (Item 13): Staff reported changes from the March 3 meeting: density capped at 860 units (down from 975), entire portion north of wash rezoned to R1, first row along Deer Valley Road restricted to single-story homes, and wash corridor widened to average 300 feet. Applicant Jeff Bliley confirmed compliance. Approved as Ordinance 2026-06.
- Surprise 120 Rezone (Item 14): Proposed R1 and C2 zoning on 120 acres at Deer Valley and 227th Avenue, with a 150-foot buffer and equestrian trail. Applicant clarified planned ~370 units (max 714 under density). Commercial site (10 acres) intended for neighborhood use. Approved as Ordinance 2026-08.
- Desert Trails Annexation (Item 15): Public hearing held; no action required. The annexation of a 10-acre site for right-of-way dedication will return for final consideration after signature collection.
- Grand Avenue Corridor Study (Item 16): MAG officials presented final study, including a simulation of the proposed elevated interchange at Loop 303 and US 60. Key findings: urgent need for improvements, $500+ million in regional investments planned (including 155th Avenue interchange fully funded, construction start fiscal year 2028; ultimate US 60/Loop 303 interchange construction between 2031-2035). Council discussion emphasized expediting timelines and securing state appropriations.
- Budget Amendment – Oasis Swim Center (Item 18): Parks and Recreation requested moving $500,000 in savings from the Oasis Aquatic Center project to asset replacement for fencing, lighting, and concession stand upgrades. Approved as Resolution 2026-48.
- Budget Amendment – Public Safety (Item 19): Police and Fire chiefs requested $7 million to cover overtime and supplies, citing attrition, growth, and training needs (21 firefighters in paramedic training). Council expressed support but emphasized need for better long-term planning. Approved as Resolution 2026-49.
- Federal Advocacy Trip Debrief (Item 20): Staff reported on March 15-19 trip to Washington, D.C., advocating for a BUILD grant for Loop 303/155th Avenue, congressional directed spending, and meetings with DHS/ICE regarding the proposed detention facility. Key takeaways: facility intended as short-term processing center (542 beds, 250 detainees/week, 3-7 day stays), contractor GardaWorld, no roving patrols in Surprise, planned community relations board. Councilmembers (Judd, Melton, Duffy) raised concerns about sufficiency of promises, water usage, zoning, and impact on Luke Air Force Base. Discussion of legal options.
- Rezoning Process Presentation (Item 21): Staff outlined the statutory authority, process steps, and compliance measures for rezoning. Council discussed the difficulty of reversing zoning (Prop 207 implications) and the possibility of reversion clauses.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved (items 1-2, 4-8).
- Resolution 2026-26: Approved – intent to form Desert Oasis Street Light Improvement District.
- Liquor Licenses: All four applications (Items 9-12) recommended for approval by unanimous votes.
- Ordinance 2026-06: Approved – Mesquite Mountain Ranch rezone (264.9 acres, 860-unit cap).
- Ordinance 2026-08: Approved – Surprise 120 rezone (120 acres, ~370 units, R1/C2).
- Resolution 2026-48: Approved – $500,000 budget amendment for Oasis Swim Center asset replacement.
- Resolution 2026-49: Approved – $7,000,000 budget amendment for police and fire overtime and supplies.
- Executive Session: Council adjourned to executive session at the end of the meeting.
- Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Judd moved to add an action item on the proposed DHS/ICE facility (indefinitely continued) and a future item on e-bike/e-scooter safety regulations.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. I like to call this regular city council meeting in Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 to order. Tonight we have one of our planning and zoning commissioners to lead us in the vacation, Miss Lisa Everett. I recognize that there are many different faiths in the room, so I'm going to pray in the tradition of my faith, and I encourage you to silently pray in yours. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight with humble hearts, asking for your presence in this place. We thank you for the opportunity to gather as a community to speak, to listen, and to serve. Help them seek truth, act with integrity, and always place the good of the people above all else. May they be open to your direction and attentive to the voices of the citizens they serve. We pray for all who are here tonight that every voice be heard with respect, and that every word spoken may be guided by grace. Remove anger, division, pride, and replace them with understanding, patience, and spirit of unity. Father, we lift up our public safety personnel, all police officers, firefighters, and first responders. Place your hand of protection over them as they serve to protect our community. Grant them strength, clarity, safety, and all they do. Lord help us as citizens to act with dignity and respect. Remind us that even in disagreement, we are called to treat one another with kindness and compassion. We place this time, these decisions, and this community in your hands, entrusting your guidance and your will. I pledge our own. And it's your republic for which it stands. One nation. Under God. I'd like to introduce to you. This is um Ava Lucero, and she's been in our club the entire time she's been at our school and eligible. And uh she would like to give you uh some information. She is our current president. Uh we are the Interact Club of Arizona Charter Academy. We are sponsored locally by the Surprise in Sun City West Rotary Club. As a club, we participate in volunteering events with our school, the city, and Rotary International. We are a middle school club that includes students from the ages of 10 to 14 or 5th through eighth grade. We are a student-led club, but we have a teacher supervisor, Miss Robertson. We have been active for over 10 years, and we have 45 members and 20 recurring and participating members. Some of the volunteer events we as a club, we have participated in numerous events over the years, but we have some events that we have done frequently. For example, dog toymaking, crutches for Africa, MLK Junior Day with the City of Surprise, Food Drives, Veterans Day Parade, and Purple Pinky. We are sponsored by Rotary International. So sorry. A global humanitarian service organization that supports and funds Interact clubs across the nation. This organization is in charge of many volunteering events over the years, such as Crutches for Africa and student exchange programs. They also oversee many events and opportunities for teenagers, such as scholarships and camps. And tonight we would like to make a presentation to the council members and the mayor of some of the dog toys the kids made. This project was created by our club. It is now done by many clubs out of the COVID time, and the kids made them on Zoom, and they're made out of t-shirts and tennis balls. And it turned out to be a little bit of a fundraiser for them. But then we are now going to be going to the Humane Society to present them to the animals that are there. And that's really exciting for the kids. Purple Pinky is an event where they raise funds that go directly to polio vaccinations in other countries where it's still an issue. So we try to do a lot locally and at the school and globally. And we appreciate you asking us here tonight. Absolutely. Well, thanks for all that you do. Would you mind if we got a picture together with the council?
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