Surprise City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2026

Note on date: The meeting began on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, per the opening remarks. The timestamp provided for this summary indicates September 16, 2026, possibly due to the meeting extending past midnight. The summary uses the date given in the instruction.

Opening & Ceremonial Items

• The meeting was called to order with an invocation by Rosie Ruiz and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Dysart High School student government. The student council vice president, Esmeralda Escobal, invited the mayor and council to participate in homecoming events.
• A proclamation was read by the mayor declaring September 17–23, 2026, as Constitution Week, in recognition of the 239th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution attended.

City Manager Reports

• DHS Facility Update: The city continues to update its webpage (SurpriseAZ.gov/DHS) regarding the proposed DHS facility.
• Youth Council Reports: Riker Yeager (junior, Shadow Ridge High School) reported on the Youth Council's selection to represent Surprise at the National League of Cities City Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, and their upcoming participation in a Meals of Hope event packing 25,000 meals and the Fiesta Grande event on October 10. Chloe Alessna (sophomore, Highland Prep High School) highlighted a teen game night, a community arts initiative, and the Meals of Hope volunteer event.
• Economic Development – Cheesecake Factory Announcement: Economic Development Director Janine Dyrkovich, in a playful "Mission: Impossible"-themed presentation, announced that after six consecutive years as the top requested restaurant in the city's retail survey, The Cheesecake Factory is officially coming to Surprise. The announcement included a photo opportunity with council members wearing sunglasses.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (five items) was approved unanimously without discussion.

Discussion & Action Items

• Item 6 – Asante Trails Comprehensive Sign Program Amendment (Case FS251042): Staff presented a request to incorporate Lot 3 of the Asante Trails development into the existing sign program, with two deviations: reducing the required 150-foot monument sign separation to 100 feet, and increasing the maximum wall sign area for the grocery tenant from 1.5 to 2.5 square feet per lineal foot of building frontage on the southern elevation. A neighborhood meeting had one attendee; no public opposition was received. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Councilman Haney clarified that the signs would match existing ones. Motion carried unanimously.
• Item 7 – Minor General Plan Amendment for Happy Valley Road BizTech Park (Case FS251081, Resolution 2026-127): A request to change 7.52 acres from Neighborhood Character Area to Commerce and Office Character Area for a flex-space business park near 157th Avenue and Happy Valley Road. The applicant cited upcoming infrastructure improvements (Happy Valley Road widening and 155th Avenue interchange). After initial opposition from adjacent property owners, a second neighborhood meeting resolved concerns, and a formal protest letter was rescinded. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. Motion carried unanimously.
• Item 8 – Rezone for Happy Valley Road BizTech Park (Case FS251081, Ordinance 2026-18): Accompanying rezone from Rural Residential to C-3 Regional Commercial with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay. The PUD overlay allows a reduced east-side setback of 15 feet (instead of 45 feet) in anticipation of a future commercial rezone of adjacent land. The applicant, Adam Baugh, noted the need for small business employment space in the area and emphasized the project's open space amenity. Councilman Haney spoke in support, citing traffic improvements and local business needs. Motion carried unanimously.
• Item 9 – Liquor License Recommendation (Application #406712): Staff recommended approval of a new Series 10 liquor license for Carioca Shell #7 at 13935 West Practice Road. Motion to recommend approval carried unanimously.
• Item 10 – First Amendment to Willow Trails Water Agreement (Resolution 2026-104): The amendment modifies the water line obligation for the Willow Trails development (175th Avenue and Deer Valley Road). The developer will now install a 16-inch water line under Grand Avenue via boring (no road closure), serving both the development and the city's Northwest Operations Center (including a future DEMA facility, Fire Station 310, and the SPA 3 wastewater plant). The city will pay $1 million as a benefited property. Completion expected by summer 2028. Council noted the benefit of an emergency interconnect with Liberty's water system. Motion carried unanimously.

Call to the Public (11 speakers)

• Marsha Hill: Expressed strong opposition to any Islamic schools, centers, or mosques in Surprise, stating Islam is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution. She urged the council to keep the city free from what she described as an advancing program.
• Linda Landry (25-year resident): Requested removal or tightening of the city code exemption allowing utility trailers to park on streets for up to 72 hours twice a month. She cited a neighbor's enclosed trailer parked excessively (45 times in 2025, 30 times in 2026) and said police and HOA had not resolved it. Councilman Judd referred her to Assistant City Manager Jeff Ravens.
• Kayla Bishop (resident near Bell & Reems): Criticized the council for not paying attention to speakers and for not taking proactive action against DHS and ICE. She reported that two community members have been taken by ICE and urged the council to prioritize prevention. She also noted the previous meeting's thorough discussion on battery storage safety and questioned why a similar approach was not taken for the DHS facility.
• Lori Hendershot (Whitman resident, 17 years): Spoke in favor of incorporating Whitman to preserve its rural character, dark skies, and open range. She noted many snowbirds cannot vote in an incorporation election.
• Jeffrey August (President of Keep Us Rural LLC, Whitman): Requested the council place a resolution to discuss incorporation on the October 6 agenda. He presented a first-year budget and municipal plan, delivered to the city earlier that day. He reported 639 signatures on an online petition supporting incorporation.
• Sharon Architelli (Whitman resident since 2008): Supported incorporation to maintain an R-1 zoning (one home per acre), allowing rural businesses, horse boarding, and roping tourism. She emphasized the importance of keeping Whitman's lifestyle.
• Jim Kirk (Whispering Ranch area, Whitman): Presented a different perspective, arguing that cities should not grow indefinitely. He advocated for limits on municipal size (e.g., 100,000 people) and suggested that division into smaller communities can increase accountability. He supported Whitman's right to self-determination.
• Scott Bennick (Patton Road & 233rd): Supported incorporation to preserve the rural feel, space, and ability to have RVs and gardens. He cited encroachment from BNSF and nearby development.
• Laura Makula (Grand & Deer Valley Road, Whitman): Moved to Whitman in 2021 to escape city life. She supports incorporation to keep one-acre zoning and low crime. She offered contracting help to the Keep Us Rural group.
• David Pieseki (Paradise, Cactus & 303 area, 21-year resident): Urged the council to reconsider mass surveillance technology like Flock (ALPR cameras), sharing a story from Arkansas where a license plate misread led to a family being held at gunpoint. He emphasized that behind each plate are real people and that technology errors can have severe consequences. He supported the decision to end the Flock relationship but asked that the cameras be removed and that future systems respect the Fourth Amendment.

Council Comments & Future Agenda Items

• Councilman Judd: Requested a future work session to review and potentially strengthen the city's animal cruelty ordinance, following incidents in his district.
• Councilman Hastings: Thanked the Surprise Police Employee Association for their service.
• Vice Mayor Queenberg: Announced district meetings in early October.
• Councilman Haney: Announced a community meeting on September 28 at 6 p.m. at Asante Library.
• Mayor Sarter: Thanked staff for the successful ribbon cutting of the new community center and commended the team's leadership.
• Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All action items (items 6–10) were approved unanimously.
• The council directed staff to review the Whitman incorporation packet and report back within two weeks to determine if it can be placed on a future agenda.
• Councilman Judd's request for a future work session on animal cruelty ordinances was noted; no formal vote taken.
• The city's economic development team announced The Cheesecake Factory's arrival to Surprise, a culmination of years of resident requests.