On the agenda: Surprise Regular City Council Meeting — automated license plate (Sep 15)

CITY OF SURPRISE
Regular City Council Meeting
16000 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
A.

Call To Order
Mayor Sartor called the Regular City Council Meeting of September 15th, 2026 to order at 6:00 PM,
located at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374.

1.

Invocation
Rosie Ruiz led in the Invocation.

B.

Roll Call
In attendance with Mayor Sartor were Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg and Councilmembers Chris Judd,
Jack Hastings, and Nick Haney. Councilmembers Patrick Duffy and Johnny Melton had excused
absences.

C.

Pledge of Allegiance
Dysart High School Student Government led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Student representative
Esmeralda Esquibel spoke about student leadership and invited Mayor and Council to participate in
the school’s homecoming activities.

D.

Proclamation and Community Acknowledgements
Mayoral Proclamation: Constitution Week
Mayor Sartor proclaimed September 17 through September 23, 2026, as Constitution Week and
presented to representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

E.
2.

3.

City Manager Report
The City Manager may present a brief summary of current events, including recognition
of community members, employees, and programs, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.02(K).
The City Council will not discuss or take action on any matter within the City Manager
Report.
Reports
City Manager Andrea Davis provided an update regarding the City webpage for the proposed DHS
facility and introduced Surprise Youth Council members Riker Yeager and Chloe Aleshina. The
Youth Councilmembers reported on upcoming service, community engagement, and National
League of Cities conference activities. Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic announced
that The Cheesecake Factory is officially coming to Surprise and is expected to begin construction at
SimonCRE Village at Prasada.

F.
4.

City Clerk Report
Reports
None

G.

Regular City Council Meeting Agenda

5.

CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of the consent agenda may be by one motion and a passing vote by the City
Council. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Councilmember
requests such. The requested item for discussion will be removed from the consent
agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
No items were pulled for clarification.

Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Earle Greenberg
Seconded By: Chris Judd
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

Kristi
Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the
August 25, 2026, City Council Retreat and the September Passarelli
City Clerk
1, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
Consideration and action to approve the 2027 City
Kristi
Council Meeting Schedule.
Passarelli
City Clerk
Consideration and action pertaining to acceptance of a
Seth Dyson
pass-through grant from the Gila River Indian Community Human Svcs
and approval of a Fiscal Year 2027 budget amendment and
moving budget in the amount of $40,000; Resolution
Comm Vitality
2026-130.

1.

Citywide

2.

Citywide

3.

Citywide

4.

Citywide

Consideration and action pertaining to acceptance of a
Seth Dyson
pass-through grant from the Gila River Indian Community Human Svcs
and approval of a Fiscal Year 2027 budget amendment and
moving budget in the amount of $4,000; Resolution 2026- Comm Vitality
132.

5.

Citywide

Evan Becher
Consideration and action pertaining to authorizing
Police
acceptance of two (2) grant awards from the Arizona
Department of Homeland Security (AZDOHS) and
approval of a Fiscal Year 2027 budget amendment
moving budget in the amount of $12,000 to Project
G31233 and $6,000 to Project G31228; Resolution 2026136.

6. REGULAR AGENDA ITEM - PUBLIC HEARING:
Leslie Carnie
6. District 1
Consideration and action regarding a Comprehensive
Community
Sign Program (CSP) Amendment for the Asante Trails
development on a site generally located on the southwest Development
corner of 163rd Avenue and Pat Tillman Boulevard. Case
FS25-1042.
Leslie Carnie, Community Development, presented the proposed Comprehensive Sign Program
Amendment, including two requested deviations related to monument sign separation and wall sign
area for a major grocery tenant. Staff reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended approval subject to stipulations.
The public hearing was opened. No requests to speak were received. Councilmember Haney
asked for clarification regarding the requested deviations and sign design consistency.
Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Nick Haney
Seconded By: Chris Judd

Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

7.

District 1

Consideration and action pertaining to a Minor General
Plan Amendment of approximately 7.52 acres from
Neighborhood Character Area to Commerce and Office
Character Area for property generally located near the
southeast corner of Happy Valley Road and 157th
Avenue. Case FS25-1081. Resolution 2026-127.

Chris Sexton
Community
Development

Trever Fleetham, Assistant Director Community Development, presented the Minor General Plan
Amendment for the Happy Valley Road BizTech Park, a proposed flex-space commercial
development. Staff reviewed the site, proposed land use designation, conceptual plans, community
outreach, and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation for approval.
The public hearing was opened. No requests to speak were received.
Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Nick Haney
Seconded By: Earle Greenberg
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

8.

District 1

Consideration and action pertaining to a Rezone of
Chris Sexton
approximately 7.52 acres from Rural Residential (RR) to Community
Regional Commercial (C-3) with a Planned Unit
Development
Development (PUD) overlay for property generally located
near the southeast corner of Happy Valley Road and
157th Avenue. Case FS25-1081. Ordinance 2026-18.

Trever Fleetham, Assistant Director Community Development, presented the accompanying
rezone for the Happy Valley Road BizTech Park and explained the requested Planned Unit
Development overlay and reduced east-side setback. Applicant representative Adam Baugh
discussed the project’s proposed small-business and employment space and community amenity
area.
The public hearing was opened. No requests to speak were received.
Councilmember Haney discussed area infrastructure and asked about the proposed community
amenities.
Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Nick Haney
Seconded By: Chris Judd
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

7.
9.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM - NON-PUBLIC HEARING:
District 6
Consideration and action pertaining to a recommendation Kristi
to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Passarelli
(DLLC) on Application No. 406712, requested by Howard City Clerk
Everette Magee, for Carioca Shell #7 located at 13935 W
Cactus Rd, Surprise, AZ 85379 for a new Series 10
Liquor License.
Council had no comments or questions.
Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Chris Judd
Seconded By: Earle Greenberg
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

10. District 1

Consideration and action authorizing the Mayor and
Council to accept the First Amendment to the Willow
Trails Water Agreement. Resolution 2026-104.

Michael Boule
Water
Resource
Management

Michael Boule, Water Resource Management Director, presented the First Amendment to the
Willow Trails Water Agreement. The presentation addressed the proposed 16-inch water line,
responsibilities of the developer and City, the emergency interconnect with Liberty Utilities,
anticipated permitting, and a projected completion timeframe of summer 2028 noting the method
for installing the water line beneath Grand Avenue and that the roadway would not be closed for
open-trench construction.
Motion: To Approve
Initiated By: Nick Haney
Seconded By: Jack Hastings
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed

H.

Call To The Public
Marsha Hill spoke regarding Islam and constitutional freedom.
Linda Landry requested assistance regarding City Code provisions related to utility trailer parking.
Staff was asked to connect with the speaker regarding the matter.
Kayla Bishop spoke regarding religious freedom and the proposed DHS facility.
Lori Hendershot spoke in support of preserving the rural character of Wittmann and incorporation
efforts.
Jeffrey August requested that Wittmann incorporation be placed on a future Council agenda and
mentioned materials submitted to the City regarding the proposed incorporation.
Sharon Acritelli spoke in support of Wittmann incorporation and preserving the community’s rural
character and agricultural and small-business uses.

Jim Kirk discussed municipal growth, local accountability, and Wittmann’s ability to determine its
future.
Scott Bennick spoke in support of preserving Wittmann’s rural character.
Laura Makula spoke in support of Wittmann incorporation and preserving the rural lifestyle.
David Piasecki spoke regarding automated license plate reader technology, Flock cameras, and
Fourth Amendment concerns.
Following Call to the Public, Mayor Sartor asked City Manager Davis to have staff review the
Wittmann incorporation packet. City Manager Davis stated staff could review the packet and follow
up within approximately two weeks, subject to any additional questions or information needed.

I.

Other Business and Future Agenda Items
Councilmember Haney requested a future work session to revisit the City’s animal cruelty ordinance
and determine whether updates or additional enforcement tools may be appropriate. Seconded by
Councilmember Hastings.
Councilmember Hastings asked if there was an existing tracking system for items raised during this
section. City Manager Andrea Davis confirmed and agreed to provide the link.

J.

City Council Reports
Councilmember Judd discussed recent and upcoming community meetings possibly moving to a
new location.
Councilmember Hastings recognized Surprise Police officers and thanked them for their service.
Vice Mayor Greenberg discussed upcoming district meetings.
Councilmember Haney discussed his September 28 community meeting at Asante Library and
encouraged residents to attend for information on District 1 issues.
Mayor Sartor thanked City staff for the Community Resource Center ribbon cutting and recognized
the teams involved.

K.

Executive Session

9.
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03
A. On a public majority vote of the members constituting a quorum, a public body may hold an
executive session but only for the following purposes:
1. Discussion or consideration of employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, demotion,
dismissal, salaries, disciplining or resignation of a public officer, appointee or employee of any
public body, except that, with the exception of salary discussions, an officer, appointee or
employee may demand that the discussion or consideration occur at a public meeting. The public
body shall provide the officer, appointee or employee with written notice of the executive session
as is appropriate but not less than twenty-four hours for the officer, appointee or employee to
determine whether the discussion or consideration should occur at a public meeting.
2. Discussion or consideration of records exempt by law from public inspection, including the
receipt and discussion of information or testimony that is specifically required to be maintained as
confidential by state or federal law.
3. Discussion or consultation for legal advice with the attorney or attorneys of the public body.
4. Discussion or consultation with the attorneys of the public body in order to consider its position
and instruct its attorneys regarding the public body's position regarding contracts that are the
subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions
conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation.

5. Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to
consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations with employee
organizations regarding the salaries, salary schedules or compensation paid in the form of fringe
benefits of employees of the public body.
6. Discussion, consultation or consideration for international and interstate negotiations or for
negotiations by a city or town, or its designated representatives, with members of a tribal council,
or its designated representatives, of an Indian reservation located within or adjacent to the city or
town.
7. Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to
consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations for the purchase, sale
or lease of real property.
8. Discussion or consideration of matters relating to school safety operations or school safety plans
or programs.
9. Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to
discuss security plans, procedures, assessments, measures or systems relating to, or having an
impact on, the security or safety of buildings, facilities, operations, critical infrastructure information
and information technology maintained by the public body. Records, documentation, notes, or
other materials made by, or provided to, the representatives pursuant to this paragraph are
confidential and exempt from public disclosure under this chapter and title 39, chapter 1.
No Executive Session was held.

L.

Adjournment
Motion: To Adjourn
Initiated By: Nick Haney
Seconded By: Chris Judd
Yes: Jack Hastings, Chris Judd, Nick Haney, Kevin Sartor, Earle Greenberg
No: None
Abstain: None
Vote Result: Passed
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM

__________________________
Kevin D. Sartor, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
Kristi Passarelli, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION:
I, Kristi Passarelli, City Clerk for the City of Surprise, Maricopa County, Arizona, do hereby verify
that these are the true and correct minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday,
September 15, 2026.
__________________________
Kristi Passarelli, City Clerk