Surprise City Council recesses to executive session over DHS warehouse purchase

The Surprise City Council recessed into an executive session on Feb. 5, 2026, to receive legal advice about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's proposed purchase of a warehouse near Sweetwater Avenue and Cactus Road, the council announced at a special meeting.

The clerk read the agenda item aloud: "Consideration and action to recess into executive session pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §38-431.03(A)(3) for the purpose of discussion or consultation for legal advice regarding the United States Department of Homeland Security's purchase of a warehouse located near Sweetwater Avenue and Cactus Road," and Mayor Sartre moved that the council adjourn to executive session "for legal advice." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the open meeting was then adjourned.

The statutory citation the council relied on, Arizona Revised Statutes §38-431.03(A)(3), allows a public body to hold an executive session to obtain legal advice from its attorney. Because the meeting recessed to executive session, the council did not publicly discuss the substance of the legal advice or the details of the proposed property transaction during the open session.

The clerk's reading did not include a detailed description of the property beyond its location near Sweetwater Avenue and Cactus Road, and the council did not record a roll-call vote in the open portion of the meeting. The council did not provide a timetable or next steps for returning with public information at the time the open meeting adjourned.

The council reconvened in executive session for legal advice; no further public actions or votes were announced in the open minutes. Any substantive actions or decisions that arise from the executive session would be reflected in subsequent public minutes or agenda items if the council takes formal action in open session.