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Surprise council approves scholarships, GPEC agreement and Jomax road actions; Circle K liquor recommendation sent to state
Summary
On June 2 the Surprise City Council approved a package of measures including the FY2027 Greater Phoenix Economic Council membership agreement ($84,690), a Novella development amendment and right-of-way authorizations for Jomax Road, youth scholarship awards, and a recommendation for a Circle K liquor license.
The Surprise City Council on June 2 approved a series of resolutions and motions covering economic development, a roadway plan tied to a private housing project, youth scholarships and a recommendation on a liquor-license application.
Janine Yorkovic, the city director who introduced the Greater Phoenix Economic Council agreement, told the council the city’s membership supports regional marketing and site-selection work and described a new regional branding effort. “We are launching a new campaign…called ‘New Way to City,’” she said, adding that the city’s per-capita membership assessment for FY2027 was calculated to be $84,690. Christine Mackey, president and CEO of GPEC, said the campaign focuses on “highlighting the people that work there and what the city means to them.” The council voted to approve the GPEC agreement as Resolution 2026-86.
City staff presented and the council approved an amendment to the Novella development agreement that clarifies right-of-way acquisition responsibilities and ties completion of Jomax Road improvements to issuance of the first residential building permit. According to staff, “the owner’s obligation is to acquire the right of way along with the design and construction of Jomax Road, and they must complete it before the first residential building permit goes up,” language the council approved in the amendment. The council also approved a related resolution authorizing the city to acquire fee title or lesser interests in property along Jomax Road by dedication, donation, purchase, exchange or eminent domain if necessary.
The council approved the Education Subcommittee’s recommended Surprise Youth Scholarship Program recipients and award amounts. Seth Dyson presented the program and the committee’s recommendations; the motion approved awards listed in the committee’s recommendation, which included $5,000 to Peyton Anthony; $3,000 to Jacob Garrett, Bastian Eubanks and Raul (last name as presented); $2,002 to DeGerald Gilkey (as listed in the recommendation); and $1,000 each to Claire Wilson, Christian Ibrahim, Leo Franco Ramirez and Mackenzie Mize. Staff said awards will be paid directly to the students’ educational institutions and that recipients must be Surprise residents enrolled in an accredited college, university or trade school.
On an item requiring a public hearing, the council read a recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control on application #397963 for a new Series 10 license at Circle K (17050 W. Cactus Road). The applicant did not appear in person and staff said they had received an email suggesting the applicant might withdraw; the council moved to recommend approval to the state.
Each of the motions described above was moved and seconded and recorded by voice vote as passed at the June 2 meeting. The council then recessed into executive session and later adjourned the meeting.
What happens next: the GPEC agreement and development-related resolutions take effect according to city procedures; the Circle K liquor license recommendation will be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for final state action. The scholarship awards will be processed as directed by the Education Subcommittee.
