Surprise, AZ News blog

The Surprise City Council will have a special meeting Thursday to vote on and possibly create two part-time positions for the city, including chief of staff for the mayor and council and a cultural arts director.

“We want to streamline our city and council, so we can address the short and long term goals we want to accomplish,” Mayor Lyn Truitt said.

Truitt said the chief of staff to the council is similar to positions found in Peoria, Glendale and Goodyear.

“It’s not a new concept because a lot of councils have liaisons between them, the city staff and others on the outside,” he said. “This is going to be a very busy year for us and the chief of staff will be able to help answer any questions for us.”

Truitt said the city intends to appoint the chief of staff during the special meeting on a part-time basis for a six-month contract. He said he hopes to appoint Miryam Gutier, interim intergovernmental liaison for Surprise, who also worked on staff for Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs.

“She has a wealth of knowledge and that’s what we need right now,” he said.

If the position is approved and Gutier appointed, she’s expected to take post at the first regular council meeting Jan. 10.

In addition, Truitt said he wants to have a cultural director that would assist in such departments as economic development and the fine arts committee.

“They would be the creative catalyst that would help create a sense of image for the city of Surprise,” he said.

In 2008, Truitt said he has high hopes for Surprise and the council.

He was sworn into office two weeks ago, replacing retired former Mayor Joan Shafer.

“I’m looking forward to stabilizing the environment at city hall and building a team that wants to work together,” he said. “We want the residents to feel confident in us.”

The stability he’s referring about includes Surprise City Manager Jim Rumpeltes scolding the previous council at a public meeting.

“There has been a degree of tension and we want to be sure to resolve things and move on because it’s all about teamwork,” Truitt said.

He would like to see several items accomplished next year such as the acceleration of Bell Road improvements and the establishment of Agua Fria River crossings.

Truitt said he’s also interested in bringing a community college or university in the city.

“I would love for it to happen but I know it’s not going to be next year,” he said. “However, we’re going to be aggressive in taking the right steps toward that direction.”

Even though he has yet to preside over his first official meeting, Truitt said he has been busy since taking office.

“I just want to do what’s best for the city, so it’ll continue to grow even more than it has before,” he said.