Greetings! As summer fast approaches and children begin to wrap up their school year, at City Hall we continue to plan fun and safe activities for the community. Last month, I spent some time sharing my journey with students from local high schools who participated in the Annual Teen Summitt. I recognize the importance of being present in our youth’s lives and giving them a sense of what’s possible. I believe these actions are essential to support our children’s growth into successful adults who care about their community. As always, our office welcomes you to get involved. Come meet us at events and contact us at any time!
CURRENT EVENTS
Surprise Safety Splash
Bring the family to Surprise Safety Splash on Saturday, May 18, for a free event focused on water and summer safety. Enjoy rescue demos, fire trucks, police and SWAT vehicles, games, raffles, prizes, swim evaluations and more! The pool and water slides will be open for families to enjoy and swim during the event. There will also be burgers and dogs sponsored by the Surprise Firefighter Charities. This event will be at the Surprise Aquatic Center, 15831 N. Bullard Ave., from 5 - 8 p.m. and is brought to you by the City of Surprise Aquatics Division in partnership with the Surprise Fire-Medical and Police departments, and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. For more information regarding Surprise Safety Splash, swim lesson assessments or swim team tryouts, head to surpriseaz.gov/Aquatics or call 623.222.2000.
The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, there is something for you to explore!
*Gallery Tour
May 9 • 9 a.m. - noon
*AZ Speaks - “Dr. Pearl Tang: Path Breaker in Public Health” by Dr. Mary Melcher
May 22 • 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Surprise City Hall Art Gallery • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Charter Schools Exhibit | Runs through May 17
Chuck Kyle Photography Exhibit | May 24 - July 26
Join us to assist with sorting bulk food items, creating food baskets and loading food into vehicles; helping in the process of providing food for families in need. Registration is required through St. Mary’s Foodbank. For questions about this event, please call 623.222.1647
Wednesday, May 15, at 7:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Food Bank
13050 W. Elm St.
APRIL HIGHLIGHTS
Well Groomed Pets Ribbon Cutting
It was a 'furry' exciting day on Wednesday, April 10, as Mayor Hall, Vice-Mayor Haney and I joined the Surprise Economic Development team to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Well Groomed Pets, located at 13833 W. Bell Rd. Thank you to owners Mr. and Mrs. Baker who generously donated to Chance Shelter in honor of the special occasion. A special thank you to Rio Mirage Café and Boyer Bakery for providing refreshments for people and pups alike!
Level Crossing Phase 3 Groundbreaking
It was a privilege to celebrate the groundbreaking of the newest addition at Surprise Railplex, Level Crossing Phase 3! With an estimated completion of the first quarter of 2025, the masterplan industrial development of 150,000+ square feet will be able to accommodate a diverse business base such as heavy manufacturing, distribution/logistics or sustainable industries. Welcome to the Railplex Level Crossing Building 3, we wish you a safe and speedy build!
Savior Hospice Ribbon Cutting
It’s official! A ribbon cutting was held in celebration of Savior Hospice. Their mission is to provide compassionate, dignified comfort care services for patients and their families. The new location is at 14780 W. Mountain View Blvd., Suite 206.
Valley Metro Board Meetings
I continue to participate in the Valley Metro Board meetings held in Phoenix, to give them an overall update on Surprise with a focus on Paratransit and Ride Choice. Please visit our Valley Metro Service page for more information.
Founders Day
It was an incredible day on Saturday, April 13, at Founders Day. A special thank you to the dedicated members of the Surprise Original Townsite Stakeholders Committee for a successful event. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to making this ongoing tradition possible!
NEWS & UPDATES
Heat Relief Network
Arizona recognizes Heat Awareness Week May 6 - 10. This is a week dedicated to raising awareness about heat risk, promoting indoor and outdoor heat safety and encouraging those at greater risk of serious illness or death to connect to cooling centers and other resources.
The Heat Relief Network is a regional partnership of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), municipalities, nonprofit organizations, the faith-based community and businesses. Each year, MAG coordinates the mapping of the Heat Relief Network, a network of partners providing hydration stations, refuge locations and water donation sites throughout the Valley with the goal of preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations. For more information, visit Heat Relief Network - Maricopa Association of Governments (azmag.gov)
Memorial Day Closures
City of Surprise administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. City of Surprise trash and recycling customers ONLY are reminded there will be a modified trash collection schedule that week, postponing collection by one day.
Call for Artists – Basketball Mural
The City of Surprise invites Arizona-based artists or artist teams to submit qualifications to create a basketball court mural at the community pool and park currently under construction at Perryville and Cactus roads. West Valley artists are strongly encouraged to apply for this $25,000 award by June 3. To apply, visit the City of Surprise Artist Calls page.
Surprise Public Library Survey
Help us shape the future of the Surprise Public Library System. Take our survey through June 3, and share your thoughts on collections, programs and more. Your feedback matters!
High School Diploma Program
The Surprise Public Library System is offering Arizona residents aged 21 years or older a second chance at earning a high school diploma through Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, an approved facilitator of the Arizona Adult Workforce Diploma Program. It’s designed to help adults obtain their high school diploma entirely online, as well as prepare them for college or the workplace. Learn more and enroll.
Safe Speeds Saves Lives
Creating safer streets starts with addressing speed, which is the largest cause of injury and death in traffic collisions. The “Safe Speeds Save Lives” campaign is delivering high-visibility traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards speeding and aggressive driving on West Valley roadways. The enforcement mobilization is in effect through July 31, 2024.
Voting Information
Find important voting information, like where to vote and important dates to remember for the upcoming election! Ballots for the Primary Election will be mailed beginning Wednesday, July 3. In-person early voting will begin July 3 at City Hall – Community Room and will continue through Election Day, July 30.
2024 Retail Survey
The City of Surprise is excited to announce the results of the 2024 Retail Survey! The survey, which received overwhelming participation of more than 5,000 responses, provides valuable insight into residents’ local favorite retailers and restaurants, as well as the most desired businesses that residents are eager to see in the community.
For years the results of the Surprise Retail Survey have helped guide the City’s business attraction strategy and have been instrumental in bringing most wanted businesses such as Hobby Lobby, Portillo’s and American Furniture Warehouse, all of which are currently under development in Surprise.
It is the kickoff to summer reading! Join us on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at Surprise Regional Library. We will have axe throwing, performers, games, prizes, food trucks and karaoke! Your adventure begins this summer at the Surprise Public Library. Don’t forget to pre-register for the Summer Reading Program for your chance to earn prizes and enter raffles!
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me anytime at aly.cline@surpriseaz.gov or by calling 623.222.1322. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for frequent notifications. To receive my newsletters by email each month, please visit surpriseaz.gov/Subscribeand sign in or create an account. Then select text and/or email for “District 2 Council Updates” and any other news you may want to receive.
