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Ken Remley: District 4 Newsletter — June 2021

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The city of Surprise is re-opening programs at the Senior Center in a phased approach, with limited front desk access and exercise classes available now. The Center, located at 15832 N. Hollyhock St., is a hub for connection and activities for those age 50+ and adults with disabilities.

All Senior Center participants will be required to fill out a new enrollment packet when returning to in-person participation. Enrollment packets are available at the Senior Center during the hours listed online at surpriseaz.gov/seniorcenter. Completed packets should be dropped off at the Senior Center. Membership is $12 per year for Surprise residents and $15 for non-residents. Fees are due with membership forms.

The Senior Center meal program has also returned to in-person sit-down meals. Call 623.222.1500 two days in advance to reserve your spot. A home-delivered meal option is available through Banner Olive Branch if you cannot participate in the in-person program. To see if you qualify, please call 602.264.4357.

Facemasks are encouraged but not required. Dates, capacity requirements, and times are subject to change without notice.

Gaines Park Dedication Ceremony

A dedication ceremony was held on May 15 to celebrate the completion of Floyd Gaines Park. The park, located at 16001 N. Nash St., in the city’s Original Town Site, includes a lighted youth ball field, netting, fencing, restrooms, and a lighted and paved parking lot. Floyd Gaines was a pioneer in our community and an avid champion of its youth and parks and recreation services. I was honored to speak at this event and am so proud to have this park as a part of our community.

A view of the new ball field at Floyd Gaines park. The plaque at Floyd Gaines Park dedicating the new ball field.
A speaker at a podium talks to guests at the Floyd Gaines ball park ceremony.

Hollyhock Pool Now Open!

Come and cool off at the Hollyhock pool during open swim hours every day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Open swim fees for residents are $2 for youth (6 months-17 years) and $3 for adults. All non-residents are $5. Swim lessons are also available. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 623.222.2000.

Veterans' Services

The Vetlink Foundation is offering a monthly Coffee for Vets event on the last Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the City of Surprise AZ TechCelerator located at 12425 W. Bell Rd. Come enjoy free coffee and bagels and build connections with other veterans. Each event will have a guest speaker who will discuss a veteran-related topic. RSVP by calling 623.303.4355.

Rent and Utility Assistance

The Surprise and El Mirage Community Action Program (CAP) has a new online portal to apply for rental and utility assistance. Please visit http://hsdclientportal.maricopa.gov/ to complete a pre-screening assessment. Those needing assistance with the online process can call 623.222.4673. Eligibility restrictions apply. surpriseaz.gov/3549/Community-Action-Program-CAP.

Free Showers

Free showers every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at the Salvation Army in Surprise between 10–2 p.m. at 17420 N. Ave of the Arts. Food, medical care, haircutting, and pet care resources are also available. Made possible by Church of the Palms, Salvation Army, and the City of Surprise. Call 623.222.1600 for more information.

We Care Program

We Care is an automated system designed to call a senior or homebound person once a day to check on their welfare. If the daily call is not answered, an automatic alert is sent, and personnel from Surprise Police or Citizens Patrol will be sent to the home to check on the individual. If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, you can submit an online application at surpriseaz.gov/wecare and the Surprise Citizen Patrol will contact you to schedule a required home visit and interview.

Prescription Drop-off Box

The City of Surprise Police Department has a prescription drug collection bin in its lobby for easy disposal of unwanted drugs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The focus of this program is to provide a safe location for individuals to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications and ultimately reduce the likelihood of these medications falling into the hands of children and teens. Visit the link below for more information: surpriseaz.gov/3359/RX-Drug-Drop-off.

Vial of Life

Please stop by our Surprise Fire Medical Administration office, located at 14250 W. Statler Plz., Suite 101, where you can pick up a Vial of Life. The Vial of Life contains a medical emergency information form that should be filled out, put back in the vial, and stored in your refrigerator for safekeeping. A sticker also comes in the vial that can be placed on your refrigerator to alert first responders that you have this information available. The vial of life is designed to provide important medical and emergency information to first responders when you cannot. While you are there, you can also pick up a Pet Finder window sticker that alerts first responders to the pets in your home.

Water Wise

You may have heard talk in the news media recently about the Colorado River and a potential shortage declaration. The Western United States, including Arizona and the Phoenix metropolitan area, has been experiencing a drought for more than 20 years, with an official drought declaration in June 1999. Drought is a normal occurrence in the southwest desert. However, as the drought in the Colorado River Basin continues to extend, the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Nevada along with Mexico may face reductions in their Colorado River water deliveries through a “Tier 1” declaration by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Water Resource Management logo

What does this mean for Surprise water customers? A Tier 1 shortage declaration will not affect Surprise’s water allocation or its deliveries to customers. Although there will be no immediate impact on municipal water supplies, Surprise remains committed to water resource management and water conservation measures. Shortage on the Colorado River does not mean shortage for Surprise’s customers at the tap. Being efficient with water has been part of our long-term water management strategy, and our water conservation program provides resources to assist customers.

Furthermore, Surprise is not directly delivering its Colorado River allocation. Instead, we use our Central Arizona Project (CAP) water allocation to recharge the aquifer, storing water for future groundwater pumping. As always, water users must follow water-efficient practices to protect our precious resources. Find out more information about drought and how it affects Surprise water customers on our Drought Resiliency and Preparedness website: surpriseaz.gov/droughtmgmt.

Retail Survey Results

The City of Surprise launched its annual Surprise Retail Survey on April 5, and more than 5,100 responses later, we have the results!

The city uses the survey data to identify the city’s retail strengths and opportunities to bring additional amenities closer to home. In the past, the survey has helped bring in establishments like In-N-Out Burger, Texas Roadhouse, Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, and Costco!

Select survey insights are listed below, with full results available at surpriseaz.gov/retailsurvey.

2021 Surprise Retail Survey Results

District 4 Community Meeting

Please join me for my monthly Community Meeting on May 26 at 6 p.m. at the Surprise Senior Center, located at 15832 N. Hollyhock St. Please note there will be no Community Meeting in July. Check the city website at surpriseaz.gov for updated information on my meet and greet schedule. Call or email me in the meantime with any questions or concerns you may have.

City Council Meetings

The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is June 15 at 6 p.m. in the City of Surprise Council Chambers. City Council meetings are now open to in-person attendance, or you may tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11 to watch the meeting live.