The city of Surprise offers water conservation education to help our residents find ways to conserve water.
Did you know that 70% of residential water use occurs outdoors? One simple way you can help conserve water is by checking for leaks outdoors every month. If you would like to learn other ways to conserve water, the city of Surprise and EPCOR water have partnered to provide a Hydrate the Valley Series, which you can view on the City’s website at surpriseaz.gov/WaterConservation.
Vetlink Foundation
Vetlink Foundation offers “Coffee with Vets” on the last Saturday of every month, beginning at 9 a.m. at the city of Surprise AZ TechCelerator, located at 12425 W. Bell Road. This is a free event for veterans to socialize, connect and share with other veterans. Each event has a guest speaker who will discuss a veteran-related topic. RSVP by calling 623.303.4355. Vetlink Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect veterans and their families with free services and opportunities. I recently had the opportunity to donate some of my discretionary funds to this great organization!
Surprise FY 2022 Budget Approved
Surprise City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2022 City Budget on June 1. The budget is focused on maintaining our current level of service as the City continues to see steady growth and focuses on the Council’s commitment to maintaining quality public services and infrastructure. This budget includes 25.5 full-time positions in the General Fund and eight new employees in water, sewer, sanitation, and sports and tourism to address the City's growth. Also included in the budget are operational costs for new capital projects such as Countryside Park and Fire Station 308; and services such as the Maricopa County Library contract. Additionally, the adopted budget includes 121.5 million for planned Capital Improvement Projects. Additional details and information on the City’s budget are always available on our website at surpriseaz.gov/budget.
Heat Relief Stations
The city of Surprise is a Heat Relief Network partner. The City provides hydration and refuge stations for those in need of a place to cool off during Arizona's hot summer months. Listed below are the city’s Heat Relief stations:
Surprise Resource Center, Refuge & hydration – 12425 W. Bell Rd, Building A, Suite 124
Surprise Fire-Medical Station #301, Hydration – 16750 N. Village Drive East
The Salvation Army, Refuge & hydration – 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts Blvd
You can help those in need of relief by donating water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats at either the Surprise Resource Center or Surprise Fire Medical Station #301. Please also remember, Hot Cars Can Kill! The Surprise Police want to remind you to:
Never leave a child alone in a car
Check for kids, pets, and vulnerable persons before you lock your vehicle
Call 911 if you see a child alone in a vehicle
Share the Road
Traffic laws can vary from state to state regarding rights-of-way, and I have heard from some of my constituents regarding concerns of speeding and drivers not yielding to people in crosswalks. Sun City Grand recently published some information regarding roadway safety in their “News of the Day” newsletter. I have included this information below as a reminder to please share the road!
Sun City Grand Speed Limits:
Sunrise Blvd, Clearview Blvd, Goldwater Ridge, Mountain View Blvd: 35 mph | Residential Areas: 25 mph
Vehicles - Four-Way Stops/Crosswalks - Right of Way:
Except as provided in Arizona Revised Statutes section 28-793, subsection B, if traffic control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be in order to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
If a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
*Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation making it a crime to park a vehicle so that enough of a sidewalk is blocked to prevent someone using a wheelchair from passing.
Walkers, Runners, Joggers:
Walkers and runners, keep your eyes and ears open and move over to allow cyclists to pass safely. If wearing headphones, please have them lowered to a volume that you can hear others when approaching. Runners should signal walkers similar to cyclists when passing.
Bicyclists:
Arizona does not have a statute that specifically prohibits the operation of a bicycle upon a sidewalk (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Article 28-904;28-101). Therefore, cyclists should keep their eyes and ears open for walkers, runners, and vehicles. In addition, cyclists should alert when passing walkers and runners by yelling, “passing on your left (or right)!” Please remember to be cautious of pedestrians and move out of the way to give pedestrians the right of way.
Although it is not a law, emergency officials urge all bicyclists to wear a helmet.
Follow all traffic signs and rules of the road.
If you're riding at night, use a front & rear light.
Use hand signals when turning.
Avoid busy streets when possible.
Golf Carts:
Golf carts operate as vehicles; same laws apply. In addition, golf carts are to be operated in public streets by those who have a valid driver’s license. Children, teens, and adults without a valid license are not allowed to operate a golf cart in public streets. If you notice any violators of the safety laws permitted by the Arizona State Legislature, which are supported by the city of Surprise and Sun City Grand, please contact the Surprise Police Department at 623.222.4000, or 911 for an emergency.
Surprise Judges Reappointed
Congratulations to Surprise City Court Presiding Judge Louis Frank Dominguez and Associate Judge Catherine A. Gaudreau. Council has reappointed them to new 4-year terms beginning July 1. Thanks to both judges for their continued service to the city of Surprise!
Meet & Greet
My monthly Meet and Greet at SCG Café is canceled for July, but please join me when I resume my meeting on August 23 at 6 p.m. I look forward to discussing the latest city news and answering any questions you have.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is August 17 at 6 p.m., and City Hall is open to the public for in-person attendance. You can also watch live on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11.
