Johnny V. Melton: District 4 Newsletter — July 2025
Surprise City Councilmember Johnny V. Melton
Courtesy city of Surprise
I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July and weekend! Our Parks & Recreation Department put together another successful Independence Day Celebration this year with music and fireworks at Community Park. Thanks to City staff for all of the hard work and effort that goes into creating memories for our residents.
Please take a moment to read about upcoming events occurring within our city. Thank you.
CURRENT EVENTS
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Johnny V. Melton: District 4 Newsletter — July 2025
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Surprise City Councilmember Johnny V. Melton
Courtesy city of Surprise
By Johnny V. Melton
I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July and weekend! Our Parks & Recreation Department put together another successful Independence Day Celebration this year with music and fireworks at Community Park. Thanks to City staff for all of the hard work and effort that goes into creating memories for our residents.
Please take a moment to read about upcoming events occurring within our city. Thank you.
CURRENT EVENTS
Community Meeting
There will be no District 4 Community Meetings over the summer, they will resume in the fall. You can find my Community Meeting schedule online at surpriseaz.gov/District4 when they return.
City Council Meetings
The next City Council Meeting is on August 5 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Government Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Water Workshops
A beautiful outdoor landscape can be an oasis during the summer months. We can help you turn your outdoor space into an inviting environment with water-wise design, the right variety of beautiful drought-tolerant plants and, of course, some shade. Join us for these summer workshops.
DESIGNING A WATER HARVESTING LANDSCAPE
July 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m. (In person)
September 3, 6 - 7:30 p.m. (Virtual only)
Learn to assess your yard based on integrated design principles and find ways you can shape your landscape to passively harvest rainwater on site.
SELECTING NATIVE PLANTS FOR MULTIPLE BENEFITS| August 6, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Discover how selecting low-water-use, native plants can attract pollinators, shade your home and create an appealing landscape for your yard.
NATIVE LANDSCAPE CARE | August 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn the nuances of desert landscapes, the benefits of rainwater harvesting and the proper care of different plant types.
MORE THAN MONARCHS | September 20, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Learn how to build a garden space that attracts a variety of butterflies and other pollinators.
The City of Surprise is partnering with Vitalant Blood Donation to host a blood drive on July 27, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Surprise Regional Library Program Room. Blood donations decline dramatically during the summer, but the need for blood remains constant. Community members wanting to participate are encouraged to make an appointment through the Vitalant website using Blood Drive Code p1T62. Although walk-ins are welcome, those with an appointment will be given priority. For questions or information, please contact 623.222.5127.
Back 2 School Community Fair
The City of Surprise is helping families prepare for a new school year by offering free resources to help students get the tools they need to be successful. The Back 2 School Community Fair will be held on July 19, at the Surprise Senior Center, 15832 N. Hollyhock St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here is a list of some of the resources available:
Recognizing an opportunity to encourage community engagement and further build strong relationships with communities in Surprise, the City designated $10,000 to support the Neighborhood Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026. To be considered, projects must meet the following program criteria:
Provide a public benefit
Result in a product, which benefits a neighborhood or the larger Surprise community
Be feasible for completion by June 2026
Involve the benefiting neighborhood in project identification, planning and execution
Emphasize neighborhood self-help; be educational or community-building
The City of Surprise is a Heat Relief Network partner. Through September 30, Surprise has several locations providing free hydration and indoor refuge stations for those needing a place to cool off during the year's hottest months.
Locations:
Surprise Resource Center - 12425 W. Bell Rd., Building A, Suite 124
Hollyhock Library - 15844 N. Hollyhock St.
Surprise Regional Library - 16089 N. Bullard Ave.
Asante Library - 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr.
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) coordinates an interactive map with more than 200 locations countywide where people can find indoor cooling and respite centers, hydration stations or donation sites. The network is available at azmag.gov/HeatRelief.
Anyone can experience heat illness or death, regardless of age, health, fitness level or how long they’ve lived in Arizona. The three stages of heat illness are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Learn the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and when it’s time to seek medical attention on the Maricopa County Department of Public Health website.
Here are some tips to stay heat safe:
Stay hydrated; drink water before you feel thirsty.
If you’re sweating heavily or active for long periods, consider drinks with electrolytes to help replace salts and minerals.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Use air conditioning whenever possible. Fans alone are not effective when temperatures exceed 95°F.
Check on older adults and people living alone often. If something increases their risk, like losing power or air conditioning, you can help them move to a safer, cooler place.
Never leave children, pets or anyone else in a parked car.
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
National Monsoon Awareness Week
Mayor Kevin Sartor proclaimed June 8 - 15 as Monsoon Awareness Week in Surprise and encourages all our residents to be prepared for this unpredictable and severe weather season. Monsoon season is typically observed from June 15 - September 30, and brings increased thunderstorm and lightning activity along with the possibility of high winds, dust storms and flash floods. While the severity of weather can vary each season, Surprise residents should have a monsoon safety plan. Read more: https://bit.ly/4dKoo30
Brothers Market and Bakery Ribbon Cutting
On June 16, Mayor Kevin Sartor, Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic and I joined local business owners Qasim Al Saedi and Lori Hugueley for the opening of their new store, Brothers Market and Bakery in Surprise located at 12801 W. Bell Rd., Suite 109! Brothers Market and Bakery offers authentic Arabic foods, ingredients and made-to-order favorites like shawarma, falafel and fresh samoon flatbread. Congratulations to this great new business and welcome to the Surprise community!
La Michoacana Ribbon Cutting
On June 11, Councilmember Earle Greenberg, Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic, Economic Development Assistant Director Mike Hoover and I joined La Michoacana All Natural Fruit owners Ernestina Carrillo and Jose Hernandez, as well as General Manager Sabrina Garcia, for a ribbon cutting celebrating the grand opening of their new store located at 13706 W. Bell Rd., Suite C-20! Congratulations to the whole La Michoacana All Natural Fruit team and welcome to the city of Surprise!
Goodwill Ribbon Cutting
On June 26, Councilmember Earle Greenberg, Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic and I joined Tim O'Neal, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Timothy A. La Sota, Board Chair, for the opening of their new Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona here in Surprise. It’s located at 16531 W. Bell Rd.!
What a fantastic event, featuring $5 Goodwill gift cards for the first 150 guests, a special appearance by Goodwill’s mascot G-Willy and a visit from Suzette Rodriguez of 104.7 KISS FM Phoenix!
Congratulations to the whole Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona team, welcome to the City of Surprise, and happy thrifting!
SAVE THE DATE
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments
Surprise is officially moving the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program to a monthly appointment system. Through November, Surprise residents can request an appointment for HHW collection pickup right from their driveway during one week each month.
The collection of these materials is split into two types and scheduled separately. One pick-up is for electronic HHW, including flat-screen TVs, computers and cell phones. Another is for all other HHW.
To schedule a collection, residents can use the My Surprise app or call customer service at 623.222.1920. All scheduling is based on availability and is first-come, first-served.
Surprise Day of Service Events
Join us at St. Mary’s Food Bank on July 10 or August 14, to sort and pack food, assist clients and pack Kid's Cafe meals. Volunteer opportunities start at 7:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and noon. Youth ages 12 and over are invited to participate, however all participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required through St. Mary’s Foodbank; this process will require you to create an account on their website. For questions about this event or volunteer opportunities, please go to surpriseaz.gov/DayOfService or call 623.222.1612.
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