I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Halloween, this was our first with our little girl and we had so much fun. We especially enjoyed going trick or treating at City Hall. It is always so good to …
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I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Halloween, this was our first with our little girl and we had so much fun. We especially enjoyed going trick or treating at City Hall. It is always so good to see our amazing City staff and their families! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with football, good food and most importantly, family. And for those of you who will be on shift, who are dealing with a loved one deployed or feeling the loss of a first holiday without a loved one, I am thinking of you. Be safe and I look forward to seeing you all soon!
This year, I was selected to serve on the MAG Transportation Policy Committee (TPC). One of the benefits of serving on this committee is I have an opportunity to give not only our city, but specifically our rapidly growing northwest area, a much-needed seat at the table to advocate for planning and funding for solutions to our transportation infrastructure challenges.
Recently, during our MAG TPC meeting, I advocated for additional funding for more interim solutions to the Loop 303 and US 60 corridor. I made the motion to allocate approximately $4.5 million in new funding to additional solutions. Recently, this funding was APPROVED, and our area will now see millions of dollars of new investment to help combat our growing infrastructure challenges.
I want to be clear; this could not be possible without all of you. I want to thank those of you who reached out, those of you who took time away from your families and attended the corridor study meeting hosted by MAG. Your participation, whether in person or online, has been invaluable during the ongoing assessment of the corridor. Your input was instrumental in identifying solutions that could be implemented more swiftly as we continue to push forward on the more long-term planning and funding for the major infrastructure projects our area needs.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to join my recent community meeting at Western Peaks Elementary School. As many of you know, I try to make these meetings as informative as possible. I typically will rotate between the southern part and northern part of the district to make sure each meeting is tailored to the topics of importance for both areas. I want to thank Jeanine Jerkovic, our Economic Development Director, as well as Eric Boyles, Transportation Director, who presented information about upcoming commercial development and transportation related issues. These meetings (and the conversations we have) are some of the best parts of being your councilman!
Mayor Skip Hall officially proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the City Council Meeting on October 1. As part of the proclamation, Mayor Hall urged the community to raise awareness about this issue and work together to eliminate domestic violence in our city.
The color purple symbolizes the national effort to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). During this year’s national “Wear Purple Day” on October 17, City staff wore purple, and our community was encouraged to take part in this visible way to show support for victims and the numerous organizations that provide advocacy and assistance to them. Our community saw both Surprise City Hall and the City’s Public Safety Building lit purple each evening during the entire month in support of DVAM. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you are encouraged to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit TheHotline.org.
Mayor Skip Hall proclaimed October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month in Surprise at the City Council meeting on October 15, celebrating the value and talent workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy.
The proclamation was accepted by members of our City’s Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission, as well as the owners and some staff of Spencer's Place – a local coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On October 24, Councilmember Cline and I had the privilege of attending the Butterfly Garden Dedication Ceremony in Arizona Traditions. This project is a budding partnership between the Landscape Committee, the Desert Botanical Garden and the City of Surprise. It was finally able to take flight thanks to the Neighborhood Grant Funding the City awarded this project. Thank you to the Garden Club for inviting me and asking me to speak!
Recently, I became aware of videos circulating online that showed an armed suspect checking vehicle door handles and unlawfully entering unlocked cars in a neighboring jurisdiction. This incident has understandably raised concerns about safety in our own community. Fortunately, the suspects have been identified and arrested. This was due to proactive neighbors who reported incidents to the Surprise Police Department, which then allowed our officers to collaborate with law enforcement partners to locate and arrest those involved. Currently, our police department has detectives assigned to multi-agency task forces dedicated to investigating and successfully prosecuting these types of crimes.
While this situation has been resolved, I recognize that videos and posts regarding suspicious activity in our own neighborhoods continue to circulate online. Social media is a valuable tool for keeping each other informed, but I urge you to also report any suspicious activity directly to Surprise PD.
Your reports are vital. They enable our officers to track these incidents and allocate manpower and resources effectively to specific areas. Keeping our community safe is my utmost priority, and it requires all of us to work together. If you see something, say something—and I cannot stress this enough: please report it to our police department. Together, we must remain vigilant.
I will continue to work with our Surprise PD to ensure they have the resources and support needed to keep our community safe.
If you have an emergency or see a crime in progress, please call 911. For information related to illegal activities or suspicious behavior, I encourage you to call the non-emergency line at 623.222.4000, or submit a tip online at surpriseaz.gov/ReportACrime.
ADOT US 60 & Loop 303 Short-Term Improvements Project
Work continues on US 60/Loop 303/163rd Avenue corridor improvements. Nightly traffic restrictions began in the area of US 60 and 163rd Avenue on November 17 and will end November 27. These restrictions are needed for the traffic signal modifications and restriping of the roadways in the area for the full intersection configuration. This phase of the project will bring the following capacity improvements to the area:
The remaining pavement maintenance scheduled with the project is planned to resume in late March. The reasoning for this phased approach is mainly due to the current ADOT standard paving temperature, which is 75 degrees. Paving at temperatures above that standard reduces the risk of pavement failure and will ensure the longevity of the life of the new pavement. When work resumes in March, residents can expect additional closures, but they should be limited in nature. This work will conclude this phase of ADOT improvements to the corridor.
I continue to work with Government Relations staff to aggressively seek further improvements in this area. Thanks to the feedback from our District 1 residents, MAG and ADOT have identified additional near-term improvements that will assist with traffic congestion until more significant improvements can be constructed with funding from voter-approved Proposition 479. A traffic operational analysis was performed, and five additional improvements that will further reduce the traffic delay throughout the corridor were identified. On October 16, I made the motion to approve these improvements at the MAG Transportation Policy Committee meeting. Construction is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2025. I will continue to pass along all communications that come from ADOT on the project and upcoming traffic restrictions to keep you as informed as possible. The following improvements were approved:
163rd Avenue Road Improvement Project
The work on this City’s project to build northbound 163rd Avenue out to three lanes continues! Many of you may have noticed that the construction contractor has started the second phase of the project at the intersections of 163rd Avenue & 162nd Drive/Country Club Drive and 163rd Avenue & Happy Valley Road. This is the work to bring the infrastructure for the ultimate intersection configurations at these two locations. As this work moves along, residents can then expect to see the contractor move on to the final roadway widening for the full buildout of 163rd Avenue in the subsequent phases of the project. As detailed in previous newsletters, the contractor will be working south to north, with the final lanes being added from US 60 to Pat Tillman Boulevard first, and then widening the roadway from Pat Tillman Boulevard to Happy Valley Road, and finishing up the project with the widening from Happy Valley Road to the Jomax Road Intersection. As I get more updates from City staff and the contractor, I will be sure to pass those along to you.
163rd Avenue & Happy Valley Road Intersection Improvements
With the activation of the new signal at the intersection of 163rd Avenue and Happy Valley Road, many of you have asked about additional improvements to this intersection.
You can soon expect the west side of Happy Valley Road at 163rd Avenue to be opened as the contractor for Lennar has finished this section of the roadway. The City’s construction contractor has now started the work on the east side of the intersection, which will facilitate the full configuration of the intersection.
When the west side of the intersection is opened, there will be an interim signal condition to facilitate the new traffic movements as it is converted from a 3-way to a 4-way intersection. This will be in place until the east side of the intersection can be widened.
City staff will work diligently to minimize any delays at the intersection after opening of the west leg of the intersection. Reminder, the ultimate buildout of the intersection will include three travel lanes in each direction and dedicated right and left turn lanes on 163rd Avenue, as well as additional travel lanes, dedicated left and right turn lanes on Happy Valley Road at the intersection of 163rd Avenue.
The schedule for these improvements will occur with the 163rd Avenue widening project, so once the widening is completed from US 60 to Pat Tillman Boulevard, this section will be in the next phase of construction.
After conversations with so many of you, it was clear that expediting the activation of this signal needed to be a priority. The alternative would have been to not activate the signal and wait for the second phase of the 163rdAvenue widening project. I sided with the concerns of so many of you and advocated for the signal to be expedited. This doesn’t happen without those of you who took the time to reach out and stay engaged and our amazing transportation team who worked hard behind the scenes to make this possible. I will continue to work with our transportation team to evaluate the timing of this signal, especially during peak travel times, to help the flow of traffic. Ultimately, the full buildout that is scheduled as part of the 163rd improvement project, will help the intersection move as efficiently as possible. Until then we will continue to evaluate ways to minimize the impact you are experiencing as a result of the new signal. I will continue to provide updates to you all regarding the progress of this project.
Planned Traffic Signals
The following are planned traffic signals along 163rd Avenue that will be constructed as part of the 163rd Avenue Improvement Project:
Deer Valley Road: We are working with the developer that is constructing the roadway improvements on Deer Valley Road at 172ndAvenue. These improvements will help to improve the safety of Deer Valley Road, but will require some traffic restrictions during construction. The city is working diligently with the developer to reduce the impact on our residents. Some of the construction was completed the weekend of October 5. Additional restrictions may be required to finish the work, but we are not expecting any other full closures for this project. We will continue to share any upcoming traffic restrictions.
The City of Surprise is currently under an agreement for a cell phone tower to be located at the Desert Oasis Water Facility. The city is also pursuing opportunities for four additional towers. Here is a summary of cell phone tower activity in north Surprise:
Desert Oasis Water Facility – The cell tower at Desert Oasis had the agreement signed in May. Plans have been submitted and are currently being reviewed and modified. Once permits are approved, construction of the tower will begin.
Rancho Mercado Water Facility – The agreement is being reviewed by both the City of Surprise and the applicant. The City is anticipating a few final changes before bringing this agreement before City Council.
Fire Station 304 and Pocket Park – The agreement has gone through both legal teams and edits are being made to the agreement.
Asante Community Park – The City is exploring a new potential option near Asante Community Park. Initial conversations have commenced, and the city is exploring opportunities within and around the park that will not impact the stormwater drainage basin.
We are dedicated to solving the coverage issues in north Surprise. As these initiatives continue to progress, we will continue to provide updates.
The City of Surprise is thrilled to invite local businesses, outreach organizations and promotional vendors to participate in the annual Surprise Party holiday event, taking place Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise Party is one of the city’s largest and most popular community events, offering two nights of festive fun and entertainment for the whole family. Attendees will enjoy holiday-themed festivities, including a tree lighting ceremony, live music, arts and crafts and visits with Santa Claus. The event is expected to draw thousands of residents and visitors from across the community.
Vendors are invited to be part of this exciting celebration by hosting a promotional booth. Fees are $750 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. Each booth includes a 10x10 vendor tent, one table and two chairs. Vendors are required to attend both nights of the event as part of their registration. Please note that registration is for promotional purposes only and is not intended for the sale of goods or services. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged!
To secure your spot, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec then click the “Special Events” tab. Vendors can also register by calling 623.222.2000.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with the Surprise community and spread holiday cheer!
The City of Surprise is excited to present Cookies and Crafts with Santa on December 15! Families and children are invited to join us for a day filled with festive activities, heartwarming moments and a special visit from Santa Claus himself. This fun-filled event offers six time slots between 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., so everyone can find the perfect time to enjoy the holiday magic and create lasting memories. Located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave, registration is required, with a fee of $5 per person for Surprise residents and $7 per person for non-residents. Spaces are limited, so make sure to register early!
Click here to register for the Cookies & Crafts with Santa, or visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec and search through “Special Programs.” Call 623.222.2249 if you need assistance or more information.
The City of Surprise is hosting several free workshops for anyone wanting to learn more about Medicare. Surprise’s local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Counselor, Roberta Ezratty, will be teaching the classes. Topics include how and when to apply, coverage information, enrollment guidelines, changes coming in 2025 and more! Residents can choose to attend any one of the workshops. No registration is required, and walk-ins are welcomed. For more information or questions, email jennifer.cornelius@surpriseaz.gov
Surprise Senior Center, 15382 N. Hollyhock St.:
Surprise Resource Center, 12425 W. Bell Rd., Ste 124:
The next City Council Meetings are December 3 and 17, 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 Facebook page or Cox channel 11.
I have cancelled my November meeting so that we all could take a step back and spend some much-needed time with our family and enjoy Thanksgiving. I will have a meeting in December, and I can’t wait to see you all then! I did want to encourage those of you who have not already, to subscribe to my official channels and make sure you are receiving my monthly newsletters. I utilize social media as a tool to get information out to you as quickly and efficiently as possible but for further response please email me so I can make sure to get back with you and follow up! A lot of the questions I see on the various groups I answer in my newsletter and on my official channels, so please take the time to check them out! I appreciate everyone’s commitment to staying engaged and you have my word I will continue to get you the information you need as quickly and as transparently as possible! I look forward to seeing you at my next Community Meeting to get your questions answered, share ideas and learn more about your city!
Next Community Meeting
Wednesday, December 11, at 6 p.m.
Asante Library
16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr.
Exciting news! Taco Bell, located in the Asante Marketplace, is now open.
In addition, here are some new businesses coming to Asante Trails:
Expected fall 2024
Expected winter 2024
View the developer plans here.
Thank you for signing up to receive my council newsletters! I am honored to serve the residents of District 1 and am always available for questions, concerns or comments. My goal is to provide you with important City updates. If you haven't done so already, I would encourage you to follow our social media pages, subscribe to our text alerts and newsletters. I am available to speak with you at nick.haney@surpriseaz.gov or by calling 623.222.1321. Please follow me on Facebook and visit my webpage surpriseaz.gov/District1
