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Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — June 2021

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

2021 Surprise Retail Survey results

City Pools Now Open!

Surprise Aquatic Center and Hollyhock Community Pool are now open for limited-capacity swim lessons and open swim. Open swim fees are $2 for youth residents (6 months – 17 years) and $3 for adult residents; the non-resident fee is $5 per swimmer. Children 10 years and younger must be accompanied by a guardian 16 years or older. For more information, please contact the Parks & Recreation Office at 623.222.2000 or visit surpriseaz.gov/aquatics.

Surprise Aquatic Center pool

Surprise Water Wise

Surprise Water Resource Management logo

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.

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. For more information about drought and how it affects Surprise water customers on our Drought Resiliency and Preparedness website: surpriseaz.gov/droughtmgmt.

You may be wondering how you can save water. Here are some water-saving tips:

  • Visit Surprise's water conservation page surpriseaz.gov/waterconservation for water-saving guides, tips, and advice.
  • Surprise customers can track their water use through a WaterSmart portal and use real-time tracking to establish a water use baseline and set leak alerts. Customers can access the WaterSmart portal through the "pay my bill" option on Surprise's Utility Billing website surpriseaz.gov/WaterBill.
    WaterSmart logo

Floyd Gaines Park Dedication

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.

Floyd Gaines Park sign

Firestation 304 Tour

I recently had the opportunity to tour the new Surprise Firestation 304, located in Asante at 24550 N. 163rd Ave. in north Surprise. While the station is relatively new, it is already known for the artwork in front of it and for housing the Surprise Police Mobile Command Center.

The Surprise Police mobile command unit and artwork at Firestation 304.

Senior Center Phased Re-opening!

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. Visit surpriseaz.gov/seniorcenter to learn more about Center programs and activities.

Rotary Club Tree Donation

The Surprise Rotary Club donated a new tree at Dick McComb Park near the splash pad. Our contractors planted the tree on Arbor Day, April 29. As a thank-you, the City of Surprise presented a plaque to the Rotary Club.

Surprise City Council present a plaque to Surprise Rotary Club members.

Meet and Greet

District 3 Community Meeting banner.

My next meeting will be June 5 at 9 a.m. at Spencer's Place, 15341 W. Waddell Rd. #B101. Please check surpriseaz.gov for updates and cancellations to my Meet and Greet schedule. As always, feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.

City Council Meetings

The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 6 p.m. Please tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11.

Closing

Please continue to check the City of Surprise website, at surpriseaz.gov for updates to meeting schedules and other important announcements.