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Skip Hall: Mayor Newsletter — April 2022

Posted

We are now accepting applications for an Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission-led grant program that supports qualified community-based organizations pursuing arts and cultural events or activities benefiting Surprise residents. Applications are being accepted now through April 22. The application, program details and eligibility requirements are available online at surpriseaz.gov/artsgrant

2022 Surprise Retail Survey

2022 Surprise Retail Survey

We want to hear from you! If you could have anything in Surprise, what would it be? The Retail Survey is open until April 24 and is available at surpriseaz.gov/retailsurvey. This year, we’re also offering a youth survey for those under the age of 18.

Summer Job Program for Teens

The City of Surprise is offering a summer job program for Surprise teens between the ages of 15 - 19 who are income-eligible. Through the City Council approved Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), applicants must be available to work up to 25 hours a week for six weeks between June 6 and July 15. Chosen interns will receive professional development training, from shadowing engineers to working with youth and seniors, and earn $12.80 per hour. Click the link for more details surpriseaz.gov/syep

Yellow Cooking Oil Disposal Station

Surprise has opened a second permanent disposal station for yellow cooking oil in the parking lot of Fire Station 303, located at 15440 N. Cotton Ln. This is in addition to the disposal station located in the parking lot of Fire Station 305 at 15517 N. Parkview Pl. Both disposal stations are open year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for used kitchen oil disposal ONLY. Motor oils are not accepted at this facility. Cooking oils disposed at the station will be processed and reused to make other products such as biofuel, soaps and candles.

Someone wipes oil from a frying pan with a paper towel.

The City will continue to operate seasonal stations so residents can dispose of excess used kitchen oils, such as those used for frying turkeys. The City hopes that installing this second location will encourage residents to Be Guardians Regarding Our Sewer System (Be G.R.O.S.S.) and properly dispose of yellow oils to help lower the cost of maintenance on City sewer lines and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Learn about proper fat, oil, grease and wastewater disposal in Surprise at surpriseaz.gov/BeGROSS.

Public Notice

Notice of 2022 Annual Action Plan Public Hearing on April 13, 2022: In accord with its Citizen Participation Plan and in anticipation of receiving approximately $665,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Surprise announces an opportunity for organizations and citizens to comment and provide input on any housing and/or community development needs they may have identified. See link to public notice for details: surpriseaz.gov/notices.

April is National Safe Digging Month

It’s a great time to remember to put safety first before starting any digging project. Whether a large-scale project or a simple do-it-yourself job in the backyard, safety should always be the top priority. Utility lines that serve the community with vital services such as natural gas, electricity, sewer and water can be buried anywhere. Striking a utility line not only poses a safety risk but can also cause an interruption of service to customers. Be safe and always know what’s below before digging!

Red, yellow and orange paint marks power lines under ground.

Southwest Gas encourages homeowners and contractors to call 811 or go online at Call811.comand click on your state at least two full working days prior to digging to request a utility line locate, You'll then be connected to the appropriate one-call center for your area, Be safe and always know what's below before digging!

Last Chance for Tax Preparation Services

This is the last month to take advantage of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which offers IRS trained and certified volunteers to assist households making less than $58,000 and need help processing their annual income tax returns for free! Tax preparation assistance will be available through April 18 at the Surprise Resource Center, 12425 W. Bell Rd., Suite 124 and through April 13 at Riverboat Bingo, 18300 W. Bell Rd. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information: surpriseaz.gov/TaxPreparation.

Seeking Applications for Commissions Vacancies

The City of Surprise is currently accepting applications for the following Commissions. All Board/Commission positions are voluntary and you mustreside in the City of Surprise.

  • Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission
    1 vacancy - term expiration June 30, 2023
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
    1 vacancy - term expiration June 30, 2023
  • Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission
    2 vacancies - terms expiring June 30, 2023
  • City Audit Committee
    1 vacancy - resident
  • Judicial Selection Advisory Commission
    1 vacancy - resident
  • Public Safety Retirement Commission (Fire & Police)
    1 vacancy - resident

Applications are available online at surpriseaz.gov/boards. Please submit applications to the City Clerk's Office in person by appointment or by email to clerk@surpriseaz.gov.

HIGHLIGHTS

Read Across America Week

Read Across America

Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child, in every community to celebrate reading. In celebration of Read Across America Week, on March 2, I read to a first and second-grade class at Canyon Ridge Elementary and on March 3, at Countryside Elementary School, I read to a third and fourth-grade class. Thank you to all the schools who participated here in Surprise.

Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club Ribbon Cutting

On March 3, City Manager Bob Wingenroth, Council Member Duffy and I joined Sterling Grove for a private ribbon cutting! Sterling Grove held the event in honor of the opening of the Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club, located at 11530 N. Greenwich Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85388. Thank you for choosing Surprise!

Mayor Hall, Councilmember Duffy and City Manager Bob Wingenroth join Sterling Grove for a ribbon cutting. Mayor Hall, Councilmember Duffy and City Manager Bob Wingenroth inside Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club.

Surprise Project Connect

On March 22, the Salvation Army North West Valley Corps hosted Project Connect at 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts here in Surprise. Project Connect is a traveling resource fair for all individuals and families who need assistance with housing, shelter, benefits, identification and other essential health and human services. Our services are concentrated on serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Human Services Campus Project Connect
Mayor Hall speaks to a reporter at Fox News.

COMING UP

Water Awareness Month

The City of Surprise Water Conservation Program is an important component of the City’s water resource portfolio management strategy. Its purpose is to educate and promote the efficient use of water across sectors in the community including residential, commercial and industrial uses. If you are a City of Surprise water utility customer, you can set LEAK ALERTS. Just access the portal through the “pay my utility bill online” option on our website at surpriseaz.gov/Utilities to set it up.

Water Use It Wisely

Spring Egg-stravaganza

Celebrate the spring season with us on Saturday, April 16 from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus. This FREE family event will also feature fun for the whole family. Food and drink are available for purchase, and there will be a minimal fee on some activities. Children 10 and under are invited to take the field to hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy and toys!

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and hunt times are as follows:

  • 8:20 a.m. – 2 and under
  • 8:50 a.m. – 3 - 4 year olds
  • 9:20 a.m. – 5 - 6 year olds
  • 9:40 a.m. – 7 - 8 year olds
  • 10:00 a.m. – 9 - 10 year olds
  • 10:20 a.m. – all ages

Schedule subject to change, please visit surpriseaz.gov/calendar for details.

KIDZ Jamboree

Join us for KIDZ Jamboree on Friday, April 8 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Surprise Resource Center – 12425 W. Bell Rd. This fun, family event will showcase early childhood programs and services available in the community, like resources, child care/preschools, libraries and more! More info: bit.ly/3tR0uN4

KIDZ Jamboree Celebrating the Week of the Young Child

City Council Meetings

As a friendly reminder, the upcoming City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19. City Council Work sessions begin at 4 p.m. while City Council Meetings follow at 6 p.m. You can also watch live on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11. We hope to see you there.