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District 5

Hastings: District 5 Newsletter — December 2020

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The Surprise Police Department has received their fifth accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA).

Agencies receive their accreditation awards after participating in a four-year process where all aspects of an agency’s policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services undergo a comprehensive examination.

The CALEA accreditation process has proven to be of great benefit to both the agency and the community, by requiring agencies to conform to procedures that are consistent with internationally recognized and progressive law enforcement standards. The Surprise Police Department voluntarily participates in the law enforcement accreditation process and will continue to do so into the future.

Congratulations to our Surprise Police Department.

Surprise Police Department Toy Drive

The Surprise Police Department Toy Drive is underway! New, unwrapped toys in the manufacturer’s original packaging can be dropped-off at the following locations until Dec. 14:

  • The Surprise Police Department, 14250 W. Statler Plaza Suite #103
  • Irish Wolfhound Restaurant & Pub, 16811 N. Litchfield Road
  • Sun Village Community, 14300 W. Bell Road
  • Sunflower RV Resort, 16501 N. El Mirage Road
  • Arizona Traditions, 17221 N. Citrus Road
  • Coldwell Banker Real Estate, 19509 N Sunrise Blvd. Suite #8
  • Coldwell Banker Real Estate, 19232 N. R H Johnson Boulevard (Sun City West)
  • Spencer’s Place, 15341 W. Waddell Road #B101
  • Walmart, 13770 W. Bell Road
  • Vista de la Montana Independent Senior Living, 18510 N. Parkview Plaza

Surprise Party 2020, At-home Style

I hope you have had an opportunity to check out the video of the virtual tree lighting ceremony that kicked-off our virtual Surprise Party this year! If you haven’t had a chance to view it, please take a moment to do so at surpriseaz.gov/surpriseparty.

Tune in on Surprise TV online and the City of Surprise Parks and Recreation Facebook Page for more fun Surprise Party At-home virtual events scheduled this week.

If you are planning to decorate your home or business’s exterior with holiday decorations, you can enter the Light up the Night House Decorating Contest.

Complete an online entry form here, or call 623-222-2000 by Dec. 9 to enter.

Judging takes place on Dec. 12-13. Structures will be judged in the following categories: best theme, best show, best traditional holiday décor, and best business.

The City will create a map and post it to surpriseaz.gov/surpriseparty on Thursday, Dec. 10 so residents can drive around and view the contest participants.

2021 Spring Training Games Announced

The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals have released their 2021 Spring Training schedule. Their season opener, featuring the Texas Rangers vs. the Kansas City Royals, is scheduled for Saturday, February 27! While ticket sales information is not available yet, you can sign up for the waitlist to receive more information when it is available. To see a complete schedule of games, please visit https://www.surpriseaz.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4995.

Please note, additional health and safety protocols are being developed with guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, local and international health authorities, Major League Baseball and destination partners. Surprise Stadium has taken additional steps to protect your safety, including reduced touch points, contactless ticketing, new intensified cleaning protocols and reduced seating capacity for social distancing.

Economic Development in District 5

Now open!
  • Bath & Body Works, 13727 W. Bell Road
  • HoneyBaked Ham Pop-Up Retail Store, 13980 W. Bell Road
  • Midwest Burger Company, 17221 N. Litchfield Road
Opening Soon!

  • Player One Arcade, 17239 N. Litchfield Road
Under Construction:
  • KC Royals Player Housing, N. Bullard Avenue
  • Mera City Center, 15510 N. La Cometa

City Center Development

I recently had the opportunity to film a Council Conversation on City Center Development with the City of Surprise Economic Development Director, Jeanine Jerkovic and Surprise City Center Development Company’s Scott Phillips. The conversation focused on recent development and what we can expect in the future. You can view the episode at surprisetv.surpriseaz.gov/watch?v=d8drHOg3msY.

The Surprise City Center “Quarter at Surprise” marketing brochure is now available. This 78-acre site is located at the southeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Bell Road and is planned for retail and restaurant uses. View the site plan and marketing materials on the Economic Development City Center webpage.

City Bond Projects Breaking Ground

Work to complete the 10 voter-approved Decide Surprise General Obligation Bond projects continues.

  • Construction has begun on the Public Safety Evidence and Readiness Center at 134th and Foxfire Drives. The Police Training Facility, at the same site, is in permit review. Both projects are anticipated to be completed next fall.
  • Greenway Road widening near the Loop 303 has just begun. The project will finish the south half of Greenway Road from 800 feet west of Loop 303 to 1600 feet east of Loop 303 (approximately Cotton Lane to Sarival Avenue), adding two travel lanes and eliminating areas of the roadway that have multiple lanes merging into one lane.

    In addition to more travel lanes, the project includes turn lanes, drainage infrastructure, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, street lighting and landscaping. This project is anticipated to be complete in November 2021, weather permitting.
  • Fire Station 308 at Litchfield and Cactus roads broke ground today and is anticipated to be complete in late 2021. Fire Station 308 will be a nearly 16,000 square foot multi-bay facility that will house an Engine Company, Hazardous Materials Response Team and future ambulance. In addition to constructing the building, the bond approval also authorized purchase of a fire engine for the station. This new station will meet the growing needs of the community and help to ensure timely and appropriate response times into the future.

Citizen Review Meeting (Virtual)

A Citizen Review Meeting is scheduled to be held on Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. via Zoom, to discuss a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for the expansion of an existing mini-storage facility located north of Waddell Road and east of 140th Drive in the Sierra Verde Planned Area Development. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please plan to attend this meeting. To access the meeting, please use the information below:

Online Zoom Meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/88630827666?pwd=RVpQZ3JtRmpaL1UvbDV6VkFQS3N4dz09
Phone Access: +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID (access code): 886 3082 7666
Passcode: 450173

COVID-19 UPDATE

As of Dec. 3, for the state of Arizona, there were 346,421 confirmed cases and 6,821 deaths. According to the AZDHS data dashboard, the positivity rate is now at 10.3%.

For your information, statistics are updated daily here. Maricopa County still has a mask mandate in effect.

For information on COVID-19 testing locations, please see the link below:

Covid-19 Testing Locations (AZ Department of Health Services)

Community Resources

Home Delivered Meal Program - the City of Surprise has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging, and Banner Olive Branch to provide residents aged 60 and better, or adults with disabilities, home delivered meals. For more information, or to register for this service, please call 602-264-4357 or 623-974-9430.

Community Christmas Drive-thru at Radiant Church- Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. Free groceries, shoes, socks, underwear and toys for children ages 3-12, while supplies last. Children must be present to receive gifts. Radiant Church is located at 15522 W. Paradise Lane.

Meet and Greet

Please join me for my Monthly Meet and Greet on Dec.  12 at 9 a.m. Chef Peter’s Bistro, 17300 N Sun Village Pkwy. I look forward to discussing the latest City issues and answering any questions you might have.

Council Meetings

The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Please note that Council meetings have been closed to in-person participation. Please tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11 and Century Link channel 8513 to watch the meetings live. Instructions for virtual public comment will be available on the meeting agendas at surpriseaz.gov/agendas.