We were not able to have a veterans parade this year, but please take a moment on Nov. 10 through 12 to drive along Bullard Avenue and see the decorated signs thanking and celebrating veterans.
You can also sign in to the Surprise TV cable channel, our Parks and& Recreation social media pages (Facebook and Instagram), and the city of Surprise website at surpriseaz.gov on Veterans Day to see a compilation of community video messages for our veterans. Thank you to all the residents that submitted videos and signs for this special project.
APS Project
APS is in the early stages of a public siting process to identify routes for new 230kV power lines. The project structures/poles will be between 115-195 feet tall and will be placed in new or existing rights-of-way or easements. The power lines will connect the new Contrail Substation, located at the southeast corner of Olive Avenue and Dysart Road, to existing 230kV facilities.
Public Input for the West Valley Central 230kV Connection Project is now being accepted. Members of the public are invited to learn more about the project and to submit comments at apswestvalleycentral.com. Comments will be accepted until Nov. 20.
Additionally, two Live Virtual Town Hall meetings will be hosted on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Both are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. You can register at surveymonkey.com/r/APSlivechat
Winter Youth Sports/Teen Bubble Soccer
Registration for Surprise Parks and Recreation Winter Youth Sports begins Nov. 2. The winter season for youth basketball, kickball, and flag football leagues starts in early January and runs until March. For league details please visit surpriseaz.gov/youthsports.
Surprise Parks and Recreation is also offering sports skills classes and camps, tennis programs and e-sports tournaments. For more information on these programs, please contact the Sports Division at 623-222-200 or visit surpriseaz.gov/recreation.
Teens ages 10-17 can register to play in a Bubble Soccer Tournament on Nov. 7 at Mark Coronado Park, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. Tournament times are 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. for the 10-12 year old division, and 6:45 p.m.- 8:15 p.m. for the 13-17 year old division. The cost is $10 per person. Reserve your spot today by registering online at bit.ly/2ThB7BV or by calling 623-222-2000
Surprise Parks and Recreation has developed and implemented COVID-19 procedures in compliance with the CDC guidelines for the health and safety of our staff and participants.
With daily reassessments in relation to the COVID-19 situation; rules, procedures and general guidance are subject to change.
National Tennis Championships
The city of Surprise won the bid to host the 2026 NCAA Division II men’s and women’s tennis championships. This championship will return to Surprise after a successful event in 2018 and the upcoming championships in 2021.
NCAA Championship event awards are based upon specifications that include, but are not limited to, providing optimal facilities; ease of travel to the location and ample lodging; and adherence to NCAA principles, which include providing an atmosphere that is safe and respects the dignity of all attendees. The sites are selected by the respective NCAA sports committees and approved by the divisional competition oversight and championships committees.
Temporary Expansion of Premises (TEP) permits
City Council approved the use of Temporary Expansion of Premise (TEP) permits for local restaurants to help expand their ability to serve more customers while maintaining social distancing requirements. This permit allows for the temporary expansion of dining space where viable and safe, and could include patio and outdoor areas, tents, or similar enclosures.
There is no application or permit fee associated with the TEP permit, and the process includes a streamlined application process and expedited staff review. Approved permits are valid for 180 days, with an option to review, and approval is required from the property owner. Restaurants looking to expand service areas for alcohol remain subject to review and approval of the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
My next meeting will be held on Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. at Spencer’s Place, 15341 W. Waddell Road #B101. Due to the uncertainty regarding COVID-19, please check surpriseaz.gov for updates and cancellations to my Meet and Greet schedule. As always, please feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.
Holiday Schedule
Please note the following holidays this month will result in a change to the trash pick-up schedule for city of Surprise sanitation customers: Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day, and Nov. 26 and 27 in observance of Thanksgiving. City Hall remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. Council meetings have been reopened for in-person participation. In order to adhere to CDC guidelines, in-person participants will be required to wear a facial covering when entering and exiting the chambers, but may remove it while seated, if they so choose. Capacity will be capped at 50 people, and physical distancing measures will be in place.
Closing
Please continue to check the city of Surprise website, at surpriseaz.gov for updates to meeting schedules and other important announcements.
