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Hall: Mayor Newsletter — April 2021

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State of the City 2021

On April 13, I invite you to tune into a video premiere of our State of the City at 6 p.m. We will reflect on the resilience of our community and look forward to what’s on the horizon.

The State of the City video premiere will be carried live on Surprise TV, online at surpriseaz.gov/surpriseTV, and via Facebook LIVE on the City of Surprise Facebook page. If you are unable to tune into the premiere, the video will be rebroadcast on Surprise TV and will be available for viewing on the Surprise TV website.

Economic Development Update

Crumbl Cookies has signed a lease at the southwest corner of Litchfield and Waddell, the “Marley Park” corner. Founded in Logan, UT in 2017, Crumbl now has more than 75 locations in 11 states. They offer cookie favorites such as chocolate chip and sugar cookies as well as 120 flavors that rotate weekly. More information: crumblcookies.com.

B&B Appliances is moving into the former Luby’s location on Bell Road, east of RH Johnson Blvd, and is on track to open this month! B & B is a local family-owned appliance retailer that sells “mis-ordered” and scratched and dented appliances as well as brand new appliances. More information: bbappliances.com.

Surprise City Council Budget Retreat

The Surprise City Council Budget Retreat will take place on Friday, April 16 and will be open to public attendance. It will also be televised for those wishing to watch remotely. The retreat begins at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers. There will be a lunch break approximately between 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

At the retreat, Council will continue the development of the Fiscal Year 2022 City Manager’s Recommended Budget, which is scheduled to be released to the City Council in April. Final budget adoption comes in June, and Fiscal Year 2022 begins July 1, 2021.

In addition to in-person public comment, the public may comment by email prior to the start of the meeting. To submit email comments, please email publiccomments@surpriseaz.gov.

For more information about the budget-building process for Fiscal Year 2022 visit, surpriseaz.gov/budget.

Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation

Surprise is joining cities across the country in asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely by taking part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The annual challenge is a non-profit national community service campaign to see which cities can best inspire their residents to make an online pledge at mywaterpledge.comto use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy.

To participate, residents must make a series of online pledges to conserve water through April 30. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the Challenge in their population category are entered into drawings for hundreds of eco-friendly prizes. In 2020, Surprise placed seventh in our population category!

In addition to participating in national and statewide water conservation campaigns, Surprise offers rebates to city-serviced water customers, landscape workshops, school presentations and more. To learn more about the Surprise water conservation program and resources for residents, visit surpriseaz.gov/waterconservation

Surprise Parks & Recreation Commission Hall of Fame

The City of Surprise Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted to induct Charley Pride and Buck O’Neil into the Surprise Recreation Campus Hall of Fame. Other 2021 Hall of Fame inductees includes: Gold Glove winners Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers; and Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals.

Charley Pride, the legendary recording artist and performer who entertained millions around the world was no stranger to the game of baseball. Pride pitched in both the Negro and Minor Leagues throughout the 1950’s. Buck O’Neil, a Kansas City baseball legend, contributed to the sport of baseball in several ways, including as a player, a manager, and later as a speaker and historian for the Negro League. In 1962, he became the first black coach in Major League Baseball, working with the Chicago Cubs.

The Commission would also like to formally recognize 2020 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Planeta. Planeta advocated to ensure that the quality of recreation facilities and programming in Surprise remained at a first-class level.

Property Maintenance Ordinance

Currently, the City of Surprise follows the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code, or IPMC. The IPMC sets the standards of safety and appearance to all structures and premises within the city. The City of Surprise wants to replace the current property maintenance code, with one that is more specific to Surprise.

The City of Surprise has scheduled two virtual public meetings; the next being on Tuesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. Residents have until May 2nd to comment on the re-write. For more information on the public meetings and 60-day-comment period, please visit surpriseaz.gov/PMO.

Important Information for Southwest Gas Customers

Southwest Gas is transforming their customer information system from the ground up on Monday, May 3, 2021, to provide an improved customer experience along with enhanced security. For important information on how this will impact you and the way your account will be serviced, please visit swgas.com/new4u. The site will provide regular updates and tools to help you navigate the new system.

CARES Act Funding Update

City Council and staff have been intentional in how CARES Act money would be dispersed to help our residents, businesses, and our most vulnerable population. Federal, state and county leadership assisted in helping so many in need through this COVID crisis. Our job, at the local level, was to evaluate and serve the underserved. We focused on where our CARES Act allocations could help those that were not getting help elsewhere.

In September 2020, City Council approved dispersing $430,000 in funding to address COVID-19 community and business needs. $250,000 supported local businesses with fewer than 25 employees, with revenues less than $2 million. The funds helped pay staff, rent, utilities and administrative program costs. We also reviewed other shortfalls in senior meals, homeless outreach and water billing assistance and allocated $155,000 to these resources.

On November 3, City Council voted to disperse an additional $100,000 in Small Business Relief funding, while expecting the scope of assistance to include small business retailers and non-profits with commercial space who were not restricted by the Governor’s Executive Orders. City Council also approved an additional $25,000 for water utility payment relief (the first round was $15,000).

The fully-utilized $350,000 Surprise Small Business Relief Grant was dispersed over two rounds, retained 483 local jobs, and helped 79 eligible local small businesses in the community. Eligible small business grant applicants fell into five categories ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 and had experienced either a mandatory business closure or severe capacity modification due to Governor Ducey’s Executive Orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Outreach Grant Program

The City of Surprise is pleased to announce the Community Outreach Program. The major purpose of the program is to provide funding assistance to organizations within the City of Surprise for programs, events, and activities to enhance the overall lifestyle of the community. Council has set aside up to $100,000 for FY2021-2022 for the Surprise Community Outreach Program in an effort to support and grow qualified local programs and events to improve the health and welfare of Surprise residents. For more information on how to apply, please visit surpriseaz.gov/communityoutreachprogram.