< PreviousVillage at Prasada (Waddell Road, east of Loop 303) NOW OPEN! Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Five Guys Ono Hawaiian Grill SUMMER 2024 Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers O.H.S.O Brewery Noodles & Company Café Zupas Buckle As You Wish Plato’s Closet Claire’s Bath & Body Works Explore New Options Sought-after favorites arriving in Surprise GET READY TO CARRY THOSE SHOPPING BAGS AND TANTALIZE YOUR TASTE BUDS – SURPRISE IS GETTING A FRESH WAVE OF RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY! Hobby Lobby, Dick's Sporting Goods and Portillo's Hot Dogs are just a few of our most-wanted businesses setting up shop. Mark your calendars and prepare to experience these new shopping and dining destinations. For a list of businesses under construction, go to villageatprasada.com AZ local AZ local Barrio Queen - Prasada 10 surpriseaz.gov | Spring 2024 Spring 2024 | surpriseaz.gov 11 Prasada North (Waddell Road, east of Loop 303) SUMMER 2024 Portillo’s First Watch Sneakybird Ahipoki Bowl Einstein Bagels Torchy’s Tacos FALL 2024 Shake Shack EARLY 2025 Target Sportsman’s Warehouse Boot Barn One of the biggest businesses to cruise into Surprise will begin operation this summer. Tricolor Auto, a business to business used auto seller (think Carvana but for businesses) is opening their largest vehicle reconditioning plant that will create 500 local jobs. Since the announcement in 2023, Tricolor has put the pedal to the metal, working closely with the City of Surprise to participate in local job fairs and meet with local technical schools such as West-MEC, Glendale Community College, Universal Technical Institute, Estrella Mountain Community College and Dysart School District CTE programs. Together, we’re finding new ways to employ and develop high quality candidates who will fuel the company’s success in Surprise. Tricolor Auto will hire 200 auto mechanical experts during phase 1 of their operations. AZ local Citywide NOW OPEN! Don Ruben’s - Bell Road & Avenue of the Arts Maple & Rye - The Grand Kimbles Kitchen - Sun Village Mountain Mike’s Pizza - Bell Road & West Point Parkway Ace Hardware - Litchfield & Greenway Roads Trapper’s Sushi - Cotton Lane & Peoria Avenue AZ local UNDER CONSTRUCTION Black Rock Coffee - Asante Thai Chili - Asante I n case you missed it and are hungry for a healthy laugh, the Economic Development team got unbeleafably creative to target a most-wanted retailer. On April 1, Surprise had a Code Green Kale Emergency that only Whole Foods could solve. Mayor, along with the Surprise police and fire chiefs, guest- starred in a faux news story that’s got us all chomping at the bit for some delicious Whole Foods leafy greens! SURPRISE YOU continue to help us bring these exciting additions to Surprise by participating in the Retail Survey! This year’s results, boasting your Top 10 Local Favorites and Top 10 Most-wanted retail and restaurants are available now at surpriseaz.gov/RetailSurvey. Watch the video! Don Ruben’s Mexican Food AZ local AZ local AZ local AZ local SneakybirdCelebrate Spring Charter Schools Exhibit Runs through May 17 The Annual Charter School Art Exhibit will feature local charter school students in 1st – 12th grade, using a diverse array of mediums that are guaranteed to impress and inspire! Chuck Kyle Photography Exhibit May 24 - July 26 Chuck Kyle has lived in Surprise for 16 years. With his home’s proximity to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, he took up hiking and discovered a love of Arizona landscape photography. Chuck says, “No other location can surpass the State of Arizona for its absolute raw beauty.” City Hall Gallery Outdoor Art Sketching Tour (All ages and skill levels!) Saturday, April 6 | 10 a.m. On this tour, participants will explore public art outside at City Hall and will be guided to create their own sketches, taking notice of the art and creativity all around us in a fun, outdoor, judgement-free zone. Sketchbooks and pencils will be provided. Registration required at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp with our Arts, Culture & Library Department To discover more Arts & Culture events in Surprise, go to surpriseaz.gov/ArtsCulture 12 surpriseaz.gov | Spring 2024 T he Mayor’s Literacy Challenge concluded in March, and it was a great success! Our participation numbers surpassed previous years, with more than 1,300 people, demonstrating a strong community commitment to fostering a love of reading! Prizes were given out to those who read and reached goals. Thousands of free Surprise Spring Training lawn tickets were given to community members, Friends of the Surprise Libraries generously donated a new book to every child 12 and under who completed the program and participating classrooms who read a designated amount were entered into a drawing for a class pizza party – making learning a fun and rewarding experience. The Mayor’s Literacy Challenge kicked off with an opening party, then throughout the program, families enjoyed special events featuring the Surprise Fire-Medical Department, Wildlife World Zoo, James the Juggler, Eric Giliam the magician, Dino Crew and the popular "Touch a Truck" event before our closing celebration. MAYOR’S LITERACY CHALLENGE Summer Reading Challenge ADVENTURE BEGINS AT YOUR LIBRARY Your summer reading adventure runs June 1 - August 1. Get ready for an unforgettable journey with exciting activities and opportunities to win amazing prizes. • Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., head to Asante or Surprise Regional libraries for adventure-themed fun and points toward the challenge! • Also earn points by discovering library programs at the Senior Center and exploring new programming at Hollyhock Library. • More prizes, more programs, more exploration! Ready to join the adventure? Early registration opens May 1! Secure your spot at maricopacountyreads.org. This summer, reading and recreation are coming together with Storytime at the Pool. •June 6 - Aquatic Center •June 20 - Hollyhock Pool •July 11 - Aquatic Center •July 25 - Hollyhock Pool All storytimes are free and begin at 11 a.m. For children, ages 5 & under (siblings welcome). Parents must be present. For more info, call 623.222.2000. Leveling Up with Reading Challenges and Thank you to everyone who helped make the program a resounding success! To discover more Arts & Culture events in Surprise, go to surpriseaz.gov/ArtsCulture Spring 2024 | surpriseaz.gov 13WATER EDUCATION Workshops April is Water Awareness Month in Arizona, and we have a full lineup of free water workshops to help you get your lawn and garden into shape for spring while still practicing a low- water-use lifestyle. Home Landscape Maintenance April 13 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. Desert Lawn Care April 27 | 9 - 11 a.m. Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair May 18 | 9 - 11 a.m. To register for a workshop, visit surpriseaz.gov/WaterWorkshops Check-in for all workshops at the Water Education Center, 16126 N. Civic Center Plz. Half-day Workshop Landscape from start to finish May 11 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Topics include: z What’s in Your Soil? z Landscape Watering Basics z Programming Basic Irrigation Controllers New Visit the Beauty and responsibility come together in our one-acre Xeriscape garden! Visitors can view a wide variety of plants and hardscapes and learn more about responsible and sustainable water use when creating a beautiful arid landscape. Available for public viewing from sunrise to sunset seven days a week; it’s located on the north side of the Surprise City Hall Campus, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. When visiting, make sure to grab our new Xeriscape garden map! 14 surpriseaz.gov | Spring 2024 The City of Surprise has expanded its water conservation rebate program to all qualified water users within the city limits. This change allows customers of other water service providers, including EPCOR Water and El Mirage Water, to apply for rebates, encouraging everyone in Surprise to conserve water! Rebates are available toward the installation of water-saving WaterSense®- labeled irrigation devices up to $125. There are also increased rebate amounts of up to $2,000 for turf removal for single-family homes and up to $12,000 for multifamily, HOA and commercial properties. These rebates are available from now through May 1, 2026. All water rebate programs are administered on a first-received, first-served basis until the application deadline or fund depletion, whichever occurs first. To learn more about the rebate programs, visit surpriseaz.gov/WaterConservation. Water is an essential resource in our desert, and we need more well- trained stewards of this precious resource. That is why the City of Surprise has partnered with GateWay Community College to offer a free opportunity for training toward a career in water. For the upcoming academic year, starting in August, GateWay will provide 10 scholarship opportunities to current Surprise residents and Luke Air Force Base employees. These scholarships fund tuition and associated fees by semester for full- time and part-time students. GateWay is the only college in the state offering specialized degrees and certificates in water, wastewater treatment and water resources technologies. Through this partnership, classes are held at the Surprise- GateWay Training Facility near the City’s wastewater treatment facility. This allows students to gain hands-on experience while learning more about the career opportunities in water with the City of Surprise. Students can pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies or earn a Certificate of Completion in Water and Wastewater Treatment or Environmental Science Technology. For anyone interested in having a water career, this opportunity provides a start towards a bachelor's degree with significant savings, and students can transfer the credits they earn to a state university. To learn more, visit surpriseaz.gov/Scholarships. Water conservation rebates expand to more residents! Train for a career in water! Spring 2024 | surpriseaz.gov 15UTILITY RATE ADJUSTMENTS COMING IN JULY THE CITY REVIEWS THE RATE IT CHARGES OUR UTILITY CUSTOMERS EVERY FIVE YEARS TO CHECK THE AMOUNTS ARE ENOUGH TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN SERVICE. THIS REVIEW ALSO ENSURES WE CAN MAINTAIN THE RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCY OF OUR CRITICAL UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE, WHILE PLANNING FOR GROWTH AND RISING COMMODITY COSTS. Based on the most recent review, the Surprise City Council approved an adjustment to City-provided solid waste, water and wastewater utility rates for the period of Fiscal Year 2025 (which starts July 1, 2024) through the end of Fiscal Year 2029 (which ends June 2029). Residential wastewater & solid waste customers can receive a prepayment discount of 5% annually. Details at surpriseaz. gov/UtilityPrepay. Learn more about the new rates and the rate study at surpriseaz.gov/ UtilityRatesInfo Residents who are serviced by private solid waste providers (Parks and Sons, etc.) and private water providers (EPCOR, El Mirage Water, etc.) would not be impacted by the solid waste and water adjustments. While some Surprise residents may not be water customers, most residents are City of Surprise wastewater customers and will see the wastewater rate adjustment. Learn who provides your utility services at surpriseaz.gov/MySurpriseAddress. WATER: Water base rates will not adjust for City residential customers until July 2025 and will increase 5% each of the three years thereafter. Water volume rates (how much water a customer uses) will be based off an adjusted tier system that begins this July, but only the highest level of water users, about 1% of single-family residential customers, will see an increase in their volume rate this year. Most customers will see a 5% annual volume rate increase beginning July 2025. WASTEWATER: City-serviced wastewater customers will see a 5% increase in the base rate each of the five years. SOLID WASTE: City-serviced trash and recycling customers will see a 10% annual increase in July 2024 and 2025, and then a 5% increase the last three years. STORMWATER: The stormwater fee will remain unchanged during this five-year period. *Entities with recent and/or proposed increases 16 surpriseaz.gov | Spring 2024 In February, the Arizona legislature moved the Primary Election date from August 6 to July 30. This change affected several key election deadlines. Here are new key dates to remember: Election 2024Important Dates Surprise City Hall is a designated vote center for any voter in Maricopa County. City Hall (Community Room) will be open for in-person voting and ballot drop off beginning July 3 for the Primary Election and October 9 for the General Election. Voters receiving a ballot by mail have the option to return their ballot by mail or drop it off at any vote center in Maricopa County. You can register to vote online at servicearizona.com/VoterRegistration or check your voter registration status or track your ballot at BeBallotReady.Vote. To find a list of additional voting locations and drop box hours, visit Locations.Maricopa.Vote. PRIMARY ELECTION: July 1 – Voter Registration Deadline July 3 – Ballots Mailed/ Voting Centers & Drop Boxes Available July 19 – Last Day to Request a Ballot in the Mail July 23 – Last Day to Mail Back Your Ballot July 30 – Primary Election Day GENERAL ELECTION: Oct. 7 – Voter Registration Deadline Oct. 9 – Ballots Mailed/ Vote Centers & Drop Boxes Available Oct. 25 – Last Day to Request a Ballot in the Mail Oct. 29 – Last Day to Mail Back Your Ballot Nov. 5 – General Election Day WHAT'S ON YOUR BALLOT? During this year’s Primary Election, on July 30, Surprise voters will be able to select a new City Mayor and decide on Surprise City Council seats in districts 2, 3 and 4. Each seat is for a 4-year term ending in December 2028. Also, as part of the Primary Election, Surprise voters will vote on a ballot measure to ratify the Surprise 2040 General Plan. If voters approve this plan, the City will use it to help guide future decisions regarding land development, public safety, parks and recreation, economic development, environmental concerns and social issues. The Surprise 2040 General Plan was shaped through more than a year of community feedback and direction from an 18-member General Plan Advisory Group. Arizona State Law requires every city and county in Arizona to prepare a General Plan to address growth and to update or readopt it every 10 years by a public vote. Read the draft plan at surpriseaz.gov/GeneralPlan2040. VOTING INFORMATION Spring 2024 | surpriseaz.gov 17Sunday in the Park April 7 Enjoy a variety of food trucks, live music, bounce houses, face painting and more! Event admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase. 3-7 p.m. Mark Coronado Park. More info: surpriseaz.gov/ SpecialEvents Xeriscape Garden Tour April 6 See the Surprise Xeriscape Demonstration Garden in a new light by joining a guided tour and learn about the advantages of native or desert-adapted plants while seeing their beauty firsthand. Register: surpriseaz.gov/WaterWorkshops CALENDAR Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sign-ups April 4-11 Request an appointment through the My Surprise app or call customer service at 623.222.1920 from April 4-11. Scheduled pick-ups will occur April 15-26. More info: surpriseaz.gov/HHWevent KIDZ Jamboree April 12 Discover various offerings available to children ages 0-5 in the community! Plus, enjoy games, crafts, music, parent-child activities and car seat checks. 4-7 p.m. Surprise Resource Center. More info: 623.222.1600 Surprise Day of Service April 20 Show your community pride by participating in the annual Bean Bag Day event. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Freedom Traditional Academy. To volunteer, contact 623.222.1522 or larry.garcia@surpriseaz.gov Surprise Talent Show April 27 Come see local talent show off their skills! Vista Center for the Arts. $5 in advance; $7 at the door. Tickets: surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec More info: 623.222.2000 18 surpriseaz.gov | Spring 2024Surprise Day of Service June 12 Show your community pride by volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Bank from 7:15-10 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; or 12-2:30 p.m. to help provide food for families in need. Registration is required. To volunteer, please contact 623.222.1522 or larry.garcia@surpriseaz.gov Movie Night in the Park May 4 Watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the big screen at Mark Coronado Park. Bring a blanket or chair to relax and enjoy the movie. FREE admission. Food trucks for food/drink purchase. Gates open 6:30 p.m.; movie starts 7 p.m. More info: surpriseaz.gov/ SpecialEvents or 623.222.2000 Surprise Day of Service May 15 Show your community pride by volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Bank from 7:15-10 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; or 12-2:30 p.m. to help provide food for families in need. Registration is required. To volunteer, contact 623.222.1522 or larry.garcia@surpriseaz.gov Last Day of School May 23 Dysart Unified School District Have a safe summer! City Pools Open May 25 Surprise Aquatic Center and Hollyhock Pool open Safety Splash May 18 Recognizing May as National Water Safety Month, join this all-ages free event offering swim lesson evaluations, CPR & water rescue demonstrations, public safety trucks, games, prizes & more! More info: surpriseaz.gov/SpecialEvents or 623.222.2000 Summer Camp Begins May 28 Summer Camp provides opportunities for youth entering 1st-8th grade to enjoy arts & crafts, games, sports and field trips. More info: surpriseaz.gov/BreakCamps City Offices Closed Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Holiday sanitation schedule is in effect. JUNE 19 MAY 27 JULY 4 More to explore! Arts, Culture & Library events (Pg. 12) Parks & Recreation events (Pg. 20) Spring 2024 | surpriseaz.gov 19Next >