Archive for the 'City Council' Category
Volunteers sought for General Plan Advisory Committee
Surprise AZ (February 28, 2012) The City of Surprise is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which will help advise the city throughout the General Plan 2030 process.
GPAC members will be charged with providing important advice and oversight on the General Plan update process by systematically reviewing completed work, including draft goals, policies, and action programs, and generally providing feedback to staff on the General Plan update. The Committee may also help out with building community support for the plan they are helping create.
The GPAC will meet as often as needed but not less than once a month for a period of six to nine months or until the draft General Plan has been finalized.
Applications are available for at the City Clerk’s Office from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza. Applications are also available online under the Boards and Commissions page at www.surpriseaz.gov.
Applications are due to the City Clerk’s Office no later than March 14, 2012.
Spring clean-up slated for March 10, free for Surprise residents
Surprise AZ (February 27, 2012) Surprise residents- now is the perfect time to clean up the yard, because the Spring Clean-up Event is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, in Surprise.
Presented by the City of Surprise and Waste Management, the Spring Clean-up Event allows Surprise residents to drop off up to 2,000 pounds of residential waste free-of-charge at the Northwest Regional Landfill, 19401 W. Deer Valley Road.
The clean up event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items that will be accepted include lawn waste and other typical household refuse.
Participants will be required to show proof of Surprise residency, via an electric bill showing the home address.
NOTE: Hazardous waste items will not be accepted on September 18. Items such as paint, batteries, tires and pool chemicals will be collected at the city’s Household Hazardous Waste event, April 14, at the Public Works Maintenance Yard, 13433 W. Firefox Drive, 8 a.m. - Noon.
For more information about either event please call 623.222.6000, or visit the Public Works Web site at www.surpriseaz.gov.
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As you may know, Surprise 11 videotaped the “State of the City-Business Focus” this morning. Below are the playback times, for your information.
Also, the speech is posted on or web site alongside all Surprise 11 programming at www.surpriseaz.gov/surprise11
Playback:
Mondays – 12am, 9:30pm
Wednesdays – 11am, 8:30pm
Thursdays – 12am
Fridays - 1am
Saturdays – 1am, 10:30pm
Sundays - 11am
The Surprise City Council approved a so-called “Whistleblower Ordinance” Tuesday night, prohibiting retaliation against employees who report improper government action, and requiring such reports be made in writing, among other provisions.
The ordinance specifies a 45-day timeline for investigation of complaints whenever possible, and requires a summary of the investigation be given to the employee who reported the matter.
The protections are in addition to other rights and protections employees have under the law, according to the ordinance.
Retaliation is defined as any action that negatively impacts the terms or conditions of employment or that would dissuade a person from making a report. The ordinance says such retaliation is “strictly prohibited.”
The ordinance defines “Improper Governmental Action” as violations of federal, state or city law; creating a danger to public health or safety; gross mismanagement or a substantial waste of public funds; or a clear abuse of authority.
An employee may report improper government activity to a supervisor, the Human Resources Director, City Manager, or City Attorney. The City Manager must also assign an external third-party to receive reports, the ordinance says. Whoever receives a report must “take prompt action” to investigate. The identity of the reporting employee shall be confidential until the investigation is complete, the ordinance says.
The City Manager is required to provide an annual report to the City Council detailing the number of reports and investigations received, including the number of reports found to be without merit. The annual report will include a summary of findings, recommendations or corrective actions taken.
Ordinance language was drafted by a council-approved committee following a months-long study of the issue, which included input from city employees.
“Bring Your Dog to the Ballpark” returns to the Surprise Recreation Campus – Surprise Stadium on Sunday, March 18. This annual event, sponsored by All-Star Animal Hospital, is a day dedicated to man’s best friend with special dog-day vendors and a designated “doggie area”. You and your pooch can enjoy the Kansas City Royals as they host the Cleveland Indians at 1:05 p.m.
“People Tickets” are $15 and “Dog Tickets” are $5. To get tickets, a registration form must be completed in advance and submitted to the Surprise Recreation Campus Box Office, 15960 N. Bullard Avenue. Registration forms may be picked up at the Surprise Recreation Campus Box Office or downloaded from www.surprisespringtraining.com. Copies of current vaccinations are required at the time of registration. Registration forms will be accepted through March 14, 2012. No walk-ups will be allowed on event day. For more information, please contact the Surprise Recreation Campus Box Office at 623.222.2222 or visit www.surprisespringtraining.com.
What characteristics do you think best describes Surprise’s quality of life? How has the City changed since you moved here? What would you like the city to look like in 20 years? Let us know by taking the General Plan Visioning survey. Your input will help guide the City’s General Plan 2030, a blueprint for managing future growth, while preserving open space and a high quality of life. All cities, towns and counties in Arizona are required to adopt a General Plan every 10 years, according to the state’s Growing Smarter Plus Act.
The survey is available online at www.surpriseaz.gov/generalplan and additional input opportunities will be available at future Open House sessions - dates to be announced. The current City of Surprise General Plan was adopted in 2000 and ratified by a vote of the citizens in 2001. The proposed plan is projected to be completed this year and go to a vote in 2013.
The City of Surprise will kick off a sidewalk improvement project along portions of Bell Road, beginning, Monday, February 13.
Contractors will replace old asphalt sidewalks along select areas of Bell Road with concrete, through a federally-funded project.
Projects are selected on a first-come first-serve basis with special consideration given to those projects that address health and safety issues. For eligibility requirements or more information, please contact Jay Brimhall at 623.222.3240 or jay.brimhall@surpriseaz.gov.
The City of Surprise will continue “Second Sundays in the Park” on Sunday, February 12, from 2-5 pm. The Spanish Guitar band “The Sahnas Brothers” will be providing free musical entertainment. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic or purchase food from the onsite vendors and enjoy the free entertainment.
“Second Sundays in the Park” will take place the second Sunday of each month through the spring. The next event will take place on March 11, from 2 pm – 5 pm. This March event will feature live Irish music provided by “The Big Fellahs”
All events will take place at Surprise Community Park, 15953 N. Bullard Avenue. For more information please contact the Community & Recreation Services Office at 623.222.2000 or visit us online at www.surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.
Registrations for the 2012 City of Surprise- West Valley Babe Ruth League will be accepted beginning Monday, February 13.
Players who register as individuals will participate in a Skills Evaluation and then be selected to a team. All participants who register are guaranteed a spot on a team. The Skills Evaluation will take place in late April with player selections to follow.
Intact Team registrations will also be accepted for this league. All team registrations must take place at the Community and Recreation Services Office. All games in this league will be played on fields with 60’ 6” mounds and 90 foot base paths. There are no longer residence boundaries for the Babe Ruth League.
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.surpriseaz.com/recreation
Valley Metro to host public meeting in Surprise on proposed service changes
Surprise, AZ (February 8, 2012) Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority has announced a series of public hearings/meetings on possible service changes to certain routes, including Route 571 in Surprise. A meeting is scheduled in Surprise on March 12.
When it comes to income tax, what you don’t know can cost you.
The City of Surprise will host two free workshops in February designed to help individuals and small businesses with their income tax questions.
Wednesday, February 22: “Income Tax for Individuals Workshop” Nina Tross, MBA, EA, (Enrolled Agent of the IRS), is an accounting and tax professional offering expertise in compliance and tax planning. This workshop will cover:
Nina Tross, MBA, EA, (Enrolled Agent of the IRS), is an accounting and tax professional offering expertise in compliance and tax planning. This workshop will cover:Thursday, February 23: “Income Tax for Small Businesses Workshop” Nina Tross will also conduct this workshop and will cover:
Nina Tross will also conduct this workshop and will cover:
Two Korean Professional Baseball teams; the Kia Tigers and Nexen Heroes are using the Surprise Recreation Campus for training purposes starting this week!
Games are open to the public at Surprise Stadium, 15960 N. Bullard Avenue, at 1 p.m. Entry is free and available at the Third Base Gate.
Korean Professional Baseball Game Schedule:
· Wednesday, February 8 @ 1pm
· Thursday, February 9 @ 1pm
· Saturday, February 11 @ 1pm
· Monday, February 13 @ 1pm
· Tuesday, February 14 @ 1pm
· Wednesday, February 15 @ 1pm
For more information, please contact the Community and Recreation Services Department at 623.222.2000.
Come hungry and enjoy the sweet and spicy tastes of the first Surprise BBQ Festival at the Surprise Recreation Campus, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, March 3!
Hosted by Affordable Food Festivals and the City of Surprise, the festival features top BBQ teams from around the country that will send the smell of smoked pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken, across the West Valley and beyond. The Surprise BBQ Festival is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and Affordable Food Festivals is putting up $10,000 in prize money for these seasoned competitors!
Join Mayor Wolcott and the City of Surprise as they welcome back the 2011 American League Champion Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals at the 10th Annual Mayor’s Welcome Back Lunch, Wednesday, February 29, 11:30 am.
Catch a preview of the 2012 Spring Training season from the Rangers and Royals staff. The event, inside the Surprise Stadium’s Budweiser Home Run Party Tent, gives Spring Training fans the opportunity to kick off the 2012 Spring Training season in style.
Cost is $30 for an individual seat or $210 for a corporate table of 8. Space is limited, so get your tickets now! For more information, please contact the Community and Recreation Services Department at 623.222.2000 or visit www.surprisespringtraining.com.
More than 900 jobs available for filling
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill of Central Arizona and Communiversity @ Surprise will host a job fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 at the Rio Salado Communiversity @ Surprise, 15950 N. Civic Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374.
More than 20 businesses will be on site recruiting people to fill 900-plus jobs available in the Valley. This is the second multi-business regional job fair hosted by the chamber. The first event attracted about 600 job seekers.
“It’s exciting to see the positive participation from our community partners who are making a commitment to growing the local economy,” said David Moss, CEO and President of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber is thrilled that we can help promote this worthwhile event.”
Job fair participants include the Arizona Department of Corrections, Professional Employment Services, BBVA Compass Bank, Wal-Mart, Sendona Pines Resort, Learn-It Systems, Macayo’s, Adelante Health Care, Hickman’s Farms, Wells Fargo, Benevilla, Goodwill of Central Arizona, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Weiser Security Services, Uptown Alley, Chick-fil-a, Vital Wellness, Stream Global Services and the National Guard.
For more information on the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, please contact David Moss or visit www.surpriseregionalcham.com.
In addition, the chamber and Goodwill are hosting a Job Fair Boot Camp 1-5 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 9 for veterans in the chamber conference room, The class will be covering how to get the most out of a job fair, interview skills, and resume building. The class is limited to 25 people. For more information, call Mark Sander at 602-535-4152.
Goodwill of Central Arizona will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act. People are invited to make their needs and preferences known to Goodwill Career Services Coordinator at 602-535-4000. For more information about Goodwill of Arizona, visit www.goodwillaz.org.
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