Thank you for signing up to receive my newsletter and updates. It is my goal to ensure you receive a monthly newsletter containing important city updates as well as upcoming events. You can also find me on Facebook for frequent notifications. I am always available to hear your comments, questions, concerns or complaints! You may reach me anytime at chris.judd@surpriseaz.gov or 623-222-1326.
New Council Conversations Show
Please take a moment to watch my new Council Conversations show discussing how businesses choose locations in Surprise. I interview Economic Development Director, Jeanine Jerkovic, and Community Development Director, Chris Boyd about the City’s role in bringing new businesses to our community. You can find the video on my website at https://d6.surpriseaz.gov/
Surprise Water Supply is Secure
The US Bureau of Reclamation has announced a Tier 1 shortage for Colorado River operations for 2022. This shortage declaration does not mean a shortage at your tap. But, it’s still very important to be wise consumers of this precious resource. Learn more about how Surprise is prepared and how you can help conserve: bit.ly/3k1DBBy
Crumbl Cookies Ribbon Cutting
On August 25, Mayor Hall, Council Member Winters and I joined Crumbl Cookies for a ribbon cutting! Located at 13983 W. Waddell Rd., Suite 100, Crumbl Cookies hosted the ceremony in honor of the opening of their Surprise location, with a drive-thru! Thank you for choosing Surprise; it’s such a treat to have you!
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Surprise will hold a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to honor the victims, survivors and heroes of that day. The event is at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 11. Mayor Skip Hall, Fire-Medical Chief Tom Abbott and Police Chief Benny Piña will speak as part of the ceremony.
21 Bat Salute
A “21 Bat Salute” was held on Saturday, August 7 to honor Charlie Woodland, who became a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member on June 6, 2015. He was a tremendous representative for our residents and a true ambassador for our community through his final meeting in June 2021. Charlie served as a volunteer coach in our youth sports programs for 15 years and was a model participant. One of Charlie’s final wishes was that his friends, colleagues and family perform a “21 Bat Salute” in his honor.
Sunday in the Park
Sunday in the Park returns to Mark Coronado Park this fall! Join us on September 19 from 3-7 p.m. for live music, various food trucks, an assortment of beer and wine, and family-friendly entertainment such as bounce houses, face painting, a trackless train and more! View event details: bit.ly/3sw1lBr. Future dates are October 17 and November 7 from 3-7 p.m.
Spring Training 2022
Major League Baseball has released the 2022 Cactus League Spring Training schedule in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. Opening Day in Surprise is set for Saturday, February 26, with the Texas Rangers taking on the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.
Additional information regarding the upcoming season, including game times, ticket details, specialty packages, and fan health and safety guidelines, will be announced at a later date. If you are interested in ticket information, please visit SurpriseStadium.com and sign up for email alerts.
Oath of Office
The Official Oath Office was issued to the City’s new police chief, Benny Piña, by Judge Dominguez at the City Council Meeting on August 17. Chief Piña began serving as Surprise Police Department Police Chief on July 6. He previously served as the deputy police chief in Peoria since 2014. Before that, he served 25 years with the Phoenix Police Department.
Economic Development FY21 Year in Review!
The Surprise Economic Development Department created and debuted the FY 2021 year in review snapshot for Mayor, Council and Surprise stakeholders. The snapshot shared highlights from business successes, partnerships and community initiatives. In FY21, Economic Development had 25 small business successes and 8 large business successes. Our partnerships with Ottawa University, KC Royals, West-MEC and WESTMARC continued to flourish. Our team held 27 socially distant ribbon cuttings, facilitated nearly $350k in City Council-approved small business grant funding and had our largest annual retail survey with over 5,100 participants! For a snapshot of our 2021 Year in Review, go here: surpriseaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/45196
Fiesta Grande
Our Annual Street Festival is back! Join us for the 8th annual Surprise Fiesta Grande to celebrate our city’s cultural heritage on Saturday, October 9 from 5-10 p.m. Admission and parking are free! Plus, we’ll have free shuttle drop-off to the area. Authentic Mexican food, classic car show, arts and crafts, music & live entertainment, and more! Please visit surpriseaz.gov/fiestagrande for more details.
Baby on the way?
Certified car seat technicians are ready to help!
Car seat installations and clinics are available through the Surprise Fire-Medical Department at Firehouse 303. Check the schedule or make an appointment by heading to surpriseaz.gov/CarSeat.
Motorcycle Safety Class
Join the Surprise Police Department for a Motorcycle Safety Class on Sunday, September 19 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Surprise Stadium parking lot, 15850 N. Bullard Ave. There will be time for participants to apply their learned skills on an interactive course, promoting optimal response to dangerous riding situations. This course is for current motorcycle riders. A valid driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement, motorcycle and helmet are required to attend this class. This class is not for new riders to obtain an endorsement. To apply, please fill out an application online at surpriseaz.gov/MotorcycleClass. Spots are limited, and selected participants will be notified before the class. For more information, please email DriveWise@surpriseaz.gov or call 623.222.4500.
Connect with District 6
Please check out my new District 6 Facebook page at Councilmember Chris Judd! Be sure to click the “follow” button to get District 6 news and updates. Please also visit my District 6 webpage at d6.surpriseaz.gov where you can subscribe to my Notify Me email list to receive important District 6 updates.
Council Meetings and Agenda
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meetings will take place on September 7 & 21 at 6 p.m. and will be open to the public for in-person attendance. You can also watch live at surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, or the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise. Cox channel 11 also carries the meetings live. Agendas are always posted online at a minimum of two days prior.
If you see something on the agenda that concerns you, please reach out before the meeting so I have time to address your concern. I may even ask your questions during the City Council presentation. The best way to reach me is chris.judd@surpriseaz.gov.
Meet and Greet
Please join me for my Monthly Meet and Greet on September 22 at 6 p.m. at Freddy’s, 14029 W. Waddell Rd. I look forward to discussing the latest City issues and answering any questions you might have.
Please check my webpage at https://d6.surpriseaz.gov/ for updates to my meeting schedule.
A new traffic signal is being installed at the intersection of Waddell Rd. and 145th Ave. As a result, drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions while signal preparation work occurs. The signals are tentatively scheduled to be fully operational by the end of August 2021. 
Surprise City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2022 City Budget. The budget is focused on maintaining our current level of service as the city continues to see steady growth and focuses on the Council’s commitment to maintaining quality public services and infrastructure. This budget includes 25.5 full-time positions in the General Fund and eight new employees in water, sewer, sanitation and sports and tourism to address the city’s growth. Also included in the budget are operational costs for new capital projects such as Countryside Park and Fire Station 308; and services such as the Maricopa County Library contract. Additionally, the adopted budget includes $121.5 million for planned Capital Improvement Projects. Additional details and information on the City’s budget are always available on our website at 
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, I had the pleasure of attending the Surprise Citizen Patrol Annual Recognition Dinner at Briarwood Country Club. This event recognizes the individual efforts of all the highly dedicated City of Surprise citizen patrol members and congratulates those recipients with special awards. Surprise Citizen Patrol is a volunteer-based program comprised of 62 highly trained individuals who donate their time and skills to further the Police Department Mission. Thank you for all your efforts and support.
APS is hosting a Public Information Virtual Open House, 24/7, from now until July 10, 2021, on the proposed West Valley Central 230kV Connection Project. To attend online, please visit 
