By L. Parsons At the May 11 Winslow City Council meeting, Police Chief Ken Arend presented a motion to amend an existing city ordinance pertaining to weeds and debris. “This ordinance is for problems we’ve had in the past with our weed control. It’s to provide some clarity on some of the responsibilities of property owners and the penalties and enforcement action for failure to comply,” stated Arend. Those amendments to the ordinance passed unanimously in the absence of councilmembers Peter Cake and Rickey Jackson. Arend explained, “In the past we would give warnings, second, third and fourth warnings but it didn’t have much teeth, so to speak. This hopefully will encourage citizens to maintain their dilapidated fencing, weeds and alleyways and those things.” According to Arend, the new language will make the process clearer to residents. “The first action is a notice. If there is non-compliance with the notice, the City can do one of two things. They can abate the property at the owner’s expense or file criminal charges, or both. Lastly, if the owner fails to comply after those options are completed, the City can hold a lien on the property.” Mayor Birdie Cano expressed concerns for service alleyway abatement. She said, “Is there any possibility that we could get the alleyways done and cleaned and then turn them back over to the citizens?” To which Arend responded, “We did that last year, all hands on deck and had the assistance of the probation department. We took care of 14 alleyways. Now, things have grown back so we want to get this ordinance done to make sure they don’t get bad again.” Councilman Robin Boyd added, “The city doesn’t maintain those alleys. The citizens are supposed to. The language inside this ordinance has already been our city code, it just wasn’t very clear. You had to look in different sections to find what you were looking for. This will unify it. “ The other concern from Cano was residents who are not capable of maintaining their property. “Do we have anything in place for those who are elderly or disabled or just not able to take care of their yards?” Arend did not have a plan he explained but understood that the conversation would need to be had. He encouraged civic groups and other volunteers to contact the city to donate their time. Winslow City Manager John Barkley added in a follow up conversation, “The ordinance further provides by definition what constitutes a fence structure, high grass and weeds, the area of responsibility for the resident to keep clean to avoid a public nuisance, and the penalties for violations. We have also reorganized the Code Enforcement Office under the authority of the WPD to provide better access to property data and more seamless enforcement action in moving cases to the point adjudication.” Barkley provided a copy of the ordinance. One discussed section addresses fencing. In the amendment, it reads, “No fence is allowed to have initials, slogans, symbols, designs or drawings written, spray-painted, etched or sketched except for signs which pertain to the address or occupancy of the property without the consent of the owner and visible from a public right of way.” Barkley spoke about this in the meeting and said, “Of course, some folks may see these things as art, if they are put there by the property owner. This is really to address graffiti and unwanted things on walls and fences.” The height of grass and weeds was also discussed. The ordinance amendment to that section defines ‘high grass or weeds’ as being 12” or more in height. Finally, a new amendment reads, “Any person that recklessly places or causes to be placed any rubbish, trash, filth or debris on any property not owned or under the control of that person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor or civil violation unless it is immediately removed. One hundred percent of any assessed fine or civil penalty shall be deposited in the general fund of the city and at least 50% of the fine or civil penalty shall be used by the city for the purpose of illegal dumping cleanup.” All city ordinances are available for view on the city’s website, www.winslowaz.gov. Residents are also welcomed to contact City Hall, located at 21 N. Williamson Ave. or by phone at 928-289-2422.
