By L. Parsons The Winslow City Council heard from Police Chief Ken Arend last week who informed the council that crime since last year has decreased dramatically in the city. “The most important thing I can share with you right now is that our violent crime has decreased 80% since this time last year and our property crime is down 53% compared to last year. That is a big deal. Overall, we are understaffed and are still showing a decrease in crime.” Arend credits the decrease to a campaign of proactive policing. He explained, “We are making those arrests, which is preventing repeat offenses and we are also figuring out what our problems are and focusing on those.” Arend also presented a proposed amendment to Ordinance No. 1362, Title 8 of the city’s municipal code regarding health and safety. The amendment states that 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 the owner cleans up the debris, with each occurrence or day the violation continues a separate offense. Not only does the offense carry a fine, the violator will also be liable for all costs associated for removing the debris if the city has to address the problem. The amendment also states that it is a public nuisance to allow a property fence to lean more than 10 degrees or have 5% missing or loose or broken slates or panels. No fence is allowed to have any writing or drawing on it except for signs pertaining to the address or occupancy of the property. In addition, the property owner may have no weeds taller than 12-inches. Previously, according to Arend, the language of the code was vague and did not define weed and grass height or penalties for disregarding the code. The council approved the amendment, in the absence of councilmembers Rickey Jackson and Peter Cake. Arizona Public Service (APS) Public Information Officer Janet Dean also addressed the council regarding the efforts of APS to mitigate fire danger each year. “There are key components to what we do during each fire season to help prevent the spread of wildfires. First, we practice vegetation management around all of our transmission sites, we clear 10 feet of vegetation in all directions of our power poles and we perform annual line inspections. This year, we have already inspected about 4,500 miles of line.” She also explained the equipment shutdown that APS does each year. “We have a mechanism that re-energizes lines when power is disrupted. If a tree branch, or a trampoline or anything hits the line and causes the power to go down, this mechanism brings it back up. However, during this time of year, with the wind and the drought conditions, we turn that equipment off. We don’t want re-energized lines when there could be a spark.” In other business, the council: * Heard the monthly financial report for the month of March. Citywide revenues for the month were $1.7 million bringing the year-to-date total to $13.6 million. Citywide expenditures for March were $1 million bringing the year-to-date total to $10.5 million. Finance Director Elias Jouen said, “Our sales tax revenue is up 18% over this time last year.” * In his report, Winslow City Manager John Barkley reminded the council of their duty to vote on approval of the tentative budget for fiscal year 2022 on May 25. * Approved a permit for use of the city shooting range for the Winslow Shooting Sports Club. * Proclaimed May 2-8 as National Correctional Officers Week, May 6-12 as National Nurses Week and May 16-22 as National Emergency Medical Services Week. * Tabled a conversation on council member priorities. * Adjourned to executive session to discuss the annual evaluation of the performance of the City Manager. Upon return to regular session, Mayor Cano informed the public that the council would move forward with the manager’s evaluation to be completed by May 18. It was determined the manager would also perform a self-evaluation. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
