In recent city council meetings, there’s been a growing call for the reinstatement of the Winslow Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Jim MacLean opened the discussion by recalling the rationale behind the commission’s dissolution, pointing out the streamlined and effective process achieved since its replacement with a sole hearing officer. “Ever since we made this change, it has been effective; it’s been streamlined; it’s been done correctly, and everybody’s been very, very happy to get their permits and do what they need to do without any bottlenecking,” he explained. Despite this efficiency, MacLean acknowledged the community’s desire for more involvement and the importance of democratic input in the city’s planning processes.
MacLean admitted his preference for maintaining the current system for its efficiency but did not dismiss the idea of the commission’s return, emphasizing the need for any reinstatement to enhance, rather than hinder, the city’s development processes. He shared a narrative where a resident faced a six-month delay for work on their own property due to the commission’s inability to meet quorum, illustrating the potential drawbacks of the previous system. “I would rather have it back, but if we do put it back, we need it put back right so that it can be efficient and run smoothly so that our people are not held back when trying to improve themselves,” MacLean stated.
The council spent a significant portion of the meeting discussing this matter with members of the public. One of the most outspoken on the matter, Holly Wagner, told the council about the value of citizen input even if they are not zoning experts and said that she expects Jason Sanks, the current hearing officer who has expertise in the matter, to still be there to guide decisions or to offer ideas to the commission. The council considered possible solutions to this problem, all of them involve Sanks continuing his role. It was thrown out that maybe they have five people on the council but perhaps have alternates to make sure a quorum is able to be met at every meeting or allowing Sanks to give the recommendation to the council by himself if such a quorum was not met. Nothing was officially decided upon.
The council clarified the commission’s role, emphasizing that while it can make valuable recommendations, it does not have the final say on approvals, which remains the council’s prerogative. This distinction is crucial for residents to understand, especially regarding projects that comply with existing zoning laws and thus may not require commission review.
The discussion also touched on misconceptions about the commission’s power, particularly in relation to preventing developments like those proposed by Atlas Global Development, which have yet to apply for any permits meaning nothing would have been put on the commission’s desk had it existed this entire time.
Also during the city council meeting, Franklin Caldwell was introduced as Winslow’s new Chief of Police. Caldwell took this opportunity to express his dedication to the community, emphasizing his specific aspiration for the role: “When I applied here, I was not looking to be chief of police. I was looking to be chief of police here,” he said, stressing the importance of serving specifically in Winslow. This statement not only introduced Caldwell but also set a tone of personal commitment to the community he chose to serve.
Transitioning from his introduction, Caldwell presented a clear message to the council and the residents of Winslow: “Let us earn your trust.”
He openly acknowledged that mistakes are part of the human condition, including among his police force, by admitting, “Human beings make mistakes, myself included.” However, he assured the community that no mistakes made by him or his staff were significant enough to question the integrity of his officers. Taking a strong stance on accountability, he added, “If there are officers on the force who have made mistakes that should disqualify them, they’re gone. If we find out they’re doing something like that, they’re gone,” emphasizing his commitment to maintaining a disciplined and ethical police department.
Further building on his approach to leadership, Caldwell underscored his commitment to transparency and accessibility within the Winslow Police Department. He humorously suggested persistence for those trying to reach him: “If you can’t reach me, just keep calling or camp out in front of the police station until I get there in the morning.”
Lastly, Caldwell discussed his vision for the police force under his leadership, emphasizing the high standards and dedication he expects from his team. His commitment to working alongside the community and city officials to improve Winslow’s safety and quality of life was evident. “If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me,” he stated.
Caldwell’s commitment to Winslow was further solidified a couple of days later during his official swearing-in ceremony, which provided an additional opportunity to engage with the community and speak about his plans for the future of the police department.
In other business, the council:
*Approved a real estate sale agreement with I-40 Homes, to serve as the realtors for city property that may be sold for a 6% commission.
*Approved an agreement with Arizona Public Service for solar covered parking at the police department and wastewater treatment plant at no cost to the city.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the meeting room located at 523 W. Second St.
