5/16/2007 11:47:00 AM No more alcohol in parks? New ordinance will make alcohol illegal in certain public parks throughout Williams' city limits
Williams Police Chief Herman Nixon explains the need for a new ordinance to city council during their regular meeting May 10.
By Patrick Whitehurst Williams-Grand Canyon News Reporter
The issue of alcoholic beverages in public parks went before Williams City Council during their regular meeting May 10, though council tabled the matter until their next meeting, scheduled for May 24, in order to examine the resolution further before making a decision. Ordinance No. 854 would ban alcohol from public parks, such as Cureton Park and the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds as well as other locations throughout the Williams area.
"This ordinance is a very needed tool for the police department," Williams Police Chief Herman Nixon told members of council. "We have support from the Williams Alliance, we're talking with Rose (Newbold) from the Recreation Center."
Nixon added that other community members also supported the idea. He told council May 11 that the ban, should it become an ordinance, would be handled with "common sense" on a case by case basis.
"Unfortunately, right now we have a situation where we can't cite anybody for drinking alcohol in our recreation centers," said Nixon. "What that means is our city parks, like the Little League fields, the recreation center, Glassburn Park, Rodeo Grounds, you can consume alcohol there and it doesn't matter who's there. There is nothing we can do about it."
The ordinance stems from concern over drinking in and around areas populated by children. Ordinance No. 854 would make possession of alcoholic beverages and/ or consumption of alcoholic beverages a misdemeanor violation of the Williams City Code. Fines, as described in the proposal, would not exceed $1,000 and/ or six months of jail time.
Part of the ordinance would require that permits be issued to anyone who wishes to use a public area for large-scale parties or events. The permit, according to Williams Police Detective Rob Krombeen, would then target an accountable party should damage occur to that park. Krombeen, who is also a member of the Williams Alliance, mentioned Buckskinner Park as an example.
"We've had large scale parties and events up there," Krombeen said. "Facilities staff have specifically told us that when they find that there's drinking going on at those parks there's been an increase in damage to the facilities and we've got numerous reports to support that."
Council members recommended that the ordinance be re-written to state that only areas posted with signage be subject to the ordinance. The current ordinance, as written, does not include posted signs. Posted areas may include areas such as Cureton Park and the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds and may not include areas such as Santa Fe Dam and Buckskinner Park.
"If you let the word get out to the fishermen in the area that you can't fish in the lakes in Williams unless you want to fish without a beer, we went through a meeting with the Forest Service talking about how much outdoor recreation means to Williams, and now we want to shut part of that down. I understand the problem, but I don't think it's a problem we can't deal with," said Councilman Don Dent.
"My concern is the rights of the individual to have a beer versus the rights of the people of the community to have a safe environment," said Councilman Dr. Jim Wurgler.
Councilman Andrew Hamby said he would like to see the ordinance rewritten to include posted locations that are subject to the Williams Municipal Code. According to Hamby, continuing to allow alcohol in recreation areas, especially around children, could lead to a number of problems.
"It's not a problem until it's a really big problem and that happens in about five seconds," Hamby said.
"I think where we're at is that we like the ordinance with the application of postage," said Williams Mayor Ken Edes. "So we'd like to table that and have that put in there."
The rewritten ordinance is scheduled to go before council again during their next regular meeting May 24.
Motorized play vehicles are no longer allowed
A second ordinance, No. 868, met with less resistance during the regular meeting of Williams City Council May 10. Council approved the ordinance after a brief presentation by Williams Police Chief Herman Nixon, who explained the dangers of the vehicles. The new ordinance prohibits the use of motorized play vehicles on public sidewalks, roadways, bicycle paths, trails or any other part of a highway.
"All the cities that I have worked for, and I have worked for three of them, have outlawed the use of the little motorcycles," said Nixon. "We're getting people whose licenses have been revoked for whatever reason, so they go buy one of these. Now they ride around drunk on one of these."
According to Nixon, the vehicles do not fall under the classification of regular vehicles and are, therefore, not subject to the same laws.
The definition of a motorized play vehicle, according to the ordinance, includes self propelled scooters, coasters, or skateboards that use an electric or gas motor and those which are not identified in A.R.S. Title 28 as a motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized wheelchair or electric personal assistive mobility device and not subject to Arizona's vehicle registration laws. That definition would also include small motorcycles that can be purchased at various automotive shops throughout northern Arizona and locations nationwide.
