Here is Mayor Goode’s news update for July 31, 2023:

• Prescott Public Works Director
• Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting
• Grapevine and Racetrack Fire Assistance
• monsoon activity
• outdated ordinance
• prescott primary

Prescott Public Works Director

Congratulations to Gwen Lowich on being appointed City of Prescott Public Works Manager. She has been the Deputy Director of Public Works since her 2020. She started working in Prescott City in 2007.

City Manager Kaito Gregory said he was delighted to appoint Gwen as Director of Public Works, noting Gwen’s experience, leadership skills and dedication to the citizens of Prescott.

Gwen, thank you for your continued dedication and excellent service to the City of Prescott.

Read more about Gwen Lowich, Director of Prescott Public Works.

Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting

We also received congratulations from the city finance department. They have been awarded Certificates of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Association of Government Treasurers of the United States and Canada.

This performance certificate is the highest form of evaluation in the field of government accounting and financial reporting, which represents the significant achievements of the finance sector.

To City Finance Director Mark Woodfill and his staff, I salute you for protecting your tax dollars.

Learn more about Prescott’s Certificate of Achievement.

Grapevine and Racetrack Fire Assistance

I would like to personally thank the firefighters who fought the grapevine and racetrack fires caused by lightning. The fire at the racetrack is now mostly extinguished, and residents have been evacuated.

The Grapevine fire continues to burn in difficult terrain with restricted access while firefighters work to safely extinguish the fire. Currently, some national forest roads are closed to traffic, and many fire engines are dispatched in the vicinity.

Many have expressed a desire to cooperate in these efforts. For more information on how to provide volunteer assistance, please visit the Yavapai County Emergency Management Facebook page.

Learn how you can help the Grapevine Fire and Racetrack Fire organizations.

monsoon activity

Flooding is always a real possibility when monsoon activity increases. People living in areas burned by wildfires may be at risk of flooding for years after the fire.
There are several locations in Prescott and western Yavapai County where sandbags can be filled for free. I have linked to the list below.

Additionally, everyone should check with their home insurance agent. Flood damage is usually not covered by standard insurance, so if you don’t already have one, you may want to consider adding to that coverage.

sandbag location

outdated ordinance

During my time as a city councilor and mayor, there have been many examples of outdated, outdated, and sometimes ineffective ordinances that are not aligned with the current times and the real world environment. In addition, several judicial decisions and precedents have influenced some of these ordinances.

Some of them are related to adult entertainment, sexually oriented businesses, and hosting sexually oriented shows such as cabarets and drag shows. Many citizens are concerned about the frequency of these types of shows at various venues and events in Prescott. The outdated ordinance does not specifically address this type of activity. A ban on such shows is beyond the city’s authority, but the city can require a license for such events and limit the attendance of minors.

Another ordinance that, in my opinion, needs to be updated is the City’s Camping Ordinance, following the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which limits the prohibition of camping within city limits. Our updates will limit camping near pedestrians, schools, and high-density areas, and reduce the number of biggest problems seen in many cities: camping, homeless populations, sidewalks and public right-of-way access. It is intended to prevent interference.

These are two examples of outdated ordinances that need to be updated to address current issues. We will continue to identify opportunities to update our ordinances and codes and strive to establish enforcement policies for these codes. My goal is to ensure that the City of Prescott’s ordinances meet the needs of our citizens in this day and age.

prescott primary

Tomorrow is the last day to receive your primary election ballots. This is all a mail-in election, but it’s too late to mail your ballot, so you’ll have to drop it off at your next Fair Street ballot drop box. Yavapai County Courthouse.

Also, remember that submissions for or against the City Charter amendments included on the November ballot must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by this Friday, August 4th.

Yavapai poll: https://www.yavapaivotes.gov/Voter-Registration/Vote-By-Mail

Charter Amendment Discussion: https://www.prescott-az.gov/charter-amendments-prop-461-thru-prop-473arguments-for-and-against

I’m Mayor Phil Goode. Thank you for visiting. See you next week!

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