Council hears recommendations from task force

The Winslow City Council heard from Mary Wilderman of the Holbrook Bread of Life Mission during a work session last week.

Wilderman explained to the council how the organization was founded, and what types of shelter they offer.

Wilderman noted that they have two types of shelter, emergency and winter.

The emergency shelter is to help those that have been sober for at least 24 hours go through rehabilitation.

She explained that the winter shelter offered a warm place to sleep overnight, but had no amenities.

She noted those that stay at the winter shelter receive a pallet and blanket, and men and women are kept separate.

In the emergency shelter, residents receive meals and are taught life skills. They also receive counseling.

Wilderman explained that the shelter houses all ages, with the youngest being two days old, however children are only allowed with a parent or guardian.

The shelter requires those that stay there to have little or no income, and most have none.

Wilderman explained that many Winslow residents use the emergency shelter, and that they welcome residents from all over Navajo County in the emergency shelter.

When this was noted, Mayor Allan Affeldt asked if an organization in Winslow could call the shelter if there was someone who wanted to sober up.

Wilderman said that as long as the person was serious, and had been sober for 24 hours, the Bread of Life would help that person.

Affeldt said the cost of transporting those who want to change their life would be less than the cost now of jailing and/or hospitalizing them.

When a street person is arrested for a crime, the police department becomes responsible for the medical costs of that person. This becomes very costly, as the city also has to pay the jailing costs for the county jail.

Wilderman noted that the shelter has two goals, to preserve life, and to try to connect these people with their families.

Wilderman explained that the building the emergency shelter is in was paid for by working with the Arizona Department of Housing to save the funding.

"It is because of our volunteers that we can operate on a $100,000 a year budget," she noted.

Following Wilderman's presentation, City Attorney Dale Patton reviewed ways the city could approach the issue.

He noted that although there were several ways to address the issue from the law enforcement side, it would be very costly.

In a memo to the council, Patton noted "If an incarceration occurs, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office requires that person be cleared by a hospital or doctor before taking custody of that person. Thus, we incur substantial costs, at the minimum in the amount of a physical examination and possibly at catastrophic amount if there is a significant health problem that the person has when arrested."

Patton explained things that council had in previous years, looked into, including requiring a bottle deposit, purchasing liquor licenses from establishments, opposing reissuance of some licenses, increasing public awareness about liquor laws, and reestablishing voluntary restrictions on sales with owners.

After going through each recommendation, the council agreed that, although it would require state legislation, to have Patton look at a bottle deposit ordinance.

Council agreed that the city should continue to purchase liquor licenses from some establishments, continue to oppose reissuance of some licenses, and work with the local media to increase public awareness of liquor laws.

The group also agreed to reestablish the voluntary restrictions, creating an awarding system for those who do participate.

City Administrator Jim Ferguson suggested that since the recommendation part was complete, that the council now begin a working plan.

It was noted that the city should begin working with local organizations to create a winter shelter.

Affeldt noted that since an emergency shelter already existed in Navajo County, that it be used when possible.

It was noted that any organization who knew of an individual wanting to enter rehabilitation, could contact the Bread of Life Mission in Holbrook.

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