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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />. <br />Regular Council Meeting, <br /> <br />June 8, 1987 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Minutes of the <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />PROPOSED ORD.; <br />CHARIT. GAMBL. <br /> <br />Council was referred to the proposed ordinance <br />regulating lawful gambling; as drafted by the Village <br />Attorney. <br /> <br />Lynden reviewed the new State legislation which defined the percentage of net <br />proceeds to be given to the City and the fees to be charged by the City for <br />investigations; not more than 10% of the net proceeds can be given to the City <br />and the fee charged for investigations is limited to $100.00. The Attorney <br />advised the Clerk Administrator sugge.ted referencing the investigation fee by <br />Council resolution, limiting the fee to $100 at this time, but providing an <br />easier approach for increasing the fee in the event it can be increased. <br /> <br />Lynden also reviewed an item from the League of Minnesota Cities relative to <br />Cities imposing a local gambling tax on each licensed organization if the tax <br />proceeds are necessary to cover the costs of regulation of gambling; he noted <br />, the tax may not exceed three percent of the gross receipts of the organization, <br />minus prize costs. The tax is in lieu of all other local taxes and local <br />investigations fees and must be reported annually. Lynden stated this may not <br />be cost effective administratively; he has not had the opportunity to review <br />the reporting process and what is involved. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hansen questioned: <br /> <br />Section 6, EliRibilitv for License - Are requirements stringent/specific <br />enough; <br />Section 11, Sites for Issuance of Licenses - Does this section effectively <br />eliminate Bingo Hall, since it is not specifically addressed. <br />Section 13, Number of Licen.e. in the City - Can pha.e out proce.. be completed <br />in a shorter time span. <br /> <br />In response to the questions, the Attorney stated that Section 6 requirements <br />are, in his opinion, rigorous; Section 11, he was unsure of terminology to <br />describe the facility so he used "auditorium"; suggested adding "public hall" <br />to the list of facilities. <br /> <br />There was discussion relative to the number of licenses versus the number of <br />bingo occasions which can be held. Lynden advised that Section 15 addresses <br />this matter and that Arden Hills ordinance can be more stringent that State <br />Law. <br /> <br />Council also discussed Section 19, age limit, whether or not children under the <br />age of 18 should be allowed to play Bingo: <br /> <br />Councilmember Hansen expressed her opinion that children under 18 years of age <br />should not be allowed to play; Winiecki stated that there may be occasions <br />where going to play bingo would be a family activity. <br /> <br />Council discussed whether or not Churches could request Bingo permits for a one <br />time occasion. Lynden advised the ordinance could provide for one time, special <br />events; he noted the Church group would still have to apply for the State <br />license even for one time occasions. <br /> <br />There was discussion relative to establishments where lawful gambling is <br />allowed. The Attorney advised it is outlined in this draft ordinance and may be <br />changed by the Council at their discretion. <br /> <br />Councilman Sather stated it is his opinion that trying to enact an ordinance <br />regulating lawful gambling at this time, after approval of the Bingo Hall has <br />been granted, is poor policy. He asked for the Attorney's opinion relative to <br />legal exposure of the City and outlined his reasons for concern. <br /> <br />Lynden commented that he would need to further research the matter of legal <br />exposure before an opinion could be given, in light of the costs incurred by <br />the Bingo Hall. <br /> <br />Council discussed the new legislation relative to lawful gambling, the phase <br />out process, referring this matter to a sub-committee for study, discussing the <br />Council concerns with the owners of the bingo facility and setting criteria for <br />review of gambling licenses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hansen advised that an Attorney General's opinion would be <br />forthcoming regarding the Little Canada Bingo operation; she stated it may be <br />prudent to review that opinion and also the minutes of the Little Canada <br />Council meetings relative to this matter. <br />