03-23-05 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MTNUTTS CITY COUNCIL MARCI 23, 2005 Strohbeen noted that it will take two months for an organization to get a gambling license. I3lesener indicated that the first issue is whether or not there are any Little Canada organizations interested in operating at the hall. The Parl<s & Recreation Director indicated that the Little Canada Recreation Association has noY yet had a chance to meet to discuss the matter. Blesener noted that the Little Canada Fire Depai~Yment and Canadian Days have indicated that they are not interested. Maly Jo Farrell, Canadian Days CIO, thanked the charities operating at the bingo hall for their hard work and generosity over the years. She reported that the Canadian Days Board has discussed the possibility of conductin~~ charitable gambling at the bingo hall and the consensus was that they are satisfied ~n%ith their current pull tab operation which generates enough revenue to sustain the Canadian Days Festival. Farrell indicated that she did not want to see the bingo hall close; and suggested that if it bets to that point Canadian Days will look at the issue again. Blesener stated that the next step is to find otrt when Millennium will be closin~~ and whether or not LCRA is interested in operating at the bingo hall. Montour asked if there are any other charitable organizations in Little Canada thaC ~a~ould be interested in operating at the bingo hall. Blesener pointed out that the City has a letter from an outside organization that is interested. Jean Donovan, Historical Society, indicated that they would like to cease their gamblin~~ operation on May 31", but will continue until August 3]" at ~n~hich time their license expires. Jane Neil, L.al:e Owasso Volunteer Council, agreed with the comments made by [3etty Strohbeen of their organization that Lake Owasso would be willing to take on another day at the bingo hall. The City Administrator indicated that another issue is the legislative issue, and asked if the Council wanted staFf to take an active roll in that matter. 1-le noted That without changes to the compliance issue, there will be long- term impacts for any bingo operation. The Administrator reported that he has discussed the issue ~n~ith "fom Barrett, fhb Executive Director for the Gambling Control [Board, and it appeals there is resistance in the Legislature to make the changes proposed. Blesener Pelt that in light of the number of people the bingo hall employs as well as the good that has been done in the City as a result of the (i