04-09-97 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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iVIINUT~S CITY COUNCIL APRIL 9, 1997 Fahey requested this information be put on the City's Cable TV channel. Fahey thanl<ed the Sheriffls Department for their presentation this evening. REQUEST Mr, Harvey Anderson, Saxon Lanes, appeared before the Council to FOR VARIANCE request a variance fi-om the City's gambling ordinance requirements FROM that a charitable gamblin~ organization must be a City-based GAMBLING or~;anization in order to operate in the City. Anderson reported that he ORDINANC~ contacted eight organizations in the City asking if they would be SAXON LANES interested in selling pull-tabs at the Saxon. Anderson reported that he received no replied indicating any of these organizations are interested. As a result, he is requesting the Council allow a non-City based charitable orglnization to sell pull-tabs at the Saxon. Anderson reported tl~at he has been in business in Little Canada just over two years. Dw ing that time there have Ueen four robberies and one armed robbery 1t the Saxon. Two of these robberies caused him to lose the pull- tab operation at his business. Scalze stated that she did not know why there is no interest in the Saxon, indicating it could be the rent Mr. Anderson is looking for, or a number of otl~er Yhings. Scalze pointed out that the Couucil has made a decision not to get involved in regulatin~ rents given the State already does this, and their system seems to be worlcing pretty well. Scalze indicated she was not interested in changing the Gambling Ordinance or in ~;rai~ting a variance. In fact, tl~ere is no mechanism in tl~e ordinance to grant variances. Fahey agreed that the City canuot grant variances from the Gambling Ordinance. To do what Mr. Anderson is requesting would require an ordinance amendment. There seems to be no interest on the part of the Council to amend the ordinance. Fahey reported that he has had conversations with some local charities, wl~o havc indicated they would be interested in operating from the Saxon; however, the rent Mr. Anderson is seel<ing is too hi~h. Fahey sug~ested it may be in Anderson's interest to meet with the charities and see what terms can be worked out. Fahey asked if the Saxon was closed during the summer. Anderson replied that essentially the Saxon is closed during the summer, but he would expect rent for the pull-tab site Yo be paid during the summer months as welL Anderson also indicated he would like to get the State maximum for rent, whicl~ is $1,000 per month. Anderson stated that it is his understanding rent is not the issue because ~~o one has communicated to him it is the problem. 6