05/05/1974 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilman Murray hoped that in developing an ordinc.lnce staff would seek the great- est possible uniformity with other local jurisdictions throughout the State as well as with Lane County. e, Councilwoman Beal wondered if comments from those in attendance would give varia- : tions on what waS desired', but Mayor Anderson suggested that public hearing at time, 'of consideration of the proposed ordinance would gi1Te the opport':lnity for public ' ;input. Councilman Hershner asked whether the motion intendl~ that the licensing fees would 'apply equally to charitable, religious, private or~~nizations. He failed to see :the reason for' such organizations sponsoring gambling games if they were not per- 'mitted to realize income from them. Councilwoman Beai wondered if stakes in games :would be limi ted. Mayor Anderson 'suggested that when an ordinance was developed and before the Council for consideration there would be opportunity for specific ;restrictions. In answer to Councilwoman Campbell's question wi th regard tcrthe 'licensing agency, Manager-saia- the ordinance presumably would e9tablish criteria ,'for licensing which then could be investigated by the police department and actual licenses issued by the finance department. Mr. Long said, also in answer to 'M~S. Campbell, that any game of chance, such as those conducted in carnivals, would 'have to be licensed if the City adopted a gambling ordinance. - ,In answer to Councilman, Keller, Mr. Long said that ,lotteries, including raffles, 'were illegal under the Oregon State Constitution. The type of legislation under discussion would have no bearing on lotteries. ': Councilman Wood supported the motion. He did express concern that legislation should ;be developed in co-ordination with the County because City action without similar County action would create the potential for drunk drivers, infringement upon in- , '1 dividual rights, etc. (Manager, while agreeing with much of the motion, expressed his personal concern -that the Council needed to be aware of the potential for law enforcement problems ; if gambling was permi tted. Ci ty administra tion, he said, would be interested in Ideveloping a rather stringent licensing process recognizing that the process must :not discriminate between individuals belonging to a club and those who did not. iHe felt it a serious concern which should not be taken lightly in terms of police !problems. ; t ~ )--. --. --.-- ..-.._.~ . Vote was taken on the llOtion as stated. Motion _c~_r.r.~e<7 ~11~nimously., e, Manager brought to the Council's attention receipt of a number of duplicate statements . favoring the possibility of ,adoption of an ordinance which would permit sOClal games in the city. They were read as well as a communication from Bud Nixon, 2000 West 11th Avenue, requesting Council action permitting an additional 60 days before gambling was rpohibited in the city. Mr. Nixon felt that gambling would continue anyway in unauthorized locations and would cause unnecessary and costly investigation. Manager noted the difficulty in drafting an interim ordinance" recommending, instead proceeding with a document in final form. A letter,was also read f~om a person asking that her name be withheld indicating in general that her husband was a social gambler and tllat their savings had been depleted by several hundred dollars 1n the past six months. Councilman Keller asked staff feeling as to what would occur while the ordinance was being drafted. Manager replied that all gambling would be suspended in the city (in com- pliance with State law). Councilman Wood commented on the assumption that an ordinance would be adopted permitting social games and said it was an issue for some debate since it appeared that not everyone would support it. He favored waiting for a final document as did Mayor Anderson who said that although the Council had directed preparation of an ordinance, it did not necessarily follow that it would be adopted. -- Bud Nixon, identifying himself as chairman of the Social Gambling Committee, asked the Council to adopt an inte~iin ordinance to permit the continuance of social games. He read a list of disadvantages in prohibiting them and stressed that annual licensing fees would amount to about $100,000. He felt continuation of licensed social games would avoid police investigation which otherwise might be necessary. J . Assessment Hearing panel Report - April 29, 1974 , . No hearing was held since there were no written protests or requests to be heard on the following assessments to be considered by the Council on May 6, 1974. : Recommendation: Levy assessments as proposed. , ; 1. C.B.510 - Levying assessments for paving north side of 5th Avenue from Bertelsen Road to 1300 feet west (73-.23) "Q , ,--' 140 5/6/74 - 13 "