2016.12.13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

November 22, 2016 Page 4 of 8 Ed Rice, 627 Quincy Street in Minneapolis, indicated he was the gambling manager for St. Maron’s Church. He reported his church has been conducting its charitable gambling at Big Louie’s for over 10 years. He asked if this Ordinance was in draft or final form. He believed it would be very difficult for the City to oversee where funds were spent for each charitable organization. He requested his organization be allowed to remain at Big Louie’s. Mayor Johnson stated the City’s goal was not to remove St. Maron’s Church from Big Louie’s. She requested further clarification from staff regarding the grandfathering clause. City Attorney Sonsalla defined the grandfathering clause in detail with the Council. Nicki Jerry, PO Box 120727, commented she was the treasurer for the Lake Region Hockey Association and clarified that this organization had a legal address in New Brighton. She described how lawful gambling funds were distributed by Lake Region Hockey. She recommended the Council support a higher percentage going into the trade area in order to keep charitable funds within the community. She thanked the Council for their efforts. Penny Kianian, 140 West Pleasant Lake Road, stated she was a hockey parent in the City of Mounds View and she wanted to express her support for the Lake Region Hockey Association. Mayor Johnson reiterated that the Council’s goal was not to eliminate any current vendors, but was looking into creating a percentage of benefit for the trade area. She explained that trade area was defined by State Statute as cities that border New Brighton. Greg Jerry, PO Box 120727, understood “trade area” was set by State Statute, but he asked the Council to investigate if neighboring communities were honoring this requirement. Councilmember Burg requested clarification from the City Attorney on this matter. City Attorney Sonsalla provided further comment on State Statute 349.213 Subd. 1G regarding trade areas noting the proposed ordinance would define the City’s trade area. She reported the purpose of the trade area requirement was to keep some organizations from coming into New Brighton. Mayor Johnson stated she wanted to see the organizations being grandfathered in following the trade area percentage requirements. Councilmember Strub understood there were three charitable organizations currently operating out of the City of New Brighton. These organizations are the Lake Region Hockey Association, the Lions Club and the Eagles Club. He reported the ordinance being brought forward would reward local organizations for their investment in the community, and would deter outside charitable organizations. He understood St. Maron’s had a long standing positive relationship with the City and the Council had no intention of shutting them out. He appreciated the grandfathering clause within the Ordinance. Mayor Johnson supported some of the charitable dollars from St. Maron’s remaining in the City of New Brighton. She stated this amount could start small and be increased incrementally over the coming years. Councilmember Bauman asked if the church could get a PO box in New Brighton in order for them to comply with the proposed ordinance. City Attorney Sonsalla explained she was not recommending the Council support a residency restricted ordinance and for this reason did not believe it was necessary for the church to have a New Brighton PO box. She then defined lawful purposes as noted within State Statute. Mayor Johnson did not believe spending restrictions should be made within New Brighton but rather the recipients of the benefits should be considered. Councilmember Jacobsen agreed stating this would cover the Lake Region Hockey Association ice time in Blaine. City Attorney Sonsalla reported the intent of the ordinance was for people within the trade area to benefit from the contribution and this would be the case for the ice time. Councilmember Burg clarified that the City of New Brighton paid well over $100,000 for one of the rinks in Blaine. Mayor Johnson believed it was not unreasonable to operate charitable gambling in New Brighton from outside the trade area. However, she believed a fair percentage of those