| City Commission Work Session | Mayor Gray presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 5:55 P.M.
ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Randy Gray, Bill Beecher, Sandy Hinz, Diane Jovick-Kuntz and John Rosenbaum. Also present were the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Acting City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Library, Planning, Public Works, Fiscal Services, Acting Park and Recreation Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and the Deputy City Clerk.
Assistant City Manager Cheryl Patton presented to the Commission zoning options for casino locations. She added that the definition of casinos for City Code defined a casino as "an accessory use or primary use, any form of legalized gambling authorized under Title 23, Chapter 5, Part 1, M.C.A. This term does not include organizations and facilities designated as exempt under state law."
Ms. Patton stated that Bozeman's City Code defines a casino as "an establishment whose primary use or activity was gambling, either in the form of gambling machines (video, poker, keno, etc.), card games or other licensed gambling activity." Under Bozeman's definition a casino would normally have beverage and restaurant facilities as accessory uses. In all instances, an establishment would be considered a casino for the purpose of the Bozeman regulations if any of the following characteristics applied: the establishment was referenced as a casino by signage, advertisement or by name; more than one card table was on the premises; fifteen or more gaming machines were on the premises. An applicant for a casino establishment must obtain a Montana state license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
Following the public hearing at the last Commission meeting, staff worked together and developed three options for casinos:
All options required the casinos to receive Design Review Board approval.
Ms. Patton added that there were other considerations. The City could require all casinos to have a conditional use permit and could allow gambling as an accessory use to a full service restaurant in any zoning district that allowed full service restaurants, as long as the number of machines was limited and there was not a "casino" sign.
Ms. Patton asked the Commission for direction with the options.
Commissioner Beecher stated that the Commission needed to come up with an immediate interim ordinance. Commissioner Hinz asked to have casino defined.
City Attorney Dave Gliko stated that the City could extend the interim ordinance, but if the interim ordinance changed, it would have to be brought in under a new interim ordinance.
Commissioner Beecher proposed having a new interim ordinance that would include option three. He added he'd like the incorporate a required number of machines to meet the definition. He added that if a restaurant wanted to open, the annexes would have to abide by the new ordinance. City Attorney Dave Gliko cautioned that they would be setting themselves up for legal action by setting a limit on the number of machines. He added that the word "casino" needed to be eliminated totally and replaced by with the word "gaming." Commissioner Beecher stated the intent was to stop the number of gambling establishments in the City and that if a restaurant wanted gambling they would have to have the establishment in the industrial area.
City Manager John Lawton suggested the Commission put together the information that they wanted to include or exclude and definitions that they wanted and staff could put the items together and bring it back to them. Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz stated that the definition of the word "casino" was needed and casinos not to be allowed within 350 feet from residents. After a brief discussion, Mr. Lawton reiterated what the Commission wanted staff to consider. The distances were okay from establishments, not to limit new restaurants from moving into the City, but if they want gambling then they would have to move into the industry zone and maximize zoning distance.
Commissioner Beecher stated that any new establishment with casino or primary gambling would need to be industrial zoning and maximum restriction. He added that he was heavy on option three and that anything new would have to go before the Design Review Board. Mayor Gray concurred with Commissioner Beecher
Explore! The Big Sky (EBS) Coordinator Peggy Bourne updated the Commission on the up coming event. She added that the Bicentennial was just starting in Montana.
She added that they were going to have the Fourth of July Celebration. This would be a spectacular event with tribal activities offered. Some of the tribal activities that would be offered were Indian Villages, International Traditional Tribal Games, Powwow, Sweet Willow Indian Market, and Horse events. Another event would be a Rita Coolidge and Friends Concert.
Ms. Bourne added that they need to sell at least 45,000 tickets, and that they are marketing towards capacity. Event planners feel this event would be a tremendous success if there were between 120,000 and 140,000 participants. Funding for the event was through grants totaling $410,000 and donations to date of $372,000. The amount of donations needed was $200,000. Participation fees should bring $175,000 and ticket sales of $1,500,000.
She added that they needed to help make this event happen. Help could come in the form of flyers in all City correspondence; creative partnerships; and finding ways to draw people in. Other ways to help included: linking as many of our local websites as possible to EBS, talking it up; and making it the talk of the town -- getting the word out and inviting friends and families to attend the big event.
A tourist information radio station would be created for this event and would be used for future events. The event would also increase tourism in Great Falls, and it would be an economic benefit for local businesses.
Ms. Bourne added that EBS had a 2000 for $200 club for any business or entity that would be willing to donate $200 towards EBS. She encouraged the Commission and staff to be a part in Explore! The Big Sky.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular work session of January 4, 2005, adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
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