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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - 05/22/2012 - Video GamingCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA May 22, 2012 Village Board Council Chambers Following the 4:30 p.m. Executive Session NEW BUSINESS 1. Subject: Video Gaming Issue: Consideration to allow video gaming machines in certain businesses. c: Mayor & Board of Trustees, Village Manager, Deputy Village Manager, Assistant to the Village Manager, Village Attorney, Village Clerk (3/6w/o), Department Heads (6w/o) COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES May 22, 2012 6:35 p.m. Present: Mayor Craig B. Johnson Trustee Nancy J. Czarnik Trustee Patton Feichter Trustee Jeffrey Franke Trustee Sam Lissner Trustee Chris Prochno Absent: Trustee James Petri Staff: R. Rummel Village Manager M. Roan, Deputy Village Manager J. Carey, Assistant Village Manager George Knickerbocker, Attorney Video Gamine Mayor Johnson discussed with the Committee the possibility of allowing video gaming in the Village. It was noted that the Village Board planned to make a formal decision at the June 19 Village Board Meeting whether to approve or decline Video Gaming. It was noted that August 1 is when the State of Illinois will commence Video Gaming in the state. It was noted that the Village currently has an ordinance against video gaming. Village Attorney stated that there is legislation pending in the State that may change which may require the Village to Opt Out after the IL Gaming Act went into effect. The Village would have to reaffirm with them now. The Committee was advised that the Elk Grove Park District is unanimously in favor of the Village allowing Video Gaming. Dr. Chuck Hamberg teaches hotel/restaurant/casino/video gaming management stated the gaming board does a very thorough background check, and that it is incredibly regulated. The Mayor reinforced that this meeting was just a fact-finding meeting, and that no decisions will be made tonight. The IL Gaming Board is the overseer of all gaming licenses. This is a situation about helping businesses and also the community as a whole. The Committee had a lengthy discussion and raised many questions related to video gaming, the process for obtaining a license, requirements the Village could place on businesses, and its impact on the businesses and the community. The Committee took a recess and opened the Village Board meeting at 7:05 p.m. There was a Motion by Trustee Czarnik to adjourn the Village Board Meeting and go back into Committee of the Whole. Trustee Franke seconded the Motion. At 7:30 p.m., they reconvened the Committee of the Whole meeting and opened it up for Public Comment. Chris Hesch, AH Entertainers and Awesome Gaming Systems, we are a licensed terminal gaming operator based in Rolling Meadows. A packet was given to the Board. The first is an explanation on the act and the effects monetarily for Elk Grove Village. The second part of the packet is a location application. The third section is a draft ordinance if you allow Video Gaming legalized. Mayor asked how he came up with the numbers? It's based on the numbers from Montana, etc. You are going to have a lot more liquor licenses than you will gaming licenses. We plan on 2-3 cameras at each location to protect our machines. There are 13 different type of machines. Mayor asked how much cash is sitting in one machine? Approximately $5,000. It's all regulated and monitored. If someone isn't doing something correct, the state can shut the machines down off site. Ellen Wilkerson, I have lived here for 44 years. I don't feel that Video Gaming is going to do anything good for the community. Nancy Drew — Board of League of Women Voters and I speak to oppose Video Gaming in Elk Grove Village. It is extremely addicting. Part of an article was read. Rick Rotini, Ringside Sportsbar, read a statement re Video Gaming. The OTB screen is nice but Video Gaming would help tremendously. When people come into the restaurant, they spend more money while betting on OTB. Trustee Czarnik asked if you have OTB, can you have Video Gaming? You would have to apply for the Video Gaming. Chuck Hamberg, I've been citing Video Gaming my whole life. This is just another revenue stream. It's something that the community is going to gain from. He continued with statistics from local communities. Ben Cirrincione, Real Time Sports Bar. I agree that people will spend more money if they come in to gamble. I hope you vote yes for Video Gaming. Brian Margulas, 961 Debra Ln. I raised 2 daughters in this town. We used to take my daughters to Chuck E. Cheese and from my perspective, it's my turn. I represent restaurants all across the community and this would be life changing for the restaurants. I hope that you will vote this in. Don Kontos, Warehouse Restaurant & Bar, I been here for 37 years. Right now times are very tough. We could use Gaming here instead of losing our customers. Debbie Handler, third generation proprietor of Elk Grove Bowl. Next year we go into our 50tn year - 2013. The last two years have probably been the hardest that we have had. The smoking ban really hurt our business. We are in the process with A&H to do the machines; we are filling out our application at this time. This application is extremely detailed. It asks everything for example if you pay child support and they have the option to turn you down. We want to keep the bowlers to stay a little while longer. Goldrush, I am a retired State Police Commander and work with the Gaming Board and the regulations. Police Chief Schmidt stated the police department did a survey from other communities and there hasn't been much crime. Earl Chrome, President of VFW, we are a not -for -profit and this opportunity would be a great monetary value to help sustain the building and the post. Kathy Gilroy, a resident of Villa Park, I feel making the video gaming is harmful. Where is the money coming from? The Video Machines are the most harmful form of gambling. I'm against all types of gambling including lottery tickets. The audience was advised by the Committee that they anticipate to vote on the matter on June 19. The meeting was Adjourned 8:50 p.m. C: Mayor & Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Deputy Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Director of Public Works, Director of Community Development, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Finance Director, Village Attorney