CJ council refers social gaming to city voters
Mayor agrees with Subway objection to grease trap rule; delivers “State of City“ address
From our weekly issue dated January 13, 2010
Cave Junction Mayor Don Moore at the City Council Meeting
Cave Junction voters will have their say on May 18 about allowing social gaming, which would include poker, blackjack and other games of chance where the house has no stake or income, within city limits.
That decision was made by the city council during its half-hour long meeting Monday night, Jan. 11 at city hall.
Andrea Thomas, owner of Nacho Mamas on N. Redwood Hwy., had requested permission from the council during its December meeting to host social games.
City Recorder Jim Polk asked the council to give him time to check with Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson to gain his perspective on the matter. He also wanted to speak with officials from other cities that have passed similar social gaming rules.
Monday night, Polk reported back to the council that Gilbertson expressed no objections to having social gaming in city limits.
Polk said that most cities that have social gaming ordinances on their books have issued no licenses under them, and have none pending.
Some cities in Oregon had social gaming ordinances and subsequently repealed them. Polk said that was largely due to the expansion of the state“s lottery games and not due to problems with increased criminal activity.
Thomas made a renewed plea to councilors. She said that her intent is to increase her business through the financially slow winter months. She added that her building is too small to add a dance floor or other similar attractions.
According to her research, Thomas said, hosting Texas Hold “Em tournaments would draw people to Nacho Mamas.
If Nacho Mamas had people in it on Friday nights, it might actually serve as a deterrent to the recent rash of business break-ins, Thomas said. Her establishment was broken into late last year, along with the Radio Shack immediately adjacent.
Having businesses open at night could stop the criminal element from carrying out misdeeds, she said.
“They own the street after 10 p.m. because the businesses are closed,“ she said.
Thomas added that social gaming also could be an alternative to the bar scene, and could be a fund-raising opportunity for community organizations. The city could realize revenue from licensing fees, she said, before presenting the council a petition signed by 300 area residents supporting her proposal.
Councilor Margaret Miller said that her primary concerns about the proposed social gaming ordinance regarded the city“s lack of enforcement capability and police protection. However, Miller acknowledged that due to sheriff“s office Deputy George Gasperson, the city contract officer, law enforcement presence is “better than it“s ever been.“ She added that she needed to hear from the sheriff that allowing social gaming would not create problems.
Miller stated that she would be willing to let citizens vote on the issue. Her fellow councilors agreed, and voted 4-0 to put the proposal on the May 18 ballot. Mayor Don Moore abstained.
Subway Issue Discussed
In another matter Moore addressed the city“s recent actions directed to the Subway restaurant on Redwood Hwy. The business lacks a grease trap, which the city said is in violation of a city ordinance.
The ordinance does not take into consideration the way Subway operates, Moore said. He added that he spent one hour at the restaurant on Sunday, Jan. 10. Moore said that upon his inspection, he could not find enough to justify installing a grease trap.
“I don“t think it“s needed,“ he said.
The council also held a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the city“s existing ordinance regarding Local Improvement Districts and Advance Financing Districts. Under the changes, developers would not be able to use those financial mechanisms, but the city still would be able to.
No public testimony was offered, and a second reading of the ordinance will be scheduled for the council“s Feb. 8 meeting.
Moore gave his State of the City Address. He cited many accomplishments for 2009, including the contract with JCSO to have Gasperson patrol for 40 hours per week; fixing the skateboard ramps and tennis courts at Jubilee Park; enacting a public drinking ordinance; and the start of construction on the Kerby Water District project.
For 2010, Moore said that he would like to see the city build a sprinkler park at the swimming pool property on E. River Street.
He added that the city will begin employee union negotiations in the spring. The city also will begin looking for someone to replace Polk, who plans to retire in August.
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