Council holding hearing, to vote on game room licensing ordinance

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

An ordinance regarding gaming establishments within the city of Copperas Cove is the subject of a public hearing and an action item for Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Copperas Cove city council. 

If the amendment is approved, local businesses which host “public exhibitions, traveling shows, and carnivals” to include live dramatic and theatrical events would have to secure permission from the property owner to host such an event and pay a $!50 fee along with a $300 deposit in order to hold their event.

According to the ordinance the amendment would establish and clarify “definitions, permissible use districts for amusement-based uses, and special conditions for game rooms and other uses; and amending appendix C (schedule of fees) to establish associated fees and occupational use taxes; providing a penalty clause providing that violations of this ordinance are class C misdemeanors subject to fines not to exceed $2,000; providing repealer, cumulative and severability clauses; and establishing an effective date.”

The definitions lay out exactly what “amusement redemption machines” and arcade games are, and what a “game room” means in light of the ordinance.

The amendment also applies to “public exhibitions, traveling shows, and carnivals, “including without limitation, medicine shows, panoramic or view shows, menageries, carnivals, circuses, wild west shows, or rodeo shows, acrobatic performances, wax shows, dramatic or live theatrical productions (except those held in a permanent theater or playhouse used in accordance with the city’s zoning code for such purposes) held in or exhibited upon the streets or under any tent, or hall or building, or on any other public or private property within the city.”

Those holding events inside the city would need to secure permission from the property owner to hold such an event, as well as obtain an “amusement permit” in the amount of $150 along with paying a $300 “amusement deposit.”

Game rooms must pay a $350 “game room license” fee in order to operate.

The proposed amendment came about after a number of gaming and “sweepstakes” establishments were issued cease and desist orders in August 2017.

The changes being proposed on Tuesday are nearly two years in the making, when in April 2017, Sgt. Steve O’Neal with the Copperas Cove Police Department made a presentation to the Copperas Cove city council about gaming establishments within the city. the council then directed the CCPD to work on proposed changes to the city ordinance where gaming facilities are concerned.

The impact the establishments have on crime is an increase in aggravated robberies, thefts, burglaries, property damage, narcotics as well as other things not reported, O’Neal said at that meeting. For example, in March 2017, the Gold Rush internet cafe formerly located on S. 2nd St. had two incidents with burglary and theft, with over $7,000 stolen.

Another public hearing is set for Tuesday, to include the rezoning of property at 3011 Grimes Crossing Rd. comprised of 14.97 acres, from AG-1 (Agricultural District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential District).

The subject of the curfew for minors is the subject of yet another hearing on Tuesday, with a prior hearing having been held at the council’s first meeting in February.

The Lady Dawg Tip-Off Club is reporting to the council on its activities and expenses associated with the Lady Dawg Basketball Tournament. In August 2018, the council agreed to allocate up to $5,000  in hotel occupancy tax funds for the club’s tournament, held in November. The club is requesting $3,691.50 in reimbursement for hotel expenses for the out-of-town basketball teams which occupied more than 40 hotel rooms in Copperas Cove.

The council will also be having a discussion on the purchase of water certificates of convenience and necessity (CCN) for the Clayton Ranch Subdivision.

Fire Chief Michael Neujahr is presenting the council with a proposed interlocal agreement with the Centex Fire & Arson Task Force for fire, arson and explosive detection, investigative, and prosecutorial capabilities.

Interim City Manager Ryan Haverlah will be presenting a report of his own to council this evening, to include an update on Texas Legislative bills and meetings, the status of the Business 190 phase 1 project, the City Council Retreat/Planning Sessions, along with the proposed budget planning calendar for the city’s fiscal year 2019-2020 budget.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the city council chambers located in the city’s Technology Center, at 508 S. 2nd St. There will be a time of citizens’ forum at the beginning of the meeting.

The council is also holding a workshop at 5 p.m. during which it will hear an update from interim city manager Ryan Haverlah on the city’s capital improvement plan.