City moves to regulate gaming businesses

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The City of Clarendon moved to regulate gaming businesses last Tuesday, although none are currently operating locally.

Discussions about regulating eight-liner games started months ago, and the only known gaming establishment in town has since closed.

Ordinance 435 as approved July 22 will require gaming businesses to have a permit, and eight-liner machines would also be subject to initial and annual fees.

Aldermen debated the justification for regulating the gaming machines, including whether taking money from a gaming business was right or not.

Alderman Doug Kidd sought assurance that the ordinance as presented would not prevent anyone from operating an arcade for teenagers; and he also suggested that if the city was going to make money on gaming devices, it should be directed toward worthy causes in town and not just the city’s general fund.

The board agreed on a $100 permit application fee for gaming businesses plus initial fees of $100 per machine and annual renewal fees of $50 per machine.

The city’s code enforcement officer would also inspect such businesses to determine their compliance with local regulations.

This ordinance becomes effective September 1, 2014.

Also at last week’s meeting, Britton Hall presented information in public comment about a grant program available through PetSmart that pays to spay, neuter, and release feral cats. Hall asked the city to look into the program, which slows the growth of feral cat populations while allowing the sterilized cats to continue to control rodents.

Aldermen approved amending the current budget by $21,699 to purchase new Dumpsters and authorized up to $600 for new storage cabinets for City Hall.

Mayor Larry Hicks reported the street project was going well and is slightly ahead of schedule. He also reported that the Texas Department of Transportation may soon start charging the city for cleanup TxDOT has been having to do on Koogle Street as a result of rains washing dirt and rocks off Third Street during the project.

The board also worked on the 2014-2015 city budget and discussed the benefits of hiring a part time person to care for and clean the park during the summer months.