PRCS Minutes 1977-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO : Parks and Recreation Commission FROM : Operational Policies Committee- Chairman Schlesinger DATE : May 25 , 1977 SUBJECT : REVIEW OF BINGO ORDINANCE RELATED TO RECREATION FACILITY OPERATIONS The Operational Policies Committee met on May 25 , 1977 . Commissioners present were Anderson , Hayes and Knecht . Commissioner Schlesinger was absent . Commissioner Knecht attended on behalf of Commissioner Schlesinger . The Committee met to review Ordinance No . 1697 known as the ordinance relating to the conduct of bingo games for charity . The Committee wished to examine the impact this ordinance may have upon the operation of the recreation buildings and facilities as well as the relationships which might exist with present organizations and the constraints which are imposed by the bingo ordinance . The staff reviewed with the Committee the various terms and conditions set forth in the ordinance which resulted in a discussion of the various interpretations which could arise from the provisions of the ordinance . It was pointed out that the staff discussed with the City Attorney the intent of the ordinance as well as the various interpretations which might arise from groups that would be using the public recreation facili - ties . In terms of the qualifications as set forth in the ordinance to receive a permit for conducting bingo games , it was felt that there would be very few instances where the question might arise with respect to the use of public facilities . Section 8A . 9 of the ordinance which deals with location specifically states , " A nonprofit organization per- mitted to conduct a bingo game shall only do so on property owned or leased by it and which property is used by such organization for an o ffice or for activities within the purposes forvihich the organization is organized . " In that group use of the recreation facilities is nor- mally handled by a permit or by co - sponsorship programming it would seem that the ownership or leasing requirements of the ordinance would preclude the possibility of conducting bingo games as a game of chance o n or in public recreation facilities . In the few cases where leasing o r ownership does exist , for example the Sequoia Yacht Club and the Police Youth Club , it would seem that these organizations could qualify for a permit insofar as Section 8A . 9 in concerned . In cases where bingo is played not as a game of chance , as defined by Ordinance No . 1697 , it would , of course , then be permissable as a rec - reation activity . The City Attorney advises that a game of chance as it may be related to gambling involves a risk on the part of the par- ticipant which might be rewarded either with money or with prizes . When there is no risk assumed by the participant , then it can be inter- preted that there is no game of chance . - 6 -