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HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1932-08-04 - CCSPECIAL MEETING AUCrUST 4TH, 1932 3 ~ i `1'he City Council. of the City of Lynwood met in a Special meeting pursuant to call of Mayor Snyder, at the City Hall, 11331 Plaza Street, on above date at 9 :30 ~'. ~1. , which said call read as follows : - ~'You are hereby" notified that there will be a special meeting of the Lynwood City Council at 9:30 P. M. August 4th, 1932, for the purpose of duscussing the issuing of a permit for the Lynwood Jockey and Kennel Club. Your presence is required at this meeting. (Signed) Cecil Snyder, Mayor, City of Lynwood". Mayor Snyder in the chair. Councilmen Williams, Davies, Schouten and Snyder answered the roll call. It was moved by Councilman Davies and seconded by Councilmen Schou- ten that the reading of the minutes of the previous regular meeting of Aug- ust 2nd be dispensed wi th. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Williams, Davies, Schouten and Snyder. Noes: None. Mayor Snyder called on Mr. John S. Berger promoter of the proposed Lynwood Jockey and Kennel Club, to explain the proposition. 'Thereupon Mr. Berger addressed the Council submitting several ,~;~ letters of recommendation and commendations on races carried on at various places, being from the following: Los Angeles Ghamber of Commerce, Acting General Chairman of Greater St. Louis Exposition, James M. Curley, Mayor of Boston, Massachuetts, Victor J. Miller, Mayor of St. Louis. Mr. Berger sl6ated that Court decisions and Attorney General U. S. Webb have declared the present system of racing throughout the state as being legal, stating that they have dog and horse races in Culver City, Oaklen d, etc., stating that same are meeting with huge success and that 25000 people would visit Lynwood daily if the proposed project is erected. Mr. Berger requested permit to erect and operate the race track, estimating the cost of the dog track at 100,000.00 and the horse track at 300,000.00, promising to start work immediately which will require approximately 200 to build the dog tracks and 400 employees to construct the horse tracks, stating that he would bring in but 5~ of his skilled laborers, also agreeing to buy all the materials necessary for the construction from Lynwood firms, provided the prices are somewhere near competitive, stating further that ookles of money will be put into circulation and much advertisement be derived by the City. Mr. Berger stated that he has no stock forsale; also agreeing to construct and maintain their own lighting and water plarfa and sewer system, going on to stay that they do not want license gratuitQUSly, but are willing to pe4y for what they receive. Mr. Berger presented a proposed ordinance which he re- quested be adopted. Counci]man Williams addressed the Council requesting information .from Mr. Berger what experience he had in Compton relative to obtaining permit to operate there. Mr. Berger stated that the Compton Chamber of Commerce endorsed the project unanimously, stating that a petition was presented signed by 250 of the leading business men in favor of the permit for a race track in Compton; also stating that there was a preacher with ]his congregation present at the council meeting who objected to the project very strenuous- ly when it came up before the Council who numbered about 30, bringing up the matter of gambling, etc., stating that the said preacher grossly in- sulted him, and the following night the Council had another meeting when another pe ti ti on was presented signed by 500 persons favoring the project, going on to say that the Council did not feel like taking the responsibilit y ~`°' of grating permission, but would prefer that a Special election be called, which would require from 60 to 90 days, which would be too late to gel the races started by November, also saying that he is endorsed by 90~ of the business men of Compton. Mr. Clark addressed the Council opposing the project. City Attorney H®ss read the ordinance as presented and prepared by Mr. Berger, criticising several of the sections, stating that no one can authorize the City Council to do an illegal act and if the project is not illegal, a permit is not necessary, stating further that the Council have np right to make it exclusive, and that the fixing of any license fee is not a necessity merely because the City has no right to prohibit the operation of the business, and that a license fee can be fixed at any amount. NLr. Hess stated that you cannot bar ter away the authority of a City Council. Mr. Berger stated that he wants to be protected and didn't want to erect and maintain an expensive project and.then find others moving in on him and force him out of business. Councilman Davies raised the question of City Attorney tress whether or not it would be necessary to obtain a business license for each separate concession, which the City Attorney stated possibly would not he necessary, but a section could be inserted into the ordinance making the license fee to cover all accessories that are run within the inclosure. Thereupon it was moved by Counci Ima n Davies and seconded by Councilman Schouten that t3uilding Inspector Collins be instructed to issue a pr rmit for the erection of the buaildings necessary for the Lynwood Jockey. and Kennel Club, upon proper application therefor, Councilman Williams addressed the Council opposing the proposed project stating that we do not want this kind of business in Lynwood. Councilman T9avies addressed the Council favoring same, and Mayor Snyder stated that he did not see the necessity of a special permit if same was not required. Roll call on motion: Ayes: Councilmen Davies, Schouten and Snyder. Noes: Councilman Williams. It was moved by Councilman Davies and seconded by Councilman Schouten that the City Attoraney be instructed to draft an amendment to the business license Ordinance fixing the license fee for the operation of the proposed Lynwood Jockey and Kennel Club at1,000.00 per year, payable in advance. Mr. George Haaze addressed the Council favoring the project because of the relief it would give the unemployed. Rev'. Spicer addressed the Council stating that he was opposed to the project as it is wrong. Ro11 call on motion: '~: Ayes: Councilmen Davies, Schouten and Snyder. Noes: Councilman Williams. It was moved by Councilman Davies and seconded by Councilman Williams that we adjourn to August 16th, 1932, at 7230 P. M. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Williams, Davies, Schouten and Snyder. Noes: None. 0 F . ATT~ ~,~!~~y~ CITE CLERK, CITY OF L~IVOOD . '""""~ p '.