HomeMy Public PortalAbout19940114 special 245
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, JANUARY 14, 1994
CALL TO ORDER:
The Special Council Meeting of January 14, 1994, was called to order at 12:00 noon
with President Pro Tempore Chris Wrigley presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The following Council Members were present,..
Present: Bertel, Byrd, Estes-Benward, Green, Haake, Halsey, Nilges and
Wrigley
Absent: Bentor}and Bemskoetter
A quorum was declared present.
NEW BUSINESS:
President Pro Tempore Wrigley distributed copies of an amended agenda for the
Special Council Meeting, and announced the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
the riverboat gaming application and presentation to the Missouri State Gaming
Commission regarding competition after three-year limitation, and City representation
before the Gaming Commission staff.
Councilman Jerry Green stated that a letter had been received by Mayor Gardner from
the law firm of Brydon, Swearengen & England on January 10 which requested
representation from the Council at a meeting of Becker Gaming before the Missouri
Gaming Commission on January 17, 1994. He expressed his concern over the fact that
the Council had not been made aware of this scheduled meeting at its Regular Council
Meeting on January 10, and reiterated that the Council had specifically requested that
any correspondence from the law firm of Brydon, Swearengen & England be sent to the
Councilman Nilges as the Chairman of the Finance Committee, City Administrator, and
the City Counselor as well as the Mayor. Councilman Nilges expressed his agreement
with Mr. Green's comments that the Council should have been made aware of this
meeting, and that Council representation should be at the meeting to show its support
of Becker Gaming.
Mr. Wrigley asked City Administrator Dave Johnston to advise the Council of the
economic background he had compiled in preparation of the upcoming presentation.
After he presented the Information, he stated one of the questions that might be asked
of the City is what Is its plan of intent regarding soliciting more than one riverboat after
the three-year limitation was up. The Council would need to think about establishing
some policy ground rules in case the City has more than one riverboat in the future.
246
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, JANUARY 14, 1994
�l
;y
Councilman Halsey moved that the following persons attend the January 17 meeting to
represent the City: Councilmen Green, Nilges, City Administrator Dave Johnston, and
City Counselor Alien Garner. Councilman Nilges stated he would not be able to attend
due to prior business commitments. Councilmen Estes-Benward and Byrd both stated
they would be willing to attend, to which Councilman Halsey agreed and changed his
motion to so reflect. Motion was seconded by Councilman Haake.
Discussion included the following: Councilman Estes-Benward stated that she had just
spoken by telephone with Mr. Mel Fisher, Deputy Director of the Missouri Gaming
i; Commission in Charge of Investigations, and he indicated that the January 17 meeting
of the Gaming Commission would be for the purpose of performing applicant
' interviews, eight of which still remained to be performed; that the City's presence at the
meeting would Indicate its support of Becker, and the City could then present its view
concerning the project's economic Impact on the City. The motion was then approved
by the following roll-call vote:
Aye: Bertel, Byrd, Estes-Benward, Green, Haake, Halsey, Nilges and Wrigley.
Nay: None
President Pro Tempore Wrigley stated that the next item of discussion on the agenda
regarded establishing a policy of the City's position concerning riverboat competition
after the three-year limitation. After discussion, the Council agreed, by consensus, that
It would be beneficial to wait until after the first riverboat had been In operation for
awhile to address any such specific policies.
After discussions were concluded on agenda items, Councilman Halsey announced
that former City Councilman James Woodman had passed away at 9:20 a.m. on this
day, and made a motion that the Council, Mayor and City Staff go on record to
acknowledge Its sympathy, and to make necessary arrangements to send condolences
i to the family on behalf of the City. Motion was seconded by Councilman Byrd, and
approved.
i
Councilman Halsey requested a key to the City to present to the daughter of the late
Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr, at an upcoming event honoring Dr. King, There were no
objections to Mr. Halsey's request.
ADJOURNMENT: ,
There being no further business, Councilman Halsey moved that the meeting be 'r
adjourned, second by Councilman Haake, and approved. The meeting was adjourned
at 12:30 p.m.
0