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City Council Minutes Page 7 <br />October 7, 2019 <br />----------------------------- <br />expressed concerns with profitability if there are two organizations competing at the <br />same location. <br />Councilmember Christianson questioned the benefit/loss on the city by allowing two <br />to three organizations at one establishment because competition would decide who <br />is profitable. <br />Councilmember Wagner concurred with Councilmember Christianson noting the <br />monopoly issue would work itself out. She stated an organization will discontinue <br />operations quickly if they are losing money. She questioned if there is enough space <br />for everyone to locate in Elk River knowing other organizations have a desire to get <br />gambling licenses. She stated she is hesitant to raise the limit from three but is not <br />opposed to revisiting this matter in 12-18 months in order to allow other <br />organizations a chance to get their permits. <br />Mr. Eason stated they are okay with the other youth sports getting a pull tab <br />operation and the Council denying youth hockey for that purpose if need be. <br />Councilmember Wagner stated it would be difficult for Council to pick based on <br />who they may like/dislike. <br />Ms. Allard noted a Council can't typically deny a request for a permit without having <br />valid findings for denial. <br />Mr. Hartung suggested after an organization has three permits, if they apply for a <br />fourth one, require them to wait 30-45 days in order to give an opportunity to <br />another organization. <br />Mayor Dietz stated he has concerns with competing organizations in an <br />establishment because they are both non -profits trying to raise money for good <br />causes for the community. He stated if youth hockey has three permits, why youth <br />baseball can't have one of their own versus having the two compete against each <br />other. <br />Mr. Eason expressed concerns with allowing competition because it could create <br />gambling issues with the gambling workers and the establishment employees. He <br />stated employees who have done gambling for a long time can drive more traffic to <br />their booth. <br />Mr. Williams stated he wouldn't go into a location if youth hockey was already <br />located there, expressing concerns with competition, which defeats the whole <br />purpose of why the funds are being raised. <br />Ms. Berthiaume stated the establishments liked the idea initially because they believe <br />they'll get more lease revenue, which is not true per state law. <br />PO/EAEE�I I <br />NAVRE <br />