Ordinance 1870CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 1870.
New Series
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING
ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE XVI THEREOF
DEFINING AND REGULATING BINGO GAMES FOR CHARITY,
PRESCRIBING PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND
RELATING TO CITATION PROCEDURE FOR VIOLATIONS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
that:
Section 1 . Chapter 2 of Title XVI of the Alameda
Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding Article 3 thereto
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 3 BINGO GAMES FOR CHARITY
Sec. 16 -231 Authority The following regulations
relating to bingo games for charity are enacted under
Section 19 of Article IV of the State Constitution and
implementing provisions of Section 326.5 of the State
Penal Code.
Sec. 16 -232 Definitions
(a) "Bingo" shall mean a game of chance in which
prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers
or.symbols on a card which conform to numbers or
symbols selected at random.
(b) "Nonprofit, Charitable Organization" shall
mean an organization exempt from the payment of Bank
and Corporation Tax by Section 23701(d) of the
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Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California
and a contribution or gift to which would be a charitable
contribution under Section 170(c) (2) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954 provided said organization has
first complied with the provision of Section 16 -234
of this Code.
Sec. 16 -233 Organizations Eligible to Conduct
Bingo Games Nonprofit, charitable organizations are
hereby allowed to conduct bingo games in the City of
Alameda in the manner permitted by the provisions of
Section 326.5 of the State Penal Code and the regulatory
provisions of this Code.
Sec. 16 -234 Application for Permit Prior to an
organization conducting a bingo game in the City of Alameda
as herein allowed, said organization shall apply for a
permit with the City Manager of the City of Alameda, and
shall file with said application Certificates of the
Franchise Tax Board and the U. S. Internal Revenue Service
that show that the organization is currently exempted from
the payment of the Bank and Corporations Tax by Section
23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code and that a
contribution or gift to the organization would be a
charitable contribution under Section 170(c) (2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
Sec. 16 -235 Term of Permit A permit when issued
shall be for a term of one year from the date of issuance
subject to renewal and annual service fee at which time
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current certificates described in Section 16 -234 shall be
submitted with the renewal application.
Sec. 16 -236 Fee Schedule
Service Fee (non - refundable) $25.00
Appeal Fee (non - refundable) 25.00
Permit Fee (on issuance) 55.00
Renewal Fee (on issuance) 20.00
Sec. 16 -237 Applicant Must be Qualified No permit
shall be issued to any organization unless such applicant
is a nonprofit, charitable organization as defined by
Section 16- 232(b) and its application conforms to the
requirements, terms, and conditions of this Code.
Sec. 16 -238 Application An application for a permit
as provided by Section 16 -234 of this Code shall be made to
the City Manager upon forms provided by the City of Alameda.
The application herein required shall contain the following
information:
(a) The name, address or headquarters of the
person applying for the permit.
(b) The name(s), address(es), and signature(s)
of the applicant(s) principal officer(s) including
the presiding officer authorizing the submission of
application and the necessary certificates, including
the service fee posted in the office of the City Clerk.
(c) An attached list of all members of the organ-
ization who will operate the bingo games including
full names and dates of birth.
(d) The particular property within the City of
Alameda, including the street number on which bingo
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games will be conducted; whether the property is
owned or leased by the applicant; its primary use
for which the applicant is organized; and, the
occupancy capacity of such property.
(e) Proposed hours and days of the week when
bingo games will be conducted.
(f) The name(s) of the financial institution(s)
where funds derived from the bingo games shall be
deposited.
(g) A full statement of the character and
extent of the nonprofit, charitable work to be done
with the funds derived from authorized bingo games.
(h) A statement to the effect that if said permit
is granted, it will not be used or represented in any
way as an endorsement by the City of Alameda, or by
any department, or officer thereof.
(i) That the applicant agrees to conduct bingo
games in strict accordance with the provisions of
Section 326.5 of the State Penal Code and the provisions
of this Code and its amendments, and further agrees
that the permit to conduct bingo games may be summarily
suspended by the Chief of Police and /or revoked by
the City Manager upon violation of any such provisions
of this Code.
(j) Said application shall be signed by the
presiding officer of the applicant under penalty of
perjury.
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Sec. 16 -239 Investigation of Applicant Upon receipt
of the completed application and fee the application shall
be forwarded for review and approval to the Chief Building
Inspector, Planning Director, Fire Chief, and Police Chief.
Each department in their area of concern shall make a
determination that the applicant's statements are true,
applicant's property qualifies and to the extent to which
it qualifies, as property on which bingo games may be law-
fully conducted, as to fire, occupancy and other applicable
restrictions.
Sec. 16 -2310 Standards for Disapproval of Permit
Application The City Manager shall approve the issuance
of a permit unless the application is incomplete; statements
in the application are false or the applicant does not
meet any of the requirements of this Ordinance.
Sec. 16 -2311 Appeal of Denial of Permit The
Applicant may file an appeal and fee of the decision of the
City Manager. A hearing shall be held in a manner as
provided for in Section 13 -218 of the Municipal Code.
Sec. 16 -2312 Contents of Permit Upon being satisfied
that the applicant is fully qualified, under the law, to
conduct bingo games in the City, the City Manager's Office
shall issue a permit to said applicant, which shall contain
the following information:
(1) The name and nature of the organization to
whom the permit is issued.
(2) The address where bingo games are authorized
to be conducted.
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(3) The occupancy capacity of the room in which
bingo games are to be conducted.
(4) The date of the expiration of such permit.
(5) Such other information as may be necessary
or desirable for the enforcement of the provisions of
these regulations.
Sec. 16 -2313 Inspection Any peace officer of the
City shall have free access to any bingo game authorized
under these regulations. The permittee shall have the
bingo permit, the list of approved staff, and proof of
ownership of the bingo equipment available for inspection
at all times during any bingo game. It shall be unlawful
for any person to interfere, block doorways, or otherwise
impede the efforts of a peace officer to make such
inspections.
Sec. 16 -2314 Equipment The permittee must own the
gaming equipment necessary to conduct the bingo games.
No equipment may be rented, leased, or shall any
fee be paid to anyone for such gaming equipment used in
bingo games. Proof of ownership shall be displayed to
any peace officer of the City upon request.
Sec. 16 -2315 Maximum Amount of Prize The total
value f prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo
games shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00)
in cash or kind, or both, for each separate game which is
held.
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Sec. 16 -2316 Profits - Separate Fund or Account
All profits derived from a bingo game shall be kept in a
special fund or account and shall not be commingled with
any other fund or account. The permittee shall keep full
and accurate records of the income and expenses received
and disbursed in connection with its operation, conduct,
promotion, supervision and any other phase of bingo games
which are authorized by these regulations. The City, by
and through its authorized officers, shall have the right
to examine and audit such record at any reasonable time
and permittee shall fully cooperate with the City by
making such records available.
Sec. 16 -2317 Financial Interest - Permittee Only
No individual, corporation, partnership, or other legal
entity except the permittee shall hold a financial interest
in the conduct of such bingo game.
Sec. 16 -2318 Exclusive Operation by Permittee
A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members
of the permittee organization. Such members shall not
receive a profit, wage, or salary from any bingo game.
Only permittee shall operate such game, or participate
in the promotion, supervision or any other phase of such
game.
Sec. 16 -2319 Bingo Games Open to Public All bingo
games shall be open to the public.
Sec. 16 -2320 Attendance Limited to Occupancy Capacity
Notwithstanding that bingo games are open to the public,
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attendance at any bingo game shall be limited to the
occupancy capacity of the room in which such game is
conducted as determined by the Fire Department and
Building Inspection Division of the City in accordance
with applicable laws and regulations. Permittee shall
not reserve seats or space for any person.
Sec. 16 -2321 Bingo Games Conducted on Property
Utilized by Permittee for its Charitable Purposes
A permittee shall conduct a bingo game only on property
owned or leased by it, and which property is used by
such organization for the performance of the purposes
for which the organization is organized. The permit
issued hereunder shall authorize the holder thereof to
conduct bingo games only on such property, the address
of which is stated in the application. In the event
the described property ceases to be used as a place for
the performance of the purposes for which the permittee
is organized, the permit shall have no further force or
effect. A new permit may be obtained by an eligible
organization, upon application under these regulations.
Sec. 16 -2322 Minors Not to Participate No person
under the age of eighteen (18) years of age shall enter
or remain or be permitted to enter or remain in any place
while bingo games are being played, nor shall such person
participate or be permitted to participate directly or
indirectly in any bingo game conducted or being played
in any place where bingo games are authorized.
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Sec. 16 -2323 Alcoholic Beverages No alcoholic
beverages shall be consumed, sold, or given away, served
or delivered to any person within the place where any
bingo games are being conducted, nor shall any bingo game
be conducted on any premises licensed to serve alcoholic
beverages.
Sec. 16 -2324 Hours of Operation No permittee shall
conduct any bingo game more than four hours out of any
twenty -four hour period. No bingo game shall be conducted
before 10:00 A.M. nor after midnight of any day.
Sec. 16 -2325. Participant Must Be Present No person
shall be allowed to participate in a bingo game unless
the person is physically present at the time and place in
which the bingo game is being conducted.
Sec. 16 -2326 Receipt o£ Profit by a Person a Misdemeanor
Under State Law It is a misdemeanor under Section 326.5(b)
of the State Penal Code for any person to receive a profit,
wage, or salary from any bingo game authorized hereunder, a
violation of which is punishable by a fine not to exceed
ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), which fine shall be
deposited in the general fund of the City of Alameda.
Sec. 16 -2327 Summary Suspension of Permit
(a) . Whenever it appears to the Chief of Police
or his representative that the permittee is conducting
a bingo game in violation of any of these provisions,
said Chief of Police or his representative shall have
the authority to summarily suspend the permit for the
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day in question and order the permittee to immediately
cease and desist any further operation of any bingo
game on said day.
(b) Any person who continues to conduct a bingo
game after any summary suspension thereof under sub-
section (a) shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof, shall. be punishable by
a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00)
or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period
not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine
and imprisonment.
Sec. 16 -2328 Revocation of Permit - Hearing
whenever it appears to the City Manager that the permittee
has been or is conducting bingo games in violation of
State Penal Code Section 326.5 or any of these provisions,
or that the permit was obtained by fraudulent representation,
the permit may be revoked.
No permit shall be revoked unless written notice shall
have first been given at least five (5) days before the
hearing thereof by depositing in the United States mail
a notice directed to the permittee at the address given
in the application. The notice shall set forth a summary
of the ground(s) advanced as the basis of the revocation.
At the hearing before the City Manager or a Hearing
Officer in the manner provided by Section 13 -218 of this
Code the permittee or its authorized representative shall
have the right to present evidence and a written or oral
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argument, or both, in response.
The City Manager or the Hearing Officer shall not be
bound in the conduct of such hearing by the common law or
statutory rules of evidence and procedure, but inquiry
shall be made in such a manner to ascertain the substantial
rights of the public and the permittee.
No decision shall be invalidated because of the
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admission into the record and the use as any proof of
any fact in dispute of any evidence not admissible under
the common law or statutory rules of evidence.
Within twenty (20) days after close of hearing the
City Manager shall enter his decision based upon the
record presented, and notify in writing, the permittee
of such decision. The decision of the City Manager
shall be final.
Sec. 16 -2329. City May Enjoin Viola The City
of Alameda may bring an action in a court of competent
jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of Section 326.5 of
the State Penal Code or of these regulations.
Section 2 . This ordinance shall be in full force and
effect from and after the expiration of thirty (30) days from
the date of its final passage.
L
Presidin ficer of the Council
Attest:
City Clerk
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance: was
duly and regularly adopted rnd passed by the Council of the City of Alaweda..
in tvLivilar westing Lssec6led on the 7th day of June. 1977, by the ft * SIOWifiy
vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilman Dia.-.'ient, Sharratt. Tillman and
Pvasident Corica, (4).
NOES: None.
ASSUM Councilman Becicam (1).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF. I have hevewito set my hand & affixed the
official seal of Said City this, 3th day of June, 1977.