Champaign council OKs video gambling at 2 more businesses – Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN The city council voted Tuesday to allow two newly licensed video-gambling establishments to set up terminals, while noting that the negative effects of video gambling should continue to be addressed.

The vote amends a moratorium prohibiting new liquor licensees, which aren't regulated separately from gambling providers, from having terminals. It also extends the moratorium's expiration date from June 7 to July 18 "to allow council sufficient time to conduct a study session to consider the options for a longer-term video-gaming moratorium," according to a city report.

Deputy city manager Matt Roeschley confirmed that the amendment is a one-time thing. The two establishments, as of Feb. 21, didn't have liquor-license applications on file but had submitted a building-permit application and had invested at least $25,000 into it.

"The moratorium detrimentally impacts new businesses that ... are not eligible to provide new gaming but had already made substantial financial investments toward the establishment of gaming," according to the city report.

All council members voted for this except council member Clarissa Nickerson Fourman. She said one of the applicants, the Lucky Diamond establishment at 920 W. Bradley Ave., is in a poorly lit area with a crime-ridden past. The other establishment is Libby's Lounge at 905 S. Neil St., Suite A.

"I don't want to deny the other (establishment), but I'm uncomfortable with this being in this location and I have very high concerns," Fourman said.

Other council members said they wanted to approve the amendment and address concerns like Fourman's in the future.

"I'd be remiss if we don't keep our eye on the fact that (gaming) is a definite issue in our community and I look to have spirited discussion on this when it comes back to study session in July," council member Greg Stock said.

There was no public comment before the council voted on the amendment, and council member Matt Gladney encouraged residents to make themselves heard, especially at the summer study session.

"Sometimes we don't hear from people until after we've voted," Gladney said. "If you have an opinion about this, feel free to contact us. I'm willing to hear from people who have opinions from the other side."

In other business, the council also unanimously approved an engineering agreement, not to exceed $1,237,540, with Champaign's Farnsworth Group Inc. for final design and floodplain remapping of Boneyard Creek's upper area. This is part of the Boneyard Creek North Branch improvements project.

Also, Champaign Township supervisor Andy Quarnstorm announced Tuesday that the township is now participating in the C-U Fresh Start program to curb gun violence. The program launched last fall and has been at work in Champaign and Urbana so far. Quarnstorm said the township has received some funding to help those in the program put down their guns and rebuild their lives.

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Champaign council OKs video gambling at 2 more businesses - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette