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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Isabel M. Garc?a-Kodron, City Clerk
DATE: February 6, 2014
SUBJECT:
An ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on progressive raffle licenses in the City of Aurora - Committee of the Whole Agenda Item - February 18, 2014.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council's approval to place a temporary moratorium on progressive raffles.
BACKGROUND:
An ordinance establishing a system for the licensing of certain organizations to operate raffles was first adopted by the City of Aurora in 1982. Since then, there has been a single revision to this ordinance, which amended Sec. 25-224(b) in 1999.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Aurora raffle ordinance does not contemplate the licensing and conduct of "progressive raffles." Because these types of raffles may have, in a single game, numerous drawings without a winner, there is great potential for prize pots to continue to grow indefinitely. In fact, there have been recent issues with prize pots growing to more than double the prize limit set by ordinance O99-018.
In addition, although historically social clubs have been able to apply for and obtain raffle licenses, the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances does not make it clear that these types of organizations are eligible to obtain licenses to operate such games of chance.
I am requesting that a six (6) month moratorium on the issuance of progressive raffle licenses be established. This moratorium would afford staff the opportunity to research the laws in other communities, as well as best practices and any related legal matters, so that we may come up with language to appropriately address the above mentioned issues. We anticipate we should be able to bring before the Council the needed revisions to the ordinance language within one hundred and twenty (120) days, after which time the moratorium will expire.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I hereby recommend that the City Council approve the attached proposed ordinance that will decla...
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