O391ORDINANCE NO. 391
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KENNEDALE, TEXAS AMENDING
CHAPTER 11 "LICENSES, TAXATION AND MISCELLANEOUS
BUSINESS REGULATIONS", ARTICLE V "AMUSEMENT HALLS", BY
ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR AMUSEMENT MACHINE
ESTABLISHMENTS; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS HEREOF;
PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Kennedale is a home rule city acting under its charter
adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution and
Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kennedale has previously adopted
regulations regarding amusement halls; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it advisable and in the public interest to amend
the regulations for amusement machines and amusement machine establishments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KENNEDALE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 11 "Licenses, Taxation and Miscellaneous Business Regulations", Article
V "Amusement Halls", is amended to read as follow:
ARTICLE V. AMUSEMENT MACHINE ESTABLISHMENTS
DIVISION 1. DEFINITIONS
Sec. 11-106. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
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Amusementmachine means a machine or device operated by orwith a coin orother United
States currency, metal slug, token, electronic card, or check, that dispenses or is used or
capable of being used to dispense or afford amusement, skill, or pleasure or is operated
for any purpose other than for dispensing only merchandise, music, or service. The term
does not include:
(a) musical devices;
(b) billiard tables;
(c) machines designed exclusively for children;
(d) devices designed to train persons in athletic skills, including golf, tennis,
baseball, archery, or other similar sports.
Amusementmachineestsblishment means a business in which at least twenty-five percent
(25%) of the useable floor space open to the public is devoted to amusement machines
that are used, or capable of being used or operated, for amusement, pleasure or skill.
Secs. 11-107 -11-125. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. PERMITS
Sec. 11-126. Permit required.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) below, it shall be unlawful for any
person, individually or in association with others, to operate an amusement
machine establishment without having a valid, current annual permit issued
by the city and without having a valid, current decal issued by the city for
each amusement machine being displayed or operated in the establishment.
(b) The permitting and regulating provisions of this article do not apply to:
(1) Amusement machines kept in private residences or apartments and
used without charge by members of the family or bona fide guests;
(2) Amusement machines provided on the premises of religious,
charitable, educational, or fraternal organizations for the use of
members or their guests, and not for private profit, although a charge
is made for playing;
(3) Amusement machines provided on the premises of bona fide clubs or
social organizations, not operated for private profit although a charge
is made for playing, which provide other membership privileges and
activities usual in bona fide private clubs organized for the promotion
of some common object and whose members must be individually
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passed upon and elected as members by a committee or board made
up of members of the club and its affairs and management shall be
conducted by a board of directors, executive committee or similar
body chosen by the members at their annual meetings; or
(4) Amusement machines provided on the premises of publicly owned
facilities.
Sec. 11-127. Permit fees.
(a) The annual permit fee for each amusement machine establishment that
displays four or fewer amusement machines shall be $100.00.
(b) The annual permit fee for each amusement machine establishment that
displays five or more amusement machines shall be $300.00.
(c) No permit shall be issued until the applicant has paid the required permit fee.
Sec. 11-128. Applications.
(a) A person desiring a permit to operate an amusement machine establishment
shall file a written application with the city secretary. The application must be
on a form provided by the city secretary and include the following information:
(1) The full name, home address, and home telephone number of the
applicant.
(2) All of the following business information that applies:
a. The business trade name and a general description of the
business and the address and phone number of the business;
b. If the applicant is a limited partnership, a certified copy of the
certificate of limited partnership;
c. If the applicant is a corporation, a certified copy of the articles
of incorporation and, for an out-of-state corporation, the
certificate of authority to do business in the state;
d. The name and address of all partners or shareholders with 20
percent or greater interest in the business; and
e. The federal tax identification number of the organization for
which the person works or with which the person is affiliated.
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(3) The physical location and street address where the establishment will
be operated.
(4) The total number of amusement machines that will be located and
available for use in the establishment.
(5) A complete description of all amusement machines that will be located
in the establishment, including without limitation the name or type of
the machine, the serial number of the machine, and every owner of
the machine (if different from the applicant).
(6) The total floor area of the establishment, and the total floor area of
that portion of the establishment that is to be open to customers or
patrons for the use or operation of amusement machines.
(7) If the applicant has been convicted of any crime directly related to an
amusement machine establishment, the date, location, and nature of
the offense and the penalty received.
(8) Such other and additional information as the city secretary may deem
necessary to assure that the applicant meets the requirements of this
article.
(b) Applications for all permits shall contain the statements that:
(1) "I understand that the permit applied for shall be subject to all the
provisions and regulations of the Kennedale City Code and all other
ordinances of the city and laws of the state, and I certify that I and all
of my employees, agents, and operators will comply with said
ordinances and laws"; and
(2) "I certify that none of the amusement machines to be placed on the
premises will be operated in a way that constitutes an illegal lottery,
including an "eight-liner" orothersuch machine forwhich cash, prizes,
or coupons are awarded, and that none of the machines is an illegal
gambling device as defined by Section 47.01(4) of the Texas Penal
Code, as amended."
(c) The application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant before a notary
public.
Sec. 11-129. Issuance of permit and decal; nonassignability.
(a) The city secretary shall issue a permit after the city secretary has completed
the necessary investigation and determined that the applicant meets the
requirements of and has fully complied with this article and with all other
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ordinances and laws of the city and state. Permits shall be deemed personal
to the permittee and shall not be assignable or transferable from one person
to another or one location or place of business to another.
(b) Upon issuance of a permit under subsection (a) above, the city secretary
shall issue a decal for every amusement machine located in a permitted
amusement machine establishment that is listed on the permit.
(1) Every amusement machine in an amusement machine establishment
shall contain a decal. The decal for each amusement machine is
deemed personal to the machine and location for which it is issued.
No decal attached to an amusement machine shall be placed on
another amusement machine. No amusement machine may be
moved to another business location or business establishment in the
city without first amending the permittee's application and obtaining a
new decal for the machine.
(2) Before replacing an amusementmachine(s) oradding an amusement
machine(s) to an establishment, the permittee shall amend the
application with the city secretary to update and reflect accurately the
information required pursuant to subsection 11-128(a)(5). Upon
amendment of the application, the city secretary shall issue a decal(s)
for the replacement or additional amusement machine(s). If the total
number of permitted amusement machines has changed, the city
secretary shall also issue an amendment to the permit specifying the
revised number of amusement machines allowed in the establishment
and the date of such amendment.
Sec. 11-130. Duration of permit; decal.
The permit shall be valid from the date of issuance until December 31 of the year the permit
was issued. The decal shall be valid until the amusement machine is moved from the
location for which it is issued.
Sec. 11-131. Posting of permit.
(a) The permit shall state on its face to whom it is issued, the date it will expire,
the address and location of the establishment, and the type of establishment
authorized to be operated. The permit shall be signed and sealed by the city
secretary. A permittee, while engaged in the operation of business, shall
have the permit posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance and
in such a place and position that it is easy to read at any time of day or night.
(b) In addition to the information contained on a permit pursuant to subsection
(a), a permit for an amusement machine establishment must also state on its
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face the total number of amusement machines allowed in the establishment
and the serial number and decal number of each amusement machine.
Sec. 11-132. Permit denial.
(a) The city secretary shall deny an application for a permit if the city secretary
finds any of the following:
(1) -The applicant failed to furnish the city with all information required by
section 11-128;
(2) The applicant has ever been convicted:
a. Of any felony or class A or B misdemeanor directly related to
gambling, theft from a customer of a business owned or
operated by the applicant, or any other crime directly related to
the applicant's operation of an amusement machine
establishment; or
b. Within the five years before applying for the permit, of any
class C misdemeanor directly related to gambling, theft from a
customer of a business owned or operated by the applicant, or
any other crime directly related to the applicant's operation of
an amusement machine establishment; or
(3) Evidence that the applicant does not meet the requirements of this
article or any other ordinances or laws of the city or state.
(b) The city secretary shall note the reasons for denial on the application and
shall notify the applicant of the denial by mailing notice to the applicant at the
address shown on the application.
Sec. 11-133. Permit revocation.
(a) The city secretary shall revoke a permit if it is determined that:
(1) The establishment is not being operated in accordance with this article
or with any ordinances or laws of the city or state;
(2) Any statement made in the application is untrue;
(3) The applicant has ever been convicted:
a. Of any felony or class A or B misdemeanor directly related to
gambling, theft from a customer of a business owned or
operated by the applicant, or any other crime directly related to
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the applicant's operation of an amusement machine
establishment;
b. Within the five years before applying for the permit of any class
C misdemeanor directly related to gambling, theft from a
customer of a business owned or operated by the applicant, or
any other crime directly related to the applicant's operation of
an amusement machine establishment;
(4) The applicant falsely certified to the statements required by
subsection 62-8(b); or
(5) The applicant displayed or operated an amusement machine that did
not have a decal or was not listed on the permit for the amusement
machine establishment.
Sec. 11-134. Appeal from denial or revocation of permit.
(a) The city secretary shall give written notice of the reason for denial or
revocation of a permit by mailing notice to the applicant at the address shown
on the application for the permit.
(b) To contest the denial or revocation, the applicant may file with the city
secretary, within ten days after the city secretary mails notice of denial or
revocation, a written appeal for a hearing before the city council.
(1) A denial is final and effective on the day the city secretary denies the
permit.
(2) A revocation is final and effective 11 days after the city secretary mails
the notice of the revocation, unless the applicant appeals the
revocation as prescribed by this section, in which case the revocation
is stayed until the city council makes a final determination.
(c) After an appeal is filed, the city secretary shall provide the city council with
a record of all proceedings conducted with regard to the application for a
permit, including the written application, the action of the city secretary, and
the reasons for such action. The city secretary shall provide to the applicant
a copy of this information at least 24 hours before the hearing, if the applicant
requests such information in writing.
(d) The city council must hold a hearing on the appeal of the denial or revocation
of a permit within 30 days after the date of filing of the appeal, unless the
appellantwaives in writing the right to a hearing within 30 days. The decision
of the city council shall be final and conclusive as to all parties.
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Secs. 11-135 -11-150. Reserved.
DIVISION 3. GENERALLY
Sec. 11-151. Hours of Operation.
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) or (c) of this section, no amusement
machine establishment may be operated between the hours of 12:01 a.m. to
9:00 a.m., seven days a week.
(b) No amusement machine establishment that is within 500 feet of a district
restricted to residential use under the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of
the City of Kennedale, may be operated between the hours of 11:00 p.m.,
Sunday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. the following day, or between the
hours of 12:01 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
(c) No amusement machine establishment that is within 500 feet of a public or
private elementary or secondary school, may be operated between the hours
of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall or spring term
when students are required to attend school in the school district in which the
center is located.
(d) For purposes of this section, measurements shall be made in a straight line,
without regard to intervening structures or objects, from the nearest entry
door in the portion of the building used as an amusement machine
establishment to the nearest point of a district restricted to residential use or
nearest entry door of a school.
Secs. 11-152 -11-170. Reserved.
DIVISION 4. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 11-171. inspections.
Any amusement machine establishment within the city shall be subject to inspection by
authorized city personnel including but not limited to a police officer, the city secretary, the
building official and the fire marshal or their authorized agents.
Sec. 11-172. Violation.
(a) It shall be a violation of this article for any person to:
(1) Display any machine or device of any kind or character that is
prohibited by this article or by any other ordinances or laws of the city
or state;
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(2) Operate any amusement machine or amusement machine
establishment that does not meet the requirements of this article and
any other ordinances or laws of the city or state; or
(3) Permit any of the following activities at an amusement machine
establishment:
a. violation of any possession, sale, or delivery in Subchapter 4
of the Texas Controlled Substances Act;
b. violation of any provision in Article 666-17(14) of the Texas
Liquor Control Act;
c. prostitution;
d. gambling;
e. entry of a person younger than 17 years between the hours of
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the fall or spring term when
students are required to attend school in the school district in
which the amusement machine establishment is located; or
violation of Section 42.01 of the Penal Code.
(b) Any permittee who operates an amusement machine establishment or any
person who manages or controls an amusement machine establishment shall
be responsible for violations of this article.
Sec. 11-173. Penalties.
(a) In case of any willful violation of any of the terms and provisions of this
article, the city may institute any appropriate action or proceedings in a court
of appropriate jurisdiction to restrain, correct, or abate such violation. For
violations of this article, the city may also invoke civil remedies provided by
the laws of the state, which shall be cumulative and subject to prosecutions
prescribed for such violations.
(b) A fine not to exceed $500.00 shall be levied against any person upon
conviction of any violation of any provision of this article. Each day shall
constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Kennedale, as amended, except where the provisions of this
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ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, in
which event the conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby
repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases, clauses,
sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance are severable, and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional
by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such
unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by
the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 4.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses
to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance
shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense. Each day
that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 5.
All rights and remedies of the City of Haltom City are expressly saved as to any and
all violations of the provisions of any ordinances governing zoning that have accrued at the
time of the effective date of this ordinance; and, as to such accrued violations and all
pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending in court or not, under such
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ordinances, same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until final
disposition by the courts.
SECTION 6.
The City Secretary of the City of Kennedale is hereby directed to publish the caption,
penalty clause, publication clause and effective date of this Ordinance as required by
Section 3.10 of the Charter of the City of Kennedale.
SECTION 7.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law, and it is so ordained.
'''~ ,>rbE~,~~~'` PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13 DAY OF ARCH
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-` ° `°. ,r ~~r: MAYOR
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CITY SECR ARY
EFFECTIVE: ' -~ ~- 2008
APPR VED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
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CITY ATTORNEY
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