Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 30, 1990 TAG: 9005300551
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The regulations, which will take effect immediately, were proposed by the city auditor, commonwealth's attorney and police chief.
Three speakers, including two bingo players, urged council to approve the rules, which were recommended by the city's Audit Committee.
"I think this ordinance will help assure only legitimate bingo in the city," said Councilman David Bowers, chairman of the Audit Committee. Bowers said he is convinced that the regulations will help eliminate illegal bingo operations.
He said a high-ranking law enforcement official, whom he did not identify, has estimated that bingo operators may have grossed more than $10 million in the past year - nearly four times the $2.6 million they reported.
But only a small amount has been given to charities and non-profit organizations, according to Municipal Auditor William Brogan.
State law does not require a minimum amount of bingo receipts to be given to the charitable or non-profit organizations that sponsor the games. Some bingo operators have reported that their expenses were equal to or larger than their receipts.
In part, the new regulations will centralize the administration and investigation of bingo operations under Finance Director Joel Schlanger. A full-time auditor will be hired to investigate applications for bingo permits, perform unannounced inspections of bingo games and audit the operations to determine compliance with the new regulations.
Bingo operators also will be required to maintain complete records of all receipts and disbursements. Operators will be required to maintain records for three years on the dates on which bingo is played, the number of people in attendance and the amount of receipts and prizes.
The regulations also will impose restrictions on the frequency of bingo games by organizations, the size and number of instant bingo games and other operational details.
In other action Tuesday, council:
Appropriated $30,000 to hire consultants to make a detailed study of the space needs and operational procedures for a proposed convention and trade center.
As Virginia Tech proceeds with planning for the renovation of Hotel Roanoke and construction of a management training/educational conference center, City Manager Robert Herbert said, the city needs to begin planning for the convention center so it can be coordinated with Tech's facilities.
Herbert said the city needs professional assistance to make a study of the space needs in a convention center, the size and number of rooms, its operations and its relationship with Tech's conference center and the hotel.
Hired Dewberry and Davis, a consultant engineering firm, to prepare plans for the removal of asbestos from the Roanoke Civic Center auditorium and to supervise the project for a fee that will not exceed $76,600.
by CNB