(A) Qualified organizations. The following organizations are qualified to apply to the license official for an annual bingo license if the receipts of all games organized are used only for charitable purposes, with the organization retaining authority to determine the disbursement of the net receipts of any bingo game.
(1) An organization exempt from the payment of the bank and corporation tax by Cal. Rev. and Tax Code §§ 23701a, 23701b, 23701d, 23701e, 23701f, 23701g, 23701k, 23701l, or 23701w;
(2) A mobile home park association of a mobile home park that is situated in the city;
(3) A senior citizens organization operating in, or serving residents of the city;
(4) A charitable organization affiliated with the Desert Sands Unified School District or the Coachella Valley Unified School District, or a private school operating in, or serving residents of the city.
(B) Application; filing fee. Each application for a bingo license, whether for a new license or a renewal of a previously existing license, shall be in writing. Each application shall be filed under penalty of perjury in a form prescribed by the license official and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable filing fee of $50, or such other filing fee as may determined by resolution of the City Council from time to time. One-half of any filing fee paid shall be refunded to an applicant if the application for a bingo license upon the denial of that license. Each application shall include a statement indicating the purpose and uses for which the proceeds of bingo games are to be used. The following documentation shall be attached to an application, as applicable.
(1) A certificate issued by the Franchise Tax Board certifying that the applicant is exempt from the payment of the bank and corporation tax pursuant to Cal. Rev. and Tax Code § 23701d.
(2) A report signed by city officials from the Building, Planning and Fire Departments of stating that inspection of any property proposed as a site for bingo games has been made, and that such property meets with the fire, building and safety regulations, and further has adequate off-street parking for one car for each two potential participant in a bingo game to be held per the license in question.
(3) Such evidence as the license official determines is necessary to verify that an applicant is a qualified organization per division (A) above in compliance with this chapter and all applicable state law.
(C) Renewal applications; additional statements. Applications for renewal of a previously issued bingo license shall comply with division (B) above and further, shall be submitted together with the following:
(1) A written statement succinctly describing the use of the funds derived from bingo games held during the previous year under the expiring bingo license.
(2) A written statement signed by the officers of the applicant organization stating that bingo games held were operated in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
(D) Review; verification. The license official shall commence the review of an application for a bingo license within five business days of the city's receipt of that application in complete form. The license official's review of a bingo license application shall be complete within 30 days after commencing that application's review. A bingo license shall not issue until the license official has verified in writing that the facts stated in the application, determined that the applicant is qualified for a bingo license per this chapter, and determined that the issuance of the bingo license in question will not adversely impact the public health, safety or welfare. Absent such verification, an application for a bingo license shall be denied. Each bingo license application and the corresponding verification of the license official shall be maintained as a public record in compliance with applicable law and the city's records retention policy.
(E) Annual licenses; no vested right. A license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid until the end of the calendar year during which it was issued, at which time the license shall expire. A new license shall only be obtained upon filing a new application and payment of the license fee. The fact that a license has been issued to an applicant during a particular year creates no vested right on the part of the licensee to continue to offer bingo for play. The City Council expressly reserves the right to amend or repeal this chapter at any time. If this chapter is repealed, all licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall cease to be effective for any purpose on the effective date of the repealing ordinance.
(Ord. 1595, passed 5-18-11)