(A) As used in this section, the term ENTERTAINMENT CENTER shall mean and include any commercial amusement and recreation center open to the public and offering batting, golf, bowling, laser tag, pool or billiard tables, video and/or arcade games, pinball games, and/or other games of skill or pleasure.
(B) (1) All persons desiring to open and operate an entertainment center in Mount Pleasant must secure a permit from the Chief of Police. If the permit is sought at a location where other business is or will be conducted, the applicant must be the person conducting the business. The person desiring the permit shall file an application with the City Police Department and pay a fee of $50. This application shall contain the personal history of the applicant and the location of the entertainment center. The application shall be submitted to the Chief of Police for investigation, and he or she shall make an investigation of the applicant and the proposed location and return same to the City Manager with his or her recommendation as to whether the license shall issue. Upon receiving the report of the Chief of Police, the City Manager shall direct the Chief of Police to issue or not issue the license.
(2) Any applicant who has been refused a license may appeal to the City Council for a review by filing a written appeal within ten days after the applicant is notified that the license will not be issued. The decision of the Council shall be final.
(C) Permits shall be issued subject to the following:
(1) Permits shall be issued to individuals and not corporations or other legal entities;
(2) Permits shall not be transferable by sale, inheritance or otherwise. Cessation of business for 20 days shall cancel the permit;
(3) The location of a permit shall not be moved without written application and approval by the Chief of Police;
(4) No gambling shall be permitted;
(5) An adult person shall be present as an attendant during open hours;
(6) If alcohol is sold, all permitting must comply with Chapter 111 of the Municipal Code;
(7) The place of business shall be well lighted and kept clean;
(8) During business hours, the doors shall not be locked or otherwise fastened so as to prevent access by the public;
(9) City officials and police officers shall be permitted in and on the premises at all times;
(10) Businesses that offer coin-operated amusement machines for their customers must be licensed or registered by the Comptroller's office. The agency also collects a state occupation tax for each machine exhibited. Applications for a license or registration certificate must be included in the application permit. Each machine must display the State tax permit. Coin-operated machines include all types of electronic devices that require the customer to insert a coin, bill, metal slug, token, electronic card or check to play a game, music or pleasure machine;
(11) The application for the license has been correctly answered;
(12) The business will at all times be conducted in compliance with the city code, state and federal law;
(13) On the building customer entrance(s) there shall be uncovered glass doors that will enable a full view of the inside of the building from the outside during operating hours, no window tint, flyers, or paper obstructions are allowed;
(14) Upon issuance, permits must be conspicuously displayed in full view of the public.
(D) A violation of these restrictions shall permit the city to cancel the license.
(E) Whenever in this section an act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, or wherever in this section the doing of any act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful, and no specific penalty is otherwise provided in this code of ordinances, the violation shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500, provided, however, that no penalty shall be greater or less than the penalty provided for the same or a similar offense of the laws of the state.
(F) Each day a violation of this code or of any ordinance continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 2019-12, passed 10-1-19)