[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Ogdensburg as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-15-1975 as Ch. 19, Art. II, of the 1975 Ogdensburg Municipal Code]
As used in this article, the following words shall have the following respective meanings:
COIN-OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Includes any mechanical device used or designated to be operated for amusement by the insertion of a coin.
SHUFFLEBOARD
Includes any board, surface, floor, table or structure on which a game is played by pushing or moving pieces or articles to reach certain marks or areas.
The definitions as hereinabove stated shall not be deemed to include any device, the possession or use of which is otherwise prohibited by law, and nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize, license or permit any gambling device or any mechanism which is otherwise prohibited by law.
No person shall place or deliver for use any shuffleboard or any coin-operated amusement device on any premises in the City or permit the use thereof in any place under his control without a license so to do, said license having been first obtained from the City Clerk as hereinafter set forth.
The owner, conditional vendee or lessee of any such shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device or their duly authorized agent, who desires to distribute or place any such shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device for use, shall make application to the City Clerk for such permission upon blanks to be furnished by the City Clerk giving the name and address of the applicant, date and place of birth, a detailed description of the mechanical or other features of the device, the name and address of the person having charge of the premises upon which the device is proposed to be located for use, and the location of said premises by street and number.
Said application shall be referred by the City Clerk to the Chief of Police for his investigation and recommendation. The Chief of Police shall return the application within a reasonable time to the City Clerk with his recommendation as to approval or disapproval.
The City Clerk, upon receipt of such application approved by the Chief of Police, may issue a license to the applicant to place and permit the use upon the premises designated in the application of the shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device as placed, and a suitable card bearing a number and expiration date shall be obtained from the City Clerk and securely attached to the licensed article.
Any such license and card may be transferred from one shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device to another similar juke box, shuffleboard or device at the same premises. Not more than one such shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device shall be operated under one license and card. All licenses and cards shall be restricted in use to the premises designated in the application for such licensee.
[Amended 3-22-1976 by Ord. No. 5-1976; 9-10-1979 by Ord. No. 10-1979; 5-14-1984 by Ord. No. 4-1984]
The City Clerk shall not issue any license hereunder for any shuffleboard or coin-operated device until the appropriate fee for each device is paid. The fee for each shuffleboard or coin-operated device shall be $25 per annum. The fee for such licenses granted after June 30 of each year shall be 1/2 of the annual fee. No fee shall be charged for juke boxes.
Every license and card issued under this article shall expire on December 31 following date of issue. Licenses may be renewed during the month of December of each year for the following calendar year.
A. 
Every license and card issued under this article is subject to the right, which is hereby expressly reserved, to revoke the same should the licensee, directly or indirectly, permit the operation of any shuffleboard or coin-operated amusement device contrary to the provisions of this article, any other provisions of this Code, or rule or regulation of the City or the laws of the State of New York.
B. 
The City Manager may revoke a license issued under this article for cause as stated in Subsection A herein. Prior to revoking a license, however, the City Manager shall:
(1) 
Give or cause notice in writing to be served on the licensee specifying the violation or violations with which the licensee is charged and a time, date and place at which a hearing will be held, which hearing shall be at least 10 days after the date of service of the notice.
(2) 
Hold the hearing as specified in the notice. The licensee may be represented by counsel. Failure of the licensee to appear at the hearing shall be sufficient grounds to revoke the license.
(3) 
After the hearing, make his determination in writing and cause a copy of the same to be served on the licensee and if he has appeared by an attorney, a copy of the same shall also be served on the attorney.
[Adopted 5-14-1984 by Ord. No. 4-1984 (Ch. 19, Art. IV, of the 1975 Ogdensburg Municipal Code)]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Licensing of Coin-Operated Amusement Devices Law of the City of Ogdensburg, New York."
A. 
It is hereby declared as the policy of the City of Ogdensburg that it is necessary to regulate and control the operation of coin-operated amusement devices for the purpose of fostering and promoting the public order, including but not limited to the public interests hereinafter set forth.
B. 
The City Council has been made aware of crowd congestion in and near establishments which have as their principal source of business the playing of coin-operated amusement devices, including electronic and computerized game machines, and the City Council hereby determines that such crowded conditions tend to threaten the orderly conduct of business in such establishments as well as in other nearby businesses. Such crowded and noisy conditions also disturb persons passing by on the sidewalks, as well as adjacent and nearby residences.
C. 
Further, the City Council determines that, because of the number of persons who frequent establishments which have as their principal source of business the playing of such amusement devices, it is in the interest of the public good to determine whether premises containing game rooms comply with all fire, health, sanitary and building codes and other applicable state and local laws and to adopt rules and regulations governing the occupancy and use of such game rooms. The City Council further determines that a particularly large segment of those playing the machines are teenagers, some of whom patronize such establishments during school hours rather than attend required school classes and thereby undermine their health and welfare as well as place an unnecessary financial and social cost on the taxpayers of the City of Ogdensburg.
D. 
The City Council thus declares that the above-stated policy will best be carried out by establishing the licensing procedure set forth in this article and that such licensing procedure is necessary and will enhance the public's health, safety and order by reasonably providing safeguards for the community in the conduct of such businesses. It is further determined that the hereinafter imposed license fee is reasonably related to the City's cost of implementing and enforcing the license requirements. The City Council determines that the concerns set forth above are increased as the number of devices in a location is increased. The City Council further determines that the concerns addressed by this legislation are likely to be magnified and increased as the number of amusement devices is increased in a particular location.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device used or designed to be operated for entertainment or as a game of skill by the insertion of a piece of money, coin, token or other article or by paying money to have it activated. This definition does not include a jukebox, amusement rides, bowling lanes, any device maintained within a private residence for use of the occupants thereof and their guests or pool tables.
GAME ROOM
A room or place on any premises containing four or more amusement games.
PREMISES
Any room, building or place to which the general public has access or to which individuals have access with the permission of the person in control thereof.
PROPRIETOR OR PERSON
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or club, having under his, her or its control any establishment, place or premises in or at which four or more amusement devices are placed for use or play or on exhibition for the purpose of use or play.
No person or proprietor shall place or permit to be placed, installed, operated or maintained four or more amusement devices without having first obtained a license therefor pursuant to this article.
Any person desiring to procure a license so as to operate a game room or so as to cause to be placed on certain premises four or more amusement devices shall file with the City Clerk an application, in duplicate and in writing on a form to be furnished by the City Clerk, together with the required application fee. Said application shall contain the following information:
A. 
The name, address, social security number and telephone number of the applicant, and, if a firm, corporation, partnership or association, the principal officers thereof and their addresses, social security numbers and telephone numbers.
B. 
The address of the premises where the amusement devices are to be operated, together with the character of the business carried on at such place.
C. 
The name, address and social security number of the registered agent of the applicant upon whom service of process is authorized to be made.
D. 
The name, address, social security number and telephone number of the manager, if any, of the applicant who shall be in charge of the applicant's business in the City of Ogdensburg.
E. 
With respect to each person whose name appears on the application:
(1) 
Any conviction in any jurisdiction of any offense which under the laws of the State of New York is designated a felony, misdemeanor or an offense involving moral turpitude, with a full disclosure of the nature of the offense, time and place of commission, legal proceedings and penalty imposed.
(2) 
Each such person shall voluntarily submit to the taking of his or her fingerprints so that a proper investigation can be expedited.
F. 
The trade name and general description of the device or devices to be licensed, the name of the manufacturer and the serial number of each such device.
G. 
The application shall contain a certification under oath, made by the applicant, that the information contained in the application is complete, accurate and truthful to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.
H. 
A diagram and description of the size and location of said premises and parking facilities.
I. 
Such further information as the City Clerk shall require in order to more fully explain any of the above subsections.
A. 
Within three days from the receipt of an application for a license, the City Clerk shall refer said application to:
[Amended 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 10-2007]
(1) 
The Director of Planning and Development, to determine whether the premises comply with all applicable laws, local laws, rules and regulations. For that purpose, the Director of Planning and Development shall have the right to enter upon and inspect the premises during normal business hours.
(2) 
The Code Enforcement Officer or Building Inspector, to determine whether the premises in which the game room is to be situated meets all requirements of fire, housing, building, sanitary, electrical and plumbing codes of the City and any other applicable City or state laws, rules and regulations, ordinances or local laws.
(3) 
The Code Enforcement Officer or Building Inspector, to determine whether any construction, reconstruction, alteration or remodeling of a premises is being accomplished or is anticipated so as to require a building permit.
(4) 
The Police Chief of the City of Ogdensburg, to cause an investigation to be made of the background of the applicant.
B. 
Each of the above officers shall issue his or her report to the City Clerk within 10 days of referral.
If after a result of the investigation of the appropriate City officials it is found by the City Clerk that the character and business responsibility of the applicant is satisfactory and that the premises to be licensed meet all requirements of fire, building, sanitary, zoning and other applicable local and state codes, the City Clerk shall endorse on the application his/her approval and execute a license for the carrying on of the business as applied for. The City Clerk, upon payment of the fees prescribed in this article, shall issue and deliver to the applicant such license or licenses.
A. 
If, as the result of the investigation of City officials, the applicant's character or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, the City Clerk shall endorse on such application his or her disapproval and his or her reasons for the same, and shall notify the applicant that his or her application is disapproved and that no license will be issued.
B. 
The applicant may appeal to the City Manager from the determination of the City Clerk by the filing with the City Manager a written notice of appeal within 30 days from the date of the denial of the City Clerk. The City Manager shall, on notice to City officials, the applicant and the public, conduct a hearing on the appeal, and his or her written decision shall constitute final City action on the appeal.
The licenses issued by the City Clerk under this article shall be numbered in the order issued and shall state clearly and legibly thereon the date of issuance, date of expiration, the signature of the City Clerk, the name and address of the licensee, the number of amusement devices permitted on the premises or in the game room, the maximum number of persons permitted in the amusement center at any time, any other conditions or restrictions imposed and the amount of the fee.
Every licensee under this article shall immediately publicly display such license and keep the same in the place of business plainly visible to the public at all times while the license remains in force.
A. 
Destruction. No person shall deface, mutilate, destroy or in any way alter such license.
B. 
Replacement of lost or destroyed license. Whenever a license under this article shall be lost, destroyed, defaced or mutilated beyond legibility, without fault on the part of the licensee, his agents or employees, a duplicate in lieu thereof under the original application may be issued by the City Clerk.
No license issued under the provisions of this article shall be issued at any time by any person other than the one to whom it was issued. No license may be assigned or transferred.
If it shall appear at any time that the application is in any material respect false or misleading or that the proprietor of the operation of the device is in violation of any provision of this section or any other law of the State of New York or local laws or ordinances relating to the premises or activities being conducted therein, the City Clerk may, after notice and informal hearing, revoke said license. The licensee may appeal to the City Manager from the determination by the City Clerk by filing with the City Manager a written notice of appeal within 30 days of the City Clerk's revocation. The City Manager shall conduct an informal hearing on the appeal and his or her written decision shall constitute final City action on the appeal.
A. 
No person or proprietor of any premises in which is contained a game room shall permit a greater number of persons on the premises at any time than the capacity set forth in the license.
B. 
The proprietor of any game room and the members, officers, directors and holders of the stock of any privately held corporation, partnership or association owning or operating an amusement center shall be of good moral character.
C. 
The proprietor of any game room shall maintain good order on and about the premises at all times. The lack of good order on and about the premises of a game room shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) 
Fighting and rowdy behavior.
(2) 
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, except within Class 1 premises licensed by the state for on-premises consumption of those beverages.
(3) 
Gambling.
(4) 
Permitting the use of marijuana or any controlled substance, possession of which is prohibited by the New York Penal Law.
D. 
The owner or operator of any amusement center shall not permit an amusement game therein to be played or operated after 10:00 p.m. by a person under the age of 16, unless accompanied by and under the supervision of a parent or guardian over the age of 21.
E. 
The owner or operator of an amusement center shall not allow it to be open or used unless it is under the control of and supervision by a person at least 18 years of age who shall ensure that it is operated in compliance with this article.
F. 
All premises containing a game room must contain a suitable and clean rest room.
G. 
No game room may have more than one machine per 18 square feet of open floor space.
H. 
Youths under the age of 16 shall not be allowed in the amusement center before 2:00 p.m. on school days.
I. 
No cash rewards shall be offered or given in any contest, tournament, league or individual play on any amusement device, and no such device shall be permitted to operate if said game delivers or may readily be converted to deliver to the player any piece of money, coin, slug or token.
J. 
No credit, allowance, check, slug, token or anything of value shall be offered or given to any player of any amusement device as a result of plays made thereon.
K. 
Every person who maintains, operates or conducts an amusement center shall comply with all applicable sections of the Code of the City of Ogdensburg.
L. 
The premises shall provide clear windows through which activities in the premises may be viewed from a point outside the premises accessible to the public and sufficient to view such activities.
M. 
No amusement device shall be moved from one location to another within the City without written permission from the City Clerk.
A. 
Investigation and application. At the time of filing an application for an amusement center license pursuant to this article, a fee of $50 shall be paid to defray the cost of the investigation required. This fee shall be nonrefundable.
B. 
License for game room. The fees for a license to operate a game shall be $25 per license year per machine maintained on the premises containing a game room. There shall be no proration of fees.
C. 
Renewal. The license year shall be from January 1 to December 31 of each year and all licenses issued for amusement devices within game rooms shall expire on the 31st day of December of each year. The license may be renewed on certification to the City Clerk and on inspection by the Building Inspector that there has been no change of circumstances since the issuance of the original license.
A. 
Any amusement device may be substituted or deleted by the owner or operator without additional fee under the license then in existence, provided that the City Clerk received the information required by § 71-15 regarding any such amusement device proposed to be substituted or deleted.
B. 
Amusement devices may be added by the owner or operator of the amusement center upon payment of the annual fee per additional amusement device, provided that the City Clerk receives the information required by § 71-15 regarding any such amusement device proposed to be added.
If any person shall have on premises under his control four or more amusement devices on the effective date of this article, the person shall apply for a license required by this article within 30 days after such effective date. The utilization of the amusement devices by such person shall be permissible without a license pending a final determination by City officials on the application in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this article.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $250 for each such violation. Each day that a violation of this article shall continue constitutes a separate violation hereof.
This Article shall apply only to those persons who maintain premises containing or housing a game room. It shall not be deemed to effect, in any manner, the existing provisions of Article I of this chapter, as amended, as they apply to the ownership and operation of fewer than four amusement devices or as they apply to the maintenance of premises other than a game room, notwithstanding the provision of Article I of this chapter, this article shall be the only Article by which licensing or fees may be required or collected by reason of any operation of a game room. No additional fees will be collected by reason of the provisions of Article I of this chapter.