HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5334-01-2021 A Resolution
NO. 5334-01-2021
AUTHORIZING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED
CITY OF FORT WORTH V. DONALD SCOTT AND MARK WEIBEL,
IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS HEARING OFFICER FOR GAME ROOM APPEALS
WHEREAS, the Tarrant County Game Room Regulations (the Regulations) became effective
April 1, 2020 and became the game room regulations of the City of Fort Worth via an interlocal
agreement with Tarrant County; and
WHEREAS, the Regulations provide that game rooms may not be located within 1,500 feet of a
school, a place of religious worship or a residential neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Donald Scott and P. A. Scott Industries d/b/a Pot of Gold Game Room filed an
application with the City's Game Room Administrator for a permit to operate a game room at 5125 Sun
Valley Drive: and
WHEREAS, the City's Game Room Administrator denied the permit because the location of the
proposed game room was within 1,500 feet of a residential neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Scott, as allowed by the Regulations, appealed the denial of the permit to the
Hearing Officer, Mark Weibel; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020 Mark Weibel reversed the Game Room Administrator's
denial of the pen-nit; and
WHEREAS, the Regulations provide that the decision of the Hearing Officer may be appealed to
a District Court of Tarrant County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS,THAT:
The City Council ratifies the City Attorney's filing of a suit in a District Court of Tarrant County
against Donald Scott, P.A. Scott Industries d/b/a Pot of Gold Game Room, and Mark Weibel, In His
Official Capacity As Hearing Officer For Game Room Appeals, to set aside the decision of the Hearing
Officer and re-instate the denial of a permit for a game room at 5125 Sun Valley Drive.
Adopted this 26th day of January 2021.
ATTEST: OF FORT
Mary J. Kayser, City Secretary `• _
�XAS:
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 01/26/21 M$C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0068
LOG NAME: 12SCOTT GAME ROOM PERMIT DENIAL LAWSUIT
SUBJECT
(ALL)Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Attorney to File a Lawsuit against Donald Scott,P.A.Scott Industries Inc.,d/b/a Pot of Gold Game
Room,and Mark Weibel in his Official Capacity as Hearing Officer For Game Room Appeals to Overturn the Decision of the Hearing Officer
Setting Aside the Denial of a Game Room Permit for 5125 Sun Valley Drive and Ratify the Lawsuit File as Cause Number 153-321899-20
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council ratify a lawsuit filed against Donald Scott, P.A.Scott Industries,Inc.,d/b/a Pot of Gold Game Room,and
Mark Weibel in his official capacity as hearing officer and adopt the attached resolution authorizing the appeal of the hearing officer's decision.
DISCUSSION:
The Tarrant County Game Room Regulations(the Regulations)became the City's game room regulations by virtue of an interlocal agreement
between the City and Tarrant County.
The Regulations provide that game rooms may not be located within 1,500 feet of a school,a place of religious worship or a residential
neighborhood.
Donald Scott and P.A.Scott Industries, Inc.,d/b/a Pot of Gold Game Room filed an application with the City's Game Room Administrator for a
permit to operate a game room at 5125 Sun Valley Drive and the Game Room Administrator denied that permit because the location of the
proposed game room was within 1,500 feet of a residential neighborhood.
Mr.Scott appealed the denial to the Hearing Officer For Game Room Appeals,Mark Weibel.
Mr.Weibel reversed the Game Room Administrator's denial of the permit.
The Regulations provide that the decision of the Hearing Officer may be appealed to a District Court of Tarrant County.Because there is a thirty-
day dealine to file an appeal under the regulation,the City Attorney's office filed the lawsuit appealing the Judgment on December 1,2020.
Therefore,staff seeks Council authority for the lawsuit filed to reverse the Hearing Officer's decision.
A Form 1295 is not required because:This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that funds are available in the current operating budget,as previously appropriated,in the Risk Financing Fund to
support the approval of the above recommendation and adoption of the resolution. Prior to any expenditure being incurred,the Legal
Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: ALL ACMs 6222
Originating Business Unit Head: Sarah Fullenwider 7623
Additional Information Contact: Sarah Fullenwider 7623