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<br />MINUTES Page 12 <br />City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-January 3,2005 <br /> <br />case. Ms. Williams stated that if a casino is approved within 35 miles of another, it <br />releases the agreed-upon limit on the number of slot machines a casino may operate, <br />thereby allowing a tribe to provide more gaming than was previously approved. <br /> <br />Ms. Ornelas stated that it is not clear whether even the Governor's Office understands <br />the full implications of the 35-mile rule. The 35-mile rule is part of the Compact with <br />Casino San Pablo. It is City staffs understanding that if another casino is located within <br />a 35-mile radius of Casino San Pablo, it can then raise the number of slot machines <br />agreed upon in the original Compact and would not be required to pay any revenue to <br />the State on the first 2,000 slot machines. The 35-mile rule does not restrict another <br />casino from locating within 35 miles of Casino San Pablo. Ms. Ornelas pointed out that <br />if the BIA approves the land for trust, the Governor must negotiate in good faith with <br />the tribe. <br /> <br />Ms. Williams stated that she will look into Councilmember Nardine's question <br />regarding the age limit for gaming at Indian casinos. <br /> <br />Councilmember Glaze pointed out the irony of the situation. Indians first occupied the <br />land, and the white man came in and built towns and brought in gaming, liquor and <br />vices. Later, law and order was established, liquor was regulated, and casinos were <br />moved out of the cities to lessen their impact. Much later, we recognized the injustice <br />done to the Indians and allowed them to set up gambling establishments to help them <br />provide for themselves. Now, the Indians are reintroducing gambling and liquor to the <br />area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Glaze noted that Indian tribes are not running the casinos themselves. <br />Instead, large Las Vegas companies are backing the tribes and helping to run the <br />casinos. He expressed concerns regarding the impacts of liquor and gambling on senior <br />citizens and others on limited incomes and the large ratio oflosers to winners in casinos. <br /> <br />Councilmember Stephens expressed hope that, in his absence at the next meeting, the <br />City Council will adopt a resolution opposing the proposed casino. He stated that his <br />constituents are opposed to the casino due to the traffic, environmental and social issues <br />it would create. Councilmember Stephens commented that a local casino is an <br />inappropriate industry for the region. <br /> <br />Councilmember Santos stated that he was contacted by one of the Koi Nation <br />representatives, and he also declined to meet with them. He asked if the Council could <br />adopt a resolution this evening. <br /> <br />Ms. Williams indicated that the City Council can, by motion, state its opposition to the <br />proposed casino and direct staff to draft a resolution in opposition to the project which <br />incorporates the Council's concerns. <br /> <br />Mayor Young noted that some of the Indian tribes that have resided in this area dispute <br />the Koi Nation's claim to the land. She commented that the Friends of San Leandro <br />Creek will write a letter opposing the casino proposal and would like the City to include <br />