Westland council introduces ordinance to allow charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms

The Westland City Council on a first reading introduced Ordinance 111‑B, an amendment to Chapter 14 of the Westland City Code that would allow charitable gaming activities to take place in pool and billiard rooms in the city. The motion to introduce the ordinance was made by Councilman Murkowski, supported by Councilman Hart, and passed on a voice vote with no roll-call recorded.

Councilmembers and staff framed the ordinance as narrow in scope. Councilwoman Rakowski said the change is "probably a long time coming" and observed that it would likely apply to a single existing local business. City Attorney Faso said the proposed $160 annual fee was set by comparing similar city permit fees and can be adjusted at final reading if needed: "Yes, for most permits in the city, there's some associated fee for the time and effort involved by the clerk's office largely and, by finance to run down certain questions that may occur for that applicant." Officials clarified the city fee would be paid by the event organizer, not the charitable beneficiary.

Councilmembers pressed staff on how the proposed local fee relates to state licensing. Councilwoman Grama asked whether the city application would cover multiple events; staff said the ordinance as drafted treats permits "one at a time" and does not automatically grant coverage for multiple state‑licensed events. Several councilmembers said they preferred to move the ordinance forward today and gather more information at a short study session before the final reading. Councilman Hart said he was willing to advance the introduction to avoid delaying an organizer who had a time‑sensitive schedule, while reserving the right to amend the fee or coverage in subsequent readings.

The council directed staff to schedule a study session to review the fee structure and whether an annual city application should cover up to the four events that state practice sometimes allows. The ordinance remains at first reading; any changes to fee language or multi‑event coverage would appear at the final reading following the study session.

Actions recorded: introduction of Ordinance 111‑B (ordinance_first_reading). Motion: introduction of Ordinance 111‑B to amend Westland City Code Chapter 14 to allow charitable gaming in pool and billiard rooms. Mover: Councilman Murkowski. Second: Councilman Hart. Outcome: approved on introduction (voice vote; no roll call recorded). Notes: staff said the $160 figure is an annual fee per applicant as drafted; staff also said the city application currently covers a single event and that additional language would be required to cover multiple events in a calendar year.

Background: Councilmembers referenced past local practice of waiving certain rental fees for charitable organizations when the city provided facilities; several speakers noted that this ordinance covers activities occurring off site (in private business locations), which differs from fee waivers for city facilities. The council agreed to reconvene for a study session to consider whether the city's annual fee should, by ordinance, cover multiple state‑licensed events or remain per event.