In stark contrast to the Tucker City Council meeting on Aug. 11, which ran more than four hours, its Aug. 25 meeting, at only 18 minutes, dealt with one ordinance, an extension on the distance between establishments housing coin-operated amusement machines (COAM) and schools and churches.
With little discussion, the council voted to increase the distance between the entities from 100 to 200 feet.
Council Member Alexis Weaver complimented the council for its unanimous support in managing COAM locations in the city.
“I have heard from multiple businesses who have been really struggling to figure out how to manage with pressure from this extremely predatory industry,” she said. “I appreciate that we are doing everything we can to keep our children and communities as safe as possible within the legal guidelines that the state has set out for us.”
The existence of these machines has caused concerns in many areas around the state because of reported illegal cash payments, the contributions it can make to gaming addiction and exploitation of vulnerable and lower income participants, and regulatory challenges in tracking the machines.
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In other business, Tucker City Manager John McHenry reported on upcoming agenda items for future meetings, including a presentation on pickleball sound mitigation for a complex proposed for Tucker Recreation Center, ordinances to amend city codes for multifamily construction, and reports on intersection improvements and the Johns Homestead Park dam renovation.
Tucker Finance Director Beverly Hilton reported that all departments have expenditures within budgeted expectations except for Protective Inspections at 103 percent and Planning and Zoning at 103 percent.
“Staff are reviewing these departments for accuracy and will include those departments in the final budget amendment if necessary,” she said. “Overall, the general fund expenditures are at 93 percent of budgeted.”
The council also deferred a discussion and vote on utility relocation so that sidewalks on Brockett Road in order to iron out some legal language with Georgia Power.