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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-11 Item 6 - Additional InformationLUANNE HULSIZER April 5, 2017 Mayor Casillas Salas & Chula Vista City Council City of Chula Vista 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 Re: Stones Group Operation of Seven Mile Casino Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, As an executive professional working within the city of Chula Vista since 2012, I have become very aware of the city's goal to attract businesses that provide quality entertainment venues to attract tourism to the area as well as for local constituents to enjoy. One facility that has potential to contribute entertainment options to Chula Vista and the bay front is Seven Mile Casino and their potential new operators, the Stones Group. Earlier this year, I and other business leaders became aware of the Stones Group's potential to become the new operators of Seven Mile Casino. We were invited to visit the Stones Gambling Hall in Citrus Heights, California to view their facility, to meet key operation employees, as well as to understand a few of the challenges faced by a card room that also provides dining, musical entertainment, and events. Therefore, knowing at this time that the California Gambling Control Commission has moved forward with approval of the Stones Group to operate Seven Mile Casino, I wanted to share with you my initial impression of the organization. Art Van Loon, the General Manager for Stones Gambling Hall spent several hours with us providing an orientation to the organization's goals, operational standards, and entertainment opportunities beyond the card room. During the visit, it was apparent that the gambling hall was engaged in a quality relationship with local government as we met with government officials who spoke highly of the organization's positive relationship with the police department, as well as with the community. In addition and to the Stone Group's credit, Mr. Van Loon holds a Board of Director position on both the California Gaming Association as well as on the state of California's Gaming Policy Advisory Committee. He is working closely with both organizations to improve card room operations and transparency throughout California. Therefore, considering my recent trip to experience the dynamic establishment of Stones Gambling Hall along with being able to interact with key stakeholders, employees, and public representatives, I personally recommend that the City of Chula Vista provide the Stones Group with the opportunity to operate Seven Mile Casino. After experiencing their current card room, I believe that the Stones Group will set high standards for operations, that they will maintain a close relationship with city staff and CVPD, and that they will upgrade the physical presentation of the site. Ultimately, they will offer an entertainment venue that will go beyond card room gaming to attract visitors and residents to enjoy Chula Vista. Respectfully submitted, , „ Luanne Hulsizer ` April 07, 2017 Mayor Mary Salas Cityof Chula Vista 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 Re: City Council Hearing on Seven Mile Casino License Approval Mayor Salas, As a property owner and resident in Chula Vista, I respectfully ask that you approve the resolution allowing Stones Casino Group to own and operate Seven Mile Casino. Our community is very special to me. I chose to purchase my home in Chula Vista so that my family would create roots in a tight-knit community that would grow with us. I was always under the impression that the Bayfront was going to become a world class entertainment center but in the last 20 yrs nothing has happened! I would love to see new entertainment and dining options come to our City, and Stones Casino Group would do just that. Not only do the new owners plan on transforming the existing Seven Mile Casino experience, but they have purchased the former Anthony's site! As a resident that was extremely angry and disappointed in the site's most recent usage I am excited to see what they have planned to breathe new life into that property and the rest of the area. The E Street off-ramp is the front door to our city and I am excited to see some positive changes. Allowing a responsible group like Stones to develop the area can be the catalyst we've needed to reform the entire Bayfront. This opportunity to transform Seven Mile Casino is one of the easiest and best decisions facing Chula Vista in a long time. I ask that you vote yes in support of the Stones Casino Group and allow our community and Bayfront to thrive. Thank you, Calixto Pena Property Owner and Resident cc: Councilmember John McCann Councilmember Patricia Aguilar Councilmember Stephen Padilla Councilmember Mike Diaz City Manager Gary Halbert City Attorney Glen Googins April 11, 2017 Mayor Mary Salas City of Chula Vista 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 Re: City Council Hearing on Approval of Stones Casino Group’s Seven Mile Casino License Mayor Salas, I am writing today to respectfully ask that you approve the Stones Group’s application for ownership of Seven Mile Casino. I had the chance earlier this year to visit Stones Gambling Hall, the Stones Group’s cardroom in Citrus Heights. Chula Vista will greatly benefit from having a similar facility in our great city. Stones Gambling Hall was much more than a cardroom – it was clearly a community center for business, entertainment and dining. We would all benefit greatly from the experience Stones provides, especially the fact that Stones often serves as a gathering place for meetings and events. Bringing the Stones experience to Chula Vista would be an excellent opportunity for businesses and residents. Please approve the license transfer to the Stones Group and help Seven Mile Casino enhance our community. Thank you, JoAnn Fields Chula Vista Resident cc: Councilmember John McCann Councilmember Patricia Aguilar Councilmember Stephen Padilla Councilmember Mike Diaz City Manager Gary Halbert City Attorney Glen Googins