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Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing that the receipt of funds by the County from gaming licensees pursuant to Act 71 of 2004 be utilized for community development priorities, support of the Community College of Allegheny County, and County social services.
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WHEREAS, Act 71 of 2004 establishes the Pennsylvania Gaming Act and allows for limited gaming through the use of slot machines in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a source of new revenue; and
WHEREAS, slot machine licensees operating within a County of the Second Class will result in two percent (2%) of the gross terminal revenue from each licensed facility being allocated to the County; and
WHEREAS, such revenues should be put to use for community development initiatives selected by the Chief Executive and County Council as those groups most deserving of funding; as a dedicated source of funding for the Community College of Allegheny County, in addition to the current appropriation, with the expectation that the college will provide training for individuals entering into employment within the gaming industry; and, to serve those residents of our community who rely upon the social services funded by the County, State, and Federal government.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1.
There shall hereby be created a Special Account for receipt of funds pursuant to the provisions of Act 71 of 2004 which provide that the County shall receive two percent (2%) of the gross terminal revenue from each licensed slot facility within the County.
SECTION 2.
The County Manager shall be required to provide written notice to County Council of the receipt of revenues from the State Gaming Fund within five business days of receipt. Such notice shall include the current amount of revenues received as well as the total amount of revenues received to date.
SECTION 3.
The special account revenues shall be designated as follows:
A. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenues in the special account shall be allocated to a Community Development Initiative Program, as created within Section 4.
B. Two percent (2%) of the revenues in the special account shall be allocated to the Community College of Allegheny County for workforce development and training, particularly that of individuals seeking employment within the gaming industry. Such allocation shall be in addition to the annual appropriation provided to the College through the annual operating budget.
C. The remaining funds in the special account shall be utilized to provide social services to the residents of Allegheny County, including usage of the funds as a local county match to leverage additional state and federal funds.
SECTION 4.
There is hereby created a Community Development Initiative Program (CDIP) within the Department of Economic Development.
A. The intent and purpose of said program is to provide opportunity for innovative community building efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and improve the life circumstances of residents and their families.
B. Revenues available through the CDIP shall be allocated by the Chief Executive and County Council with fifty percent (50%) of the available revenues to each branch.
C. The Department of Economic Development is charged with creating rules and regulations for the CDIP within ninety days of the enactment of this legislation.
1. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to:
a. A minimum and maximum award amount;
b. An application and review process;
c. Guidelines and criteria for application;
d. A reporting process for recipients to share information relative to the use of the funds; and
e. Penalties for misuse of the funds.
The rules and regulations shall not include internal procedures regarding allocation of the portion of the funds at Council's discretion. Such internal procedures shall be part of the Rules of Council.
2. Upon completion, the rules and regulations shall be presented to County Council in the form of a resolution that can be either approved or defeated.
3. In the event that the resolution is defeated, the rules and regulations shall be returned to the Department with written comments regarding issues or concerns that resulted in the defeat of the resolution. A revised resolution shall be re-submitted to the full Council within ten (10) business days.
4. Once approved, the rules and regulations will take effect upon enactment of the legislation.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 6. Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.