It's over and out for internet cafés within the city limits of Belleview
BELLEVIEW — Two weeks ago, Belleview city leaders said no to internet cafés. At their meeting on Tuesday, the decision was made final. No internet cafés are allowed in town.
The disappointment was evident as most of the standing-room crowd exited City Hall. Some wondered what they were going to do now for recreation. Others complained about the city council's decision.
The final vote on the ordinance was unanimous, with Mayor Christine Dobkowski and City Commissioners Ray Dwyer, Ronald T. Livsey and Robert "Bo" Smith each voting to outlaw the cafes. City Commissioner Michael Goldman was absent.
About the internet cafés
The issue came to the forefront when an internet café owner asked about a new ordinance governing cafés last month, according to city officials. The mayor said that ordinance was designed to clarify that the city does not condone or knowingly allow illegal activities in the cafés.
City officials said the city attorney met with the police chief and was told that several café owners mentioned that some of their machines were illegal. The chief said his officers are not experienced at knowing the difference between legal and illegal machines, and he doesn't have the manpower to test the machines to ensure legality.
Moreover, if machines were seized as part of an investigation, the chief said it would be expensive to store them and the city doesn't have the space to keep them.
The city attorney suggested the commission consider whether internet cafés should be allowed to operate within the city limits at all.
Currently, there are eight internet cafés in the city, which is approximately 3.3 square miles. The cafés are allowed to operate seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The city charges a $5,000 annual registration fee. Business tax for the café is $52.05 annually, and owners are charged $100 per machine. If a business has a "fish table" that seats eight people, then the café is taxed for eight devices. City officials said that, all told, the eight cafés in Belleview have 527 devices.
City officials said the cafés have been in existence on and off from as early as 2010.
City officials have imposed special limitations on the cafés. For instance, they're not allowed within 1,000 feet of a church, school, child care facility, strip mall or fixed school bus stop, and cannot be located within 500 feet of another café.
Until now, the city of Belleview had been the only municipality in Marion County that allowed internet cafés. Dunnellon, Ocala and the county have either prevented or outlawed cafes within their jurisdictions.
Reasons for the bans: crime, bad behavior at the cafes, and a lack of cooperation whenever there's an incident at cafes.
What happened at Tuesday's meeting?
Several residents took to the podium Tuesday to voice their support one last time for the cafés. They didn't want the city to deny them their choice of entertainment. They noted that allowing the cafes would ensure that entertainment money remain in the city and Marion County. They also said the cafes create jobs, offer a pleasant atmosphere, and provide a place for people to interact.
The few who spoke out against the establishments were mocked, jeered or ridiculed by several members of the audience. The mayor had to remind those in the audience who voiced their displeasure that they were not allowed to behave that way.
One cafe owner, Akash Patel, told council members he was willing to pay the city $25,000 every three months. The money would be used to give the police training to spot illegal machines, learn about regulations or undertake any other training.
Previous coverage: Belleview is the last place in Marion County that allows internet cafés. Now that's changing
That proposal did not sway the commissioners.
Smith said he has heard from the residents and they don't want the cafés operating within the city limits. Dwyer said while everyone has the right to do what they want to do, he can't see a way where the police or city officials can keep up with what machines are or are not legal.
Livsey said while he wants businesses to thrive and hates to see workers out of a job, city officials have tried working with café owners, but the efforts have been unsuccessful.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Internet cafés no longer allowed within the city limits of Belleview
