La Marque City Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve an amended ordinance regulating the coin-operated amusement devices, such as eight-liners, and game rooms in the city.

The item was approved with various changes, including an annual $1,000 application fee for game room businesses, a $600 per machine inspection and license fee per year, and video surveillance and panic alarm buttons at establishments.

Council Member James Osteen noted the changes made due to state requirements; including the reduction of distance requirements from 500 feet to 300 feet from places such as schools, and exempting businesses with four or fewer machines from the game room ordinance.

“We don’t like it, but we’ve got to meet state statute with our ordinance,” Osteen said. Listen

The city council voted to award a contract to Bound Tree Medical for EMS medications and supplies.

Mayor Pro Tem Keith Bell questioned the bid, which did not supply a bid amount for one of the items requested in the contract.  City Manager Carol Buttler said that even with that item removed from the next lowest bid, it did not bring the bid cost lower than Bound Tree Medical’s bid.

The city council voted to amend the city's Code of Ordinances to modify health insurance eligibility for retirees.

The ordinance imposes a point system for retirees to receive health insurance from the city. City employees who retire with a total of 80 or more points receive benefits. Points are determined by adding the employee's number of years of service with the city as a full-time employee to the age of the employee at the time of retirement. Employees who do not meet the 80-point requirement may qualify if they have served a total of 20 years, whether consecutive or not, with the city.

All items were approved. All votes were unanimous with all members present.   Agenda