The city could make sweeping changes to its Internet café regulations that would make operational rules the same for all.

City council this evening tabled a public hearing on allowing the cafes in the music and entertainment district in light of this consideration, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said following its work session.

Allowing these sweepstake establishments in the district is critical to a proposal on the table from a still unnamed developer who is considering a lease to buy deal on the theater.

Objections that the regulations the city is considering for the entertainment district treat other cafes unfairly were aired during last month’s planning board meeting.“

The public hearing is very important to the city and other groups of owners,” Chichester said following the meeting. “What we want to do is further investigate to see if it will make it unfair to others.”

Chichester said that could very well mean the regulations for Internet cafes the city is considering in the music and entertainment district could be applied to the other establishments outside the district.

“When the Internet operations got started, the courts outlawed them.”

The city tightened restrictions on the businesses, he said, but then the courts ruled they were legitimate businesses. 

“We want to treat people the right way,” Mayor Emery Doughtie said following the work session. “We want to do what’s right for the city.”

The public hearing was tabled until next week’s regular city council meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

In another matter this evening, City Finance Director MeLinda Hite said year end revenues are currently at $14.3 million while year-to-date expenses are at $14.2 million.

While there are still outstanding expenses, Hite expects revenues to exceed expenses by $75,700.