The St. Joseph City Council on Monday gave the green light to another study of moving the casino downtown, but the city won’t be paying for it.

“We need to let them do their study, and thank them,” said Council Member Kent O’Dell. “For once we’re not paying for it.”

In a close vote, the council authorized a memorandum of understanding with Inner Circle Investments, LLC, the company wanting to build a new facility near the Radisson Hotel, and then convince St. Jo Frontier Casino to move into it. The plan also includes study of a possible new events center in the area where St. Joseph Civic Arena now stands.

The MOU calls for Inner Circle to pay for a preliminary design, to be completed in 45 days, and for a preliminary capital plan 15 days after that.

Officials say the MOU will give the developer some confidence that the city is interested in seeing redevelopment occur in the area immediately, but he says it is not legally binding. It gives Inner Circle six months to refine a proposal to bring back before the council.

The resolution did draw some opposition Monday, including a local pastor and some council members who complained about bringing gambling downtown and the impact that would have on the community.

Council members Pat Jones, PJ Kovac, Barbara LaBass and Joyce Starr voted against the resolution authorizing the MOU, but it passed 5-4.