City Council
MEETING DATE: 6/10/2015
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance Regarding Massage Establishments.
End
FROM:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
Nicholas Hermsen, Deputy City Attorney
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council enact the attached ordinance regarding massage establishments.
Body
BACKGROUND:
At the May 27, 2015, City Council meeting, staff presented an ordinance which would have made numerous revisions to the City’s massage ordinance. After reviewing the matter and hearing comments from the public, the City Council directed that only the portion of the ordinance relating to background checks be brought back for further consideration.
Over the past year and a half, several massage establishments have closed after criminal activity was uncovered, including prostitution. In one instance, immediately after the establishment was closed another party applied to open a new massage establishment in the same location.
Other jurisdictions have reported that sometimes the true owner of a massage establishment may arrange for another person to register as the owner of the establishment. If the facility is shut down for prostitution, the true owner will simply have another person obtain a business license and continue illegal operations at the same location.
This ordinance will require a background check for any party wishing to open a massage establishment in the same location where another establishment has been closed due to criminal activity in the previous year. The applicant will be required to pay for the background check.
In the event that the background check uncovers information that leads the City to believe that the new proposed owner would not comply with applicable laws and regulations relating to massage establishments, other provisions already in the Municipal Code would allow the City Manager or designee to deny the business license application following a due process hearing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Ordinance