2006-11-29 Council.TNT - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Centerville City Council Meeting Minutes November 29, 2006 City Administrator Larson stated that current standards did not take into account current training, certification, and insurance for massage therapy and suggested Council consider changing licensing standards to reflect those changes, perhaps creating a separate category for massage therapy. Mayor Capra agreed that the ordinance mirrored training and therapy in 2002 and she would be open to forwarding to Planning and Zoning Commission for their review. City Administrator Larson added that it would be useful to modify facility requirements. Legal Counsel Glaser specified the need for vigilance, for those people who would abuse nonspecific licensing, as there were different types of massage therapy. He suggested making sure insurance certification was up to date and criminal background checks. Mayor Capra also inquired about inspections. The applicant responded that inspection was not State regulated but that the Legislature was working on it. Legal Counsel Glaser added that the City would perform inspections and that, in this case, the chiropractic office housing the massage therapy business would be inspected. City Administrator also stated that the ordinance would exempt inspection if the applicant was working for the chiropractor but that she planned to operate a separate business under a joint venture with the chiropractor. Council Member Lee stated that he wouldn’t want an ordinance restricting a good business from coming into the community, acknowledging opportunity for ordinance violations. Council Member Terway added that there would need to be a way to cover all bases for the people who might not be legitimate, also noting his support for the current applicant’s request. The applicant commended the City for requiring a criminal history before licensing. City Administrator Larson stated that the issue of home occupation hadn’t been raised yet but would be expected. Council Member Lakso responded that St. Paul, as an example, required a separate living area from office. Council Member Lee said he favored a business front and that doing business out of people’s houses provided opportunity for crossing the line. Mayor Capra suggested defining “therapist,” rather than using “massage parlor.” City Administrator Larson said home businesses would be more difficult to police to inspect randomly. He then said he appreciated feedback from Council and would draft something to run by the Planning and Zoning Commission for their next meeting, perhaps separate specifications for massage therapy (requiring 500 hours of training and professional liability) and massage parlor (undergoing more regulation). Legal Counsel Glaser reiterated the need to regulate, to ensure no prostitution, but also acknowledged the need to legitimize professional massage therapy. Page 13 of 16