CC_Minutes_2023_0410 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,April 10, 2023 Page 7 Councilmember Etten asked if this is something that within a year of passing these regulations, having someone come in with a local address and any of that would start to have an effect, theoretically. It was indicated that was true. Mr. Trudgeon explained the licensing cycle goes from July 1st to June 30th so if the City Council were to pass something before that date and get the information out, it would start July 1st Councilmember Etten indicated having third party inspectors would do random checks in establishments to make sure these therapists that are there are posted and licensed. He wondered if that was something the City could move off their own Police Department to a third party. He thought that is the piece,understanding the licensing background checks are handled electronically and separately. Chief Scheider indicated that is something staff can look at although it gets com- plicated. She thought there were opportunities for some of it but around the actual enforcement, there would need to be a sworn law enforcement officer. Mr. Trudgeon thought it was an excellent observation that the City could leverage a third party to help, at least in some of the regulatory functions and then when there is something that does not add up, law enforcement could get involved. As the City creates these stricter regulations, staff needs to make sure to follow up on them and make sure they are followed. Right now,the City has very minimal stand- ards but now the City would need to physically go out to the sites and having some assistance with that would really go a long way in making sure that the City would identify some problem actors and deal with the Police Department from there. Councilmember Schroeder asked if there are a number of these bad actors possibly setting up shop even without getting a license. Chief Scheider indicated there may occasionally be ones the Police Department has run across without a license. But the majority of them are getting a license and trying to look legitimate because those businesses realize that if there is a license, there is little that the City can do. Councilmember Strahan indicated she wanted to follow up on Councilmember Etten's comments. She knew the last time this came up,one of the massage therapy location owners offered to serve as a third-party inspector, sit outside, and report people he thought looked illegal. She was certain that does not fit into the City's parameters but was curious and felt it was important to mention because there could be all kinds of legal and ethical questions related to that but felt it was important to follow up on that.