12-17-2025 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 17, 2025 invested over $1,000,000 in capital between the purchase of the property and reinvestment into the building. She explained that they chose the location because the desired use complied with zoning and applicable State law and is obligated to a five-year lease, noting that she relies on her renters within the multi -use space to fulfill that obligation. She had strong reason to believe that the ordinance was targeted towards one of her businesses, Professional Cuddles, and provided additional information on the business. She commented that non -medical touch -based services have not been subject to the newly proposed ordinance, and the draft ordinance came about quickly after her business was cleared to operate in the community. She believed that the City appears to be misclassifying her work and did not believe it was appropriate to enact massage therapy restrictions on other businesses. She likened it to applying massage therapy restrictions to a childcare business simply because the workers physically interact with children. She explained that these restrictions would directly undermine their ability to provide professional services to their wide range of clients, including the elderly, neurodiverse, and disabled, which violates State Statute. She believed that the proposed ordinance and regulation may be in response to a situation that is misunderstood. She stated that the rushed, vague language within the draft ordinance has been causing a lot of confusion and concern within the community, and believed that there are already adequate protections in place, that the ordinance is unnecessary, and questionable as it relates to State Statute. She asked if the City has considered that this ordinance would implicate many other safe, non -healthcare services along with her business, such as churches, daycares, beauty services, spas, gyms, performing arts, and others. She hoped that they could discuss and sort this out together, extending an invitation to those who want to better understand her work, and asked the Council not to adopt the ordinance. Kristin Burich, Healing within Wellness Center, commented that she has been operating for 23 years in Shoreview and was invited by the previous speaker to move her business into that new location. She appreciated the desire of the Council to ensure that people are safe and protected. She commented that they would want to have a safe and protected space for their customers, which is why she is partnering with Ms. Mertin. She stated that they want to create safety and protection without limiting the opportunity to heal. She explained some of the therapies they use to assist people with healing. She commented that her customers feel safe and protected in her business, and they chose Little Canada because of the sense of community that exists. Timothy, a St. Paul resident, commented that he does not understand everything about the ordinance but wanted to provide input as a customer of Professional Cuddles. He noted the ground rules that were set at his first session and explained how cuddle therapy has helped him to become more self- confident, more open to people, and assisted him in building new relationships with others. He had concerns that this ordinance would hamper the ability of the business to provide services to its clients. He stated that they need to have a comfortable space for the therapy and, therefore, had concerns with the proposed furniture restrictions. He commented that professional cuddling has greatly benefited him, and he wished he discovered it sooner in life. Mark Ohnstead, an attorney representing Ms. Mertins, stated that this ordinance raises legal issues that should be more thoroughly considered. He stated that ordinances cannot affect vested rights, noting the investment of over $1,000,000 into the building by Ms. Mertins, along with the five-year lease that she signed for the space prior to the thought of this ordinance existing. He stated that the business received a certificate of occupancy and was in full compliance with all zoning and City regulations. on