01/03/2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS — Item 6 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 6 Date: January 3, 2012 To: City Council From: Paul Bengtson Re: Business Licensing Background At the December 5, 2012 work session, the City Council discussed a request to license massage therapy businesses. The State does not currently license or register message therapists but therapists are regulated. Minn. Stat. Chapter 146A identifies prohibited provider conduct and authorizes the Department of Health to take disciplinary action against noncompliant providers. Funds for the purpose of enforcement are very limited. In order to control prostitution and to provide for health and sanitation standards, some cities have entered into the traditional state domain of health -care licensure by enacting ordinances that require all massage therapists to obtain a local professional license. These ordinances help local law enforcement officers to identify legitimate providers. The Council directed staff to solicit input on the issue and business licensing in general, from the Planning and Zoning Board. The board discussed the issue at its December 14, 2011 Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Staff presented the same information to the Planning and Zoning Board, but expanded the discussion to also include the option of expanding the certificate of occupancy program. The Board was not supportive of the addition of business licensing for massage therapists or general business licensing as it could be a discouraging factor to new businesses with little benefit to the city. The Board did however see value in requiring certificates of occupancy for every new business or occupant of a commercial /industrial structure. It would help protect the public safety /welfare of the city and aid in enforcing the zoning, building, and existing licensing requirements. Staff intends to research and propose a revised certificate of occupancy program to include in the ongoing zoning ordinance update required by the adoption of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Requested Council Direction Staff seeks direction on whether the council is interested in pursuing massage therapy licensing, general business licensing, and any comments you may have on the expanded certificate of occupancy program.