Council Adjusts Proposed Massage Therapy Ordinance - WDIO

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However, some business owners said the proposed ordinance went too far. So councilors amended the ordinance to take their concerns into account.

"It's really important for us as councilors to hear from the community when we propose something that's designed to address one important challenge we face to fully understand the consequences it might have for people that are operating legitimate business enterprises," Second District Councilor Joel Sipress said.


Existing city code says massage businesses cannot be open between 1 - 6 a.m. The amended ordinance would change that to 11 p.m. - 6 a.m.

The original change suggested by Chief Mike Tusken would have mandated they close from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m., but many business owners told councilors that their clients often need to make appointments early in the morning or late at night.

First District Councilor Gary Anderson, who offered the amendment, said Chief Tusken feels the 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. restriction is reasonable.

"I have people who need massages earlier in the day or later in the day, evening. They work long hours or they're coming off the road, and they just need some relief," Laurakate Gilbertson said.

Gilbertson owns Laurakate's Healing Touch Massage in Proctor, but she also practices travel massage in Duluth.

The other change up for debate was whether massage establishments must leave their doors unlocked during business hours.

Several massage therapists told councilors that was a safety concern because it is often only them and a client in the building during an appointment. They said having an unlocked entrance would leave them vulnerable.

"With the locked doors thing was really scary because I'm all by myself, you know? I go into a room with my client, and I'm just me and them. And they're naked on the table. I'm just in my zone. Who's to say anybody could walk in?" Gilbertson said.

Gilbertson said she was pleased with Monday's changes and felt her own and her colleagues' concerns were addressed.

Because an amendment passed, the ordinance goes back to a first read at the May 13 meeting. The earliest it can be voted on is May 28.

"if there are issues, if you want to review this ordinance further and if there are other issues, certainly feel free to be back in contact with us," Anderson encouraged.


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