HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/1997 BAKERSFIELD
Alan landy, Ci~ Managor Jacquio Sullivan, Chair
Staff: lrudy Slator Irma Carson
Patri¢ia DoMond
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
Thursday, December 11, 1997
4:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
1. ROLL CALL
Called to order at 4:18 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Irma Carson; and
Patricia DeMond
2.APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 2, 1997 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Approved as submitted.
3.PRESENTATIONS
None
4.PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Cristi Doll spoke requesting a change to the City's massage parlor ordinance.
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. GUIDELINES FOR VICIOUS AND DANGEROUS ANIMALS
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The Committee reviewed the issue before the Legislative and Litigation Committee
regarding appointment guidelines for the Vicious and Dangerous Animals (VDA)
Administrative Review Board. Administrative Analyst Trudy Slater reiterated the
temporary board's recommendations to the Committee. After consideration, the
APPROVED AS SUBI~ FEBRUARY 19, 1998
Agenda Summary Report
Legislative and Litigation Committee
December 11, 1997
Page -2-
Committee decided to forward to Council for approval the following changes to
existing Bakersfield Municipal Code Section 6.04.100 relating to vicious or
dangerous animals: board members serve two-year staggered terms; board
members serve at the pleasure of the Council; it is to be clearly stated in the Code
section that the decisions of the VDA board relating to vicious or dangerous animal
order appeals are final; and applications for the Board are to be open as is generally
the policy for other boards or commissions of the City Council.
Staff was directed to prepare recommendations for the January 14 meeting. City
Attorney Judy Skousen indicated advertising for positions on the Board could begin
after the first reading, with possible appointment of the board in March.
6, NEW BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION ON MASSAGE PARLOR ORDINANCE
Ms. Christi Doll, a licensed massage technician, very strongly urged the Committee
to change the City's existing ordinance relating to massage establishments to allow
the use of mobile chair neck massage in the City. Ms. Doll explained that other
Kern County cities allow her to take her portable massage chair to businesses to
provide neck massages in the business environment. Her clients remain fully
clothed during the 15-minute procedure and the short, on-site neck massages allow
employees to take advantage of break times to relieve built-up stress. She
indicated that she had provided chair massages for the Cities of Shafter, Wasco,
and Delano. The City of Wasco allows her to work under a mobile business
classification. She feels there is a real need for such services within Bakersfield.
Councilmember Irma Carson expressed her concern that the City could be denying
legitimate business through the existing ordinance. She asked that the Police
Department look at the ordinance to see if there were alternatives which might work.
Councilmember Patricia DeMond mentioned how much effort went into drafting the
City's current workable massage ordinance. She is aware of the need in the
community for certified massage services.
Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan expressed concerns over creating loopholes which
would negate the positive steps made with the current massage ordinance.
Assistant Police Chief Bill Horton indicated City permits were site specific. Both he
and Lt. Melvin Scott voiced strong concerns over opening the City up to mobile
massage. Concerns included the use of private offices and residences which could
open up additional avenues for prostitution and the difficulties in policing mobile
massage activities..
Agenda Summary Report
Legislative and Litigation Committee
December 11, 1997
Page -3-
City Attorney Judy Skousen indicated the current ordinance requires permits for the
massage technician as well as the site.
Committee members discussed the feasibility of having businesses apply for
massage sites and hiring personnel to do massage at their places of business;
reluctance to open mobile massage to private residences; whether an individual
could be licensed at several sites; and difficulties in determining which businesses
would or would not be allowed permits for on-site mobile massage. The Committee
directed Police Department staff to conduct a survey of comparable size cities to
determine how they deal with neck/chair massage and problems or issues they
have faced and to report their findings to Committee chair Jacquie Sullivan.
B, SET CALENDAR FOR 1998
The Committee approved setting regularly scheduled meetings during 1998 on the
third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the City Manager's Conference Room.
7, ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Staff Attendees: Administrative Analyst Trudy Slater; City Attorney Judy Skousen;
Assistant Police Chief Bill Horton, Police Lieutenant Melvin Scott
Other Attendees: Cristi Doll, HarryAngel
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
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