Council reviews first readings of ordinances to tighten business licensing and regulate massage practitioners

At a study session on Aug. 11, Milton city staff presented three ordinance first readings that together would modify local rules for personnel and business regulation. Chief Hernandez introduced an amendment to Milton Municipal Code chapter 2.32 to add an assistant police chief as an exempt, appointed position; Planning Manager Stahlnecker and Interim Director Robec presented parallel first reads to update the city business-license chapter and to add a chapter regulating massage practitioners.

Chief Hernandez said the code change is primarily housekeeping so the assistant chief is explicitly recognized as an appointed, exempt position rather than a civil-service role. "This is a housekeeping issue adding the assistant chief position to Milton municipal code 2.32," Hernandez said, and noted the clarification is intended to prevent confusion during collective-bargaining processes.

Staff framed the business-license ordinance changes as partly a response to a state uniform-model requirement and partly an enforcement enhancement. The staff presentation said the model ordinance threshold for out-of-city businesses recently rose from $2,000 to $4,000 and that Milton's code must be updated to match a statewide change cited in the presentation. Staff also proposed a new inspection-right-of-entry section and a revised criminal-penalty provision that would offer a penalty alternative to misdemeanor charges for license violations; an exhibit labeled "City business license model ordinance" was included in the packet.

Council member Cedar raised civil-liberty concerns about the proposed right-of-entry language, particularly an element that would allow the city to designate "appropriate other agencies" to conduct inspections. Cedar warned the language could be used as pretextual authority by outside agencies and asked staff to tighten the listed agencies and procedural protections. Planning Manager Stahlnecker acknowledged the concern, said the language was modeled on other jurisdictions including Lakewood, and said he would meet with the city attorney to consider narrowing the provision and to address grandfathering for existing licenses.

On the proposed massage-practitioner chapter, Planning Manager Stahlnecker described the measure as a tool to target illicit businesses that operate under the cover of legitimate massage services. "For many people, it's a valid, medical procedure that helps. It unfortunately is oftentimes used to cover up other activities," Stahlnecker said, and explained the draft would require state licensure for practitioners, an age minimum of 18, and operational standards for lighting, access and prohibitions on drugs and alcohol. Chief Hernandez said law enforcement has worked with the prosecutor and neighboring jurisdictions and that similar measures have helped shut clandestine operations elsewhere.

No ordinance votes occurred; each item was presented for first reading and staff said they will return with revised language after attorney review. Council members asked several staff to tighten language, clarify how existing businesses would be treated and provide legal input before a second reading.