Panel denies Tulip Spa license, discusses massage‑establishment enforcement and ordinance edits

The Protection Policy Committee voted July 28 to deny a massage establishment license application for Tulip Spa, 989 West Meehan (denial to be forwarded to the Common Council for final action). Police recommended denial based on prior citations, a record of a revoked license for the same applicants, and an outstanding balance related to prior violations.

The nut graf: Lieutenant and staff summarized the Police Department’s memo showing repeated citations and prior revocation; the committee voted to deny the application and directed the item to Common Council for final action on Aug. 5.

Police said one applicant listed on the Tulip Spa application had been found guilty of multiple spa‑related violations from 2020 through 2024 and that another applicant still owed roughly $1,500 to the city. The police memo, read for the committee, noted earlier revocations and warnings and recommended the committee follow prior action to deny the license. The presenting staff member noted that the application’s answers about prior suspensions/revocations and convictions were incorrect on the form.

An applicant spoke to the committee and said some citations were issued to people who worked at or rented space in the establishment and described paying fines and closing operations when required; the applicant said she had owned buildings and rented to others and asked for another opportunity. The lieutenant and staff explained that the ordinance requires the committee to consider citations and prior revocations that involve the named applicants, regardless of whether those incidents occurred at the same physical address.

Committee members discussed residency requirements and prior council actions. One member said she would “stand by my decision I made in December” to deny; another made the motion to deny, the motion was seconded, and the committee voted to deny. The committee’s action will be sent to Common Council for final approval on Aug. 5.

The committee also received an informational report from the police summarizing recent liquor and massage‑establishment violations and referrals; the report showed no liquor violations in the July 7–July 28 period and listed disturbance referrals at several establishments that had been handled cooperatively. Staff said a draft of proposed ordinance edits for massage establishments is being prepared and requested that committee members submit suggested edits by the next meeting; staff expected to return an ordinance draft in September for committee consideration.