Council denies massage-establishment license after police report; adopts revocation findings for separate business

The Green Bay Common Council voted 11–1 Tuesday to deny a massage-establishment license after the police department presented investigative material tying the applicant’s contact information to advertisements on sites commonly used to locate illicit massage businesses.

Chief Michael Davis told the council police found the telephone number the applicant supplied listed on internet sites including RubMaps and other adult-service directories linked to advertising that the department described as indicating “happy endings” and other illicit services. Davis said inspection deficiencies at the proposed location were also included in the department’s recommendation to deny the license.

Alder Molly Eck moved to deny the application; Alder Grant seconded. The motion carried 11–1 after public and council discussion about whether material tied to other locations and businesses should factor into the decision. Alder Hutchison said committee review had focused on the specific application before the council and expressed reluctance to base denial on allegations about other businesses. Several council members, including Alder Grant and Alder Proffitt, said the police report flagged risks the city designed the ordinance to prevent.

Separately later in the meeting the council adopted findings of fact and conclusions of law in a quasi-judicial matter to revoke the massage-establishment license held by Bukwexy Therapy, LLC at 989 W. Mason St. The council voted to adopt the findings after a roll-call motion; Attorney Bungert advised a straight up-or-down vote on the written findings.

Council members and the city attorney emphasized that denying or revoking a license does not preclude appeal. Alder Johnson proposed — but did not press into the final motion — directing staff to review other licenses held by the same owner; the city attorney advised against combining revocation referral language into the denial vote to avoid prejudging separate revocation proceedings. Several members said staff and legal processes remain available for follow-up action if evidence supports further action against other licenses.

The council’s action follows Protection & Policy Committee discussion in which the department recommended a hold while inspection problems were addressed; the committee cited inspection failures and the police background check materials in making its recommendation.

The council did not make criminal allegations at the meeting; Chief Davis repeatedly warned he would not allege criminal activity absent proven facts and framed the department’s presentation as internet advertising and inspection red flags that posed a public-safety or reputational risk to the city.

The denial and the adoption of revocation findings conclude the council’s formal action on the two licensing items; each action follows established municipal appeal and revocation processes.

Ending: The denied applicant and representatives for Bukwexy Therapy did not speak to the council during the meeting; the city attorney and police department said applicants retain the right to administrative appeal or other remedies under city code.