Residents and council press city to act on massage‑parlor licensing amid trafficking concerns

Residents and city officials pressed the city on Jan. 14 for faster enforcement and licensing action after public commenters described online advertisements and neighborhood reports that they said show illegal activity at multiple massage establishments.

At public comment, a resident said he had documented what he called explicit advertising and asked the city to use the new ordinance passed last year to shut noncompliant businesses immediately. “You have the ability right now to do that in the ordinance the city passed in June,” the commenter said in his remarks, describing dozens of locations he said advertise sexual services.

Corporation counsel Greg Mordot and business‑licensing staff responded that the city has established an application process and is working through roughly 48 known establishments. Mordot told the council the city has sent zoning and licensing inspectors to conduct on‑site reviews, is performing background checks on applicants, and in several instances has opened enforcement or court actions and placed some properties under formal restrictions.

Aldermen and staff said the new licensing process created last year requires the clerk’s office to forward license applications to police, public works, fire and health for review and that departments have 30 days for site inspections and written recommendations. The mayor makes the ultimate licensing determination, including the option to deny or hold an application for further investigation.

Multiple aldermen asked for better public communication. Several urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activity to the police so law enforcement can document incidents as they occur; aldermen also encouraged residents to notify their ward representative or business‑licensing staff with evidence such as photos or online listings to support administrative action.

City licensing staff said they will circulate a council update listing the establishments under review and the enforcement status of each, and that some cases have already been referred for legal action or property closure when inspections showed municipal code violations.

Ending: Council members asked business‑licensing and legal staff to provide periodic updates to the full council so aldermen and residents can see where individual applications and enforcement actions stand.