A Lake Forest property owner and commenter criticized the city’s approach to regulating massage establishments and objected to a warrant payment to the law firm Best Best & Krieger LLP for legal work connected to the city's massage-related ordinances.

“ The massage moratorium is a colossal waste of money and city resources,” Brian McMillan said during public comment, arguing the city’s definition of massage is broad and could encompass many medical and wellness practices. McMillan read portions of the municipal definition, noting examples from the code that include hydrotherapy, saunas, spa services and certain medical procedures when performed by nonphysicians.

McMillan also objected to check number 807238, written to Best Best & Krieger LLP for $105,513, which he said paid for legal research used to craft the city's massage regulations. He said the legal work was intended to further restrictions he described as punitive toward certain business owners.

The council did not reverse or modify the warrant payment at the meeting. Staff later announced the council had moved item 5 (Certification of Warrant Register) and that the motion passed unanimously; the public comment on the warrant was recorded during that agenda item. No councilmember vote tallies by name were stated on the record in the transcript.