Watertown council sends proposed massage-business licensing ordinance back to Public Safety after public comment

The Watertown Common Council on March 17 referred Ordinance 26-09 — a proposed city licensing scheme for certain massage and related businesses — back to the Public Safety committee for further amendment after public comment and council discussion.

Danielle Taylor introduced herself during public comment and raised concerns that the ordinance’s requirements "dictate to me as a therapist what my scope of practice would be or what tools I could use," and warned the measure could single out massage therapists while similar conduct is already covered by Wisconsin statutes relating to prostitution and human trafficking. "These are all already laws for Wisconsin statutes..." she said, urging the council to avoid duplicative or punitive rules for legitimate practitioners.

Council members and staff debated the ordinance’s intent and timing. The mayor asked the city attorney and police leadership to explain the background; Chief Brower said investigations into illicit activity tied to some establishments have historically fallen short of the criminal burden of proof, and the proposed licensing process would allow the city to act under a lower evidentiary standard. "One method that is very successful in similar areas is to go after the ones who are holding the purse strings," the chief said, describing licensing boards as an enforcement tool that uses administrative standards rather than criminal proof.

Alderman Blankie and others urged a more deliberative process and said the ordinance should be a finished product before a council vote. Blankie moved — and the council seconded — a referral of the ordinance back to the Public Safety committee so staff and the committee could incorporate feedback from legitimate massage businesses, refine hours-of-operation provisions and clarify licensing procedures. The motion to send the ordinance back to Public Safety passed by voice vote.

Separately, the council voted to deny a Class B beer license application for A1 Oil LLC (Rajwinder Singh) citing public-safety concerns about carry-out alcohol at a gas station and precedent in the city. The council also approved multiple land-use ordinances on second reading (including Ordinance 26-04 rezoning 510 South 2nd Street) and adopted resolutions approving the Gateway Drive subdivision plat, the 2025 stormwater report and a citywide bicycle and pedestrian plan.

The referral means the proposed massage-business licensing ordinance will return to the Public Safety committee for additional review and likely amendments; staff indicated some changes already are under consideration and a longer rollout date (for example, a suggested implementation date discussed in committee was Jan. 1, 2027) remains possible. The council adjourned at 8:27 p.m.