Ogdensburg attorney outlines draft body‑art licensing ordinance, council to introduce next meeting

Borough Attorney Robert McBriar told the Ogdensburg Borough Council on Aug. 10 that he had prepared a draft ordinance to amend the municipal code to license tattoo and body‑piercing establishments and to incorporate relevant state statutory requirements into local regulation. McBriar said the draft provides for application, inspection and fee provisions but needs council guidance on fee amounts before it is finalized for introduction.

During the discussion McBriar proposed a $250 initial establishment license application fee and a $150 renewal fee to be triggered on the license anniversary date. He suggested a reinstatement fee — should a license be suspended or revoked — possibly equal to the renewal fee. "If there is any guidance as to the fees I can incorporate them into the ordinance and again include that for your consideration at the next meeting," McBriar said. Mayor Hutnick and council members discussed whether fees should be tied to the fiscal year or the applicant's anniversary; the council agreed renewals should be on the license anniversary.

Marceau noted that funding for body and car cameras for police was included in the bond ordinance introduced at the meeting. McBriar said he will incorporate the fee structure discussed and prepare Ordinance 07-2020 for introduction at the next meeting.

The draft ordinance aligns the borough code with state law governing body‑art establishments and establishes a local application, inspection and fee process; the council did not adopt the ordinance at the Aug. 10 meeting and requested the attorney incorporate agreed fee amounts for introduction.