By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The possibility of adding a relaxation massage business to Bucyrus’ inventory of businesses was not as relaxing a topic to discuss as it sounded.
Law Director Rob Ratliff provided the Bucyrus City Council Health and Safety Committee with a request from a potential business owner to locate a relaxation-only massage practice within the city limits. The potential business owner was specifically asking if there were any local ordinances to ban that kind of establishment.
Much to the surprise of the committee, the city does not have any ordinances on the books revolving around relaxation massage businesses, nor are they regulated by the state. According to Ratliff, that was one of the big differences between relaxation massage and massage therapy: one is not regulated by the state and the other is.
“The state regulates therapeutic massage and licenses therapeutic massage providers,” Ratliff explained. “Relaxation massage is not governed by the state and the state board of therapeutic massage deems that a local function (needs to) govern and regulate relaxation massage.”
The only local ordinances that would apply to a relaxation massage business would be the same ones that would apply to any other business, Ratliff added.
Committee member Wanda Sharrock asked if there would be any legal ramifications, especially if such a business crossed over into illegitimate practices, a point that Chairman Steve Pifer countered.
“You can be doing something else at the ones that are licensed. How would you know?” Pifer said.
“If there’s criminal conduct in one of those places, there’s criminal conduct,” Ratliff added. “It gets investigated and charged.”
Council President Sis Love, however, focused on the health and sanitary requirements that could pertain to a relaxation massage business, like is done for massage therapy by the state. It was debated whether or not the health department could regulate such a business, but, in the end, the committee determined not to establish a new ordinance or take any kind of action on the matter.
“We’re still welcoming her to the community,” added council member Bruce Truka. “It’s not you’re not taking action; you’re saying, ‘Gee, another business.’”
The Economic Development Committee will be seeking legislation for the Community Reinvestment Act/Enterprise Zone work duties. The duties, which were previously held by the former legal clerk position, would be assigned to the Law Director’s department, with Ratliff in the supervisory position rather than the council. City Council will still receive annual reports of hours spent on the duties due to funds being specifically set aside for the positions. Ratliff expected the duties to be handled by his new legal assistant. The Finance Committee also approved the matter.
The Health and Safety Committee also approved a motion to accept recommendations from the Tax Incentive Review Council.
The Finance Committee will be seeking legislation to appropriate $58,000 in donated funds for the Schines Art Park wall.