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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 14, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 22 (8. LAND USE APPLICATION/DEVELOPMENT AND WETLAND SIGNAGE, Continued) Rahn commented that maybe 3.5 inches wide would be wide enough, which would fit vertically on a 4 x 4. Rahn suggested the City’s general phone number be placed on the signs rather than the Planning Department’s number. Bremer indicated she was in agreement with Rahn’s comments. Curtis stated the rationale for the Planning Department’s number being included on the signs is that the people could direct dial the Planning Department. Gaffron stated a 4 x 4 wooded post will deteriorate over time and that it should be erected on a metal post. Curtis noted the sign would be metal. Curtis asked if Council was in agreement with the other signage. It was the consensus of the City Council that the signage for the larger projects is acceptable and that the color of the wetland buffer sign should be brown. Curtis noted the distance between each sign for the wetland buffer is outlined in the ordinance and that the developer will need to locate the sign with a GPS if it is a large development or a subdivision. 9. MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Curtis stated in June, 2010, the City adopted a massage therapy licensing ordinance as well as amended the permitted uses within the B-1, B-3, and B-5 districts to allow massage therapy centers. At that time, Staff recommended background checks on all massage therapists as part of the massage therapy center’s license. City Council approved an ordinance for the licensing of businesses but not background certification of individual therapists In response to the recent issues at a massage therapy center elsewhere in the metro area, Police Chief Farniok commented on Orono’s massage therapy center licensing requirements. Chief Farniok’s memo is attached to the staff report. Currently only the licensee undergoes a criminal background check. Staff suggests amending the licensing requirements to include a criminal background check on each individual therapist as part of the overall licensing. Staff recommends the City modify the licensing requirements in Chapter 31 to require each individual massage therapist to submit to a criminal background check as part of the massage therapy license. This criminal background check would be covered by the original license fee and the background check conducted on the licensee. Bremer asked how the background checks would work with new employees. Curtis stated every year the employer is required to submit a renewal application. If the center did not notify the City that they hired a new employee during the year, it would be noted at that time. An annual fee of $100 is required and there would not be an additional fee to run background checks on the employees. Bremer commented she speaks fairly regularly at continuing legal education seminars regarding background checks, and that there are a number of organizations that are required to do checks and a lot Item #03 - CC Agenda - 03/28/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 03/14/2011[Page 9 of 22]