LUDOWICI — At its March 10 meeting, the city council passed two ordinances to tighten up on businesses in the spotlight for breaking laws lately.
Taking into consideration a recommendation of Police Chief Richard Robertson, the council passed new ordinances on guidelines governing massage parlors and also on penalizing businesses that sell alcohol to minors.
Last month Bally Massage Clinic was shut down after an employee at the business, allegedly offered to perform a sex act on a customer for a fee. After further investigation, it was learned that no person at the business had a current massage therapist license on the night of the arrest.
Earlier this month, the LPD also arrested several clerks at stores in the city for selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21.
At the meeting the council passed a nine-page ordinance with stringent guidelines for the current massage parlor, which is still closed, and any wishing to open in the future.
Regarding alcohol, the council passed an ordinance punishing any business that sells alcohol to a minor.
The ordinance states that if a business does sell to someone under 21, for the first offense, that business will be put on probation for six months. If during those six months the business commits the offense again, it will then have its liquor license suspended for six months. If the business commits the offense a third time, the business will then go before the council for review and may have its liquor license revoked permanently.
In other business, the council held a second reading and hearing regarding an $81,000 grant submitted by the police department to buy new vehicles. There was no public participation at the hearing.
Robertson also informed the council that on April 22 the department would be have a meet your police night. The chief said the entire LPD staff will be on hand, along with equipment displays.
“We are just wanting the people in the city to get to know who we are and us get to know them,” Robertson said.
The council also:
• Appointed Ann Thompson as a new member of the Long/Ludowici Library Board.
• Approved a new variance and appeal application to be used by the Ludowici/Long County Planning and Zoning Board.
Taking into consideration a recommendation of Police Chief Richard Robertson, the council passed new ordinances on guidelines governing massage parlors and also on penalizing businesses that sell alcohol to minors.
Last month Bally Massage Clinic was shut down after an employee at the business, allegedly offered to perform a sex act on a customer for a fee. After further investigation, it was learned that no person at the business had a current massage therapist license on the night of the arrest.
Earlier this month, the LPD also arrested several clerks at stores in the city for selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21.
At the meeting the council passed a nine-page ordinance with stringent guidelines for the current massage parlor, which is still closed, and any wishing to open in the future.
Regarding alcohol, the council passed an ordinance punishing any business that sells alcohol to a minor.
The ordinance states that if a business does sell to someone under 21, for the first offense, that business will be put on probation for six months. If during those six months the business commits the offense again, it will then have its liquor license suspended for six months. If the business commits the offense a third time, the business will then go before the council for review and may have its liquor license revoked permanently.
In other business, the council held a second reading and hearing regarding an $81,000 grant submitted by the police department to buy new vehicles. There was no public participation at the hearing.
Robertson also informed the council that on April 22 the department would be have a meet your police night. The chief said the entire LPD staff will be on hand, along with equipment displays.
“We are just wanting the people in the city to get to know who we are and us get to know them,” Robertson said.
The council also:
• Appointed Ann Thompson as a new member of the Long/Ludowici Library Board.
• Approved a new variance and appeal application to be used by the Ludowici/Long County Planning and Zoning Board.