“Personal care” law approved

STANTON CITY COUNCIL approved a new “personal care” ordinance on Tuesday night (File photo).

The second and final reading of a “personal care” ordinance aimed at curbing the use of such businesses and medical offices for illicit business was approved by the Stanton City Council on Tuesday night.

On a 4-0 vote – Councilmember Gary Taylor (District 3) was absent – the council enacted the law that will lift a moratorium on new personal care and medical office businesses in the city. 

The moratorium was originally approved in June 2022 and has since been extended. It was enacted because – according to a staff report – some establishments and other enterprises in which the customer might end up partially or fully undressed have been connected to illegal sexual activities and human trafficking.

The new ordinance, going for a second and final reading on Tuesday, is intended to eliminate such abuses in certain businesses, which could include a barber shop, beauty salon, nail salon, tanning salon, non-medical skin or facial skin care, eyelash extensions or eyebrow waxing, threading or tattooing, acupuncture or acupressure.

Also Tuesday night Mayor David Shawver was sworn in for another term, and Donald Torres (District 1) took the oath of office for the first time.