Council to consider new ‘public indecency’ laws after bikini barista stand complaints

beehive
Beehive Espresso in Edmonds.
In response to citizen complaints related to “bikini barista coffee stands,” the Edmonds City Council at its Tuesday, July 26 meeting will consider an ordinance requested by Edmonds police that would add “public indecency” sections to the Edmonds City Code.

According to the Edmonds City Council agenda, in recent years the city — along with many other Puget Sound jurisdictions — has experienced an increase citizen complaints related to bikini barista stand activities.

Edmonds currently has one bikini barista stand — Beehive Espresso in the 23800 block of Highway 99 — according to Edmonds police. The city’s most infamous stand — Java Juggs at 212th and Highway 99 — was shut down following several incidents, including the arrest of baristas in 2011 for exposing themselves to customers and the arrest of the owner in 2013 for conspiracy to promote prostitution at several stands throughout the area. She pleaded guilty to second-degree prostitution and money laundering charges in September 2014.

According to Tuesday’s council agenda, current citizen complaints “relate to the state of dress/undress of the baristas, the fact that the baristas can be viewed by passing traffic, alleged sexual misconduct at the stands, etc.”

Since city code doesn’t currently address these types of behaviors, the proposed additions would create two new sections:

  1. a Public Indecency section (5.38.150) that details what actions are prohibited, more clearly defines nudity, what is considered obscene and what would be categorized as a public place; and
  2. a Soliciting for an Act of Public Indecency section (5.38.160)

“These additions and clarifications will clear up several ambiguities that exist in the current language and assist in the charging and criminal prosecution of the barista, the individual engaging the barista for the activities, and the coffee stand owner (should they be aware of or complicit to the activities taking place in their business),” the agenda item adds. “If/when formal charges have been filed, the City may then proceed with the revocation of the business license, should that be warranted.”

Also on the council agenda:

– A report from the Snohomish Health District.

– A public hearing on a concession agreement between the City of Edmonds and Dean
Parmenter/Hot Diggity Dog, which operates a hot dog cart by the Edmonds ferry loading lanes.

– A closed record review and action on the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation to approve a consolidated application for a conditional use permit and variance for the downtown public restroom project.

– Discussion on refunding 2007 limited tax general obligation bonds (15 min.)

– Consideration of renewing interlocal agreements with the Snohomish Regional Drug & Gang Task Force for 2016-17 and the Edmonds School District for police coverage at athletic events.

– Discussion and potential action on an ordinance amending the city sign code.

– Discussion of resolution of intent to designate Westgate Mixed Use Zone District as a Residential Targeted Zone for Implementation of Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program and to schedule a public hearing.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex, 250 5th Ave. N. You can see the complete council agenda here.

  1. – Discussion of resolution of intent to designate Westgate Mixed Use Zone District as a Residential Targeted Zone for Implementation of Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program and to schedule a public hearing.

    Per the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program, does that mean the rest of the tax payers pick up the ‘slack’ left by this exemption??

    Just curious…

    Thx.

    1. Not clear about this but eager to learn more at tonight’s meeting and will report on what is said.

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