Mike Fagan, City Council - District 1, Office:509.625.6257, Cell:509.991.4765
Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 2:40 p.m.
Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagan announced today that he and Co-Sponsor Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin are moving forward with the “Unlawful Public Exposure” ordinance which would codify general public decency. The ordinance comes up for vote by the City Council on Monday, Sept. 30.
“Unlawful public exposure” is defined as the exposure of body parts, specifically identified in the ordinance, of the person without a full and opaque covering in any area other than a public place provided or designated for nudity.
The issue was brought to the attention of Councilman Fagan when an unsuspecting customer drove up to a coffee espresso stand which advertised themselves as a “Lingerie espresso stand.” The customer was met by nearly nude employees. The customer decided that what she observed was indecent and inappropriate for a business which is frequented by the general public.
Fagan states that this type of activity has been an issue to Spokane citizens for over a decade and that previous councils have refused to address citizens concerns. He also emphasizes that the ordinance addresses all types of businesses, males and females, and is not just targeting drive-through coffee shops. Fagan and McLaughlin also ask citizens to understand it is not bikinis that are the problem being addressed, it is near nudity.
The two Council members also want to emphasize that what they are seeking is an acceptable environment for our citizens and visitors, acceptable and welcoming “gateways” to our city and the opportunity with this proposed ordinance to represent the neighborhoods in their districts, and serve the community as a whole.
