Gresham City Council Work Session, July 7, 2026

The Gresham City Council held a work session on July 7, 2026, focused on the implementation and enforcement of a new massage business license code aimed at shutting down illicit massage businesses (IMBs) in the city. Staff provided an update on the licensing process, enforcement actions, and proposed code amendments to strengthen regulations, including making illicit advertising a violation, permanently barring those associated with revoked licenses from reapplying, and restricting massage business licenses at known IMB locations for three to five years. Council members discussed and generally supported the amendments, with consensus leaning toward a three-year restriction period for affected properties. The session highlighted successful enforcement efforts that led to the closure of six IMBs and collaboration with state authorities to address organized crime connections. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were discussed, but the policy decisions could impact future business licensing and enforcement activities in Gresham.