At Wednesday's city council, staff made several recommendations for changes to the adult business industry in Reno.Â
Several proposed changes would significantly increase the lighting in the clubs and add surveillance video to public areas.Â
Others would require employees to undergo awareness training for things like alcohol abuse and human trafficking. Perhaps more substantial changes would include banning private booths and even lap dances. Kamy Keshmiri, Owner of the Wild Orchid, says not only would dancers feel the financial effects, stating, "Roughly for the 500 entertainers that work for us, we figure between 40 and 50 million dollars a year will be lost."Â
He notes that the Wild Orchid pays $25,000 a month in rent subsidies to the adjacent Ponderosa Hotel. Keshmiri says any severe hit to the club's revenue would ultimately contribute to the housing crisis, too. He says, "Their rents will be raised $300 a month, so that's more people that are going to be put out on the streets."
The city says the proposals are aimed at curbing what they call 'secondary effects,' citing issues like prostitution, human-trafficking, drug use and other criminal activity.
Council members also agreed with the staff to enhance work card requirements, as well as raising the minimum age for dancers and other employees from 18 to 21.
If council officially passes the changes, later this year, Keshmiri says he's prepared to take the decision to court, "This isn't a new trail being blazed, cities have done this and cities have lost in court."
There will be a public workshop next month for community feedback about the issue as well as a business impact statement.
The ordinance proposal would come back to council for a final vote in November or December and would also clarify which club locations would be affected. Â
