Wahpeton bar owner requests permission to allow lap dancing

That license prohibits contact between performers and patrons—including a lap dance, which involves a dancer sitting and gyrating on a seated customer.

Owner Matt Pausch asked the city to change the existing ordinance to allow lap dances.

A motion was made at the Tuesday, Jan. 16, City Council meeting that advised Pausch to work with Wahpeton Police Chief Scott Thorsteinson and City Attorney Steve Lies to come up with language for the proposed change.

It's been more than two decades since this topic last came up in Wahpeton. There was a non-binding advisory election on cabaret regulations in December 1996 that asked residents if topless entertainment should be allowed within licensed liquor establishments.

According to city records, 823 people, or 52 percent, voted in favor of continuing with the existing ordinance, while 742 people, or 48 percent, opposed prohibiting topless entertainment.

Mayor Steve Dale said the proposed change has garnered a lot of interest and it's been discussed at length, but there is no recommendation or plan coming from the Public Works and Public Safety Committee, which held a well-attended meeting Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Committee Chairman and Council Member Don Bajumpaa said 28 people attended the meeting, including some dancers and Oasis employees, and representatives from the American Association of University Women and the Three Rivers Crisis Center.

Huwe said strong opinions were shared on both sides, but "the voice of opposition was louder."

Bajumpaa said the proposed ordinance change could come about in two ways.

"If no action is taken by the council, any citizen can get signatures and initiate an ordinance change," he said.

Huwe said it would be a "lengthy process" to make such an ordinance change. After the request of the bar owner and public feedback, the city attorney would the need to draft an amendment that would go through committee before being referred back to the council for more discussion.

The change would only affect Oasis because it's the only bar in the city with a license for topless entertainment, said Huwe, who added that for as long as Wahpeton has had cabaret laws, the city has prohibited contact between performers and patrons.

Pausch, who renewed his annual cabaret license at the end of 2017, would not comment on the motion to move forward with his requested change.

Thorsteinson said a meeting to begin discussing amendment language could take place later this month. The police chief said he's reviewing ordinances in area cities, and said it would be an "educational process."

"We have to determine how we will enforce the ordinance," he said. "I know nothing about lap dances ... It's outside my area of expertise."

The recommended amendment could be discussed at the Feb. 20 council meeting.