That first investigation resulted in the prosecution of four baristas. The stand owner was encouraging this conduct, because he was also selling the baristas oxycontin and he wanted them to earn tips so they could buy the drugs." "Our subsequent investigations revealed that the coffee stands were not just selling coffee, but they were selling sex shows, allowing customers to have physical contact with baristas, we had a problem of men masturbating near the stands. "When we had dozens upon dozens of citizen complaints about the stands," Rammerman told the council. RELATED: Court says Everett's bikini barista dress code is unconstitutionalĪt the council's meeting Wednesday, Assistant City Attorney Ramsay Rammerman went through the history of Everett's barista dress code drama, beginning in 2009. An amendment would also require stand owners to post signage with information about sex trafficking, with resources for victims. The city will amend its laws, starting with a rewrite of its barista dress code to align with its existing lewd conduct rules. The settlement pays the owner and baristas $500,000, but the city will still enforce some requirements around the coffee stands. The Everett City Council voted unanimously in favor this week of allowing the mayor to sign a settlement agreement with a barista stand owner. "I am satisfied that the city entered into doing this whole process as a way to protect vulnerable people and to support and protect our community members who were near these stands, and to civilize this to the degree that we can," Councilmember Ben Zarlingo said at the council's meeting Wednesday. The settlement “still gives us our best tool to require stand owners to make sure their employees are not engaging in illegal conduct,” the city attorney said.The city of Everett is poised to sign a settlement agreement with bikini baristas, bringing an end to years of legal back-and-forth over the city's coffee stand dress code. The city has spent nearly $400,000 defending the ordinance. Ramerman told the council the city could appeal but a defeat would lead to a much higher tab than the $500,000. District Court judge found the dress code ordinance unconstitutional. The case has seen various rulings in the courts, but in October a U.S. I wear what I’m comfortable with and others can wear what they are comfortable with.” “But America is different because you can wear what you want to wear. “Some countries make you wear lots of clothing because of their religious beliefs,” Hernandez wrote. The city in 2017 created the dress code ordinance requiring employees, owners and operators of “quick service facilities” from coffee stands to fast-food restaurants to wear clothing that covers the upper and lower body or face fines.Įdge, the owner of Everett bikini barista stand Hillbilly Hotties, and employees Natalie Bjerke, Matteson Hernandez, Leah Humphrey, Amelia Powell and Liberty Ziska filed a legal complaint arguing that the ordinance violated their First Amendment rights. The sergeant resigned, and the owners were convicted. In 2013 two espresso stand owners were arrested on accusations of promoting prostitution and exploitation of a minor, as well as a Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant for tipping off baristas about undercover officers in exchange for sexual favors. Four people were arrested and prosecuted. ![]() The settlement may end the saga that started in 2009 when the city said it received complaints prompting investigations that revealed some stands were selling sex shows and sex acts and allowing customers to physically touch the baristas. “I am glad we’re for the baristas and against the people who are trying to get them to do things they don’t want to do,” City Council member Liz Vogeli said after the vote. ![]() ![]() Another provision mandates that business owners post materials for employees with information on how to seek help if they are being trafficked or otherwise exploited. Instead the city will align dress code rules with an existing lewd conduct standard that makes it a crime to publicly expose too much of one’s private parts. Under the agreement, the city will keep most of its rules for probationary licensing of coffee stands and other quick-service business but will no longer dictate that baristas wear at least tank tops and shorts. Plaintiffs had been seeking more than $3 million in damages and attorney fees. The Everett City Council voted unanimously this week to authorize Mayor Cassie Franklin to sign the settlement agreement with Jovanna Edge and employees, The Daily Herald reported. (AP) - A legal battle over a dress code for bikini baristas at coffee stands is ending after a city north of Seattle agreed to pay $500,000 to the owner and employees who sued over it six years ago.
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