The Jefferson City Council has called for a special meeting on Monday to discuss establishing an ordinance related to massage parlors and spas.

Although the 6 p.m. meeting precedes the council’s regular work session, City Manager John Ward said the special meeting allows immediate action.

“We are looking at going ahead and possibly approving the ordinance. If we hold a special called meeting, it would allow us to take immediate action,” Ward said. “But if we placed the item on the work session agenda, it would delay action (until the voting session in two weeks).”

Ward said the group is trying to follow the lead of other Georgia cities and counties that are regulating the industry. The goal of the ordinance is to curtail illicit activities — like prostitution — that can occur at some massage parlors. On Monday, authorities in Buford made arrests after an employee of Lucky Good Hands Massage parlor solicited an undercover officer.

“If you look at Bibb County and several other cities, they have been experiencing more applications in that (massage parlor) area,” Ward said.

“Due to our proximity to (Interstate) 85, we are trying to be proactive so that we don’t have a gap in our ordinances.”

During the council’s work session, the group will be discussing several topics — including potential Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax V items, a speed limit project for Old Pendergrass Road and a road project for Old Swimming Pool Road.

Both meetings will be held at the Jefferson Civic Center, 65 Kissam St. The work session will begin immediately after the special called meeting.