SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (WGAN) At a brief special meeting Tuesday night, the South Portland City Council voted unanimously to endorse its decision from May 15th to deny lodging licenses to 2 businesses next week. Without a lodging license, the Maine Motel and Knights Inn would be forced to close at end of month.

The Council states several incidences of alleged prostitution or drug related activity at the businesses as its reason for denying the licenses. Lawyer David Lourie says the council will be subject to prosecution from his clients if they don’t change their decision.

Through an injunction, the business will be able to stay open while they sue over what Lourie calls an invalid ordinance that discourages businesses from calling the police for fear of being punished. The Council has until a June 5th meeting to reconsider their decision.