DATE: December 10, 2019
SUBJECT:
Title
ORDINANCE REGARDING HOTEL WORKER RETENTION ON DISTRICT PROPERTY
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the October 8, 2019 Board of Port Commissioners (Board) meeting, the Board discussed the issue retention of hotel workers when a hotel on District property changes ownership, and directed staff to draft an ordinance protecting hotel workers by requiring a 90-day retention period upon such a change in ownership or control. The Board further directed staff to do outreach to all interested stakeholders and return to the Board in December 2019 with an ordinance for the Board's consideration. Staff has followed Board direction and this agenda presents such an ordinance.
The District has approximately 18 leases for operation of hotels on District property. Many public agencies have passed laws or others forms of regulation addressing the retention of hotel workers when a hotel changes owners or operators. Those jurisdictions have stated that changes in ownership, control, or operation of hotels occur frequently in the hotel industry and can trigger mass layoffs of hotel workers and displace employees who are skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced in providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Since the October 2019 Board meeting, staff prepared a draft ordinance very similar to ordinances passed by other jurisdictions but tailored to the specific direction received from the Board. On October 24, 2019, a discussion draft ordinance was posted to the District's website along with an email address for stakeholders to send comments. Stakeholders who had already asked to be informed, including the San Diego Port Tenants Association (SDPTA), were contacted individually and directed to the District website, as were all District hotel tenants. Staff received comments on the discussion draft through the email address, had an in-person meeting and several follow up calls and communications with representatives of t...
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