TITLE
Recommendation to request a series of public safety measures designed to proactively address this public safety concern:
1. Request City Attorney to draft an ordinance requiring the following:
All hotel and lodging employers, to include motels, shall provide an
emergency contact device, often referred to as a panic button to
each hotel employee assigned to work in a guest room or other
space without other hotel employees present, regardless of job
classification, at no cost to the hotel employee. A hotel employee
may use the emergency contact device if the hotel employee
reasonably believes there is an ongoing crime, threatening
behavior, unwanted physical or verbal contact, or other emergency
in the employee's presence. The hotel or lodging employee may
cease work and leave the immediate area of danger to await the
arrival of assistance. The hotel or lodging must allow guest room
doors to be left open during cleaning.
The hotel or lodging must also allow any employee reporting abusive
or concerning behavior to be reassigned to a different area, away
from the individual who allegedly engaged in abusive or concerning
behavior. Additionally, the hotel or lodging must allow adequate paid
time off to contact the police, and the hotel or lodging must
cooperate with any investigation into the incident conducted by law
enforcement.
2. Direct Police Department to establish regular outreach to hotel and
lodging workers making them aware of their rights, and the process
to address incidents of assault.
3. Direct Police Department to create more prominent information on
their website on sexual assault and to ensure that the Language
Access Policy is followed in regards to the dissemination of this
information.
4. Establish a policy of having a female police officer on duty to take
calls reporting sexual assault.
DISCUSSION
The City Council has received a significant amount of testimony over the past year from hotel workers who are assigned to work in guest rooms. This has been an issue discussed by the Public Safety Committee as well. The testimony has been primarily focused on their public safety concerns. Given the depth and scope of the testimony provided by .these individuals it is evident that public safety concerns are imminent in nature and the City Council should take proactive action to ensure that all hotels and lodgings are providing additional public safety protections to employees who are required to work alone in guest rooms, restrooms or other locations where they may be vulnerable to unprovoked or wanted contact. When there is already such a perceived sense by employees that protections like these would improve their safety, this is an issue that the City can begin proactively addressing.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact has not yet been determined.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN SUZIE PRICE,
THIRD DISTRICT
COUNCILWOMAN STACY MUNGO,
FIFTH DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR DEE ANDREWS,
SIXTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER AL AUSTIN,
EIGHTH DISTRICT