Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, and the recommendation of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) at its meeting on June 20, 2018, the above-referenced revised and streamlined Ordinance is submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission on First Reading. This revised Ordinance also addresses comments previously expressed at the April 11, 2018 City Commission meeting, which resulted in this matter being referred back to the NCAC, where it had been initially discussed on February 21, 2018 following a prior City Commission referral.

The new draft Ordinance requires hotel and hostel employers to a) provide a panic button or notification device to certain hotel or hostel employees; b) place a sign on the inside of each guest room door notifying guests that a panic button/notification device has been provided to such employees; and c) submit an affidavit with their annual BTR renewal stating that they are in compliance with the above requirements.  Following an initial warning, penalties of $500, $1,000, and $2,000 will be imposed, respectfully, for second, third, and fourth and subsequent violations within a preceding six (6) month period. The regulations would become effective January 1, 2019.