HMB City Council Asks for Edit on Chamber’s Letter to Governor Asking to Open Hotel Meetings Up To 50 People

VIDEO. At the 10/6/2020 Half Moon Bay City Council meeting they discuss the wording of the letter.

Council member, Robert Brownstone, starts the conversation when he asks why not just wait for State direction.

Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the Governor requesting consideration of organized hotel meetings up to 50 persons.

Since COVID-19 hit the local economy in March, hotels along the coast saw a drastic decrease in occupancy. As San Mateo County progresses on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier list, these occupancy rates will increase, albeit at a much slower rate than previously anticipated. While stays have increased as more people have begun traveling, conferences and business meetings have yet to be permitted which is another source of revenue for our local hotels.

Half Moon Bay’s hotels have traditionally served corporate travelers and hosted corporate events. As the State currently prohibits gatherings, the sector is suffering.

DISCUSSION:

Local hoteliers are confident that they can provide a safe experience and will follow all State guidance for social distancing, face coverings, frequent cleanings, and prohibition of shared food and drink. In addition, all gatherings would only accept registered attendees in an effort to minimize community spread and assist with local contact tracing efforts. The request would be in line with the standards for places of worship, which are currently permitted to host gatherings for 25% of their maximum capacity, or 100 people (whichever is less).

Given that the City’s budget is historically bolstered by transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues, the unprecedented downturn in travel and leisure spending is likely to pose difficulties in the future. Being able to safely host meetings of up to 50 persons would presumably allow hotels to increase occupancy. The draft letter to theGovernor requesting consideration of organized hotel meetings of up to 50 persons is attached.

DRAFT Letter to Governor From the City of Half Moon Bay

October 7, 2020

Governor Gavin Newsom 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Blueprint for a Safer Economy (Hotels and Lodging)

Governor Newsom:

I am writing on behalf of the Half Moon Bay City Council to request that the State reconsider its strict prohibition on hotel gatherings (add) and provide clear guidance to the hotel industry on how to conduct such events. Specifically, we hope that the State will allow gatherings of up to 50 people for organized meetings to alleviate the hardships facing our hotel and lodging industry.

Half Moon Bay hotels have seen a dramatic reduction in occupancy rates since March when COVID-19 hit. As San Mateo County progresses on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier list, these occupancy rates will increase, albeit at a much slower rate than previously anticipated.

Half Moon Bay hotels have traditionally served corporate travelers and hosted corporate events.  As the State currently prohibits gatherings, this once-thriving sector is suffering. (delete) On behalf of the City’s hoteliers and workforce members, the City Council therefore requests that organized gatherings of up to 50 people be permitted. The City’s hotel and lodging industry is committed to providing a safe experience and will follow all State guidance for social distancing, face coverings, frequent cleanings, and prohibition of shared food and drink. In addition, all gatherings will only accept registered attendees in an effort to minimize community spread and assist with local contact tracing efforts. We believe this would be in line with the standards for places of worship, which are currently permitted to host gatherings for 25% of their maximum capacity, or 100 people (whichever is less).

While this request is made on behalf of the City’s hoteliers and workforce members, it is also an important consideration for the City’s fiscal health. Half Moon Bay’s smart budgeting in the past has allowed the City to provide exceptional service to residents. However, as the City’s budget is historically bolstered by transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues, the unprecedented downturn in travel and leisure spending is likely to pose difficulties in the future. The adopted budget for fiscal year 2020-21 projects a nearly 66% decline in TOT compared to revenues from the prior two fiscal years.

For the reasons described above, the City of Half Moon Bay is requesting that you consider permitting safely organized gatherings of up to 50 people to assist the hotel and lodging industry.

Sincerely,

Bob Nisbet, City Manager

CC: Half Moon Bay City Council

Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce

Half Moon Bay Hotel and Business Improvement District

San Mateo County Health Officer

Author: Coastside Buzz

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