Label
Councilwoman Jones
O-379-24 108 Loan Delta Hotel
Agenda Review
8/7/24
Title
From: Councilwoman Jones Response Requested: ASAP
Please provide a detailed plan of the hotel’s public benefit to the area- ex: hiring criteria, retention and a list of potential and secured community benefit agreements, plans for future events or any other relevant information.
Body
Referral Response:
Delta Hotel by Marriott - Public Benefits
Community Engagement
Toledo Air Show-The event will be held at the Toledo Express Airport including the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, it will be a family-friendly event. Delta Hotel has partnered with Destination Toledo to secure this group's return in 2025 (the last time this event was held in Toledo was in 2019). This event will bring out-of-state and in-state guests to the Toledo Community. This will be a positive attraction for the community’s enjoyment and benefit. Here is the 2019 event website- <https://toledoairshow.com/>.
Recruiting Squadrons Tri-Annual Training Conference-Destination Toledo is tasked with sourcing and acquiring travel business for the city of Toledo; therefore, they need to be able to present great Hotel/Convention Centers as options to make Toledo a viable choice for meeting planners, conventions or large tradeshows. In turn, the travel business brings revenue and business engagement for local businesses from gas stations, restaurants, and shopping. Being active in the bidding process, including sending attractive collateral (i.e., from a newly renovated full-service hotel), being part of site visits, and the initial bid process is essential for the city to grow and increase business activity. The hotel has taken a large role in being a great partner with Destination Toledo and working to bring the U.S. military training conference in November 2024 to Toledo, which will involve hundreds of visitors.
Collegiate Sports Travel-Exclusive Travel partner for all University of Toledo visiting sports teams (as well as UT sports teams). We have rapidly formed a relationship with this organization and plan to be great partners, providing excellent hospitality and service for visitors of other universities. To this end, we are engaged to host Kent State’s basketball team later this year.
UT/UTMC-To date, we have met with the Department of Surgery, the Department of Medicine for UT, the Director of Housing Services, and the Development Coordinator. The excitement from both campuses remains incredibly high and will continue to be a great partnership for all departments and campuses of the University. Additionally, we are working with the Medical Center to provide packages for patients and their families/friends.
General Hotel Service Aspirations-The Hotel’s core belief is community engagement and benefit. To demonstrate our intent to participate and assist the community where our business is and where our employees live and work, we are:
• Implementing Marriott Serve 360 participation (Attachment A)
• Providing internships, job training programs, and professional development opportunities for local youth and job seekers. Our goal is to help cultivate a skilled workforce and contribute to the economic growth of our community. We plan on adding forty-five (45) new jobs to the local community. This does not include the auxiliary jobs added within the community through the extensive renovation and rehabilitation of the Hotel.
• Engaged with Owens Community College for career opportunities for their culinary and hospitality students. Exploring externship program for Owens Community College students.
• Engaged with the Penta Career Center, a program that works with high school students and adult students seeking career change.
• Provide Marriott International standard paid training to all employees of the Hotel, which will include (but not be limited to), service standards, public safety, human trafficking, sexual harassment, hotel operations, and SOPs.
• Working with the Lucas County Department of Planning and Development to determine additional workplace and job training opportunities for the hotel’s employees.
• Hosting job fairs at the hotel and with local businesses to promote job openings. The hotel has also agreed to advertise, with permission of property management, future positions at new nearby affordable housing developments (The Glen and The Grand).
• We want to highlight Toledo’s cultural heritage by showcasing local art and hosting cultural events at our hotel. Our executive chef Michael Rigot has been a member of the local culinary community for several years and is focused on taping into the distinct palates of the greater Toledo community. Coupling Mr. Rigot’s vision with local artists and musicians will create a tapestry at the Hotel to provide the local community members and our guests with an enriching experience.
• The culinary offerings will include locally-grown produce. The restaurant has current agreements in place with local vendors and will continue to expand its connections in Toledo. Some of the local vendors we are in discussion with are:
• Good Dog Farmstead
• Dee's Bees
• The Chef's Garden
• All Crumbs Bakery
• Maumee Brewing Company
• Toledo Spirits
• Elysian Fields Farm
• Members of our sales team have regularly volunteered at local homeless shelters, providing meals and support to those in need, we aim to roll this out for hourly team members once the Hotel is operational. To this end, on Thanksgiving, we plan on providing all of our employees with a turkey and donating several dozen turkeys to local kitchens and community members.
• Our sales team is working on finalizing a discount program, available at all times, for first responders, local police and fire departments, and military veterans that are residents of the greater Toledo area.
TPS Community Benefit Agreement
Delta Hotel by Marriott will participate in a Community Benefit Agreement with Toledo Public Schools to create and promote a paid internship program in Hospitality Management and other related areas of interest for TPS high school graduates. The program shall be operational for the term of the Section 108 loan, starting from the date of loan closing (approximately 20 years). The agreement provides interns with competitive wages, benefits, and professional development opportunities similar to those provided to entry-level employees. A minimum of 8 interns will be selected per year for the program by TPS. TPS will manage the selection and recruitment process, aligning with their and the program’s criteria. Biannual meetings with TPS and the Department of Housing and Community Development will include discussions on program issues and challenges, feedback from current interns, and necessary adjustments based on the evaluations.
Employee Hiring Criteria / Retention Efforts
The new beginning of the hotel as a Delta Hotel by Marriott has encouraged positivity and enthusiasm. We plan on adding a minimum of forty-five (45) new jobs to the local community and our goal is to help cultivate a skilled workforce and contribute to the economic growth of our community. All employees are provided paid Marriott International training and industry-leading training for all departments and employee levels. Employees also receive incentive pay, new uniforms, and new employee spaces in addition to a 50% discount on food and beverage. All employees are eligible for Marriott property discounts on Marriott properties worldwide.
With regards to hiring and recruitment standards, skills and education needed per role will vary. The hotel is hiring for a variety of roles at different experience levels and will provide training for each role. The hotel is committed to hiring locally and making jobs available to low-moderate income persons, aligning with HUD national objectives. (See Attachment B - position descriptions)
Substantial employee benefits, advancement and training opportunities, and a positive work environment contribute to success in retention. In the event there is turnover, all jobs will remain and be reposted for new persons to apply for.
Please see the attachments for further information