CITY OF FREDERICK
City Hall - 101 N. Court Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Minutes
TAXICAB COMMISSION MEETING
12:00 Noon
Monday, November 22nd , 2004, – City Hall, Room 214
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Present:
Alderman
Dave Lenhart; Alderman Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg; Kenny Shapiro, Jerry Wood,
Tammy Wood, Richard Winters, Bruce DeGrange, Eileen Farrar,
Not
Present: Alderman Bill
Hall
Item
1: Approval of the minutes from the meeting
of October 25th, 2004.
Minutes
were approved after one spelling change.
Alderman
Lenhart opened the meeting and stated that the Taxicab companies have indicated
to him difficulty in retaining taxicab drivers and that no new drivers have
been hired since the ordinance has been approved in July. Alderman Ramsburg stated that by removing
all references to Frederick County out of the new ordinance, that this would
make these issues easier for the taxi companies. Alderman Ramsburg stated that it was not the obligation of the
commission to be involved in these issues since the passage of the
ordinance. Alderman Lenhart stated the
issue brought forth is the cost of the fees to the taxicab applicant
specifically healthcare which is not affordable to many applicants.
Alderman
Lenhart opened the meeting to the public to discuss this issue.
Mr.
Richard Winters discussed the issuance of a temporary permit after hiring so
that drivers could get on the road immediately and begin working and stated the
reasons why.
Ms.
Tammy Wood gave the commission an example of a driver for her company that
could have benefited from a temporary permit.
Ms. Wood stated that the applicant had already paid fees for the
physical and background checks but could not begin driving until the
administrative process was complete.
Mr.
Jerry Wood stated he understood the process regarding issue dates but agreed
that temporary permits would help keep drivers on the road. Mr. Wood also
suggested a 30 – 60 day period of time could also help determine if the driver
is suitable for the work.
Alderman
Lenhart asked Mr. Shapiro to look into the standards that Montgomery County
follows with regard to temporary permits.
Mr.
Shapiro stated that he would like the city to have an affidavit from the
applicant swearing under oath that he is physically and mentally in good health
and is able to operate a taxicab.
Alderman
Lenhart stated the necessary steps for a temporary permit. Alderman Lenhart stated that the first step
would be the criminal background check, the affidavit, and fees paid for
background check and fingerprinting. The second step would be the conversion
from temporary to permanent (with a 60 day window) that would include the
medical and remaining outstanding fees.
Alderman Ramsburg stated that the commission should not allow the
applicant to wait 60 days to complete the process. Mr. Shapiro stated that this a probationary status and there
needs to be a procedure that should a complaint be lodged against the driver,
the temporary permit would be withdrawn automatically, or that an expedited due
process hearing would be held. Alderman
Ramsburg agreed but stated that the hearing should be held in a timely fashion.
Alderman Ramsburg stated that she was willing to go forth with this process as
soon as possible but wanted to review any previous documentation that have been
discussed regarding a temporary permit.
Mr.
Shapiro stated that he probably could have information from Montgomery County
regarding their taxicab driver permitting process and have a draft of the
information for the January commission meeting.
Public
comment:
Alderman
Lenhart stated the Mr. Wood of City Cab has begun transitioning placards and
other pieces of information into Spanish.
Mr.
Wood stated that there is a number in the phone book that is in Spanish and is
call forwarded to a Spanish speaking driver’s cell phone to help with the
language gap.
The
next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 24th, 2005.
Minutes
submitted by Eileen Farrar.