THE CITY OF FREDERICK

City Hall - 101 N. Court Street

 

Minutes

TAXI CAB COMMISSION MEETING

 

12:30 p.m.

 

Wednesday, July 20th, 2005, – City Hall, Room 214

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present:  Alderman David Lenhart, Alderman Bill Hall, Jerry Wood, Tammy Wood, Michael Healy, Lt. Tom Chase, Kenny Shapiro, Eileen Farrar, Not Present: Alderman Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg

 

Item 1:  Approval of the minutes from the meetings of February 7th, 2005 and June 16th, 2005.

Minutes were approved as written

 

Item 2:  Discussion regarding issuance of new city taxicab permits.

Lt. Chase stated that the city has authorized the total of 45 permits and to this date, permit #34 expired on May 31, 2004 has not been reissued which leaves the city with 44 permits in use. Alderman Lenhart stated that permit #34  was turned over to the City and now makes this permit available.  Lt. Chase also stated that four other permits had still not qualified for renewal, but were in the process of getting renewed before the expiration date requires the relinquishing of these permits back to the City. Kenny Shapiro stated the fines for Taxicabs not on the road begins thirty days from July 1st, then on August 1st the fine schedule begins, and by September 1st, the permit can be forfeited back to the City. Alderman Bill Hall asked if the City could obtain any fees not paid should the permit be forfeited in September.  Mr. Shapiro said yes.  Alderman Lenhart stated that if there is not clarity in the Ordinance pertaining to the claiming of unpaid fines by the City, he suggested staff write an amendment to the Ordinance, if staff believes it is necessary.  Mr. Shapiro stated that he would send a letter of notification to the owners of the unused permits due to the unwritten rules in the Ordinance regarding this issue.  Alderman Lenhart stated that no action be taken on these permits until August 31st.  Alderman Lenhart stated that a request was sent to the Commission by Yellow Cab of Frederick to issue more permits.  Mr. Shapiro updated the Commission on the status of the number of permits issued by the City and the how that number of 44 permits was established. Mr. Shapiro stated that the Commission was not legally bound to release permits to the public even if permits are not renewed or relinquished back to the City. 

 

Public comment:

Mike Healey representing Yellow Cab of Frederick asked if the Commission was interested in expanding their taxi business in Frederick.  Mr. Healey stated that their business has been involved in Taxi and paratransit operations in Montgomery County.  Mr. Healey stated that this company would be interested in ten or more permits if possible.  Alderman Bill Hall stated that if any permits were opened to the public, there would have to be a lottery.  Mr. Shapiro stated that this would have to be advertised as well.  Tammy Wood stated that in her opinion ten or more permits is not needed and explained the ratio of calls per car on the road in a 24 hour period. Alderman Lenhart stated that after speaking with some operators as well as citizens outside of the immediate area, there did not seem to be an overwhelming demand for more cabs.  Alderman Lenhart stated that due to a lack of funds to do a study that this issue should be deferred until the next administration in January, 2006. 

 

Motion:  Alderman Bill Hall moved to table this discussion regarding opening more taxicab permits to the public until the next administration takes office in January of 2006 with the exception that any permit that has come back to the City can at any time go out to the public for a lottery.  Seconded by Alderman Bill Hall.  Vote 2-0 in favor.  Alderman Ramsburg not present.