CITY OF
City Hall - 101 N. Court Street
Minutes
TAXICAB COMMISSION
MEETING
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 2, 2006, Room 212, City Hall
Present: Alderman Donna Kuzemchak Ramsburg;
Alderman Paul Smith, Alderman Marcia Hall, Rachel Depo, William Bowie, Mason
Bowie, Daniel Mahone, Jerry Wood, Lt. Tom Chase, Richard Fogle, Eileen Farrar
Item 1: Approval
of the minutes from the meetings of October 5, 2006 and October 9, 2006. The minutes of October 9, 2006 were
approved as written. In the minutes
of October 5, 2006, Alderman Smith stated that he wanted it noted for the
record that at the meeting of July 19 regarding Mr. Bowie’s case that although Mr.
Bowie had not made a written request to the Commission he should still have the
opportunity to be heard due to a verbal request made at a meeting in front of
the Commission. Alderman Smith also
stated that although this requirement is written in the Ordinance, Mr. Bowie’s
request should be satisfied without a written request and due to written
information in the minutes, this also should satisfy a request to be heard
without a written request.
Item 2: Discussion
regarding application for taxicab license by Mr. Richard Fogal. Alderman
Ramsburg closed the meeting at this time due to the confidentiality of this
issue except for the immediate parties involved. Lt Chase reviewed Mr. Fogal’s application and
explained the reasons for bringing this application to the Commission for
review.
Motion: Alderman Ramsburg
moved to grant Mr. Fogle a taxicab license with conditions as stated by
Alderman Smith. Vote 3-0 in favor.
Item 3:
Discussion regarding application for taxicab license by Mr. Mason Bowie. Alderman
Ramsburg reopened the meeting at this time to only immediate parties involved
in this case due to confidentiality. Lt. Chase reviewed Mr. Bowie’s application
to the commission and explained the reasons for bringing this application to
the commission for review. Motion: Alderman Ramsburg moved to
grant Mr. Mason Bowie a taxicab license with
the condition that Lt. Chase has received all of the pertinent information
stipulated by the Commission and that the Commission has the right to suspend
or revoke this license should the conditions set forth by the Commission not be
followed or other actions by Mr. Mason Bowie that would warrant an immediate
suspension or revocation of that license by the Commission. Vote 3-0 in favor.
Item 4: Discussion regarding changes to sections of
the Taxicab Ordinance. Alderman Ramsburg
stated that due to the inability of all parties to review the changes made to
particular sections of the ordinance, this item will be tabled to the next
meeting in December. Alderman Ramsburg also stated that the entire Taxicab
Ordinance will be reviewed for changes made by the city attorney.
Comments:
Alderman
Smith stated that he was in favor of reducing fines and thought they were too
harsh. Alderman Smith also stated that
there were gaps in the law including the rights regarding the appeal process. Alderman Hall stated that the application
process and the code process do not mirror each other and should be
clarified. Alderman Hall stated that she
would like to see a period of time for an applicant to be drug and alcohol free
be stated in the Ordinance.
Public
Comment:
Mr.
William Bowie stated his thanks to the Commission for listening to all of his
comments including those of Mr. Mason Bowie. Mr. Bowie also thanked the Commission for the
refund of fees incurred to him.
Minutes
submitted by Eileen S. Farrar