TAXICAB COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes

12:00 noon

August 25, 2003 – City Hall, Room 214

Present: Alderman Dave Lenhart, Alderman Bill Hall, Alderman Donna Ramsburg, Police Chief Dine, Lt. Tom chase, Lynn Stimmel, Liz Watson, Michael Blank, Chuck Boyd, Jerry Wood, Richard Winters, Joseph Rubino, Dan Mahone, William Bowie, Eileen Farrar

Item 1: Approval of Minutes of July 29^th, 2003. Minutes were approved as written with one correction.

Announcements made:

Alderman Lenhart opened the meeting and stated that the next meeting would be held on Monday, September 22nd at 12:00 noon at City Hall in room 214. Mr. Lenhart also stated that Michael Blank would present to the commission an analysis of the current ordinance and recommendations of changes to the ordinance at that meeting.

Item 2: Continued discussion of new taxicab permits.

Mr. Bowie expressed concern for the proposed $2,500 for new permits and thought it would be a hardship for him. Mr. Bowie stated that he would like the commission to consider grandfathering his company by allowing him to purchase new permits for $500.00 until his company has the same amount of permits as his competitor. Mr. Dan Mahone spoke about his concerns regarding the current ordinance and how it had affected his client, Mr. Bowie, in the past. Alderman Lenhart stated that the commission’s sole responsibility was to develop a model that would be deliver a level of service to the citizens of the city. Mr. Mahone stated that he felt everyone should be on the same level and start from the beginning with the same rules for everyone. Mr. Mahone said the company with the most permits benefits from this system and actually gains in terms of profit.

Alderman Bill Hall entered the meeting at this time.

Alderman B. Hall stated that he did not believe that anyone at the meeting was trying to create inequity and keep Mr. Bowie out of the mix. Alderman Lenhart asked Liz Watson about a question that was asked about a permit that is not being used and what happens to that permit. Ms. Watson thought that was not a legal issue, but wording could be put in the ordinance to place limits and sanctions with regard to the unused permit. When asked if we had to honor the waiting list, Ms.Watson stated that since we do have a written waiting list, to avoid litigation the city should honor the waiting list. Alderman Hall suggested that no one else be eligible to be put on the waiting list. Lynn Stimmel stated that the waiting list has been closed. A lengthy discussion continued on how those permits on the waiting list would be distributed. Alderman Ramsburg suggested a tier system for the people on the waiting list. A $500.00 fee for an existing permit, $1,000 for someone on the waiting list and $2,500 for the new purchase by someone not on the waiting list. Alderman Lenhart suggested the numbers be $500.00, $1,500.00 and $2,500 so that there is not so much disparity between a wait list purchase and a new purchase. Alderman Hall preferred the wait list purchase to be $1,000.00. The Commission directed Ms Watson to be prepared to answer questions about the three tier system at a future meeting.

Item 3: Amendments to the Taxicab Ordinance.

Alderman Lenhart presented his Taxicab Reform document. There was some discussion that due to the under utilized bus system that perhaps the City should allow the cab companies to raise their fares. There were questions to Alderman Lenhart’s Taxicab Reform document with regard to: an 8 year age limit for the removal of a vehicle from a fleet. It was determined that the 8-year figure came from a study done in San Francisco.

Discussion continued regarding the exterior design of the cabs. It was suggested that when a cab is eliminated from a fleet that the new cab be required to be of the universal design.. The operation of 80% of the fleet to operate 24 hours 7 days a week is currently required in the ordinance. The suggestion was made for the figure to be 40% or 50% and make adjustments as needed. There was a suggestion that the cost share taxi ride fund be established for disadvantaged children to and from school, drunk drivers and to assist the elderly. There was discussion on how to raise these funds and it was suggested that the funds come from fees charged. More discussion was held on taxi stands and curb access. The cab companies were asked to provide a report on the most frequently requestly places for pick-ups. It was suggested that the Department of Economic Development help with taxi stand locations and curb access issues. It was mentioned that exiting Transit shelters could also be used as designed taxi locations. The Commission directed Mr. Blank and Ms. Stimmel to provide at a future meeting information on the uniformity of the exterior detailing of taxicabs. Discussion was held regarding the hailing of cabs and the responsibility of the driver and the passenger. Alderman Lenhart read section 23-24 (duties of licensee) of the current ordinance. It was suggested that there be a charge or a possible municipal infraction if a passenger becomes ill for the cleaning of the taxi and that fund could be used to back services supporting the taxicab industry. Discussion was held regarding security systems that are now in place in some cabs. Lt. Chase explained how some systems work now and suggested that all of the cabs have a uniform system. It was suggested that possibly a credit of $100.00 be given to the owner to install a security system to city standards. Alderman Lenhart began a discussion on taxicab inspections and asked if there were any outstanding permits that had not been inspected by May 31^st. Ms. Stimmel stated that there was only one cab to date that had not been inspected but there had been no sanctions to remove cabs that have not been inspected. It was recommended that an automatic revocation be added to the ordinance. The discussion turned to the charge for parcels or grocery bags. Mr. Rubino mentioned that it is an industry practice and normally a company policy to charge for distance and waiting time and that meters should be kept running, however passengers should be notified that it will take longer to unload the packages. Lt. Chase said that the surcharge for packages was implemented before the fare meter system was in place.

Public Comments:

Mr. Joseph Rubino, consultant for the taxicab industry, complimented the commission on the progress that has been made as a commission. Mr. Rubino stated that he was very much in favor of geographic testing for potential drivers Mr. Rubino was also in favor of eliminating unnecessary regulations. Mr. Rubino spoke about bus systems in different cities that are outsourcing to taxi companies to save money and provide quicker service to customers.

Mr. Mahone asked what formula was utilized to find a number of new permits to be 55. Mr. Mahone spoke at length about how he felt the ordinance was being changed in a piecemeal fashion to the detriment of his client, Mr. Bowie, and stated that he felt the commission is carrying the vestiges of the past. Mr. Mahone asked the commission to respect the fact that there has been a history of unequal treatment amongst the two taxicab businesses.

Alderman Lenhart responded to Mr. Mahone that the figure of 55 was considered by an industry standard of 1 permit per 1,000 people. Alderman Lenhart explained to Mr. Mahone that the only thing that has been moved forward to the mayor and Board of Alderman is one single item and that the commission is going step by step to produce one whole document that is enforceable and fair and most importantly elevates the service it gives to the citizens of the city.

Mr. Richard Winters thanked the commission for the change with regard to requirements for drivers along with streamlining the process for applications. Mr. Winters stated that he felt the whole purpose of the new permit application process should be to certify the commission that whoever was going to obtain those permits should be able to provide the best service of any of the applicants. Mr. Winters was in favor of a fine as well as a notification of past due notice of failure to have car inspected before revocation of a license. Mr. Winters agreed with Mr. Rubino with regard to legislating the number of cars at night and felt rather than legislate a percentage make it a general requirement instead and if there are problems bring it to the attention of the commission.

Mr. Bowie spoke about the requirement of cab companies who own more than 5 cabs to operate 80% of their fleet 24/7 presents a hardship to his company stating that his cabs would not have an opportunity to be out of service until he has an opportunity to get more cabs. Mr. Bowie stated that he thought the initial requirement would be for ten or more cabs. Mr. Bowie stated that he would like the cost of the random drug and alcohol testing to be the responsibility of the drivers that create the problem rather than the cab companies due to the tremendous costs involved.

Meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Eileen Farrar