Columbus, Georgia

TAXICAB COMMISSION

November 7, 2001





A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held on Wednesday, November 7, 2001,

in the City Manager?s Conference Room, 6th Floor Government Center, Columbus,

Georgia.



MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Wallace Archie, Mr. Tom Dobson, Mr. John Golden, Mr.

Mark Oropeza, Mr. Charles D. Pattillo and Mr. Darren Phillips.



MEMBERS ABSENT: Lt. Julius Ross, Columbus Police Dept.



GUEST: Mr. Vince Middlebrook, Independent Taxicab, Inc.





This meeting was called to order at 3:07 P.M.



MINUTES:



Before approving the October 3, 2001 Minutes, Chairman Archie pointed out a

change should be made to Page 2, Paragraph 2 to state, ?? thesymbol installed

onthe side of their cars?. After Secretary Carey acknowledged the correction,

Mr. Golden made a motion to approve October 3, 2001 Minutes, seconded by Mr.

Dobson and carried unanimously by members present.



NEW BUSINESS:



At such time, Chairman Archie reported that Mr. Middlebrook requested this

meeting three weeks ago.



Mr. Vince Middlebrook from Independent Taxicab Company, thanked the members

for the opportunity to speak. A copy of a taxicab with the inscription (?I

am independent owner) on the outside was passed around the table. He pointed

out this symbol as belonging to his company. He said for this reason, he feels

no one should be putting it on their car. ( A copy was filed with the clerk

for the record)



He said he was aware of Mr. Wilson?s complaint regarding a picture of a radio

tower on our taxis, but he explained it lets the public know that we are a

radio - dispatched company only abiding by the rules of the City Code.



Mr. Middlebrook reported that his attorney wrote Mr. Wilson a letter asking

that the signs be removed from his taxis; but pointed out that two weeks

later, the signs are still on the cars and was advised to come before Council

by his attorney before filing an injunction against Mr. Wilson and Company

because of my company?s name on his cars



After questioning Mr. Middle brook, the members concluded this is a civil

matter. At this point, Mr. Dobson moved due to this being a civil matter, it

could not be decided nor considered by the Taxicab Commission. Seconded by Mr.

Golden and carried unanimously by the members present.





OLD BUSINESS:



Chairman Archie proceeded with the old business, but recalled that the new

member Mr. Darren Phillips was present and welcomed him to the Commission.



Continuing with the old business, he reported that a letter from Isaiah

Hugley, Deputy City Manager addressed to all boards and authorities was

received. He said the letter requested one or two representatives from the

Youth Board Advisory Council to observe the business of the Taxicab

Commission. Mr. Dobson moved that two youths could participate in the taxicab

proceedings. Seconded by Mr. Golden and unanimously approved by all members

present.





FOR HIRE SIGNS:



Mr. Archie recommended including the For Hire Signs in the ordinance. He

said the main reason Lt. Ross opposed this concept was due to drivers using the

For Hire sign as a reason for not cleaning their cars, and that when a

policeman was in view, the sign would be removed.



There was continued discussion on this matter with the members unable to reach

an agreement, Mr. Golden then recommended that this matter is tabled until such

time Lt. Ross is present because he said that many things the Police Department

is not for, do not get done.



Chairman Archie recommended changing the last line ?The Commission will also

hear appeals and shall have the power to recommend granting or reinstatement of

a taxicabpermit to the City Council? and to include the change in the

ordinance.



Mr. Golden moved to request No. 2 of the amended version, last paragraph of

(Section 21.14) to state ? The commission will also hear appeals and shall

have the power to recommend granting or reinstatement of the taxicab permit to

the City Council of Columbus, Georgia?. (There was no second)



At such time, Mr. Golden made the motion to submit Paragraph two to the City

Attorney for his views, changing No 2 of the amended version, last paragraph of

(Section 21.14) to state, ?The commission will also hear appeals and shall

have the power to recommend granting or reinstatement of a taxicab permit

to the City Council of Columbus, Georgia ?. Seconded by Mr. Darren Phillips

and carried unanimously by the members present. ( The proposed amended versions

are included in the record.)



CHAIRMANSHIP RE-APPOINTMENT



Chairman Archie reminded the members that he has been serving as Chairman for

the past two years and said that today; he is giving the members the

opportunity to nominate another chairman. Mr. Golden made a motion that Mr.

Archie continues serving as Chairman of the Taxicab Commission. Seconded by

Mr. Oropeza and carried unanimously by the other members present.



COMMISSION MAKE-UP:



Chairman Archie pointed out since having two taxi owners to serve on the

commission is becoming more challenging and there is one driver serving, then

only one owner should be appointed. He continued by saying this would create a

slot for a citizen to serve on the board. He also said for continuity on the

board, the two term intervals for members to serve should be eliminated. He

said as long as a member is not voted out, then one should be allowed to serve

on the board for life. To which Mr. Golden recommended the driver and owner

slots be eliminated and thereby open the process to the General Public.



Mr. Pattillo agreed with the proposal, but pointed that at least one owner and

one driver?s slot is needed. He recommended the change to say one may serve up

to four consecutive terms with two years each and that would allow for

continuity of the board. He said, by doing so, this would also leave other

options for the Commission.



Restating his position, Chairman Archie said there should be one driver, one

owner, and not just two terms of two years. Concluding, he said that this

discussion would be continued at the next meeting in Lt. Ross?s presence; but

advised the members that a letter would be drafted to the City Attorney.



Mr. Dobson made one final motion stating in consideration of the health for

pastors and drivers alike, that smoking is banned at all time in any vehicle

used as a taxicab. There was continued discussion on this motion, whereas it

was pointed out that one can request a non-smoking taxicab, and this is a

common courtesy that should be afforded to the non - smokers ; but would be

difficult to enforce. (The motion died for a lack of a second.)



There being no further business to discuss, and upon motion made by Mr. Golden

and seconded by Mr. Pattillo, the meeting adjourned at 4:20p.m.







Gloria Carey

Recording Secretary