Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

August 6, 2003



MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Wallace Archie, Mr. Mark Oropeza, Lt. Julius Ross, Ms. Diane Quick,

Mr. David Cassell, Mr. Robert Kidd, Mr. Lorenzo Landrum and Mr. James Brooks.



MEMBERS ABSENT

No one.









A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held in the City Manager?s Conference

Room, on the Sixth Floor of the Government Center. Chairman Archie, noting

that a quorum was present, called the August 6, 2003 meeting to order at 3:15

p.m.



Old Business:



Chairman Archie recognized the presence of two new members; Mr. Robert Kidd and

Mr. Lorenzo Landrum. He briefly explained that the commission held a four-hour

work session to complete the proposed amended Vehicle For Hire Ordinance. He

stated that the proposed ordinance would need to go to City Attorney Fay and

City Manager Cavezza for their review process. He said one item that needs to

be completed before it is submitted is the copy of the inspection sheet and the

driver?s test. He recalled that both items are listed in the proposed

ordinance. He stated that Ms. Quick was responsible for providing the

inspection sheet. After Ms. Quick expressed some concerns with obtaining an

inspection sheet, Chairman Archie suggested that they get together to devise

the inspection sheet.



Chairman Archie then briefly explained the inspection process that is completed

by White?s Automotive Shop and the inspection that is completed by the Police

Department. He said that there should be an inspection sheet from White?s

Automotive that deals strictly with safety features and an inspection sheet

from the Police Department that deals strictly with the meter and the cosmetics

instead of having a repetition. He pointed out there are some new items that

have been included in the proposed ordinance for the Police Department?s

inspection sheet. He said there should also be a statement that says how long

a driver has before they can go back and have the vehicle reinspected.



*** *** ***



Chairman Archie recognized the presence of Mr. Landrum, who is in the Military,

stationed in Ft. Benning. Chairman Archie expressed his appreciation for

having a member serving on the commission from Ft. Benning.



*** *** ***



Driver?s Test:



Chairman Archie said that we have to have a test for the drivers, and the test

is to be administered by the company owner. He pointed out that the driver has

to make a score of 70 or more, before they hit the streets of Columbus. He

then went over the contents of what the test should be, which are questions

regarding where landmarks are located. He then asked each commission member to

come up with five questions to present to him within a week or two. Mr. Brooks

said that we also need to prepare the answers to the questions and compare the

results; especially, when it comes to how to get to certain locations. He then

suggested that as part of the training that the owners provide a map to the

drivers, so that the drivers also know how to read a map.



*** *** ***



At this time, a sheet was passed around the table for each commission member to

write their email address to have copies made and distributed to all of the

members.



Chairman Archie then gave the new members an opportunity to ask questions about

the commission, the industry or anything regarding the Vehicle For Hire

Ordinance.



*** *** ***



Mr. Landrum pointed out that the time of day and traffic would also dictate the

route to be taken by drivers. He said that as long as the drivers are

receiving the training, they should all be on the same set of standards.



Mr. Brooks reminded everyone that drivers pay the company; therefore, the

drivers are their own bosses. He said that the drivers are not employees. Ms.

Quick pointed out that the owners and company are on the line, as well as the

company?s reputation; therefore, the owners do have some input.



*** *** ***



Letter from Mr. Middlebrook:



Mr. Brooks called attention to a letter that was submitted to members of

Council and the commission. Chairman Archie informed the commission that Mr.

Vince Middlebrook owns Independent Cab. He explained that Mr. Middlebrook has

been to the Council and before this commission twice. He said there are some

valid points that have been referenced in the letter, and most of those points

have been discussed by the commission, and the Council has been made aware of

these points. The Council had asked that Mr. Middlebrook come before the

commission with his concerns, which he did, but left abruptly. He considers

this to be a no-action letter, but if the Mayor and Council wanted us to

respond to this letter, he is sure someone would contact him.



Ms. Quick then called attention to some of the points in the letter and was

discussed briefly by the members of the commission.



*** *** ***



SECTION 21-3.TAXICAB BUSINESS LICENSE:



Mr. Brooks asked if a sequence of events for obtaining a business license

should be included in the ordinance, at which time, it was determined that any

new owner should research the matter.



Ms. Quick said that she believes that no one that does not have a business

license in Columbus should be doing business in Columbus. Mr. Cassell said

this matter is already addressed in the ordinance and read the following

excerpt ?No owner shall operate, or allow others to operate a taxicab on the

streets of Columbus, Georgia, without first obtaining a taxicab owner?s

business license.? Several members immediately pointed out that the ordinance

does not read that it has to be a Columbus, Georgia business license. After

reading further, Mr. Cassell advised that it does say a business license in

Columbus, Georgia, because Section 21-3 (1) reads as follows: ?The taxicab

owner?s business license application form will be obtained from the office of

the police chief of Columbus, Georgia.?



Mr. Brooks recalled that Phenix City, Alabama has a pick-up permit that taxicab

drivers purchase from Phenix City in order to be able to pick up a customer in

Alabama; this way a person would not have to have a business license in Phenix

City just the pick up permit. He said that Columbus, Georgia does not have a

pick up or drop off permit. He suggested that in lieu of the business license,

the city might be able to charge drivers, who have business licenses in other

counties, a charge just to pick up in Columbus, Georgia.



There was continued discussion on this matter with various commission members

expressing their views.



*** *** ***



Chairman Archie stated what he foresees happening is once we get the test

together, the inspection sheet and training information and if the date is not

close to the time of our next meeting; then, he would call for a special

meeting. He said that once the entire proposed ordinance is approved, we would

provide it to the recording secretary to submit to City Attorney Fay and City

Manager Cavezza.



There being no further business to come before the commission, Mr. Oropeza made

a motion for adjournment, which was seconded by Mr. Cassell and carried

unanimously at 4:15 p.m.







By: _____________________________

Sandra T. Davis, Recording Secretary