Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

May 7, 2003



MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Wallace Archie, Mark Oropeza, Diane Quick, James Brooks, Gerald Ludwig.



MEMBERS ABSENT

Lt. Julius Ross, Darren Phillips, Charles Pattillo.









Chairman Archie, noting that a quorum was present, called the May 7, 2003

meeting to order.



Minutes: Minutes of the March Meeting was submitted and approved by the

commission on a motion made by Mr. Mark Oropeza. Seconded by Mrs. Quick and

carried unanimously by those members present.



New Business:

Chairman Archie informed the members that he was present at the April 29, 2003

Council Meeting to respond to some of the concerns of Mr. Vince Middlebrook;

Mr. Middlebrook was listed on the Public Agenda to discuss taxicab licenses and

inspection location. He told the committee that the Council was concerned that

the new ordinance was taking so long and made some suggestions to speed up the

process. He asked the commission if they would be interested in having another

four hour work session; the commission was in agreement. Chairman Archie said

that we are close to completion; except, we need to provide a copy of the

inspection sheet that is listed in the new ordinance and also a test for the

drivers that needs to be included. Ms. Quick offered to obtain a copy of the

inspection sheet from Whites Automotive.



Driver?s Permit:

After discussion continued regarding the cost of driver?s permit, Mr. Brooks

was asked to check into the cost incurred to provide background checks for the

taxicab drivers.





SECTION 21-2 DEFINITIONS:



Chairman Archie said to delete shuttle (to be defined) from the ordinance,

because this ordinance does not pertain to a shuttle.



SECTION 21-8. DUTIES OF TAXICAB DRIVERS:



Section 21-8 (12): Logs. Chairman Archie suggested that we designate

exactly what would be put in the logbook and provide a copy of a form that

would be utilized by the drivers for that logbook. He said this form would

have on it the date, time of pick-up, where the pickup was made, where the

pickup was dropped and at what time the pickup was dropped and how many

passengers. Mr. Brooks said he did not see the point of requiring the drivers

to maintain a logbook.



After some additional discussion on this matter, Mr. Oropeza made a motion

that the drivers be required to keep a logbook. Seconded by Mr. Ludwig and

carried by a vote of three to one with Mr. Brooks voting no and all others

present voting yes.



Taxicab Violation Official:



Chairman Archie suggested an office be created to address taxicab

violations. He envisioned this official would be a civilian and not a police

officer, because this individual would not be writing speeding or parking

tickets. He explained that the duties would be to inspect the taxicabs. He

stated that the work schedule would be eight hours from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00

p.m., Monday through Friday would consist of conducting inspections and issuing

permits; therefore, any morning that an individual wanted to go to have their

inspection done, it would be available to them. He added that the remaining

hours for that week, the official would be on the streets observing taxicabs.

He continued to explain the responsibilities of that official by using an

example of the similar position in Savannah, Georgia.



There was continued discussion on this matter with various members of the

commission expressing their views.



Mr. Oropeza said that we need to send this new ordinance to City Manager

Cavezza and City Attorney Fay; eventhough, there are still some portions that

need to be filled in, but it is at the point where the administrators should be

reviewing it. Mr. Brooks suggested that we should ask them about setting an

appropriate date to meet with the commission. Chairman Archie said he would

find out what date would be appropriate for the City Manager and City Attorney

to attend our four (4) hour work session and based on their time, the

commission would set a date and time for the meeting.





OTHER ISSUES:



Chairman Archie said his task is to find or get the test for the drivers

and the design for the log sheet, Mr. Brooks has the task of trying to come up

with a monetary value regarding the background checks and Ms. Quick would be

responsible for obtaining the inspection sheet.





There being no further business to come before the commission and upon

motion made by Mr. Oropeza and seconded by Ms. Quick and unanimously carried,

the meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m.





By: _____________________________

Sandra T. Davis, Recording Secretary