Columbus, Georgia

TAXICAB COMMISSION

May 8, 2002







A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held on Wednesday, May 8, 2002 in the

City Manager?s Conference Room, Sixth Floor, Government Center, Columbus,

Georgia.



MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Wallace Archie, Mr. Mark Oropeza, Mr. Darren

Phillips, Ms. Diane Quick,



MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Charles D. Pattillo and Lt. Ross.







This meeting was called to order at 3:12 p.m.



MINUTES:



The Minutes were not accepted for the meeting of April 3, 2002.



OLD BUSINESS:



In accordance with the format already established, Chairman Archie started

where the Commission ended at the last meeting. The commission is continuing

to make amendments to the Taxicab Ordinance. During the last meeting, Asst.

Attorney Jaimie Deloach submitted an amendment to the ordinance. ( A copy is on

file)



Sec. 21-14. Columbus Taxicab Commission.



After a lengthy discussion on this section, Chairman Archie moved to accept

?The Commission will also hear appeals based upon a written application due to

a denial, revocation, nonrenewable or suspension of a permit by the police

chief. Within ten (10) days of hearing the appeal, the Commission shall issue

a written recommendation to the Columbus Council either supporting or

controverting the police chief?s action. The applicant may then appeal the

police chief?s decision within twenty (20) days of the issuance of the

Commission?s decision. If the Commission takes no action within ten days from

the date of the date of the hearing, the applicant may then appeal to the

Columbus Council within thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing.

Seconded by Darren Phillips and carried unanimously.





NOTIFICATION TO COMMISSION CHAIRMAN:



Chairman Archie stated the decision increase to the membership of the

Taxicab Commission was done without his knowledge (as chairman) consequently,

he attended the Council Meeting to express his concern and was told by the

members of the Council that in the future, if there are actions or changes to

be made in reference to the board and commissions, all chairmen would be

notified. As a result, he said the amendment was tabled for two weeks, until

such time he and Councilor Henderson met to discuss the owner?s position held

by Mr. Golden be deleted, thus changed into a member at ? large position.

However, for reasons unknown, the meeting did not take place, but the decision

was made at last night?s council meeting to expand the board?s membership from

seven (7) to nine (9) members creating two at ? large positions..



? RECOMMENDATION:



Ms. Quick recommended having representation from Ft. Benning to represent

the Taxicab Committee. Mr. Archie replied that it was pointed out to him that

Ft. Benning is its? own entity and the Columbus Taxicab Ordinance does not

apply to Ft. Benning.





EXTENDING TERM OF SERVICE:



Chairman Archie read Sec, 2-1, Governing Bodies, generally.



The governing body of the city shall be administered by the Council of

Consolidated Government, officers, boards and agencies, as established and

provided in the charter; and the manner therein provided ; and by the officers,

boards, and agencies provided by this Code. Appointees appointed here under4

who have served two consecutive full shall not be eligible to succeed

themselves until the lapse of 12 months from the end of said terms, . . .



RECOMMENDATION: At this time, Mr. Archie said he would like to see this

changed ? to a member of the commission shall serve four (4) two year terms

which shall be extended by the Council. He continued to explain there is a

need for continuity on the board, and then asked the members for their

recommendation as to how to accomplish this change.



RESPONSE: Mr. Oropeza?s response was to present all the changes/amendments as

one package to the Council. Mr. Oropeza passed around the amended version of

the Taxicab Ordinance for review pointing out the changes are noted in red

print. ( A copy is on file)



There were additional recommendations from the members as follows:



? Two members will go off the board every year. ( Oropeza)

? The new member?s term would begin on the first reporting day of the meeting.

(Quick)

? At - Large Members would serve two - year staggered terms. (Oropeza)

? Consider making the hotel Industry slot a shorter term (Phillips)

? Establish two (2) year terms, 2 four (4) year terms and 2 six (6) year terms

limits.

? Requirement for all taxi Cab Driver shall have a city map in his/her

possession.





SHUTTLE SERVICE:



Responding to Mr. Phillips question if any of the taxicab laws can be

incorporated into the shuttle service, Mr. Archie explained that Lt. Ross is

working on this matter, which he said it was discuss at an earlier meeting, to

change the rename this the Taxicab Commission, Vehicle For Hire Commission, at

such time the shuttle service would be under our jurisdiction.



TRAINING MANUALS:



There was continued discussion regarding requiring taxicab owners to

administer at test / provide a copy of a training manual and also require the

new employee to view a customer service video . Responding to the request,

Ms. Quick advised the members that she is traveling to Arizona and when she

returns from her trip,may be able to provide that information to the commission.



GUIDELINES TO JUDGES FOR TAXICAB OFFENSES:



Using Atlanta?s Ordinance as an example, he referred to a table of fines, he

would like see incorporated into Columbus?s ordinance. He then mentioned the

City of Savannah , if one is cited for a dirty cab, etc. , there is a red

sign placed at the top of windshield which says deadline, but once it has been

corrected, one will be required to locate the ?Taxicab Inspector? to remove

the sign. Note: (Columbus fine is $134.00 for a dirty taxicab).



DEADLINE FOR AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 21:



Mr. Archie advised the members to submit any modifications to the Chapter by

the next meeting because he is anticipating the completion date as July or

August 2002.



RECOMMENDATION:



At this time, Mr. Archie recommended that the members decide on nominating a

person to fill the newly created at large position . He said as Mr. Golden

is knowledgeable about the taxicab industry, he asked for a motion to the

Council to recommend Mr. John Golden to be considered for the at- Large

position. The motion was made by Mr. Oropeza and seconded by Mr. Phillips.



TAXICAB INSPECTIONS :



At this point, Ms. Quick asked if there are guidelines to be set for taxicab

inspections. She said the inspections are only scheduled for 7:00 a. m. in the

morning and if there is dew on the car, it fails inspection . Responding to

Ms. Quick?s complaint, Mr. Archie advised her that Lt. Ross has recommended

the owners to voice their complaints to Major Graham of the Police Department.



She also inquired as to why one company inspects the taxicabs? He explained

that the City contracts with only one company (White?s Automotive.)





There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Oropeza moved the meeting be

adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Phillips and carried unanimously by those members

present at 4:00 p.m.







Gloria Carey

Recording Secretary