Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

FEBRUARY 2, 2005



MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Archie, Mr. Mark Oropeza, Lt. Julius Ross, Mr. James Brooks, Mr. James

Nash and Ms. Diane Quick.



MEMBERS ABSENT

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





A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held in the Ground Floor Conference

Room of the Government Center. Chairman Archie noted that a quorum was present

and called the February 2, 2005 meeting to order at 3: 05 p.m.



Minutes accepted:

A brief moment was given to read the January 5, 2005 minutes, which was

presented to all attendees then a motion and a second was made to accept them

as written.



Last meeting update:

Chairman Archie referred back to the last meeting discussion that ended on

concerns about the shuttle business and words used to address the different

industries. Also the concern of whether the State of Georgia has mentioned

anything about regulations pertaining to shuttle and vehicles for hire

services. Lt. Ross explained that Savannah, Georgia had information that he

printed from the Internet and also remarked that Augusta, Georgia may have an

international registry.



Lt. Ross stated that his suggestion was to amend the ordinance to include the

other specific words that are necessary to cover the Taxicab industry and the

other vehicle for hire services that tend to have the same objective; he

further stated that the title could be changed to ?Vehicle for Hire Service.?

Chairman Archie echoed the advise of Lt. Ross and concluded that this is

something that he had in mind in the beginning. Mr. Brooks suggested that the

commission include other industry representatives into the commission to ensure

proper representation. Lt. Ross explained some possible ways of adding these

changes to the ordinance that would also assist in obtaining a business

licenses and/or permits. Mr. Brooks suggested that the commission proceed with

intentions to better understand the other industries? requirements before

making any changes and Lt Ross agreed to research the information. Chairman

Archie suggested that the commission distinguish the specific type of vehicles

being operated on a permit card.



Update on Blue Express

Lt. Ross shared that the Blue Express Cab Company is in compliance with the

police department. Discussion went on for various minutes to clearly define

ways for changing the ordinance and improve the services for the insurance of

compliance standards.





Concerns for Permits

Ms. Quick outlined a problem that she stated is continuous within the permit

division that requires releasing a driver from operating under a permit, after

she/he has left a company. She stated that the timeline normally requires the

company to submit a release letter and the driver must inform the permits

division that they no longer are permitted to operate under the permit. She

stated because of delays in the release process, some of the drivers are

operating under unauthorized permits or even returning to the company and are

granted the opportunity to retain the same permit that was not released prior

to their undocumented departure from employment with the company. Lt. Ross then

suggested adding an additional line on the exiting checklist that would notify

everyone of the present status of the applicant applying for a permit. The

commission discussed various examples and possible options for several minutes,

with Lt. Ross concluding that the cab drivers are notified of their

responsibility when they commit to the requirements of the ordinance.



Insurance concerns and alert:

Lt. Ross shared with the Commission an alert that will be presented to the cab

companies and drivers about possible fraudulent insurance companies. He further

offered some options for the cab companies and drivers to insure protection in

the future from what appeared to be a confusing situation. Lt. Ross shared that

the insurance commissioner is fully aware of the situation and is also sending

out alerts. He then informed the commission to contact the Insurance

Commissioner?s Office to make sure they have valid insurance.



Mr. John W. Oxendine, Insurance Commissioner

www.inscmm.state.ga.us



Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

West Tower, Suite 704

Atlanta, GA 30334

(O) (404) 656-2070

1 800 656-2298

(F) (404) 657-8542



Lt. Ross remarked that this issue is presently being investigated and is

unfolding new insights that he wanted to make the Commission aware of the

specific details that has been presented to his office. The Commission spoke in

reference to their own personal concerns for several minutes.



Lt. Ross answered one of the Commission member?s concerns in reference to the

responsibility for the insurance by stating that the ordinance requires that

all cabs are insured by the owner, whether contracted or not. He then explained

that the owner could transfer some of the expenses to the contractor because he

stated that the responsibility is equally liable between the owner and the cab

driver. Chairman Archie then stated that his concerns are that the equal

liability meant to him that he would be equally responsible for the owner, as

well as the owner being equally responsible for him. He continued addressing

his concerns about ensuring this information be given to all the drivers.



The commission discussed various scenarios that they concluded on how to ensure

that the appropriate information is given to the drivers and ended their

discussion with an objective to release the warnings to the cab companies,

drivers and protect the citizens.



Lt. Ross stated that the insurance verification process is there for the

protection of the citizens. He concluded the discussion by saying that the cab

companies and drivers are being alerted at this time, so that they can do an

audit.





Meeting adjourned 4:25 p.m.

Mr. Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting and the motion was seconded by

Mr. Oropeza and carried unanimously.









________________________________

Triena B. Sharpe

Recording secretary