Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

February 4, 2004





MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Wallace Archie, Lt. Julius Ross, Mr. David Cassell, Mr. James Brooks,

Mr. Robert Kidd, Mr. James Nash and Ms. Diane Quick.



MEMBERS ABSENT

Mr. Mark Oropeza 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, called the February 4, 2004 meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.



Old business:



Chairman Archie said that we have not heard anything from the City Attorney?s

Office regarding the proposed revised Vehicle For Hire ordinance. With the

status of the proposed ordinance at a standstill, Chairman Archie suggested

that with a consensus or motion from the members, he would consider that we

have notification of a called meeting in lieu of our regular meeting. He

explained that if the ordinance is not completed by the first Wednesday of next

month; then a week prior to that, we could have someone to notify Deputy Clerk

of Council Davis and she would notify the members by email that there would no

meeting, at least a week in advance.



New Member:



Recognizing the presence of a new member, Chairman Archie immediately welcomed

Mr. James Nash to the Taxicab Commission Meeting.



Commission Meeting:



Chairman Archie making reference to his previous comments regarding the

commission meetings, he pointed out that if there is a commission member that

has a matter to discuss; then, that member could email the other members to

outline their concerns and that there needs to be a meeting to discuss it.



City Attorney?s Office revised draft:



In reference to comments made by Chairman Archie, Lt. Ross acknowledged that he

has been in contact with the City Attorney?s Office and is prepared today to

present a draft of the revised amendments that has been reviewed by Assistant

City Attorney Jamie DeLoach. He pointed out that Assistant City Attorney

DeLoach is going over the ordinance thoroughly and has requested his assistance

to interpret the intent of the commission. Lt. Ross emphasized that Assistant

City Attorney DeLoach has not completed her review, but felt it was appropriate

to bring forth the changes that she has made to this point. Lt. Ross then

distributed copies of this document to the commission members (A copy was filed

for the record.)



Lt. Ross pointed out that changes in the number of years after a conviction was

reduced by this commission to two years and after that time someone would be

able to obtain a taxicab permit. He briefly explained an issue that had arisen

and concerns were expressed that the time frame was not strong enough,

especially for sexual conduct convictions. He acknowledged that the Assistant

City Attorney increased it back to the original five (5) years, then three (3)

and two (2) for city ordinance violations.



Some items and sections were moved and/or changed, as expressed by Lt. Ross.

He suggested that everyone read over the draft and see if there are any

substantial changes that the commission members would like to discuss.



Chairman Archie called attention to the legal term on Page 7 Section 21-3.6 (7)

?certiorari? in the proposed revised ordinance, at which time, Lt. Ross

explained that certiorari means in basic terms that an individual would have to

send a letter to Superior Court stating that the person does not agree with the

decision of the Council.



There was continued discussion regarding certain legal terms that were included

in the revised amended ordinance. Mr. Brooks suggested that when legal terms

are used, if we could include in parenthesis a definition.



Chairman Archie also called attention to Section 21-3.4 Registration/Inspection

of Vehicles Required. which reads ?Taxicab Business Owners must register their

taxicabs with the Columbus Police Department and obtain a

registration/inspection permit. The following procedures shall apply?. He

then asked if the Taxicab business owners are now responsible for getting all

of the taxicabs registered, at which time, Lt. Ross replied that it is the

taxicab business owners responsibility to make sure the taxicabs are registered

and inspected, but the owners can make the drivers do it. He explained that if

there is a taxicab that is not registered and has been inspected; then, the

Police Department could put the owners out of business, because that owner has

taxicabs that are not legal.



There was some discussion regarding the interpretation of this section with

several members expressing concerns in that it could have been written with

more simplicity for the correct understanding. Mr. Nash inquired about a

contract between the owners and drivers, at which time, Ms. Quick concurred

that her company does have contracts with the drivers, but Chairman Archie and

Mr. Brooks acknowledged that they do not have a contract.



After some additional concerns were raised, Chairman Archie suggested that the

commission members review the entire document that was presented today. Mr.

Brooks asked if the revision was close to finality, at which time, Lt. Ross

predicted that Assistant City Attorney DeLoach would be finished with it by

next month not including suggestions that may arise from the commission

members. Mr. Brooks suggested that any concerns or clarifications be sent by

email to Lt. Ross. Lt. Ross mentioned that he would take the concerns that he

receives from the commission to Assistant City Attorney DeLoach.



*** *** ***



There being no further business to come before the commission. He then

entertained a motion for adjournment. Lt. Ross so moved, which was seconded by

Mr. Cassell and carried unanimously at 4:00 p.m.







By: _____________________________

Sandra T. Davis, Recording Secretary