Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

January 7, 2004





MEMBERS PRESENT

Chairman Wallace Archie, Mr. Mark Oropeza, Lt. Julius Ross, Mr. David Cassell,

Mr. James Brooks and Ms. Diane Quick.



MEMBERS ABSENT

Mr. Robert Kidd, Mr. James Nash 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 January 7, 2004 meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.



Minutes of Previous Meetings:

Chairman Archie immediately called attention to the July 15, 2003 and August 6,

2003 Minutes. After no one raised any discussion regarding the minutes,

Chairman Archie made reference to the August 6, 2003 Minutes under the heading

Driver?s Test on page two. He proceeded to read the last sentence of the

paragraph, which is as follows: ?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.? Chairman Archie wanted to know if that is what was

said, at which time, Deputy Clerk of Council Davis confirmed that was the

comment that was made during that meeting. There was some discussion regarding

the intent or interpretation of this statement.



With there being no further questions regarding the minutes, Mr. Oropeza moved

that both minutes be accepted. Seconded by Ms. Quick and carried unanimously

by those members present.



*** *** ***



Proposed amended Ordinance:

Chairman Archie asked if there has been any word regarding the ordinance. Due

to the holidays and other circumstances, Lt. Ross reported that there has not

been much that has happened since our last meeting, and he did stop by the City

Attorney?s Office before this meeting.

*** *** ***



Appointment of Chairman:

Chairman Archie open the floor to ask if there was a need to change

chairmanship for the commission, but there were none. At this time, the

commission members responded to questions from Mr. Brooks regarding the

appointment of the chairman. Chairman Archie also reminded everyone that once

a year in November, he asks if there are nominations for the chairmanship.



Open Forum:

Chairman Archie said that he would like to have just an open forum today, to

give every member the opportunity to bring up any subject matter that they

choose to. He recalled that last year, we spent a great deal of time

concentrating on revising the ordinance; therefore, he wants to make sure that

no other matters have slipped through the crack.



Inspection Stickers:

Ms. Quick asked about the inspection stickers for this year, at which time, Mr.

Brooks expressed his concerns in that he received the same color sticker for

this year as he did for last year when he went to have his inspection done for

the 2004 year. Lt. Ross assured Mr. Brooks that if he received an old 2003

sticker after being inspected for 2004; then, he did not see any reason for the

expense of a new inspection, but a transfer of the new sticker when they come

in to replace the old sticker.



Police Department Inspection:

Mr. Brooks called attention to the inspections conducted by the Police

Department. He pointed out the interpretations of those who perform the

inspection is that (1) every cab needs to be exactly the same and (2) the hack

light. He said the inspections should be done according to what the ordinance

says, but he was turned away, because he did not have a hack light. He pointed

out that the hack light is not in the ordinance.



Chairman Archie explained that this matter has nothing to do with the

commission and is not a problem that was caused by this commission. Mr. Brooks

maintained that it would be appropriate to say in the ordinance ?that anybody

who is in the position to enforce this ordinance, if they don?t read it in the

ordinance and see it needs to be in the ordinance, that they exercise due

process?. Chairman Archie disagreed with putting this language in the

ordinance.



There was continued discussion on this matter with Mr. Brooks continuing to

explain why he feels this language should be included. Lt. Ross pointed out

that this commission never did get right down to the decision making issues on

every kind of discretionary issue that is going to be there; for example, clean

in appearance, everyone has an opinion and the inspection process is an opinion

the whole way; regardless, of how many items are listed. Mr. Brooks then

provided another example by making reference to a spare tire. He stated that

his point is that if mention of the spare tire is in the proposed amended

ordinance, but not in the current ordinance; then, why would the inspector fail

an individual for not having a spare tire. Chairman Archie contended that this

is a department issue.



*** *** ***



Road Maps:

Chairman Archie asked questions regarding the maps and what type should be

used. He explained how that the dispatcher could assist the driver in finding

the location if the company has the exact same map. He said this was his

thought in that the company would have the drivers know how to read the same

map.



Lt. Ross asked if there was somewhere in the ordinance that maps are required

in the taxicabs, at which time, Ms. Quick agreed that it is required, but it is

not required that the owner of the company provide the maps. Mr. Brooks

pointed out that he would like to think that when he made the previous comment

regarding the map that he was talking about for training purposes in providing

a map while we are teaching the drivers how to get around town.



*** *** ***





Taxicab License and Permit:

Mr. Brooks asked about the taxicab license and the permit, at which time, Ms.

Quick explained that if an individual has a taxicab permit; then, that gives

that individual a license to drive a taxicab.



*** *** ***



Inspection Report:

Chairman Archie asked the commission members if we should have the companies to

provide an inspection report to the police department at least once, if not

twice, a year. Mr. Oropeza inquired about the purpose of providing this

information to the police department. Lt. Ross addressed the question from

Chairman Archie by saying that he does not feel it should be in the ordinance

but would be a decision of the company. Mr. Oropeza pointed out this is

information that the police department could obtain from the company, if there

is a problem with a specific car. He said it would probably be best to single

out the problem versus having paperwork floating around.



*** *** ***



Taxicab Complaints:

Ms. Quick made reference to there being a complaint procedure for citizens to

call and register complaints regarding the taxicab industry. Chairman Archie

reiterated previous comments that were made as to why this would not be

feasible, which resulted in no soluble action. He explained that this

commission suggest the law, the Council votes on it; then, it becomes the job

of the enforcement agency to take care of them. He said if we did have a means

of retrieving phone messages regarding taxicab complaints, what would the

commission do with them and why is it coming to the commission. Mr. Cassell

pointed out that it reads in the ordinance that ?the commission shall ensure

that taxicab drivers are properly educated, courteous to the citizens, familiar

with the territory, shall ensure that the taxicab owners and drivers maintain

the cleanliness and safety of the taxicabs and shall ensure that the ordinance

provisions, including regulations governing taxicab fees and charges are

followed by all cab drivers and company owners?. He added that it also reads

that ?there would be appeals based on written applications regarding denials,

revocations and renewals; within ten days of an appeal, we would issue a

written recommendation to the Columbus Council either supporting or converting

the Police Chief?s actions. Mr. Cassell continued to read excerpts of the

Vehicle For Hire ordinance pertaining to the role of the commission.



There were continued discussions regarding the duties and responsibilities of

the commission with various members expressing their views. Regarding

potential complaints in the taxicab industry, Lt. Ross suggested that the

taxicab companies post numbers on the taxicabs for the citizens to call and

express concerns.



*** *** ***



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

entertained a motion for adjournment. Mr. Cassell so moved, which was seconded

by Lt. Ross and carried unanimously at 4:03 p.m.







By: _____________________________

Sandra T. Davis, Recording Secretary