MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
DECEMBER 3, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Peter Bowden, Mr. James Brooks, Mr. David Cassell, Mr. Robert Kidd, Ms.
Diane Quick and Lt. Julius Ross.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. James E. Nash
VISITORS: Mr. Jeff Johnston
A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held in the Ground Floor Conference
Room of the Government Center. Chairman Cassell noted that a quorum was present
and called the December 3, 2008 meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes:
Chairman David Cassell immediately called attention to the November 5, 2008
minutes. Mr. Peter Bowden made a motion for acceptance of the minutes,
seconded by Mr. Robert Kidd and carried unanimously by those six members
present for this meeting.
Old Business:
A) Taxicab Commission Nominees:
Chairman Cassell opened the meeting by introducing Mr. Ronald Parker. He
explained that Mr. Parker and Mr. Jeff Johnston were nominees for the driver?s
position on the Commission. At that time, Mr. Johnston verbally withdrew
himself as a nominee for the driver?s seat. The Commission agreed upon
recommending to City Council that Mr. Parker fill the driver?s seat on the
Commission.
B) Changes to Ordinance:
Lt. Ross explained that in September of 2005 there was some discussion
pertaining to possible changes to the taxicab ordinance. He then distributed a
copy of the document titled ?Possible amendments to rules regarding maximum
rates of hire for Taxicab Commission?. (A copy was filed here in the office
and attached for the records). Discussion went on for about 15-20 minutes,
with several members of the Commission expressing their thoughts and views.
Mr. Peter Bowden made a motion to accept the changes to the ordinance and send
them to Council for consideration. Seconded by Mr. Robert Kidd and carried
unanimously by those six members present for this meeting.
C) Limit on age of taxicabs:
Chairman Cassell said it has been mentioned that the age limit on taxicabs
should be seven years. He said he feels that if the cab is in good condition
and safe to operate, there should not be a problem with them being on the
street. He said it has also been mentioned that the newer cars have newer
safety features, which makes the vehicle safer to be on the road.
Ms. Quick said she thinks the interior of the vehicle has a lot to do with how
old the vehicle looks.
Mr. Kidd said the ordinance addresses both the interior and exterior; it says
the interior such as upholstery and carpet shall be maintained. He said during
the inspections the inspector has the opportunity to pull an unacceptable cab
off of the street.
Mr. Kidd asked Lt. Ross if the Police Department has an opinion on the age of
the cab.
Lt. Ross said yes but the age and appearance does not tell whether the vehicle
is safe or not.
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Note: Mr. Robert Kidd left the meeting at 4:09 p.m., which at this time he
resigned from his position on the Taxicab Commission.
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Ms. Diane Quick made a motion to withdraw this item from the discussion with no
recommendations. Seconded by Peter Bowden and carried unanimously by those five
members present, with Mr. Robert Kidd being absent for the vote.
D) Drug Testing:
Ms. Quick said if we decide to recommend that drivers be drug tested, the
Police Department would have to require it to be a part of their physical. She
said once the driver takes the physical to get his/her permit it should also
include a drug test, which is at the expense of the cab driver.
Mr. Bowden suggested that if a driver gets into an automobile accident they
should be drug tested at that time. Ms. Quick said she did not agree with that
suggestion and said if the driver were to get into a fatal accident he should
be tested but not just for a fender bender.
Lt. Ross said the typical random drug testing issue is an employer/employee
relationship. He said he could see the drug test being included in the
physical. He said that should be the limit of what the ordinance should cover
pertaining to drug testing. He said the industry?s insurance companies should
be the ones interested in drug testing the drivers and the company owners who
insure the cars may receive an insurance reduction if they employed some sort
of random drug testing and a post accident drug testing policy. He said the
Police Department could address the type of physical that is required and
specify what the physical must include during the application process. Lt. Ross
said he would make the recommendation to the City Attorney.
E) Uptown Cab Stand:
Chairman Cassell said we sent a letter to Uptown Columbus requesting that a cab
stand be made available for the weekends when special events are going on in
the down town area. Chairman Cassell asked Recording Secretary Tameka Colbert
if there had been any kind of response from Uptown Columbus. Mrs. Colbert then
provided Chairman Cassell with the emailed response that was sent to the Clerk
of Council?s Office, which he then read aloud to the other Commissioners.
F) Public Awareness:
Chairman Cassell said there was discussion of how to increase public awareness
by particularly providing the dates and times of the commission meetings on the
City?s website.
At that time Lt. Ross volunteered to work with the IT Department to get the web
page up and running. He said we are already listed on the City?s web page
under boards and commissions but the only thing it says is to contact the
Clerk?s Office. Lt. Ross said the problem that we would have is maintaining
the web page. Lt Ross suggested that the web page be for information only,
not a response page.
Chairman Cassell suggested that the web page contain a listing of the
Commissioners and the dates and times of all of the meetings for 2009.
Mr. Bowden suggested that the mission statement and purpose be posted on the
website as well. He said that would instill confidence in the public that the
commission is working on behalf of the citizens of Columbus.
Chairman Cassell summarized the discussion saying, Lt. Ross has volunteered to
contact IT to inquire about setting up a web page, which would list the
Commissioners, display the last paragraph of the taxicab ordinance, display
contact information and photos of the Commissioners.
New Business:
A) Absence of Mr. Nash
Chairman Cassell said Mr. Nash is currently holding an at-large position and
has not been present for a number of months. Chairman Cassell made a
recommendation to contact Mr. Nash by letter.
Lt. Ross suggested that there be a letter sent to Mr. Nash excusing him from
the Commission. He stated Mr. Nash has been absent for more than three
consecutive meetings without contacting anyone on the Commission or the Clerk
of Council?s Office.
Chairman Cassell then declared the seat of Mr. James Nash as being vacant.
B) Airport Representative
Ms. Quick pointed out that there had not been anyone appointed to fill the seat
of the airport representative in over a year.
Lt. Ross explained that a letter had been sent to the Airport Authority
requesting a representative to fill the seat of Mr. Oropeza. He said it is
still a work in progress.
C) CCVB?s Seat:
Chairman Cassell recommended the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau become
a permanent position within the Taxicab Commission.
Mr. James Brooks made a motion to recommend that the ordinance be modified to
declare the position of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau as a
permanent position. Seconded by Ms. Diane Quick and carried unanimously by
those five members present at the time with Mr. Kidd being absent for the vote.
D) Taxes:
Lt. Ross said displaying ?plus tax? on the doors of the cab could be a bit
confusing to customers. He said it would be less confusing to display ?taxes
included?. Lt Ross said if taxes are included in the maximum rate it would
increase the current maximum rate, which would result in a change to the
ordinance. He said he would make a recommendation to the City Attorney.
Lt. Ross made a motion to have ?taxes included? written on the doors. Seconded
by Ms. Diane Quick and carried unanimously by those five members present at the
time with Mr. Kidd being absent for the vote.
Meeting adjourned @ 5:07 p.m.
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Tameka J. Colbert
Recording Secretary
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