09/06/94 Board of Public Works Minutes

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71 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 Mr. Guy further stated that today is the first time he has come before the Board in a Public Hearing concerning his application. Mr. Guy asked that the Board approve his application. He noted that he has been operating as a limo service, that he is licensed in Michigan City and he desires to conduct his business in South Bend. He stated that he believes he can be stiff competition to the major taxicab companies operating in South Bend. Mr. Guy noted that they have not interfered with each other at this point. Mr. Guy further stated that he picks up passengers by appointment, is certified to pick-up medicaid patients and is currently insured. Mr. Caldwell asked Mr. Guy if he is picking up people. Mr. Guy stated that he is picking up passengers by appointment. Mr. Caldwell asked what the difference was and Mr. Guy stated that his appointments are pre -arranged. Mr. Caldwell stated that it sounds to him like Mr. Guy is operating a cab company. Mr. Guy stated that he is operating a limo service and he takes passengers from one point to another at a flat rate without the use of a meter. Mrs. Manier asked Mr. Guy where his office is located. Mr. Guy stated that he is operating out of his home but is negotiating with Amtrack for space in their building. Mr. James Payton, Mishawaka Cab, Inc., 58861 State Road 331, Mishawaka, Indiana, advised the Board that four (4) years ago he was before the Board trying to secure a Certificate of Public Convenience and he went through a lot to secure such a license. Mr. Payton stated that Mr. Guy has been operating as a taxicab no matter what he calls himself. Mr. Payton stated that he has seen Mr. Guy at the airport and at the Amtrack station and it is not fair to the companies that are licensed because he has been operating and only now is applying for this license. Mr. Roger Woods, Roseland Cab Company, P.O. Box 643, Notre Dame, Indiana, stated that the word "limo" is the problem as far as what is legal and what is illegal. He noted that anyone can operate a limo service without a license from the City of South Bend and this is what Mr. Jones has been doing. Mr. Woods stated that he also has a van that he operates as a limo service but he cannot park it in the taxi lanes at the airport. Mr. Woods noted that cab companies from Elkhart, Plymouth and Culver can be seen in the City. Those fares do not originate in South Bend but conclude in South Bend. Mr. Woods stated that he has been asking the City for twelve (12) years to tell him the difference between a taxicab company and a limo service. He stated that as long as the word limo is on the vehicle, the City does not care. He further stated that Mr. Guy picks up the general public and charges by the meter. Mr. Woods stated that the Buick driven by Mr. Guy does have a meter. Mr. Guy replied that that vehicle is leased to the Courtesy Cab Company. Mr. Woods stated -that for the last two (2) years Mr. Guy has been operating as a taxicab company under the premise of a limo service. Mr. Woods stated that a colleague of his has a letter from the City stating that the City does not regulate limo services. He noted that a committee was formulated to look at the current ordinance and representatives from some of the smaller cab companies were invited to participate on that committee. He reiterated that he has been waiting for twelve (12) years to get the rules straight and it is very confusing to those operating. He stated that anyone can pickup at the airport, in Roseland or the county. Mr. Woods stated that before he secured a license from the City, he spoke to County Commissioner Richard Larrison who indicated that he would assist him in securing a license.