03/02/92 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2,, 1992 mainly because of the increased number of cabs on the street. He stated that the waiting time for a Yellow Cab has not increased at all during the years and they are capable of handling calls,as they come in. He noted that they believe that some of the new operators are basically concentrating on the more lucrative aspects of the business being the hotels and airports and Medicaid runs and ignoring the primary focus of cab service. Mr. Butler concluded by stating that the Board is responsible for overseeing the operation of taxicab service in the City and to see that service is provided to the citizenry of the City of South Bend. He noted that Yellow Cab Company and Courtesy Cab Company provide full service. Mr. Brown advised the Board that Allied Cab Company was operating with seven (7) taxicabs and has now increased to eleven (11). The Sunshine Cab Company has added one (1) new taxicab and the Mishawaka Cab Company has added two (2) new cabs. He noted that if the business was not out there these companies would not keeping adding new taxicabs. In response to questions from Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Brown advised that he intends to operate not more than five (5) taxicabs and employ ten (10) individuals. He stated that he will provide twenty-four (24) phone service and the business will be located at 25803 State Road 2, South Bend, Indiana and calls will be dispatched from the office there. In response to a question from Mr. Leszczynski, Mr. Brown noted that should no one be at the office, the calls would be forwarded right to the cab radio. Mr. Heilman of Courtesy Cab indicated that the ordinance requires that an office be open twenty-four (24) hours a day for the operation of the taxicabs. Mrs. Kathy Alford, Sunshine Cab Company, 19844 1/2 Hildebrand Street, South Bend, Indiana, advised that her business does the same call forwarding to the taxicabs and the City was aware of that when her license was issued. Mrs. Alford informed the Board that she is in favor of Mr. Brown's license to operate his own business as she has had to turn away people because they only have two (2) cabs operating. Mr. Heilman stated that the operation of the Sunshine Cab Company is not according to the Code. Mrs. Alford stated that their home is their office. Calls come to the house and if they are not there the calls are forwarded to the cab. She noted that this provides faster service. Mr. Heilman again reiterated that the Code indicates that the operation must maintain an office open twenty-four (24) hours a day. He noted that his cab company is at a disadvantage as they are having to pay someone to man their business twenty-four (24) hours a day. At this time, Mr. Caldwell made a motion that the Board take under advisement the license application of Mr. James Brown in order to check out allegations made at the Public Hearing today. Mr. Leszczynski seconded the motion which carried and advised Mr. Brown that the Board would render its decision regarding this license application at its meeting next week. Mr. Brown inquired if he could change his application to agree to having an office open twenty-four (24) hours a day for the operation of the taxicab business. Mr. Brown further advised that he had been told that the City Attorney had advised the previously approved cab companies that this procedure of forwarding calls to the cabs was acceptable. Assistant City Attorney Jenny Pitts Manier indicated that Mr. Brown can certainly amend his application if he desires. Mr. Leszczynski indicated that the Board will note his concern and comments that he can maintain an office to be open twenty-four (24) hours. 1 1 1