10/17/83 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 17. 1983 39'7 1 1 Mr. Walter Jones stated '.that the use of a fixed route.is unrealistic as it creates a timing problem. He indicated that he cannot schedule his route until he is chartered. - Mr. Donald Heilman,- 3.918 South Michigan, owner of Courtesy Cab addressed the Board and stated that it was his opinion that the.public. hearing was being held today to determine if an additional taxi -cab service is needed and that he does not feel that there is a need for more taxi cab service City Attorney Richard L. Hill advised that the concept of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity has been a part of the ordinance for some time but it predated legal developments that determined that a city could have anti-trust liability.. He further stated that it would be. impossible for the City to deny.a certificate to an applicant on the basis of there already being too many cab companies in business. The greater concern for the City is whether in fact the businesses that are being recommended for licenses are in compliance. That is the issue that can be addressed at this time. Mr. Bud Weldy indicated that his company does not want to do a taxi service. He stated that taxi cab services do not provide the kind of service his company does. He advised that his is a personal service for his customers and that he has a contract with a travel agency to provide services. However, he will get the license and comply if required to do so. Mr. Campbell of National Limo Service indicated that his business does not apply under the existing ordinance. He stated that his is a pick-up and delivery service on a charter basis. Mr. Roger Woods indicated that the City should have a. separate ordinance or change the existing ordinance to regulate limo services and possibly find an easier alternative. He additionally inquired as to what constitutes a.central office. Board Attorney Carolyn V. Pfotenhauer responded by stating that a central office is a business location with a 24- hour phone service for the purpose of receiving calls and dispatching cabs. City Attorney Richard L. Hill indicated that since from time to time the limo services conduct business as a taxi cab service it would be difficult to separate the concepts in order to formulate a new ordinance directed only at limousine services. Mr. Roger Woods indicated that limo services are chartered. If a meter is placed in the vehicles, and it is called a taxi cab, it is going to cause problems. Board Attorney Carolyn V. Pfotenhauer stated that the intent of the ordinance is to regulate and does not include executive limos hired for a day or for several hours. Vehicles that are available for hire on the street or the airport and not operating on a fixed route are subject to the require- ments of the ordinance. City Attorney Richard L. Hill stated that if someone is offering an executive limousine service but wants to provide the other service as well, that company comes under the provisions of the ordinance.