08/01/77 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 1, 1977 to the Board the comments of Donald Gross,:Courtesy Cab Company, who was not able to attend the hearing. Mr. Gross noted that Mr. Thompson has not applied for any taxi stands but does use the stands of other companies when they are empty. Mr. Thompson parks his cab on the street and goes into business places, such as the bus company, to solicit riders. Mr. Gross suggested that Mr. Thompson be required to apply for and pay the license fee for taxi stands as the other companies do. He also suggested that the Board require that binding in.surance coverage for cabs cannot be cancelled without prior written notice to the Board. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Thompson why there was a two month period during which he was not in compliance with the insurance requirements of the Code. Mr. Thompson said his insurance company informed him that his insurance had run out and that he would have to get a new insurance company. He said they waited two months before they notified him. His previous insurance company was Waterfield Insurance. Mr. Thompson said he then secured a new insurance agent. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Thompson if he was aware that he was required to have a centrally located office, open twenty- four hours a day. Mr. Thompson said he had an office at 1134 Harvey Street. Mr. Brunner then inquired why Mr. Thompson has now obtained space for an office at 137 N. Birdsell. Mr. Thompson said his wife complained about the telephone ringing so late at night so he had to get an office. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Thompson if the office he maintained at Harvey Street was his home. Mr. Thompson said that it was. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Thompson about the complaint that he was using other companies taxi stands. Mr. Thompson said he had been parking at taxi stands at the bus station if there were no cabs there. He said he would then wait for fares but if another cab came, he would get off the stand. He said other cabs have not been coming to the bus station. Mr. Mullen pointed out that taxi stands are being paid.for by the other cab companies and city licenses have been issued to them. He said if Mr. Thompson desired to use taxi stands, he could apply and go through the same procedure. Mr. Thompson said he was aware of this. Mr. Mullen asked Mr. Thompson how many cabs he operated and Mr. Thompson answered one. Mr. Brunner said it would appear that Mr. Thompson had not, for at lease two months, had the insurance coverage required by the Code and it would also appear, by Mr. Thompson's own admission, that he has used other companies' taxi stands. He said he would suggest to the Board that Mr. Thompson's license be suspended for a two -week period in light of these prior violations. Mr. Thompson said other cabs pick up at other companies' stands and if he is to be suspended, the other companies should also be suspended. Mr. Brunner said the Board would be happy to look into the matter of whether there are multiple violations and, if so, something will be done. Mr. Thompson said he had been physically attacked, sugar was put in his gas tank and he has been threatened. He said these incidents were reported to the Police Department and, because he is a Christian, he did not resort to violence in return. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Thompson if he took these complaints to the Prosecutor's Office and Mr. Thompson said he did but nothing was done. Mr. Brunner made a motion that Mr. Thompson's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the operation of the Independent Cab Company be suspended for a period of two weeks. Mr. Mullen seconded the motion and it carried. VACATION RESOLUTION NO. 3443 CONFIRMED The public hearing on Vacation Resolution No. 3443, on the petition of Memorial Hospital to vacate the eastern half of the northerly east -west alley east of Lafayette Boulevard and southern half of the north -south alley east of Lafayette Boulevard, the northerly east - west alley east of Main Street, and the northern third of the north - south alley south of Bartlett Street, City of South Bend, was continued until today. Mr. McMahon then noted that the written remonstrance filed with the Board last Monday by Attorney Philip Carlton Potts on behalf of Mrs. Mary Coquillard has now been withdrawn since a review of the map of the vacated area indicates that the alley behind her property is not affected. Upon motion made by Mr. McMahon LJ