01-20-10 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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~.., ,~..,~ ~~ HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY The January 20, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 3:30 p.m, in the Informal Meeting Room, 4'h Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana Persons in attendance included: Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Tim Rouse Other Council Members Present: None Others Present: Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Ann-Carol Nash; Gregg Zientara; John Voorde (See attached sign in sheet) Agenda: Continued Discussion -Taxi Cab Ordinance Chairperson Karen White opened the meeting by explaining this was a continuation of discussions begun at the Health & Public Safety meeting of 1212/09. Councilmember White further explained the purpose of the taxi cab ordinance review was multi-fold. That includes review of provisions in the ordinance regarding night service and rates charged. Councilmember White said the committee was holding meetings to receive input, further emphasizing all meetings are open to everyone. Councilmember White then introduced Ann-Carol Nash from the City Legal Department to offer her comments. Ann-Carol began by saying the ordinance was last reviewed in 1999. While overall cab service in the city was good there were some complaints. Among the complaints were a need for posted rates, a simpler fee schedule, a posted passenger bill of rights, lack of professionalism of drivers; and availability of cabs at the airport, especially at night. She also fields complaints from cab companies about other cabs competing unfairly. Ann- Carol noted that a good ordinance required good dialogue. Councilmember Rouse said monitoring and control of cabs was easier in the old days when there were only two companies. Vehicle inspections, meter checks, and limits on licenses issued allowed better service for the customer and profitability for the cab service. Today there are eleven (11) cab companies with somewhere between 141 and 184 cab permits issued. Council Attorney Farrand added that the discussions in '99 were supposed to be a win/win for cabs and the customers. Sub-committees were devised in '99 to address specific cab service issues. Councilmember Rouse added the current requirement for a cab company to have 3 cabs available 24 hrs a day was impractical. Rider volume doesn't warrant it. Ann-Carol said the 24 hour availability issue needed to be addressed. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand added with this and every other issue the ability to enforce them and the willingness to follow- throughwas key. Ann Puzzello asked about current follow-up on complaints. Ann-Carol said getting adequate information was a problem. She said the city would rather work with cab owners to remedy complaints than issue tickets. Working with Code Enforcement and the SBPF was going well according to Nash. Gregg Zientara, City controller, emphasized the need for clear