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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 22, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that the taxi drivers have been very helpful in this whole process as well <br />as cab company owners and at their request before this bill was filed, she took out the <br />requirement that the company own the vehicle. She stated that they still do want to <br />continue to have the company responsible to make sure that it has adequate vehicles in its <br />fleet that meet the requirements, but they would still propose to allow the driver’s to <br />owner their own vehicles as they requested in previous meetings. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rouse stated that they are reducing the year of the vehicle to 7 years old <br />and is a part of the substitute bill, but if he understands correctly the city would like to <br />see those cabs be one color per company. <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that is what she would request. She stated that after 16 years of trying to <br />enforce this ordinance, she thinks that it would make it so much easier for Central <br />Services, the City, and the general public, enforce this bill and help us all. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dieter stated that as this bill is written, they do not have to. <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that in the current ordinance they do not, in the bill provided here, color <br />or design, yes. She stated that they would want them to be uniform with each other. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dieter stated as in this current ordinance, if it is passed, they do not all <br />have to be the same color for so and so company. All they have to have is the same <br />decals. <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that was not her intent in drafting this ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dieter questioned do they or don’t they? <br /> <br />Ms. Nash, yes, but two different companies could have the same color. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated it’s like the TRANSPO buses; they have different <br />colors but the same logo on each bus. <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that this is the language that is in the ordinance and perhaps it could be <br />interpreted in the way that the Council is stating. Ms. Nash read into the record: To <br />promote uniform standards and to assist the public in identifying taxi companies. All taxi <br />cabs licensed under the same company name shall bare the same color, color scheme or <br />design as the other taxi cabs licensed under the same company name. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that is what they are looking at same design. <br /> <br />Ms. Nash stated that traditionally, it was something people may do and if there was any <br />confusion between companies, the controller would say oh no, the new company coming <br />in couldn’t have this different design. They certain would be able to work with the <br />companies. She stated that what they want to avoid is confusion for the public. <br />Everybody knows that a TRANSPO bus is a TRANSPO bus even if it has different ads or <br />different colors or whatever. But they don’t all know if something is a Yellow Cab if its <br />not look the same. <br /> <br />Councilmember White stated that she has another friendly recommendation. She stated <br />that as they look at this particular area of the bill. She suggested because of the language <br />“or” could be interpreted that if they have some type design and not necessarily color. <br />She suggested that we give this ordinance a year to see in terms of vehicles and to see <br />exactly if they can work with making sure that each cab company was clearly identifiable <br />and not just necessarily the color and then they can come back and continue discussions, <br />because the way that it is worded does open it up for interpretation. Something as serious <br />as this, they need to make sure that it is as clear as possible and that they give themselves <br />the opportunity to see what the impact is going to be. Councilmember Dieter seconded. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 14 <br /> <br />