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Home My WebLink About01-20-10 Health & Public Safety~.., ,~..,~ ~~ 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 communication of riots, responsibilities, and expectations on the part of all parties for effective control Karen then asked the cab drivers attending for comment. Doug Coddens of Golden Dome Cab said a clear, concise complaint reporting system should be posted in cabs. Mike Alford of A-1 Cab cited problems with getting a response from the SBPD when safety concerns arise. He also suggested a standard driver's manual addressing safety procedures. He also said enforcement of current insurance and license rules were inconsistently enforced. Pam Sobik of Golden Dome Cab said drivers should have discretion to charge flat rates not on the pricing menu. Dave Smith, Checker Cab said the airport sometimes call multiple cabs for single fare. He added student complaints are often based on heresay. Justine Baker, owner of A-1 Taxi said he has researched other city's best practices. He suggested limiting the number of medallions or licenses issued, installing GPS systems in cabs for safety concerns, requiring more frequent cab re-inspections. Kerry Clear of Blue Ribbon Cab echoed concerns about adequate response from the SBPD. She also suggested color-coding of cabs and advocated use of meters for fares. Karen White then asked the representative from the airport, Kerianne Linn, for comment. She spoke of airport rules regulations and fees for cabs established on their own apart from the city. She added that the airport will guarantee a fare for a driver if called for a named passenger who fails to appear. The Council Attorney asked for a copy of the airport's rules and regulations. Asking for any additional comments Chairperson White said with many issues raised further discussion was needed. Ann-Carol Nash said she would provide the city's "draft" bill for review, both hard copy and on the Internet. Doug Coddens cautioned against over control. Tim Rouse said the Council needed to re-examine the desired outcomes of any revisions. He said the need fora "profitability paradigm" should be considered. Chairperson White said the next meeting would be scheduled on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 3:30 in the Council Caucus Room. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson White adjourned the meeting at 4:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Karen L. White, Chairperson r Health and Public Safety Committee