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Public Service Committee Meeting Committee Room- 9/11/2006- 12:30 PM
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. Discuss issuance of an RFP for the management of the
Augusta Transit Authority. (Requested by Commissioner
Bowles)
Attachments
2. Motion to approve Georgia Department of Transportation
Contract for Stage 3 of the Terminal Area Improvements
Project.
Attachments
3. Increase Fixed Base Operations fuel revenue and expense
budget to more accurately reflect current fuel pricing.
Attachments
4. Motion to approve Smith Fence Change Order No. 2.
Attachments
5. Approve an amendment to the Taxi Cab ordinance that
will provide for an increase in the ‘Driver’s Permit’
application fee from five dollars to twenty-five dollars.
Attachments
6. Approve an Ordinance to amend Augusta-Richmond
County Code Section 6-7 Vehicles or Hire - Taxicabs so
as define taxicab seating capacity, to define vehicle
identification requirements, to define taxicab identity light
requirement, to define wait time for passengers, and to
define telephone directory listing requirement.
Attachments
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
Augusta Transit RFP
Department:Clerk of Commission
Caption:Discuss issuance of an RFP for the management of the
Augusta Transit Authority. (Requested by Commissioner
Bowles)
Background:
Analysis:
Financial Impact:
Alternatives:
Recommendation:
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Clerk of Commission
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
Georgia DOT Contract
Department:Augusta Regional Airport
Caption:Motion to approve Georgia Department of Transportation
Contract for Stage 3 of the Terminal Area Improvements
Project.
Background:The Georgia DOT has participated in the funding of the new
terminal project at 2.5% since it began. These monies will be
used to help fund Phase 3 of the project.
Analysis:
Financial Impact:$330,678.00
Alternatives:Deny request to accept the contract.
Recommendation:Accept the GADOT Contract.
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
Increase FBO Fuel Revenues/Expenses
Department:Augusta Regional Airport
Caption:Increase Fixed Base Operations fuel revenue and expense
budget to more accurately reflect current fuel pricing.
Background:During the 2006 Budget process the cost of fuel was
significantly lower than it is now, therefore the 2006 budget
both understates fuel revenue as well as fuel expense.
Analysis:This budget amendment is being requested so the airport can
continue to both purchase and sell fuel without being blocked
by the Augusta Richmond County's financial system internal
controls. The airport has surpassed the projecte dfuel revenue
for 2006 and will soon exhaust the budget for fuel expense.
Additionally, the amendment will provide a more accurate
picture of current operations.
Financial Impact:None - both the fuel sales and cost of fuel sold (revenue and
expense) is increased thereby the effect is zero impact.
Alternatives:Deny the request.
Recommendation:Approve the request.
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field
2006 Budget Amendment Request
24-Aug-06
551081106/3492112 AV JET FUEL 2,027,410
551081106/3492112 AV JET FUEL 2,969,300
551081106/3492204 INTO-PLANE FEES (2,969,300)
551081106/5315120 AV JET FUEL CGS (2,027,410)
0.00TOTAL FINANCIAL IMPACT
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
Smith Fence Change Order No. 2
Department:Augusta Regional Airport
Caption:Motion to approve Smith Fence Change Order No. 2.
Background:This is a federally funded project for safety improvements to
the airport perimeter fencing.
Analysis:This change order completes the project and shows a credit
of $4,983.35 for two (2) gates and a final quantity adjustment
of $7,948.25
Financial Impact:$2,964.90 increase in the total project.
Alternatives:Deny request to accept Smith Fence Change Order No. 2 -
Perimeter Fencing Improvments.
Recommendation:Accept change order.
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
Taxicab Driver's Permit
Department:License & Inspection Department
Caption:Approve an amendment to the Taxi Cab ordinance that will
provide for an increase in the ‘Driver’s Permit’ application
fee from five dollars to twenty-five dollars.
Background:Current the Driver’s Permit fee is fiver dollars. The proposed
fee of twenty-five dollars will cover the cost of a two-year
permit.
Analysis:The fee increase is due to the cost to the Sheriff’s
Department for providing the service.
Financial Impact:Each driver will be required to pay the twenty-five dollars for
a driver’s permit.
Alternatives:Do not change the current fee of five dollars
Recommendation:Approval
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
n/a
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Administrator.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
ORDINANCE N0. ________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SECTION 6-
7-16 TO INCREASE THE DRIVER’S PERMIT FEE; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE
DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION AND IT
IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAME, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-16 is hereby amended to increase the
Driver’s Permit fee from five ($5.00) to twenty-five ($25.00), by deleting in its entirety, and
substituting in lieu thereof the following, to wit:
§ 6-7-16. DRIVER'S PERMIT.
(a) Required. No person shall drive a taxicab for hire upon the streets of Augusta-Richmond
County, and no person who owns or controls a taxicab shall permit it to be so driven, and no
taxicab licensed by the Commission shall be so driven at any time for hire, unless the driver of
such taxicab shall have first obtained and shall have then in force a taxicab driver's permit issued
under the provisions of this article.
(b) Application-Form; verification; contents; photograph and physician's certificate required;
application fee; minimum age of drivers. An application for a taxicab driver's permit shall be
filed with the sheriff's department on forms provided by the Commission. Such application shall
be verified under oath and shall contain the following:
(1) The names and addresses of two residents of Augusta-Richmond County who have
known the applicant for a period of one year and who will vouch for the sobriety, honesty
and general good character of the applicant.
(2) The experience of the applicant in the transportation of passengers.
(3) The educational background of the applicant.
(4) A concise history of his employment.
(5) A picture of himself with his name, address, age (which shall be not less than twenty-
one years), weight, height, sex, color of hair and eyes.
Each application shall be accompanied by a certificate from a reputable physician of
Augusta-Richmond County certifying that, in his opinion, the applicant is not afflicted with any
disease or infirmity which might make him an unsafe or unsatisfactory driver.
At the time the application is filed the applicant shall pay to the Commission the sum of
twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
The Commission may require additional periodic examinations in its discretion.
Section 4. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption in accordance with applicable
laws.
Section 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are repealed.
Section 6. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable. If any part of this Ordinance is held to
be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this ordinance shall
remain in full force and effect.
Duly adopted this ________ day of ___________, 2006.
Augusta, Georgia
By:_____________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:_____________________
Clerk
First Reading: _____________________
Second Reading: ___________________
Public Service Committee Meeting
9/11/2006 12:30 PM
TAXICAB ORDINACE AMENDMENTS
Department:License & Inspection
Caption:Approve an Ordinance to amend Augusta-Richmond County
Code Section 6-7 Vehicles or Hire - Taxicabs so as define
taxicab seating capacity, to define vehicle identification
requirements, to define taxicab identity light requirement, to
define wait time for passengers, and to define telephone
directory listing requirement.
Background:At the regular meeting of the Augusta-Richmond County
Commission on August 5, 2003, item 43 on the agenda was
to receive the following recommendations from the taxicab
subcommittee: (1) ten-minute time limit as a guide for
taxicab waiting time; (2) acceptance of magnetic lights and
vinyl lettering as opposed to lettering being painted on
vehicles; and (3) increasing the passenger capacity to eleven
passengers including the driver. The Commission approved
the motion to receive the recommendations of the
subcommittee….At the regular meeting of the Augusta-
Richmond County Commission on August 19, 2003, item 36
on the agenda was to: ‘consider the matter of taxicab
dispatching and telephone listing – with no recommendation
from the Public Safety Committee’. The Commission
approved the motion to require taxicab companies to have a
listing in the ‘BELLSOUTH – The Real Yellow Pages’……
An ordinance amendment was not prepared at the time to
adopt the noted changes. The attached ordinance is for the
purpose of adopting the amendments.
Analysis:Adopt the ordinance amendments. Since the Commission
action in 2003 the noted changes have been implemented.
Financial Impact:N/A
Alternatives:N/A
Recommendation:Approval
Funds are
Available in the
Following
Accounts:
N/A
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
ORDINANCE N0. ________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SECTION 6-
7-7(e) TO DEFINE TAXICAB SEATING CAPACITY; TO AMEND AUGUSTA-
RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SECTION 6-7-23 SO AS TO DEFINE VEHICLE
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
CODE SECTION 6-7-25 SO AS TO DEFINE TAXICAB IDENTITY LIGHT
REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SECTION 6-
7-33 SO AS TO DEFINE THE WAIT TIME FOR ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS; TO
AMEND AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SECTION 6-7-39 SO AS TO
DEFINE THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTING REQUIREMENT; TO PROVIDE
AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION AND IT
IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAME, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-7(e) is hereby amended to define
taxicab seating capacity, by deleting in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof the following,
to wit:
§ 6-7-7. DEFINITIONS.
(e): TAXICAB. A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying
passengers for hire, having a seating capacity of less than eleven (11) passengers
and not operated on a fixed route.
Section 2. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-23 is hereby amended to define vehicle
identification requirements, by deleting in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof the
following, to wit:
§ 6-7-23. IDENTIFICATION OF VEHICLES REQUIRED.
No business tax certificate holder under this article shall operate any taxicab
without there having been painted, or attached vinyl lettering, on both sides and
the rear thereof the words Taxi, Taxicab or Automobile for Hire, the name of the
business tax certificate holder and the number assigned by the business tax
certificate holder to such taxicab. Such words and numbers shall be not less
than six (6) inches high nor more than eight (8) inches in height. In addition, there
may be placed thereon an identifying design approved by the sheriff. No vehicle
covered by the terms of this article shall be licensed whose color scheme,
identifying design, monogram or insignia to be used thereon shall, in the opinion
of the license and inspection department, conflict with or imitate any color
scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia used on one (1) or more
vehicles already operating under this article, in such a manner as to be misleading
or tend to deceive or defraud the public. If after a business tax certificate has been
issued for a taxicab hereunder, the color scheme, identifying design, monogram or
insignia thereof is changed so as to be, in the opinion of the license and inspection
department, in conflict with or to imitate any color scheme, identifying design,
monogram or insignia used by any other person, owner or operator in such a
manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive the public, the business tax
certificate covering the taxicab bearing the misleading markings shall be
suspended or revoked.
Section 3. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-25 is hereby amended to define taxicab
identification light, by deleting in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof the following, to
wit:
§ 6-7-25. IDENTITY LIGHT REQUIRED.
Every taxicab shall be equipped with an identity light attached to the top of such
taxicab. The light may be bolted on or magnetically attached. Such identity light
shall be constructed in one (1) unit consisting of an illuminated place or cylinder
upon which is printed the company's name, taxi, for hire or the present
identification lights of the taxicab. The overall dimensions of such identity light
shall not exceed six (6) inches in height by twenty (20) inches in length. The
lights of the identity light shall be connected to a contact switch attached to the
taximeter, and such contact switch shall operate automatically to illuminate such
identity light when the taximeter is not in operation indicating that the taxicab
contains no passengers and to extinguish such light when the taximeter is in
operation. It shall be unlawful to knowingly drive or operate any taxicab with
such identity light illuminated while carrying passengers for compensation; and it
shall be unlawful to drive, operate or be in charge of the taxicab unless such
identity light is illuminated when such taxicab is for hire.
Section 4. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-33 is hereby amended to define taxicab
identification light, by deleting in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof the following, to
wit:
§ 6-7-33. ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS.
No taxicab driver who has been engaged by a passenger shall permit any other
person to occupy or ride in such taxicab unless the person first employing the
taxicab shall consent to the acceptance of additional passengers. From the time
the first passenger engages the taxicab, the driver has ten (10) minutes to load
passengers and pull away. No charge shall be made for an additional passenger to
the same point of destination, but when the additional passenger rides beyond the
first point of destination, such passenger shall pay for the additional distance
traveled.
Section 5. Augusta-Richmond County Code Section 6-7-39 is hereby amended to define
telephone directory listing requirement, by deleting in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof
the following, to wit:
§ 6-7-39. TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTING REQUIRED.
All persons engaged in taxicab businesses in Augusta-Richmond County
operating under the provisions of this article shall have a telephone listed in the
“BELLSOUTH – The Real Yellow Pages” telephone directory for Augusta-
Richmond County in the name of their taxi company or business.
Section 6. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption in accordance with applicable
laws.
Section 7. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are repealed.
Section 8. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable. If any part of this Ordinance is held to
be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this ordinance shall
remain in full force and effect.
Duly adopted this ________ day of ___________, 2006.
Augusta, Georgia
By:_____________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:_____________________
Clerk
First Reading: _____________________
Second Reading: ___________________
43. Receive recommendations from the taxi cab sub-committee.
1. Ten-minute time as a guide for taxicab waiting time.
2. Acceptance of magnetic lights and vinyl lettering as opposed to
lettering being pained on vehicles.
3. Increasing the passenger capacity to eleven passengers including the
driver.
48. Approve the acquisition of One (1) E350 Work Detail Van for $24,351.46
for the Public Works Department – Vacant Lot/Eviction Crew from
Bobby Jones Ford of Augusta, Georgia. (lowest bid offers on Bid 02-155).
49. Approve refund to Susan A. Bone of 2000 and 2001 taxes paid in error in the
amount of $567.73 on Map 98-3, Parcel 175.
51. Consider abatement of taxes for years 1993 through 1999 on property now in
the Land Bank. Property is known as Map 59-3, Parcel 400.
52. Approve refunds on taxes on 26 accounts paid in error for various
reasons; see attached for years and amounts.
54. Consider a request from the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire
Department regarding the donation of a fire pumper to their department.
55. Approve the acquisition of three (3) Pumper Fire Trucks for the Augusta
Fire Department from Harless Fire Equipment Company of Bessemer, Alabama for
the amount of $310,500.00 each (lowest bid offer on Bid 02-048).
63. Approve adding 3411 & 3417 Peach Orchard Road to the Solid Waste
Contract. (Requested by Commissioner Andy Cheek)
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion to approve the consent agenda, minus items 16, 45
and 53. All in favor of that motion, please vote in the affirmative.
Mr. Colclough: Mr. Mayor, Madame Clerk, let it be known that I vote No on
Sunday sales.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Bridges: And the same here, Madame Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Colclough and Mr. Bridges vote No on Sunday sales portion.
Motion carries 10-0. [Items 3, 5, 6]
Motion carries 10-0. [Items 1-2, 4, 7-15, 17-40D, 43, 45, 58, 59, 51, 52, 54, 55, 63]
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Mr. Mayor: Madame Clerk, we have some of these items that are coming off of
the agenda today, they’ve been deferred to other committee meetings. Do you want to go
ahead and point those out [inaudible] people that are here for those items?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
42. Discussion of Fire Station #15. (Requested by Commissioner Boyles)
ferred to our next meeting, August 11, Public
The Clerk: Item 42 was de
Safety, at 1:30.
46. Update from Dr. Terrence Cook regarding Project Access.
The Clerk: Item 46 was deferred to our next meeting on August 11 at 2 o’clock.
50. Approve request from the Board of Tax Assessors to proceed with obtaining
an outside auditing firm to review all accounts with a value of $50,000 and above.
The Clerk: Item 50 was deferred to our August 11 meeting, Finance
meeting, at 2 o’clock. Item 56 will be brought before the full Commission today.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Kuhlke, is your item on here?
60. Discussion of Day Care facility owned by Mr. Robert L. Watkins.
(Requested by Commissioner Kuhlke)
The Clerk: Deleting.
Mr. Mayor: Deleting item number 60?
The Clerk: Deleting item 60.
Mr. Hankerson: What did you just say on 43?
The Clerk: 43?
Mr. Hankerson: Didn’t you say 43?
The Clerk: No, sir. I said 42 for the next meeting.
Mr. Hankerson: Oh, okay.
The Clerk: 43 is in our consent agenda. I will enumerate those recommendations.
43. Receive recommendations from the taxi cab sub-committee.
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43. Receive recommendations from the taxi cab sub-committee.
12
1. Ten-minute time as a guide for taxicab waiting time.
2. Acceptance of magnetic lights and vinyl lettering as opposed to
lettering being pained on vehicles.
3. Increasing the passenger capacity to eleven passengers including the
driver.
Mr. Bridges: Mr. Mayor, what was that second one?
The Clerk: The second was the acceptance of magnetic lights and vinyl lettering
as opposed to lettering being painted on vehicles.
Mr. Hankerson: What was the timing?
The Clerk: Ten minutes.
Mr. Hankerson: Waiting time? That was recommended?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, the recommendation. The ten minute time.
Mr. Hankerson: Ten or 20?
The Clerk: Ten.
Mr. Hankerson: Okay.
PUBLIC SAFETY:
36. Consider the matter of taxicab dispatching and telephone listing. (No
recommendation from Public Safety Committee August 11, 2003)
Mr. Mayor: The Chairman of the committee is here. Go ahead.
Mr. Williams:
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We, we had debated and talked about,
we had a subcommittee come back and made some changes in our taxicab ordinance. We
are waiting to get something from the Airport Committee as to how we can [inaudible] all
the taxicab service. I contend that the taxicab with one or two taxis should not be
required to have to have a dispatch or a telephone listing in the telephone book. If they
89
can have services that they can provide their customers with, without a telephone, that’s
I so move that we approve, Mr. Mayor, giving them the
an expense they can save, and
option to have or have not a dispatch or a telephone.
Mr. Colclough: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and second. This would have to come back as an
ordinance amendment, Mr. Wall, is that correct?
Mr. Wall: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Comments, questions? Mr. Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, just a couple of comments. In polling several people
waiting for taxis, they are very displeased with the service we have available in Augusta
in general. Anything we can do to improve that service I am for. I am concerned,
though, that here again with the big guys, we don’t want to overly burden the little guys
where they can’t compete. But there again, if the, this same ordinance, I’m assure, I want
to be assured that it will be the same for the big guys, they don’t have to have a phone
number in the book, they don’t have to have dispatch, they can [inaudible] those costs, as
well. I think there should be certain minimum requirements on this. In any event, I’m
just concerned that we [inaudible] this thing closely. I’m supportive of making the
system better, but at some point they’ve either got to be listed in directory assistance or at
least be listed in some book somewhere. How else are people going to call them? How
else are we going to know they’re in business? I mean they can throw a sign or light on.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I agree with --
Mr. Mayor: Just a minute, Mr. Williams. Some down here want to speak.
Mr. Williams: All right.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Boyles.
Mr. Boyles: I was just going -- I think we ought to give a citizens award to Mr.
Lay because he hasn’t missed a meeting. He’s been here longer than we have, Mr.
Williams, and we ought to give some sort of citizens award to Mr. Lay. He’s been
persistent in trying to get this done.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Beard, did you have your hand up?
Mr. Beard: Just for clarification, I guess. I just don’t understand what we’re
doing here right now. Are we saying that all those taxicabs, licensed taxicab people, they
don’t have to be in the book? Is this what we’re saying?
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Mr. Wall: That’s what we’re saying. Don’t have to have dispatch, don’t have to
have telephone listing.
Mr. Beard: Come on. That’s a little farfetched there.
Mr. Williams: No, no --
Mr. Beard: I have the floor at this point.
(Laughter)
Mr. Beard: You know, I would like to help out the small business people but if
this is going to open up a floodgate, I think we need to consider that. That’s all. I turned
it back over to whoever want to, but that’s -- I don’t know, because I know if I was
running one and I didn’t have [inaudible].
Mr. Williams: And Mr. Beard, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Even the large
companies. I’m not trying to put a burden on a large company and let the smaller
company go out from under that. I’m saying that if you can run the business, a large
company will want to have a dispatch service and they got the option, they got their
license, but a man or woman with two taxis or one taxi should not have to have a
dispatcher and a phone listing. If he can operate his business successfully without a
phone, then he’s a genius, he knows how to do it. I mean, and I don’t think we ought to
get in the business of demanding. If he wants to get one and he has one taxi and he can
do it that way, that’s fine, too. But everybody has got the right. Commissioner Cheek
brought up a good point. We shouldn’t put a burden on the large companies and let the
smaller ones get by. If anybody wants to do that, they got an option to do it or not. I
mean if I decide to go into business and I can do without a phone, that’s a savings for me.
So I don’t want to demand because the larger company who have to have a phone, he’s
got 20 taxis, 25 taxis, he’s got to be able to notify them, he’s got to be able to call them.
But a man with one taxi, maybe two, he shouldn’t have to have a dispatch service. I
mean if that going to be an injustice to have them compete with a larger company. I
mean a lot of these people just trying to make a living, and some people in business. I
mean we really got to look at this, this seriously now. We been talking about this for
some months. Commissioner Cheek talked about being in the phone book. But we are
still going on a town mentality in a city. All the major cities like taxis. I ain’t seen
anybody yet that goes [inaudible] call a taxi to come pick them up. They, if you at a
hotel, the bellman will flag somebody for you. [inaudible] but since we still got a town,
we have not come to the city status yet, we still thinking like a town. We need to open
this city up and be a city. And if a taxi can run his business without that, he’s done come
to the city level. But those that still got dispatchers, they still in towns, let them operate
that way. I mean that’s simple. That shouldn’t be so complicated for you to understand.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Williams. Thank you. I disagree, Mr. Williams. To me this is
not a business issue at all. This is a public safety issue. Now you’ve got people in
vehicles who are literally riding the streets of this city inviting people to come off the
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street and get in their vehicle. To me there needs to be a legitimacy to the business that
puts the telephone number in a phone book. I’m not as concerned about the dispatching
as I am having a number listed in a phone book. To me, there is potential for someone to
become seriously hurt by somebody who is impersonating a cab or a cab driver. As Mr.
Hankerson said, what if he left something in the cab by mistake, how is he going to call
the cab company and retrieve his item? This is a public safety issue, and I think that in
this we need to protect the public and requiring a cab company to put a phone number in
a phone book, a listing with telephone information where someone can retrieve, some
way to get in touch with that cab company to me is not asking too much at all.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I can agree with you. As Chairman of Public Safety I
am truly interested in safety of not only this county, but the people traveling in this
county. But when you say listed in a phone book, which is the phone, the real phone
book now? You talking about in a phone book, and I have not problem doing it in a
book. But if you going to list in a phone book, who is going to say which is the real book
to be listed in? Do we designate the Real Yellow Pages or the red book or the blue book
or the local phone book that somebody else may print? So as long as you’re listed in the
book, would that be sufficient for this government? As long as they’re listed in the book,
I can agree with that.
Mr. Mayor: I would submit to you, Mr. Williams, that you could specify that it
must be listed in a phone book. Let the business decide which book it wants to list it in.
You could say a book in general circulation.
Mr. Williams: I make a substitute motion --
Mr. Mayor: You could say -- one more thing, you can say that the number has
got to be listed with telephone information. You call 4-1-1 and get the number.
Mr. Williams: Well, I’m going to make a substitute motion that we don’t demand
that they have a dispatch service but we do --
Mr. Wall: You made the first motion, you would need to amend.
Mr. Williams: Okay. Thank you, Jim. You doing your attorney duties today.
(Laughter)
Mr. Williams: I would amend, that’s right, I would amend my initial motion
to establish or to make a motion that we allow them to not have a dispatch unless
they want one, not making it mandatory, but to also have it mandatory that they be
listed in a phone book. I mean I can’t designate which phone book but in a phone
book would be my motion.
Mr. Mayor: Is there any objection to the amendment that’s been offered? We’ll
let the motion stand as amended. Mr. Shepard.
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Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor, I’d ask the maker of the motion and the consent
of the body that we dispose of this in one time, because it’s been up here and I think
if we’re going to do that, with that kind of compromise, let’s go ahead and waive the
second reading and let’s move on to other business.
Mr. Williams: I can, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Cheek.
Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor, I just think we ought to designate as a minimum yellow
book, Yellow Pages, Bell South, directory assistance, some consistent medium for these
people to register with, because if not, if we just say the phone book, they can go get
somebody’s little book from some little neighborhood or something that’s called a phone
book. We need to have consistent policy with a consistent contact number and that could
be Bell South Yellow Pages. I think that’s fine. It’s a standard for the area and
[inaudible] picks up the book.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Lay, you wanted to speak?
Mr. Lay: The nature of our business is flag-downs anyway. I mean you go to
New York City, like he said, people get cabs by flag-downs. Travel all over the city,
you’re right. But [inaudible] pick up flag-downs. And we do get calls. We have a cell
phone. We dispatch on our cell phones.
Mr. Mayor: Who dispatches you?
Mr. Lay: We get the call.
Mr. Mayor: I mean how do they know to call you? How do you get the number
out?
Mr. Lay: Pass out cards. You know, have advertising on the side of our cars.
Mr. Mayor: I was in New York last week and they had radios and meters and
dispatch in cabs that I flagged down.
Mr. Lay: We have phone numbers on the side of our cars and they just flag us
down. Until we can grow big enough to get in the yellow pages, we really can’t afford to
[inaudible] yellow pages. We can afford the cell phones.
Mr. Mayor: They give you a free ad in the yellow -- put the number in the yellow
pages.
Mr. Lay: [inaudible]
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Mr. Wall: I agree with you. I think it needs to be one or more designated phone
books, I think Southern Bell Yellow Pages. I mean all the other telephone companies,
[inaudible] everybody has to furnish their telephone numbers to Southern Bell. That is
the recognized telephone book, and if they want a cell phone, they can get a listing in the
Yellow Pages of Southern Bell telephone, and that is in my opinion the industry standard.
Mr. Mayor: Do you want to amend the motion, Mr. Cheek?
Mr. Cheek: I’d like to amend the motion to that. I think that a standard is
necessary. If somebody can’t afford an ad in the Yellow Pages, they’re too marginal
to be in operation. I mean that’s $8 or $10 a year.
Mr. Lay: We don’t need it.
Mr. Cheek: The city needs it. We’ve come a long way to accommodating --
Mr. Lay: [inaudible]
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Lay, direct your comments to the Chair.
Mr. Cheek: We’ve come a long way to amending and changing the taxi
ordinance, but this is one that -- and I’ve been supportive of those things to date, but this
is one there has to be a minimum standard of accountability, and the Yellow Pages in the
phone book that everybody uses and several places I’ve called people to contact them and
never get them.
Mr. Mayor: Is there any objection to Mr. Cheek’s objection to the motion that
would designate the Southern Bell Yellow Pages?
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I’m objecting.
Mr. Mayor: All right. Then he has the right to amend it through a vote. We can
vote on the amendment.
Mr. Williams: I’ve got a comment. I need some clarification, too, because when
you talking about telephones and you talking about long distance service, there’s got to
be 4,000 different telephone services and long distance services that we use in your
home. Not even in your car, but in your home. I’ve got three cell phones and two of
them are different. They ain’t the same. So all I’m saying is why should we want to
regulate whether or not they be in the yellow pages or the red book or the green book? If
they can operate their business -- [inaudible] Mr. Mayor, talking about the safety side of
it, about where people leave something in their car. These people have been operating
for years the same way. Small business people are trying to get better, trying to grow, to
get to the point of advertising. There are some people that pay $140 a month for
advertisement in the phone book. Not for just one line, now, but for advertisement in the
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phone book. Some of them can’t pay that. Will never pay that. And that’s not a one time
fee. That’s a every month fee. Depends on --
Mr. Mayor: They don’t have to buy an ad.
Mr. Williams: I understand. But a lot of people buy those ads and buy those ads.
I just don’t understand why we going designate a certain book and we never had a certain
book before. A red book, a blue book, now the Yellow Pages. I disagree.
Mr. Mayor: All right. There has been a motion made to amend the motion, so
we’ll vote on the amendment to the motion. All in favor of amending the motion --
Mr. Bridges: What’s the motion that we’re voting on?
Mr. Mayor: The amendment. The amendment would specify the Bell South
Yellow Pages. All in favor of that amendment, please raise your hand.
(Vote on the amendment to the motion)
Mr. Williams votes No.
Mr. Mays not voting.
Mr. Hankerson out.
Motion carries 7-1.
Mr. Mayor: Is there any discussion on the motion? Is there any discussion on the
motion? We’ll go ahead and go for a vote on that now.
Mr. Williams: [inaudible] second reading, Mr. Mayor? Like Commissioner
Shepard --
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Shepard: If you’d like it. Only if you’d like it.
Mr. Mayor: All in favor of the motion as amended, please raise your hand so the
Clerk can see it.
Mr. Wall: [inaudible]
Mr. Mays: [inaudible]
Mr. Wall: [inaudible]
Mr. Mayor: Bell South Yellow Pages.
Mr. Mays: [inaudible]
Mr. Wall: [inaudible] either one. [inaudible] automatically going to be listed in
Bell South, the regular phone book. [inaudible]
Mr. Mayor: We’re voting on the motion. All in favor of the motion, please raise
your hand.
(Vote on original motion with amendment)
Mr. Mays votes Present.
Mr. Hankerson out.
Motion carries 8-1.
Mr. Shepard: Call for the order of the day.
Mr. Mayor: The next item is item number 39.
Mr. Lay: What does that mean? What does that mean? I’m in Bell South.
Mr. Mayor: You can talk to Mr. Sherman. Where is Mr. Sherman from the
Inspection Department? He can explain that to you. Go see Mr. Sherman. Item number
39.
The Clerk: