HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance Committee Minutes - 6/6/2005ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
June 6, 2005
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Chairperson Welper, Kincaid, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt,
Members absent: Cole.
Moved by Kincaid, seconded by Greenwood that the Agenda, as proposed, b
Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Councilperson Schmitt reviewed the proposed changes to the Vehicle For Hir
vehicle will be required to be inspected and pass a safety/mechanical inspec
will be accepted who is listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, and the
underson.
approved. Ayes:
Ordinance. Each
on. No applicant
olice Department
shall be responsible to verify this requirement. The Police Department w 1l also verify the
applicant's driving record to determine that the applicant has a valid Co ercial Driver's
License or Class D Operator's License. The Police Department will make a uery to determine
if the applicant is wanted for any criminal offense.
Each vehicle must be inspected by the Black Hawk County Health Departme
at a cost of $20.00. The Black Hawk County Health Department will perfo
there is a change of ownership, a new vehicle is added or upon complaint.
Every vehicle must be inspected for safety/mechanical conditions before bei
and then semi-annually. The inspection is to be conducted by auto service
city to conduct the safety/mechanical inspection. A list of the authorized au
kept on file by the City Clerk. The cost of the safety/mechanical inspec
discretion of the auto service providing the inspection. The vehicle must als
change of ownership of the vehicle, when a new vehicle is added to an exi
complaint.
Every vehicle will be required to be equipped with a taximeter fastened
passenger. The taximeter shall be subject to inspection from time to time
expense of the inspection shall be pad by the owner of the vehicle for hire.
business must file rates with the office of the city clerk, and the owner must
whenever they change the rates and when they will go into effect which can
days after filing the notice of new rates.
A driver of a vehicle for hire will be prohibited from smoking when a paying
vehicle.
every six months
inspections when
g put into service
authorized by the
o services shall be
ion is at the sole
be inspected upon
ting fleet or upon
n the front of the
y the city, and the
e vehicle for hire
otify the city clerk
of be less than 30
passenger is in the
Any person violating any terms of the ordinance will be guilty of a municipal nfraction.
Councilperson Gunderson stated he is concerned with people who fly into
vehicles are the first opinion people have of our city. CounciIperson G
ordinance will help to improve cab services and will benefit everyone.
Rodney Pearce of Metro Taxi questioned Section 3-5B-5 (c) which requires
color scheme and/or insignia and/or name of said company used to distin
vehicles from those of other companies. This is in the current ordinance a
made.
Mr. Pearce stated that he feels the requirement of at least $300,000 liability i
and that the fares from his business do not generate enough revenue for th
Mr. Pearce stated that the cost for the insurance has forced him to reduce the
he operates and continuing with this requirement will run the cab compan
Mr. Pearce stated that it costs him $25,000 to $30,000 per year in premium
the liability insurance requirement reduced to $100,000. Councilperson Gre
Pearce had investigated what the premium would be if the $300,000
requirement were reduced. Councilperson Schmitt commented that St.
the city, and these
derson stated this
companies to file a
ish the vehicle or
d no changes were
surance is too high,
t high of coverage,
number of vehicles
es out of business.
, and he would like
wood asked if Mr.
liability insurance
Paul Insurance is
Ordinance Committee
June 6, 2005
Page 2
recommending the city require $300,000. Nancy Eckert, City Clerk, reported the City of
Waverly requires $300,000 liability insurance coverage and the City of Cedar Rapids requires
$250,000 liability insurance coverage.
Mr. Pearce commented that the ordinance currently requires a driver to have a driver's license,
but he has been in business 15 years and pulled over by the police ten times and has never been
asked by the police department to show his CDL or operator's license. Mr. Pearce stated he feels
the police officer should ask to see each driver's license. Mr. Pearce noted the ordinance also
requires each driver to have an identification card showing the name and photograph of the
driver. Ms. Eckert reported it is the responsibility of the business to furnish the identification
card. Mr. Peace noted that the officers do not request to see the identification card. Police Chief
Tom Jennings responded he will have police officers make sure the driver is in compliance with
the ordinance.
Mr. Pearce stated the ordinance currently requires that the rates be posted in a conspicuous place
on the inside of the passengers compartment, and he does not feel this is effective. Mr. Pearce
noted his company posts the rates on the outside of the vehicle.
Kip Grimson of Kip's Yellow Cab stated he also feels the liability insurance requirement is too
high.
Barb Saffold, owner of The Loop, addressed the council concerning the shuttle service she is
providing. She currently uses her van for her day care service, but is starting a shuttle service
where she will pick up passengers at a fixed location and drop them off at a fixed location. It
was the consensus of the council that the ordinance would not apply to Ms. Saffold's business as
it will operate on a fixed route or have reservations twenty-four hours in advance of the service.
Moved by Gunderson, seconded by Schmitt that the proposed ordinance be placed on the council
agenda. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Gunderson, seconded by Clark
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
• •