License Review Board

License Review Board Appeal Hearing City Hall – Room 302A 10 N. Division St. Battle Creek, MI 49014 February 16, 2007 10:00 a.m. Members Present: Barbara Parsons, Joyce Garrett, Mike Troutman Absent: Dan Determann Others Present: Officer James Mitcavish, Jeffrey Griffin, Susan Bedsole, and Deidre Laser Call to Order: Mr. Troutman called the meeting to order at 10:02 p.m. and asked Mr. Griffin to present his side followed by the Police Department’s reason for denial of the taxi cab permit. A. Taxi cab applicant: Mr. Griffin stated that he was denied a permit because of an unpaid ticket he received for an unsigned vehicle registration. Mr. Griffin stated Officer Mitcavish told him he would get his taxicab permit back in six months if he didn’t get into trouble. Mr. Griffin stated the ticket was paid on December 22, 2006, and his license had been reinstated. B. Police Department: Officer Mitcavish stated that Mr. Griffin was suspended from 10/30/2006 – 12/22/2006, received a registration citation on 8/12/2006, a speeding ticket on 5/8/06, and a citation for operating while impaired (OWI). Since he has had a restricted license, Mr. Griffin has paid the reinstatement fee and that is all that is required. However, because he has had those violations in the previous six months, Officer Mitcavish felt it best to wait another six months before review of the taxi cab permit. Discussion: Mr. Troutman asked if the OWI was incurred while driving a taxicab. Officer Mitcavish stated no, the OWI was not incurred while driving a taxicab. Ms. Garrett asked if it was car registration or taxicab registration not signed. She also asked Officer Mitcavish what he found when running a recent criminal history check. Mr. Griffin answered the car registration was not signed for his personal car. Officer Mitcavish answered on 05/08/2006 he was stopped for speeding, on 05/17/2006 a judgment was issued for driving 50mph in a 40 mph zone, on 08/12/2006 he was stopped for an OWI, on 9/13/2006 it went onto his driving record, on 08/12/2006 he received registration/plate violations resulting in a suspended license. Officer Mitcavish noted if the ticket goes unpaid you are not criminally charged; however, your license is suspended. The suspension was terminated on 12/22/2006. It currently shows he has a restricted license. Ms. Parsons asked if there was also a 6/2006 speeding violation. Officer Mitcavish answered that was a mistake on the application. Ms. Parsons asked what the difference is between a chauffeur’s license and a CDL license. Officer Mitcavish answered a chauffeur’s license is required to drive merchandise, i.e. pizza delivery, taxicab, etc. A CDL license is required to drive commercial motor vehicles. Ms. Garrett asked if this is a new application. Mr. Griffin answered a renewal. He stated he has four years’ experience. Ms. Parsons asked what the reason is for the lapse. Mr. Griffin stated he just forgot about it and put it off. Ms. Garrett asked if he had other employment. Mr. Griffin answered no. He said he needs a job so he can pay the fines. Mr. Troutman felt it was a good idea to uphold Officer Mitcavish’s decision. Ms. Parsons stated she would like to see Mr. Griffin with no violations for a year. Ms. Garrett also upholds the denial and review in six months. Decision of License Review Board: A motion was made by Joyce Garrett, supported by Barbara Parsons, that the taxi cab permit denial be upheld with review in six months from, February 16, 2007. All yes. Motion carried Adjournment: The appeal hearing was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. DAL/cs