Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · February 5, 2024

Minutes

BURLINGTON VEHICLE FOR HIRE LICENSING BOARD REMOTE ONLY VIA ZOOM MINUTES OF MEETING February 5, 2024 Member present: Paul Hines, Youness Jamil, Stephen Hamlin Also present: Mark Barlow, Tenzin Chokden, Scot Barker, Byron Corcoran Meeting start time: 9:05 am 1. Agenda Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously. 2. Previous Minutes Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously. 3. New Meter Rate 3.1. Discussion on the new meter rate rollout plan According to Byron Corcoran, he spent thirty years working for Centrodyne, where he gained experience in reprogramming and calibrating meters. He also worked in Burlington. If the city requires him to adjust the new taxi rates and calibrate the taxi meters, he is capable of handling the task. The entire procedure, including calibration and reprogramming, takes 45 minutes to complete. According to Youness Jamil, installing the meters could be challenging, but calibrating them is not difficult. Paul Hines inquired about the cost of installing a new meter. According to Jamil, installation and calibration can run up to $500, depending on the model of the vehicle. If Byron is up for the task and can train others to become certified, Paul Hines would like to write a language on the use of electronic meters in the future. However, the new meter rate change must come first. Scot Barker stated that he has gotten in touch with a few app-based electronic meter companies, including Curb, Taximeter, and the vehicle for hire office in Washington, DC. He also has another meeting with Curb for later today, and he will provide the board with an update on that meeting after. Mark Barlow asked what is holding up the new meter rates from being effective, even though the new meter rates have been passed. Tenzin Chokden responded that the board was looking for a local certified technician to make the new rates convenient for business owners. Maybe taking into account the certification training of two drivers. He found out about Byron after contacting Centrodyne, and the business can train someone to become a certified technician for calibrating and reprogramming taxi meters. Byron Corcoron said he would be able to start this project in the middle of March, after returning from vacation. He added that he could train two people chosen by the city to take over in his absence. Youness Jamil suggested the board should think about price on meter calibration service. He will be out of the country from 03/06 through the middle of April. He can do the training before he leaves. Byron Corcoron doesn’t recall the board previously setting a rate on how much a company can charge for meter calibration. Companies are charging $75-$100 and that’s what the drivers should expect to pay. Paul Hines agreed that seems more micromanaging. The motion to approve the new meter rates was made by Stephen Hamlin. The new rates will take effect on April 15, 2024 and drivers can only use the meter on or after that date if it has been reprogrammed, calibrated, and verified by a city certified technician. Up to three people may be certified by city staff to calibrate meters. Youness Jamil seconded the motion. Motion passed with a unanimous vote. 4. Public Forum 4. Public Forum No member of the public commented. 5. New Business It was suggested by Youness Jamil that the board investigate why certain drivers refuse to take credit card payments from customers. He is adamant that anyone refusing to let customers pay with a credit card should be challenged by the board or the airport. Paul Hines agreed with Youness, stating that in order to inform customers and drivers alike, this issue needs to be changed in the ordinance. Then a sign can be displayed at the airport indicating that credit cards are accepted. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 5:30 p.m. Since Youness Jamil won't be able to make it to the upcoming meeting on March 20, Mark Barlow from TEUC will take over in order to ensure a quorum. Tenzin will check with Hayley McClenahan, the attorney for this board, to see if that is acceptable. 6. Adjournment 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05am.

Agenda

Packet

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board Monday, February 5, 2024, 9:00 AM, Remote only via Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95723923485?pwd=RUU3TzBGTWpNYmpwOXZibEtHK1FwQT09 Meeting ID: 957 2392 3485 Passcode: 314485 One tap mobile +13126266799,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US (Chicago) +16469313860,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda 2. Previous Minutes Subject 2.1. Approval of Previous Minutes File Attachments 1. VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft.pdf 3. New Meter Rate 3.1. Discussion on the new meter rate rollout plan 4. Public Forum 4.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments 5. New Business 6. Adjournment 6.1. Motion to adjourn Page 1 of 6 Page 2 of 6 BURLINGTON VEHICLE FOR HIRE LICENSING BOARD QUEEN CITY ROOM, 3RD FLOOR, CITY HALL, 149 CHURCH ST. MINUTES OF MEETING January 22, 2024 Member Present: Paul Hines, Youness Jamil, Stephen Hamlin Also present: Hayley McClenahan, Tenzin Chokden Meeting start time: 5:39p 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously. 2. Previous Minutes 2.1. Previous Minutes Approval Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously. 3. Ordinance Update 3.1. Ordinance update According to Paul Hines, some elements of the ordinance appeared out of date or were not followed. He wants to propose two ordinance changes but believes they can only make recommendations as a board. He asked if that was correct. Hayley McClenahan responded that the board can recommend and contact the Transportation Energy Utilities Committee or the Ordinance Committee (TEUC), but it would be preferable for the board to work with TECU because they are more familiar with the situation, and they are the board that would step in if the VFH board fell short of quorum. She can help edit and review the ordinance before submitting it to the city council for final approval. Page 3 of 6 Paul Hines suggested updating the definitions of taxicab and vehicle for hire, as well as removing the roof light from the taxicab description. Hayley McClenahan stated that this would cause confusion in the ordinance because all taxis are vehicles for hire, and not all vehicles for hire are not taxis. Paul Hines proposed requiring taxis in the queue line to use their meters. According to him, the ordinance already requires taxicabs to use meters when they are at taxi stands or hailing from the street. Hayley McClenahan suggested that if the board intends to update airport rules, it should update Appendix E in the ordinance. Otherwise, taxis may operate as vehicles for hire if the fare was discussed and agreed upon by both parties before entering the cab. Previously, the definition of street hail was interpreted as a customer getting into a cab and beginning the ride. Paul Hines proposed the taxis at the airport queue must use their taxi meter and it’s not right for people who are visiting the city to have to negotiate with drivers at fair prices and it doesn’t look good for the city. He added that it states in other language that you are required to have meters if you hold a queue permit. Youness Jamil agreed and he knows there are taxis in the airport queue line who don’t have meters and charge flat fees. Stephen Hamlin agreed. Paul suggested updating the ordinance and Appendix E of the city ordinance governing airport rules and regulations. Drivers must allow riders to pay with credit cards, and they are not permitted to refuse service if a credit card is requested. They must also provide a receipt. Hayley McClenahan stated that the board can certainly make recommendations to the TEUC and Ordinance Committee, but the city attorney will conduct research and determine whether the decision is within the authority of the city council. Stephen Hamlin proposed that board chair Paul Hines collaborate with city staff to develop a memo on the aforementioned ordinance changes. Youness Jamil seconded it. Approved unanimously. 4. New Meter Rate 4. New Meter Rate Tenzin Chokden suggested giving all business owners 45 days to notify them of any changes to meter rates, as there is no one here locally. Stephen Hamlin suggested that the new meter rate be reflected beginning March 15th. Tenzin Chokden questioned how we would ensure that the new rates set in each taxi were accurate. Would it be appropriate for business owners to change their meter rate and certify that the rates have Page 4 of 6 been changed? Is there a provision in the ordinance that specifies who can change the rate? Hayley McClenahan responded that while the ordinance does not state anything specific, the board has the authority to establish rules and regulations in the future. Paul Hines suggested that we notify business owners of the new meter rate, and that the board develop rules and regulations regarding meter calibration. He asked Youness Jamil if he was concerned about that. Youness Jamil agreed that before announcing the new meter rate, the board should first determine the rules and regulations governing meter calibration to avoid driver confusion. Paul Hines suggested we allow the new meter rate, sent notices out and follow up with guidelines to meter calibration. Hayley McClenahan agreed that the board could do so and solicit feedback from business owners on meter calibration and standards. Tenzin Chokden asked if the board would be okay with business owners getting their meters calibrated and changing the rate themselves and submitting some sort of certification, such as a sworn statement or a technician's certification. Paul Hines and Stephen Hamlin both liked the concept. Stephen Hamlin moved for this board to approve the meter rate effective 03/15/24, and that the meter rates be updated by providing a certification, and that new guidelines on meter calibration be presented in the future. Paul Hines seconded to go into further discussion on this motion. Youness Jamil stated that he knows a driver in town who knows how to calibrate the meter and asked if the board would grant authority to change meter rates in other taxicabs. Tenzin Chokden asked Hayley if this was permitted. Hayley McClenahan responded that there is nothing in the ordinance that specifies who can calibrate meters. The board can either refer to a certified technician or allow business owners to self-certify their meter calibrations. She suggested that the board work on rules and regulations regarding meter calibration. Youness Jamil suggested that we watch this Alpha Taxi driver demonstrate how to change the meter rate and see if it is correct, after which he can do it for others. Tenzin Chokden recalled a previous conversation with the Centrodyne support team about training someone or an entity on how to calibrate meters and provide certification. He asked if that convinced the board to allow this Alpha Taxi driver to calibrate all meters in Burlington if he received his certification. He can gather additional information about training and report back to the board. Paul Hines asked if that would be something he could do and discuss next week. Page 5 of 6 Tenzin Chokden said he would find out the information and let the board know. The motion was tabled until the next meeting on Tuesday, 01/30 at 5:00p. 5. Public Forum No members from the public comment. 6. New Business 6. New Business None 7. Adjournment 7. Adjournment 7.1. Motion to adjourn The motion to adjourn by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously. Page 6 of 6