City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD TWO CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session January 27, 2015 Taxi Regulations Closed Session – Downtown Parking Garage The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Bradford C. Ellis, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. and Matthew J. Kelly. Also Present. City Manager Beverly Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Chief David Nye, Sergeant James Kuebler and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Taxi Regulation. Sergeant Kuebler reviewed the Taxi Board recommendation with Council. The first change they recommended was moving from zones to a flat rate fare schedule. (See attachment for rate recommendations). He said the Board did not want meter and did not discuss meters. Officer Keubler stated that the zones have become antiquated and he believes the flat rate would be better for the customers. The second change proposed was to change the expiration date of the taxi driver permits. They suggested that the permit end one year from the date it was issued. The third change proposed was to change the expiration date of the certificate of public convenience to expire annually on January 31. The final change was proposed by the Police department to change the method of notification for the hazardous snow conditions surcharge. Currently, the watch commander has to call the taxi companies when hazardous snow conditions go into effect. The police proposed to notify them using the city text alert system to make notification. 1  Councilor Devine felt that the rate of $8.00 was too much of an increase from the average $4.25. She also stated that the gas surcharge should be done away with since gas was so cheap now. City Attorney Dooley noted that the taxi drivers had not had an increase since 2004 and she explained that the surcharge only goes into effect when the gas is above $2.00. Sergeant Kuebler said the proposed rate was what the Board felt was fair and he noted that Mr. Denis Paddeu who represents the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging had no objections to the proposed increase. Councilor Withers said he had no issues with changing the registration, but he was concerned with the rate increase for those people living on a fixed budget. He said he would like to first hear input from those using the cabs. Councilor Ellis said he would like to govern the cleanliness of a cab. He said it makes a statement about the City when they are not clean. He suggested a medallion system for the cleanliness of the cabs. Mayor reminded Council that they were proposing a $2.00 discount for seniors 65 and older, which would make the fare $6.00. Councilor Duffy asked what the average fares were and Sergeant Kuebler said he wasn’t sure and the last time their fares were increased was in 2004. He also noted that the cab drivers were not wealthy people and he felt there needed to be some sort of increase for them. Councilor Duffy said that $8.00 was a big jump. Councilor Kelly said he can’t make a decision until he knew what it takes to operate a cab so he could make an informed decision. Councilor Frye stated that his father currently drives for Bumbrey Cab and before the gas surcharge was put into effect they were taking a hit and he also noted that the insurance was expensive because they are transporting people. He offered to check on the expenses through his father. He said maintenance was expensive and he noted that all drives pay for their own expenses because each cab is independently owned. Councilor Duffy asked how many cabs were owned by Fredericksburg residences and Sergeant Kuebler said the numbers of authorized cabs were capped at 50 and he believes 35 or so have City addresses. Councilor Devine said she was fine with all the other changes but the fare increase was her main concern. 2  Councilor Kelly also said he would like to know how many pickups they make in a day and the cost to run a cab before he could make any decisions. Vice-Mayor Withers asked when was the number of certificates capped at 50 and he asked if they thought that was too many for the City and Chief Nye said he believed that it was capped a 50 during Chief Powers time in office. The reason he did it was so that it would not be too many cabs in that area. Sergeant Kuebler said the number of certificates issued was about 30-35 per year. Councilor Kelly also noted that traffic also plays into the costs increase as well and Councilor Devine asked should they consider peak and off peak rates. She also asked what happens when it snows and Sergeant Kuebler said the watch commander would determine if the winter surcharge was in effect. Councilor Kelly said he like the concept of the flat rate but felt simplicity was best. He wanted to be sure he was able to justify why they were making the increase. Councilor Frye asked if there was a way to help people who use the cabs as their life line such as going to the Cancer Treatment Centers. Sergeant Kuebler explained that Medicare pays for transportation and Councilor Kelly added that there are programs set up to help those in need. Councilor Duffy asked if there had been any talk about Uber Lift in the area and Sergeant Kuebler said Uber Lift was regulated on a state level and he had not heard about them being in the area. Mayor Greenlaw added that Council would like Sergeant Kuebler to get answers to their questions so that they can determine what steps they should take. Closed Meeting Approved. Upon the motion of Councilor Devine, seconded by Councilor Frye and passed by the following unanimously recorded votes, Council approved a closed session to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose specifically, downtown parking where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City Council, under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(3). Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). Return to Open Meeting Approved. Upon the motion of Councilor Devine, seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following unanimously recorded votes, Council approved a return to an open meeting. Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). 3  Resolution 15-01 Approved Certifying Closed Meeting. Upon the motion Councilor Devine approved Resolution 15-05 certifying the closed meeting; seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following unanimously recorded votes. Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the work session officially adjourned at 6:50 p.m. ____Tonya B. Lacey______ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 4