CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

Transcription

1 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Date: August 4, 2015 TO: FROM: BY: Honorable City Council Michael J. Egan, City Manager James C. Parker, Director of Transportation Theresa Clark, Manager of Strategic Planning and Administrative Services Joshua Yordt, Public Safety Manager Nicole Amescua, Management Analyst SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING - APPLICATION FOR TAXICAB OWNERS PERMIT RENEWAL FIESTA TAXI COOPERATIVE, INC., DBA: FIESTA TAXI AND TAXICAB - PERMIT NO Background: In August of 2014, City Council approved the issuance of taxi owner s permit no to Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc. (DBA: Fiesta Taxi and TAXICAB), a subsidiary of Administrative Services Cooperative, Inc., for a period of one year. With the permit expired as of July 1, 2015, Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc. (Fiesta) is seeking approval for renewal of its taxi permit (No ) to continue providing taxi cab services in Norwalk for a period of three years beginning retroactive to July 1, The taxi owner s permit application is for thirty (30) taxicab vehicles and thirty (30) authorized taxi drivers, which is an increase of nine (9) taxicabs. Currently, Fiesta also holds the contract for the City of Norwalk for the Dial-a-Ride Taxi Voucher Service. This service is offered to qualified seniors and disabled residents for weekday trips to medical, dental, and non-medical facilities. This contract is valid for three years, with an end date of June 30, 2018 and the option to extend the contract annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods. Fiesta has operated in Norwalk since 2003 without any major incidents, including traffic collisions or any major traffic violations. During each renewal process, representatives from Fiesta have continued to work with staff to ensure all requirements set forth by the Norwalk Municipal Code are met.

2 City Council August 4, 2015 Taxicab Permit Renewal Permit No Page No. 2 As mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration and the California Government Code Section (b)(3), Fiesta has provided proof of proper insurance, a list of drivers with satisfactory driving records, and verification of each driver s completion in a drug and alcohol testing program. Rates for Taxi Service All taxicab owners are required to file reasonable and uniform tariffs or schedule of fares with the City Clerk. The Los Angeles County Department of Weights & Measures verifies the accuracy of taxicab meters. Rates for taxi service are the same for each City in which the taxicab owners operate due to taximeter calibration requirements. The proposed rates, unchanged from the previous year, for taxi service are as follows: Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, DBA: Fiesta Taxi and TAXICAB: $ 2.65 for the first 1/7th mile or 47.5 seconds or fraction thereof; $.35 for each 1/7 th mile or part of a mile; $.35 for each 47.5 seconds (or $26.53 for each hour) of traffic delay or waiting time. No additional surcharges for passengers, baggage or fuel have been requested. Complaints Regarding Dial-a-Ride Taxi Service Over the last year Fiesta transported a total of 1,815 passengers, of which 1,072 were Norwalk residents. During this time, the Norwalk Transportation Department (NTS) received 13 service complaints from Norwalk residents, ranging from missed passenger pick-ups and extended wait times for an available taxi. In each case, the company worked with the NTS to address corrective action measures. As a response to resident comments regarding the shortage of available taxis, Fiesta indicates that 30 taxi driver permits would provide the City a greater opportunity to service the marketplace and Norwalk residents in a more efficient and effective manner. Approved medical site locations (outside approved sites are located in Bellflower, Downey, and Lakewood) have expanded from 15 locations to 85 locations since Additionally, the increase in driver permits has potential to provide an increased number of disabled access vehicles to taxi patrons. Conclusion Fiesta and its representatives have responded fully to staff's inquiries and have provided all required documents during the renewal process.

3 City Council August 4, 2015 Taxicab Permit Renewal Permit No Page No. 3 If approved by City Council, staff will issue Driver s permits and stickers to each individual driver pending a successful background check and vehicle inspection, verifying the safety of each vehicle. The permit is subject to compliance with the provisions of Chapter 5.56 of the Norwalk Municipal Code. Fiscal Impact: The City received $7, in fees from Fiesta, including owners permit and business license renewal fees. Citizens Advised: Notice of Public Hearing was published in The Norwalk Patriot on Friday, July 24, Notices were also posted at all three official sites. Strategic Action Plan Implementation: N/A Recommended Action: Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to issue Taxicab Owners Permit No , for a period of three years beginning retroactively July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018, to Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc., DBA: Fiesta Taxi; DBA: TAXICAB, a subsidiary of Administrative Services Cooperative, Inc., with an option to extend annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods from July 1 through June 30 of each year thereafter. Attachment: Taxicab Owners Permit No

4 City of Norwalk Taxi Permit No This permit is issued to Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc. also doing business as Fiesta Taxi, and as TAXICAB, a California corporation, for transportation of passengers, for compensation, by motor vehicle over the public highways of the City of Norwalk. WHEREAS, Chapter 5.56 of the Norwalk Municipal Code authorizes the issuance, pursuant to certain conditions therein set forth, of permits for the transporting of passengers, for compensation over the said highways of said city; WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Norwalk has determined that a permit should be granted to Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc. DBA: Fiesta Taxi Co-Op, DBA: TAXICAB a California corporation; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Norwalk does hereby grant to Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc. DBA: Fiesta Taxi Co-Op, DBA: TAXICAB, a California corporation, permission to conduct a taxicab business in the City of Norwalk, under and pursuant to the following terms and conditions: NAME OF OWNER: The name of the owner is Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc., a California corporation, Roel Mazariegos, President ADDRESS OF OWNER: The address of the owner is: 2129 W. Rosecrans Avenue, Gardena, California APPROVED STYLE AND COLOR: All taxicabs shall contain on their exterior, the following data and must conform to one of the following schemes and style of vehicle appearance: Name: Color Scheme: Monogram: Fiesta Taxi Green with yellow top, with white lettering. A white logo stating the words, "Fiesta Taxi", shall be displayed on each front door. Name: TAXICAB Color Scheme: Yellow with black stripes, with white lettering Monogram: A white logo stating the words, TAXICAB and 1800TAXICAB.COM/ORDER, shall be displayed across each front and rear doors.

5 City of Norwalk Page 2 Taxi Owners Permit No RATES FOR TAXI SERVICE: The proposed rates for taxi service are as follows: $ 2.65 (1/7 th of first mile or 47.5 seconds or fraction thereof) $.35 cents for each additional 1/7th mile or fraction thereof: $.35 cents for each 47.5 seconds of traffic delay or waiting time LICENSE STICKER: A valid City of Norwalk taxicab permit sticker shall be affixed to the lower left corner of the rear window. NUMBER OF TAXICABS PERMITTED: The owner is to have the right to operate thirty (30) taxicabs, with thirty (30) approved drivers when a list of such taxicabs, with vehicle license numbers and description thereof is on file with the City Manager. CONDITION AND OPERATION OF TAXICABS: All taxicabs operated pursuant to this permit shall be maintained in a safe and clean condition. The City Manager or his designee may require repairs and specify standards of sanitation for all such cabs. No taxicab shall be operated in violation or in conflict with the requirements of this permit. PERMIT HAS NO VALUE: Neither the owner nor its successors shall, in any proceeding regarding the fixing of rates, either before the Norwalk City Council or before any court or any regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, claim any value for the authority hereby granted in excess of the actual costs thereof. COMPLIANCE WITH PERMIT AND LAW: The owner shall at all times comply with the terms of this permit, including the provisions of California Government Code Section (b)(3)(a), requiring the existence of a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program for taxicab drivers, all ordinances of the City of Norwalk, and the laws of the State of California and the United States of America thereto.

6 City of Norwalk Page 3 Taxi Owners Permit No The owner shall provide verification of compliance with Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) guidelines and state laws regarding the existence of a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol certification program. TAXIMETER REQUIRED: All vehicles operated in the City of Norwalk pursuant to this permit shall be equipped with a taximeter of such type and design as may be approved by the City. All taximeters shall be kept accurate at all times and shall be subject to annual inspection. NO COMBINING OF PASSENGERS: Not more than one passenger or group of passengers, paying a single fare, shall be carried in one taxicab at any time. CHARGES MUST SHOW ON TAXIMETER: Charges to all patrons of a taxicab shall be calculated and indicted by the taximeter, whose reading dial shall be well lighted and readily discernible by the passengers. No additional surcharges may be made for passengers, baggage or fuel. Such fares shall be prominently displayed in the passenger compartment of each taxicab, clearly legible characters, along with the owner's name, business address, telephone number and City of Norwalk permit number. INSURANCE POLICY MUST BE ON FILE: The owner shall not operate any taxicab in the City of Norwalk at any time unless there is on file with the City Clerk, and in full force and effect, an insurance policy approved by the City Attorney, in a form and limits required by the Norwalk Municipal Code, Section thereof. DRIVERS: The owner shall not permit any person to operate a taxicab owned or controlled by the owner in the City of Norwalk, unless the person is: 1. In possession of a valid driver's permit issued by the City of Norwalk. 2. Employed by the permit holder; 3. Wearing in a conspicuous position, a distinctive badge bearing the driver's number issued for drivers of the permit holder by the City of Norwalk.

7 City of Norwalk Page 4 Taxi Owners Permit No PERMIT FEE: The owner has paid to the City of Norwalk a permit fee in the amount of $7, BOOKS AND RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: The books, records and papers of the owner shall be made available for inspection by the City Manager, his deputies or agents at all reasonable times, for the purpose of determining compliance with the terms of this permit. TERM OF PERMIT: This permit shall remain in effect until June 30, 2018, subject to revocation or suspension by the City of Norwalk, for violation of any provision of the permit, as provided for in the Norwalk Municipal Code, with an option to extend annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods from July 1 through June 30 of each year thereafter. ACCEPTANCE WAIVES OTHER RIGHTS: By acceptance of this permit, the owner does hereby waive all claims to any prior rights to operate in the City of Norwalk and all operations of said owner shall be conducted only pursuant to the conditions, which are set forth herein. PERMIT IS NOT TRANSFERABLE: This permit may not be assigned or transferred. NOTICE OF RENEWALS: Renewal of this permit will be contingent upon full compliance with all terms of the permit, filing of an approved application and payment of all required fees. Operation after suspension or revocation of this permit or any renewal thereof, or after such permit or renewal of such permit has expired is unlawful and subjects the owner and driver to criminal penalties. Dated this 4 th day of August, 2015.

8 City of Norwalk Page 5 Taxi Owners Permit No Michael J. Egan City Manager City of Norwalk Roel Mazariegos President, Fiesta Taxi Cooperative, Inc., Attest: Theresa Devoy, City Clerk