PVAC Minutes 04/07/2003 RApril 7, 2003
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY PUBLIC VEHICLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Naples, Florida, April 7, 2003
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Public Vehicle
Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 9:30 PM in REGULAR SESSION at the
Collier County Government Center, 2800 N. Horseshoe Dr., Conference
Room "E", Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: William Csogi
Dan Shriner
Patricia Baisley
Allen Walbum (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Michelle Arnold, Code Enforcement Director
Janet Powers, Operations Manager
Indira Rajah, Code Enforcement, PVAL Coordinator
John Marsh, Code Enforcement, Field Supervisor
Brian Spaulding, Naples Concierge, Inc.
Michael Mendel, A-OK Transportation
Nick Whitney
Kenneth Mastrodomenico
AGENDA
.WORKSHOP
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC VEHICLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
April 7, 2003 9:30 AM
COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMenT CENTER
2800 N. Horseshoe Dr., Naples,
Conference Room ~E"
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A
VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THAT
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
ROLL CALL
I. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS:
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
February 2003
March 2003
IV.
TENTATIVE NEW BUSINESS~
Debbie Weber Certificate to Operate (CTO)
Jo-Jo's Cab (Sub-certificate)
Vo
OLD BUSINESS
VI. REPORTS:
VII. DISCUSSION:
a. Fuel charge approved by BCC 3/25/03
Background checks on several drivers are back. Started issuing
ID's from Monday, 30tn March. ID's are being issued by appointment
only and anyone who misses their appointment will have to go to
the back of the line.
c. Ail company owners are responsible to send newly appointed drivers
to get their Driver Ids prior to allowing them to drive.
VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE:
May 5, 2003
April 7, 2003
I. Additions or deletions:
II. Approval of Agenda: Modifications were made.
III.
Approval of Minutes: February 2003, March 2003
Pat Baisley moved to approve the minutes of February & March 2003.
Seconded by Dan Shriner. Carried unanimously.
IV. New Business:
Jo-Jo's Cab (Sub-certificate) - discussion followed on lettering on the back of
vehicles and telephone numbers being different for separate services.
Dan Shriner moved to approve the Sub-Certificate for Jo-Jo's Cab.
Seconded by Pat Baisley. Carried Unanimously.
SPEAKER
Kenneth Mastrodomenico - he commended everyone for getting drivers permitted
which has been long overdue. His concerns were: People applying for permits not being
who they say they are.
He discussed:
- A Florida Search
Qualified Applicants
Out of State Addresses
Taxis Cab drivers deputized in other areas
Criminal Investigations
- Sheriffs officer handling the task
- No need for outside funding
- Should have applications for in excess of 600 cab drivers
- Getting Motor Vehicle history
Submitting to Sheriffs department
Needs to be timelier
Michelle Arnold - Code Enforcement - stated prior to the process, they did consult
with the sheriffs office to see if they could get a temporary employee. Only an employee
of the Sheriffs office can access records. She contacted the State Attorneys office and
was not successful. They discussed perhaps a retired deputy from the Sheriffs Dept. that
is still deputized that could possibly do it.
Mr. Csogi suggested Mr. Mastrodomenico give the names of those persons giving
misinformation to someone in Code Enforcement.
V. Old Business:
April 7, 2003
VI.
VII.
Michelle asked John Marshfield to give an update on businesses that did
not renew.
John Marsh - Field Supervisor Code Enforcement - Investigated 19
companies that were in question which had certificates in thc past and still on
thc books, not knowing whether they were in or out of business. 15 were out of
business, 2 are renewing, 1 already renewed and 1 changed ownership.
Mr. Marsh discussed cars on Marco Island he noticed with cards in their front
windshield which is against thc Ordinance. In stopping thc vehicle hc found thc
driver did not know what type of service hc was providing. He had no meter or
light on top of thc vehicle. In calling the company hc worked for he found the
company is doing this frequently using "short term fiat fees". Hc would like to
get a copy of their log sheets.
Mickey Mendel - owner of A-OK Transportation & company in discussion -
He gave a history of the past 8 years attending workshops and meetings with
the Public Vehicle Advisory Committee going over what was legal and illegal
for charter services. Then and also 2 years ago he asked again the legality of
charter services. Marco Island has no taxi service. By law in Collier County
if a call is generated into his office he cannot tell them he cannot take them. As a
charter company he can tell them it is a negotiated fare. He does not solicit, just
quotes a fiat fare.
Michelle Arnold stated they may want to look at the rates.
Mr. Mendel mentioned other Cab companies and their rates. He stated his rates
in the past were $6.00 on the Island and today as being between $4-7.00. There
was no procedure in the Ordinance to give a rate sheet at that time.
There was much discussion on the signs in the window, rate sheets, and fares
charged, and improving the process.
Michelle mentioned everyone needs to make an appointment with "no walk-ins"
for each driver.
Reports:
Discussion:
A. Fuel charge approved by BCC 3/25/03 - Michelle does not have the
Ordinance in hand recorded and stamped, but has a copy of the
Resolution 2003-130. Notices will be sent to the taxi companies advising
them what the notice needs to say and that they can charge the $1.00 sur
charge when the notice is received.
B. Background checks on several drivers are back. Started issuing ID's
from Monday, 31st March. ID's are being issued by appointment only
April7,2003
and anyone who misses their appointment will have to go to the back
of the line. Discussed earlier.
Mr. Csogi had some concerns about registered sexual offenders which are
not in the Ordinance. He would like it on next months Agenda for
discussion.
All company owners are responsible to send newly appointed drivers
to get their Driver ID's prior to allowing them to drive.
It was noted less than 1/3 have been in for their ID's and a deadline needs
to be set. Michelle will check with staff. Letters have been sent out with
information be disregarded. Discussion followed on deadlines for the
applications and possibly sending out another letter.
The remaining companies that have not sent in a list need to receive a letter
stating they need to get the drivers in to fill out the permit within the next 30
days or their certificate will be suspended.
Michelle summarized the discussion:
- A letter will be sent to the companies that failed to comply with the
time frame and suspension will be recommended if not taken care of in
May.
Companies should let them know about their seasonal drivers so they
can be taken care of next season when they are back.
VIII. Next Meeting Date:
May 5th - first Monday of each month - 9:30 AM - Horseshoe Drive.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Collier County Public Vehicle Advisory Committee
Chairman, William Csogi