PVAC Minutes 08/06/2007 R
August 6, 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
PUBLIC VEHICLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Naples, Florida, August 6, 2007
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 A.M. in REGULAR SESSION at
the Collier County Community Development Services Division Conference
Room #610,2800 N. Horseshoe Drive, Naples, Florida with the following
members present:
CHAIRMAN:
VICE CHAIRMAN:
Tony Marino (excused)
Reg Buxton
Russ Berghuis
Tom Lugrin
Randall Smith (excused)
Steven Quinn
ALSO PRESENT: Lazara Chavez, Code Enforcement
Michaelle Crowley, Investigator, Code Enforcement
Kitchell Snow, Code Enforcement
Marlene Serrano, Code Enforcement
Tom Palmer, Assistant County Attorney
AGENDA
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC VEHICLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
August 6, 2007 at 9:30am
Collier County Communi.~Development Services Building
2800 N. Horseshoe Naples. FL 34104
Conference Room #610
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.
PLEASE ENSURE ALL PAGERS AND CELL PHONES ARE OFF OR IN A QUIET POSITION.
Regular Meeting
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Approval of Minutes: July 9th, 2007
V. Complaint Report - Michaelle Crowley
VI. New Business:
A. New Application:
1. Limousine Plus, Ine - NeweTO
2. Mercury Transportation of SW Florida - New eTO
VII.
Discussion:
VIII .
Speakers
IX. Next Scheduled Meeting Date: September 10th, 2007
X. Adjournment
I. Call to Order:
Vice-Chairman Reg Buxton called the meeting to order at 9:31 A.M.
August 6, 2007
II. Roll Call
Lazara Chavez called the roll and a quorum was determined.
III. Approval of Agenda
Russ Berghuis moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Tom Lugrin. Carried
unanimously, 4-0.
IV. Approval of Minutes of July 9, 2007
Russ Berghuis moved to approve the minutes of July 9, 2007 as presented.
Second by Tom Lugrin. Carried unanimously, 4-0.
V. Complaint Report - Michaelle Crowley (handout)
Michaelle Crowley provided the members with copies of the Complaint Report,
pointing out that there were 75 Patrol cases and 12 complaints from citizens
and/or members of the industry from July 10 through August 3, 2007.
She noted that:
· Millennium Limousine was operating without aCTa (7/13/07) and will be
submitting an application for approval.
· A partial copy of the contract between Lee County Port Authority and MBA
Airport Transportation, with special emphasis on section 9 D. Vehicle Marking
was handed out to the members which indicated that All permitted vehicles must
be painted and marked at the Concessionaire's sole expense in a uniform and
distinct color and marking scheme that is approved in writing by the
Authority in advance of service. Marking must clearly identify the vehicles as
providing Airport Demand Taxicab service. It does not require a speci fic
number or location of logos but would preclude magnetic signs.
· USA Taxi has modified their logo on the side of the vehicles as shown on the
photo handouts. It is a very similar flag type logo that would be very difficult for
someone to mistake but it was different than originally approved.
Russ Berghuis moved to approve the logo change of USA Taxi. Second by Tom
Lugrin. Carried unanimously 4-0.
· She and Investigator Stone presented cases in a Special Magistrate Hearing, the
following decisions were made:
· Maximum Limousine - $1000 fine and court costs for operating a vehicle
for hire without license to operate.
· Senior Solutions- $1000 fine for operating a vehicle for hire without
license to operate.
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August 6, 2007
· Private Car Luxury - $250 fine plus court costs for a technical violation.
VI. New Business:
Lazara Chavez presented the following application packages, which had been
recommended by staff for approval.
A. New Application:
1. Limousine Plus, Inc. - Request is for a new CTO.
Applicant was Ramon A. Burgos, who was present. Staff reported the
application was complete and recommended approval.
Ramon Burgos briefly told the committee that he had been in business
since June of2006 and was looking to expand the operation.
Russ Berghuis moved to approve the application of Limousine Plus, Inc.
Second by Tom Lugrin. Carried unanimously 4-0.
2. Mercury Transportation of SW Florida, LLC - Request is for a new
CTO.
Applicant was Patsy Bragg and; partner Richard Wardrop, who were
both present. Staffreported that the application was complete and
recommended approval.
Richard Wardrop briefly stated that the Company is registered in Lee
County out of Ms. Braggs address and will have I new Lincoln Town Car
and hope to expand in the future.
Tom Lugrin questioned if the name of the Company "Mercury" would
cause any confusion with regard to some fleets running Mercury made
vehicles. It was determined that it was not an issue.
Russ Berghuis moved to approve the application of Limousine Plus, Inc.
Second by Tom Lugrin. Carried unanimously 4-0.
VII. Discussion
None
VIII. Speakers:
Ken Mastrodomenico of Taxi Time appeared to discuss two Ordinance
considerations:
· When decommissioning vehicles changing color schemes so do they not appear
as vehicles for hire, such as required with State of Florida Police vehicles.
· Contract Sales for transportation services, examples given were for Disadvantage
citizens provided by CAT or Workman Compensation individuals being delivered
to appointments. He was concerned that these services provided are unmetered or
flat rate charges and provides "unfair competition."
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August 6, 2007
MichaelIe Crowley stated that she had come across a vehicle providing this type
of service; the driver did have an ID, but questioned whether this type of service
falls under the jurisdiction of the ordinance.
Tom Palmer stated that these are special cases of contracts that have a particular
function, not operating as a common carrier and is not subject to the scope of the
ordinance. The ordinances basic purpose is to ensure the general public has safe
operating vehicles with safe drivers when they call for a taxi ride. Private
companies that choose to hire these types of contract carriers will review who
they hire for the services regarding driver and vehicle suitability.
Tom Lugrin questioned whether the meter has to be running during these types
of contracts. His understanding was that the rate would be determined by the
company hiring the carrier and the carrier, taxi companies could enter into these
types of contracts and would not be obligated to run the meter.
Tom Palmer agreed that they would not have to run the meter and the scope of
the ordinance does not include this type of service.
Ken Mastrodomenico stated that these types of services may not carry the same
insurance policies as common carriers.
Tom Palmer stated that the company hiring these types of services will determine
the type of insurance they would require the provider to carry, and these types of
independent contracts are not the scope of the Board. Existing common carrier
companies could provide this type of service if they so choose.
MichaelIe Crowley asked if a driver is doing this type of contracting work in a
vehicle with a Collier County decal, needs to have a driver rD.
Tom Palmer stated that if they are functioning for a certificated company, even
without the meter running on these types of contracts they would need a driver
lD.
Tom Palmer stated to make sure to recognize the difference between a common
carrier who the general public flags down for a ride and contract work which is
not available to every individual, but rather needs to meet a certain set of
circumstances for particular clients.
IX. The next scheduled meeting date will be September 10, 2007.
X. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was
adjourned by order of the chair at 10:01 A.M.
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August 6, 2007
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC VEHICLE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Vice-Chairman, Reg Buxton
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on
as presented or as amended
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