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A number of people again spoke in opposition to the proposed <br />increase. <br /> Mr. J. T. Graves and Mrs. Clara Pace addressed the Council and <br />reinterated the increase was very necessary in order for them to <br />continue operation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ernest Brown and Mr. Melvin Carter independent cab operators <br />also addressed the Council in support of the increase and stated <br />it was becoming increasingly difficult to operate at the present <br />rate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that based on the reports, he feels the Council <br />is inadequately informed to make a decision setting the rates. He <br />stated that the Council has comp~ting concerns, the users of the <br />taxis w~o would like to keep them down and the operators of the <br />taxis who need a fair return in order to stay in business and the <br />Council decision should be hased on what is a fair and adequate <br />return. He stated he would like to defer action until he has time <br />to study the matter further. <br /> <br /> Mr. Albro stated that in fairness to everyone concerned he would be <br /> much happier if there was a specific charge to the staff for <br /> specific information. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bill Mitchell addressed the Council and presented a staff <br /> report recommending that the per mile portion of the request be <br /> granted for the following reasons: 1. it provides relief to the <br /> taxi .companies; 2. it complies with the President's wage and price <br /> guidelines; and 3. it imposes less burden upon the taxi ridership. <br /> <br /> Mrs. O'Brien suggested that the ordinance granting the increase <br /> could be offered on first reading and second reading would be the <br /> first meeting in May, which is three weeks away and in the meantime <br /> the Councillors could probably find out the things they wish to know. <br /> <br /> The City Manager stated that he detected that the Council feels <br /> <br /> a reluctance to act on this matter due to a lack of information. He <br /> stated,he would suggest that Council authorize a CPA firm to <br /> audit the books of the major comp~anies and also tell Council what <br /> would take to keep the taxis on the streets and in the meantime maybe <br /> grant a temporary increase. <br /> <br /> After a lengthy discussion, an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE <br /> IMPOSING A TEMPORARY SURCHARGE ON TAXICAB FARES," was offered by <br /> Mr. Buck, seconded by Mr. Gatewood and upon the rules being <br /> suspended as to the second reading by a four-fifths recorded vote, <br /> was adopted by the following recorded vote. Ayes: Mr. Albro~ Mr. <br /> Brunton, Mr. Buck, Mr~. Gatewood and Mrs. O'Brien. Noes: None. <br /> Mr. Buck requested that the City Manager's Office report on the <br /> cost of a CPA and the time it would take for the report suggested <br /> <br />by the City Manager. <br /> <br /> <br />