1979-04-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular meeting Executive Session Approval of minutes Mrs. Virginia Carrington - Political Action Committee of the Ch'ville Chapter of NAACP Public Hearing re: Ordinance to increase Taxicab Rates COUNCIL CHAMBER - MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1979 The Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Albro, Mr. Brunton, Mr. Buck, Mr. Gatewood and Mrs. O'Brien. Absent: None. A motion by Mrs. O'Brien, seconded by Mr. Albro that Council meet in executive session to discuss a matter exempted by Section 2.1-344(a)(1) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, was adopted by the following recorded vote. Ayes: Mr. Albro, Mr. Brunton, Mr. Gatewood and Mrs. O'Brien. Mr. Buck was absent at this time~ The executive session was dispensed with and open session was resumed at 7:30 p.m. The minutes of the meetings of March 19th, 21st, 22nd and 28th and April 2nd, 5th and 9th were approved as presented. Mrs. Virginia Carrington representing the Political Action Committee of the Charlottesville Chapter of NAACP addressed the Council and presented petitions requesting the City Council to revise the City's electoral procedure, which would provide a system of ward and at large representation. The proposed system would provide for six wards and one at large representative. Mr. Sherman White and Dr. William Harris also spoke in support of the petitions. Mrs. O'Brien asked if the group had discussed the possibility of a direct elected Mayor. Mr. Albro stated that since the petitions are the result of some group study, he wondered if the group could give Council more details on the study and put in the form of a report to the Council. Mrs. Carrington answered that this could be done. The public hearing on a proposed ordinance to increase taxicab rates was resumed. Mr. Herbert Beskin addressed the Council and stated the information before Council is still inadequate, there is no data from either company explaining why fare increases of this magnitude were requested; there is no data showing how these new revenues would be used; and without knowing Yellow's present financial condition there is no way to know if even the requested increase would be enough to relieve the problems. He also stated the staff report failed to discuss several important issues, such as alternatives other than a fare increase and effect of any increases on quality of taxi service. He also stated the requested increases in his opinion far exceed the President's wage and price guidelines. He recommended that Council postpone consideration of the requests until a financial statemenn for 1978 is submitted hy Yellow Cab and examined, by the staff. He also suggested that staff be instructed to investigate alternatives to the taxi companies financial problems other than a fare increase and if an increase is granted tonight it should comply with the President's wage and price guidelines, and in the future require both companies to submit audited financial statements with any request for a fare increase.