Laserfiche WebLink
161 <br /> <br />drivers feel that problems are serious enough then a cab <br />con~ission should be consid, ered. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bud Treakle, also representing independent taxicab <br />drivers, stated that he felt the penalty proposed was too <br />severe, thought there would be problems with proof, and <br />thought other civil remedies were available. Mr. Treakle <br />stated that he thought there was the potential for selective <br />enforcement of the ordinance. Mr. Treakle noted that taxicab <br />drivers support the concept of the ordinance, but not with <br />the proposed severity. <br /> <br /> Mr. Morton Roberts, a citizen, urged Council to look at <br />the issue from the passengers' viewpoint. Mr. Roberts stated <br />that sometimes passengers become impatient waiting for a cab <br />and call another company and felt that if pirating of fares <br />exists it actually provides prompt service to the community. <br />Mr. Roberts suggested that if Council adopt such an ordinance <br />that they ensure that passengers are protected. <br /> <br /> Ms. Becky Graves, representing Yellow Cab, expressed <br />amazement at the opposition to the ordinance. Ms. Graves <br />stated that Yellow Cab is the only company with a radio and <br />calls are monitored by other taxicab drivers and intercepted <br />before the Yellow Cab driver is able to arrive. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Ms. Graves <br />stated that she had not pursued civil suits and was advised <br />that it would be less cumbersome to have a local ordinance. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards expressed doubt about the proposed penalty <br />and questioned whether the matter could not be worked out <br />among the taxicab drivers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman explained that the proposed penalty <br />mirrored the violations imposed in the ordinances regulating <br />taxicabs, but stated that the penalty could be reduced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever questioned if violators could be taken to <br />federal court since monitoring of the radio calls is a <br />federal offense, and Mr. Goul~man explained that to do so <br />would be very cumbersome and would involve first going to the <br />Federal Communications Commission. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter requested that staff explore whether other <br />similar ordinances exist in Virginia and requested requested <br />that the City Manager meet with the taxicab drivers and <br />explore other alternatives. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he would like more information <br />on the extent of the problem° <br /> <br /> The ordinance regarding pirating of taxicab fares was <br />deferred. <br /> <br />REPORT: WEST MAIN STREET <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that the discussions regarding <br />potential development of the West Main Street corridor has <br />been a participatory process and it was felt that development <br />would expand the City's tax base, create jobs, and unit <br />neighborhoods and the University in a co~on enterprise. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sue Lewis, Chair of the Planning Commission and a <br />member of the West Main Street Task Force, explained that the <br />Planning Commission had created a B-5 zoning district for the <br />West Main Street corridor and had reviewed and amended zoning <br />ordinances to aid in positive development of the area. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gary Okerlund, Chair of the Urban Design Committee, <br />stated that both the Urban Design Committee and Board of <br />Architectural Review have been working on developing a design <br />formbook that will provide guidelines for development and a <br /> <br /> <br />