City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 7, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, ACTING CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of a Proposed Amendment to Title 9 (Licensing and Regulation), Chapter 12 (Taxicabs and Other Vehicles for Hire) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981.
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of City Manager recommendations related to the Biennial Review of the Taxicab Industry.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the Traffic and Parking Board recommendations to maintain the total existing number of authorized taxicabs at 767 and approve the proposed Ordinances (Attachments 3 and 4) on first reading and set the Ordinance for public hearing, second reading, and final passage on Saturday, January 24, 2015 to include:
1. Replace the requirement for two-way radios;
2. No Driver Smoking in Cabs; and,
3. No Talking on the Cell Phone While Transporting Passengers.
BACKGROUND: The Traffic and Parking Board recommended maintaining the total existing number of authorized taxicabs at 767 and make three changes to City Code as follows:
1. Replace the requirement for two-way radios in section 9-12-81(k) of the City Code with a requirement for wireless dispatch equipment. The use of two-way radios is an outdated mode of dispatching taxicabs. Most modern taxicab companies use computerized wireless dispatching systems employing Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
2. Prohibit drivers from smoking in taxicabs even when off duty. Taxicabs are a form of public transportation and operators of other forms of public transportation, such as, buses, trains and aircraft are not permitted to smoke. The ban on smoking was requested by several of the cab companies because if smoking is permitted the aroma lingers in the cab and is offensive to many passengers.
3. Prohibit drivers from using cell phones when transporting passengers. The ban of cellphone use was requested by several of the cab companies because of the safety implications resulting from distracted driving.
DISCUSSION: See Attachment 1
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact on the City government that would occur as a result of these recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Traffic and Parking Board Docket, November 17, 2014
Attachment 2: Ordinance Cover
Attachment 3: Ordinance to eliminate two-way radio requirement and prohibit smoking and
talking on cell phone
Attachment 4: Biannual Review of Taxi Industry Presentation
STAFF
Emily Baker, Acting Deputy City Manager
James Banks, City Attorney
Yon Lambert, Acting Director, T&ES
Sandra Marks, Deputy Director, T&ES
Bob Garbacz, Division Chief, Transportation, T&ES