VEHICLE FOR HIRE ADMINISTRATOR S PUBLIC HEARING February 5, 2015 MINUTES

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1 VEHICLE FOR HIRE ADMINISTRATOR S PUBLIC HEARING February 5, 2015 MINUTES On Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., The Vehicle for Hire Administrator, Deputy Chief Eric D. Smith, held a public hearing, as prescribed by Chapter 55 of the City Code of Orlando. The hearing was held in the Auditorium of the Orlando Police Headquarters which is located at 100 S. Hughey Avenue, Orlando, Florida. The Public Hearing was advertised in accordance with Sections and 119, Florida Statutes. The meeting was called to order at 9:03 a.m. by the VFH Administrator. Staff Present: Deputy Chief Eric D. Smith VFH Administrator Lieutenant Vincent Ogburn Special Patrol Section Claudio Rosado, Jr. Vehicle for Hire Supervisor Gilbert Nieves Daniel Monn Hal Felshaw Willia Williams Recording Secretary WELCOME AND OPENING STATEMENT: Deputy Chief Eric D. Smith OLD BUSINESS The VFH Administrator recommended approval of the December 4, 2014 minutes. NEW BUSINESS Waiver of Annual Vehicle for Hire Rates Review and Public Necessity Convenience Formula a) Vehicle for Hire Rates and Fares - Consumer Price Index (CPI) b) Determination of the Public Necessity & Convenience Formula for Taxicab Vehicle Permits (Number of taxicab permits to service the City of Orlando) Due to the recent amendments to Chapter 55, the annual Taxicab rates and Taxicab permits will be waived. Chapter 55 Amendments PUBLIC COMMENT Paul Gren: Representative of Tow Truck Company stated his opinion about towing within City limits. He voiced his concerns about rates and expense regarding the cost for Tow Trucks over the past years. In conclusion: Requesting an increase of $25.00 to the base rate of a vehicle being towed and viewing of the rates every 24 months moving forward. Page 1

2 ENFORCEMENT Ivan Carradero Benitez Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.12(4); Charge: No Insurance Coverage with Active Permit. Mr. Benitez was present. On January 27, 2015, Mr. Benitez was issued Notice of Violation #1512 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Felshaw discovered in viewing files Mr. Benitez showed no insurance coverage between 12/22/14 through 1/9/15 on active vehicle permits # L /0076, with eighteen days lapse of insurance. Officer Felshaw issued Notice of Violation #1512 for no insurance coverage with active permits. Mr. Benitez stated he was out of town during this time period. During the time away he shopped for insurance coverage and now has proof of insurance for both permits. Mr. Benitez stated he did not realize how serious this matter was and apologizes for the inconvenience. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator issued a $500 fine. Hicham Firkatovne Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.34(i) (t); Charge: Failure to update application information. Mr. Firkatovne was not present. On December 16, 2014, Mr. Firkatovne was issued Notice of Violation #1513 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Nieves conducted a routine detail on 5760 Major Blvd. Orlando, Florida at the Double Tree Hotel. During this detail Officer Nieves received information that Mr. Firkatovne was no longer working with Safari Transportation. Officer Nieves issued Notice of Violation #1513 failure to update with City. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator suspended driver permit #16727 with a $100 reinstatement Kevin Bruce Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter (1); Charge: Vehicle safety and equipment. Mr. Bruce was not present. On January 1, 2015, Mr. Bruce was issued Notice of Violation #1540 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Nieves conducted a routine detail near Rio Grande Avenue. During this detail Officer Nieves observed Mr. Bruce operating a vehicle with safety issues. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator issued three days suspension with $12.50 reinstatement Page 2

3 Franklin George Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.12(4); Charge: No insurance coverage with active permit Mr. George was not present. On October 14, 2014, Mr. George was issued Notice of Violation #1672 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Monn stated Mr. George was scheduled to appear on December 4, 2014 hearing, but ask to be rescheduled for today s hearing. Officer Monn discovered in viewing the files Mr. George showed lapse of insurance of 79 days with vehicle permit #10570 with an expiration date of 3/31/14 and 20 days lapse of insurance with vehicle permit #10106 with an expiration of 1/31/14. Officer Monn issued Notice of Violation #1672 for no insurance coverage with active permits. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator ordered a $500 fine per vehicle. Carlos Acosta Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.12(4); Charge: No insurance coverage with active permit. Mr. Acosta was present. On December 15, 2014, Mr. Acosta was issued Notice of Violation #1431 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Mr. Acosta came into the office to conduct business. In viewing the files Officer Monn discovered the vehicle insurance was lapsed for three days with active vehicle permit #L with an expiration of 8/31/15. As of this date, no proof of insurance has been submitted to the VFH office. Officer Monn issued Notice of Violation #1431 for no insurance coverage with active permit. Mr. Acosta apologized for the lapse of insurance time frame. Mr. Acosta stated, he received a notice from the current insurance carrier, stating the insurance lapsed in coverage. This lead Mr. Acosta to search for another insurance carrier. During this time frame, the insurance lapsed for three days. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator issued a warning to Mr. Acosta. Bruno Mamedio Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter (1) (a); Charge: No trade name on vehicle. Mr. Mamedio was present. On December 12, 2014, Mr. Mamedio was issued Notice of Violation #1514 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Monn conducted a routine detail on 7389 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL. During this detail Officer Monn observed the company name appeared on Mr. Mamedio vehicle was not a listed company. Officer Monn issued Notice of Violation #1514 failure to have the listed trade name of the business on vehicle. Mr. Mamedio apologized for this error. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator issued a warning to Mr. Mamedio. Page 3

4 Rafael Rodriquez Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.34(1) (t); Charge: Failed to update application information with the City. Mr. Rodriquez was present. Officer Monn issued Notice of Violation #1587 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. On January 8, 2015, Officer Monn received an from Royal Transportation Group showing a list of drivers that are no longer employed with the company. Officer Monn sent notice to Mr. Rodriquez to verify this update. Mr. Rodriquez came into the office and verified he was still employed with the company. Officer Monn, contacted the company by phone and it was verified Mr. Rodriquez employment was still active. Officer Monn requested this case be dismissed. Mr. Rodriquez stated to the Administrator, he was still employed with the company. Results: The Vehicle for Hire Administrator ruled to dismiss case due to an oversight, per the recommendation of Officer Monn. William Chandler Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter (1) (t); Charge: Failed to update application information with the City. Mr. Chandler was not present. On January 8, 2015, Mr. Chandler was issued Notice of Violation #1588 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Monn, received a letter from Busey Traveler Transportation that Mr. Chandler was no longer employed with their company. Officer Monn sent a certified letter by mail to last known address. The green card was received and signed. At this time Mr. Chandler has not responded nor returned his driver permit # Officer Monn recommends his permit to be suspended, due to failure to update application on file. Booker Perry Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.34(1) (t); Charge: Failure to update application information. Mr. Perry was not present. On January 8, 2015, Mr. Perry was issued Notice of Violation #1589 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Monn, received a letter from Busey Traveler Transportation that Mr. Perry was no longer employed with their company. Officer Monn sent a certified letter by mail to last known address. The card was received and signed. At this time Mr. Perry is still no longer with company and has not responded to the certified letter sent by VFH office. Page 4

5 Darryl Horne Notice of Violation Violation: Chapter 55.34(1) (t); Charge: Failure to update application information. Mr. Horne was not present. On January 8, 2015, Mr. Horne was issued Notice of Violation #1591 to appear at today s Administrators Public Hearing. Officer Monn, received a letter from Busey Traveler Transportation that Mr. Horne was no longer employed with their company. Officer Monn sent a certified letter by mail to last known address. The card was received and signed. At this time, Mr. Horne has not responded, nor returned driver permit # ADJOURNMENT The hearing adjourned at 9:31 a.m. Willia Williams Willia Williams, Recording Secretary Page 5