OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CHERYL L. BROWN 117
WEST DUVAL STREET,
DIRECTOR 4TH FLOOR, CITY
HALL
OFFICE (904) 630-1452
FAX (904) 630-2906
E-MAIL: CLBROWN@coj.net
SPECIAL TEU COMMITTEE MEETING
October 8, 2013
2:00 p.m.
Don Davis Room
1st floor, City Hall
117 West Duval Street
In attendance: Council Members Jim Love (Chair), Greg Anderson, John
Crescimbeni, Stephen Joost and Matt
Schellenberg; Council Members Reggie Brown and Kimberly Daniels were excused;
Council Member Richard Clark was in attendance; Assistant Generals Counsel
Paige Johnston, Cherry Shaw; Kyle Billy and Sean Costigan, Council Auditor’s
Office; Teresa Eichner, Margo Klosterman, Administration; Jack Shad, Public
Parking Officer, Guy Smith, Motor Vehicle Inspection Supervisor; Michael
Stewart, Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Marty Fiorentino, Joe Mobley,
Fiorentino Group; Michelle Riddle, Northern Florida Transportation; Brad
Braddock, Checker Cab; Brian Sullivan, BTS Limo; Robert Glaezer, Coastal Cab;
Kimberly Morgan, Visit Jacksonville; Kevin Kuzel, Executive Council Assistant
(Love); Steve Patterson, Florida Times-Union;
Juliette Williams, Legislative Assistant; John J. Jackson, Council Research
Division.
Council Member Jim Love
called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. and explained that his intent in
calling the special meeting was to enable both sides in the vehicles for hire
issue to explain their respective positions.
In addition, he referred the Committee Members to his substitute to
proposed Ordinance 2013-554. A document,
Summary of Changes from Councilman Love’s Substitute had been distributed to
the Committee and attendees at the meeting.
There were nine changes. Council Member Love explained that his
substitute legislation encompassed a number of concerns that he thought should
be addressed in the legislation; he reached his decision to have the substitute
drafted after consultations with Jack Shad, the Council Auditor’s Office and
Council staff.
The Chair requested that
Council Members Richard Clark and Stephen Joost share their perspectives of the
proposed legislation, 2013-554.
Council Member Clark
recounted what had transpired at the initial meeting that was held to weigh the
vehicles for hire proposed legislation.
He felt that Uber representatives had not been forthcoming with
information, particularly with information pertaining to the contracts that the
company had with its drivers. Other
issues included insurance that the Uber drivers held and the use of a multiplier
in arriving at rates. In Mr. Clark’s
estimation, Uber manipulated rates.
Council Member Joost felt that
Uber should not be compelled to produce contracts that it had with drivers nor
any other documents. He raised the
City’s liability issue.
The Chair asked Uber’s
representative, Marty Fiorentino, to provide some background on Uber’s
operations. Mr. Fiorentino explained how
Uber operated its service, indicated that the company is operating smoothly in
45 cities; he then proceeded to field the questions of Council Members Greg
Anderson and John Crescimbeni.
Jack Shad, Public Parking
Officer, explained the components of the Love substitute to proposed Ordinance
2013-554.
Marty Fiorentino and Joe
Mobley (Fiorentino Group) further explained Uber’s procedures in contracting
with drivers. Brian Sullivan,
representing the BTS Limousines, explained the difference in insurance
requirements (as stipulated by the State) for on demand vehicle service as
opposed to regular taxi cabs.
Council Member Clark asked
Jack Shad to explain the nature of the information that he (Shad) had been
trying to get from Uber. That
information included: a list of the companies and drivers that Uber had
contracted; trip records when there are complaints with the service; contract
issues pertaining to negotiated prices.
Mr. Clark asked if the information that he requested been provided by
Uber. Mr. Shad indicated that he had not
received the requested information.
Council Member Joost remarked the requested information on Uber’s
contracts with companies and drivers was private information and it was the
wrong way to treat businesses if we required them to share information that the
businesses consider matters of a private nature.
Council Member John
Crescimbeni suggested that there ought to be a clawback provision as a recourse
service charges are above agreed upon rates; there should be a mechanism to
fine or cite a driver or service to recover costs that were above the agreed
upon rate to get from point A to point B.
Council Member Greg Anderson
felt that as a body, the Committee (or Council) was not fully prepared of
debating the issues; he noted that Council Members had not heard the views of
Ted Carter, Executive Director, and Office of Economic Development.
The Chair asked Michael
Stewart, spokesperson for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, to share his
thoughts on the proposed legislation.
Mr. Stewart indicated that he was merely monitoring the discussion; he
allowed how the vehicles for hire issue had no big impact on JIA. He explained JIA’s prevalence for medallion
vehicles.
There being no further
business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 P.M.
John J. Jackson, Council
Research Division (904) 630-1729
10.15.13
Posted: 12:00 P.M.