OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

CHERYL L. BROWN                                                                                                         117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425

            DIRECTOR                                                                                                                                                                                 4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL

   OFFICE (904) 630-1452                                                                                                                                                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32202

     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.

 

 

Attendance Record