Minutes 05/28/1974 - Laserfiche WebLink

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295 May 28, 1974 74-223 The ~otlowing ~eques~to speak received from Richard S. Young, Attorney, representing taxicab owners and operators in the City o£ Portsmouth: "This letter is to request permission to speak before the Portsmouth City Council Meeting, to be held on Tuesday, May 28, 1974, at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of petitioning for permission for persons eighteen (18) years of age to be allowed to operate taxicabs in the City of Portsmouth. This petition is presented pursuant to the change in law in the United States Congress and the Commonwealth of Virginia, now granting to persons full majority at age eighteen (18). As you are certainly aware, this includes the right to vote and also persons eighteen (18) are now treated as adults for all purposes in our Courts.. Our United States Congress and our Virginia General Assembly have given full legal status to those persons age eighteen. In our society today, these citizens who are no~ reaching*the age of majority, at age eighteen, are serving in all capacities in jobs of responsibility as well as serving our Country overseas as grown meg and we feel that they can be, in this age, fully responsible as taxicab drivers mn the City of Portsmouth. They, of course, will be subject to an examination by the Division of Motor Vehicles as are other drivers for a chauffer's permit.' "This letter is to request permission to speak before the Portsmouth City Council Meeting, to be held on. Tuesday, May 27, 1974, at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of petiti3ning for a rate increase for the undersigned taxicab owners and operators. It is necessary for the public interest that the City of Portsmout~ have efficient taxicab service for the benefit of its citizens and visitors. For Portsmouth taxicab owners and operators to successfully and economically provide this service and operate in today's economy, it is mandatory and essential that they be allowed an increase mn rat~s. The increase to be requested is reasonable and can be easily borne by those who use the taxicab service, but the fgilure to increase the rates cannot be borne by the owners and operators of the taxicab companies under today!s economy. Tha operating~expenses of our taxicab companies have give up during the last year and markedly so in the last few months due to the inflation o£ the national and local economy. To cite a few examples: the cost of gasoline has gone up to 15¢ a gal. over the last few months; the cost of tires has increased a minimu~ ~f $3.00 per tire, the cost of oil is up 18t a quart; the cost of replacement motor vehicles has increased; and we have all severely felt the increased cost of repairs and the increased costs of replacement parts. These are but a few examples of the increased overhead that are now borne by the undersigned owners and operators. The request of the P.o=tsmouth Taxicab Companies is not unique. Some 130 Cities throughout the United States have granted rate increases to taxicab operators during the months of January, February, March and Aprilf (See Editorial, "Taxicab Management", Official Publication of the International Taxicab Association). It is patently obvious that the City of Portsmouth service, maintained in good order to serve its citizens owners and operators to maintain this public service, a help defray the increased costs in their businesses, pointed out above. We request on behalf of the undersigned owners favorably consider our Petition for a rate increase, attached to this letter. must have an efficient taxicab and business. In order for the rate increase is necessary to some of which examples we have and operators that the City Council in accordance with the Schedule "A" PETITIONERS Airline Cab Service Kelly's Cab Company Portsmouth Eab Company Safeway Cab Service'° SCHBDULB "A" "An increase from 60e to 80~ for the first 1/5 mile to amend tbs Portsmouth City Tax Rates effective November, 1973." Mr. Richard D. Mattox, Attorney, spoke. Motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. King, letter concerning permission for persons eighteen (18) years of age be allowed to operate taxicabs in the City of Ports- mouth, to be referred to City Atttorney for proper handling, was adopted by unanimos vote. Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Smith, letter concerning rate increase to be referred to the City Manager and review entire structure of taxicab requirements, in- cluding inspection, safety, cleanliness, and Zone Districts; increase in fare as requested be given priority, was adopted by unanimous ¥o~e.