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<br />January 24.2006 <br /> <br />06 - 51 - Adoption of an ordinance to amend Section 37-132 of the City Code to <br />increase the following taxi rates: <br />. The Drop charge rate for the first one-sixth mile or fraction thereof is <br />increased from $1.85 to $1.95. <br />. The rate established for each additional one-sixth mile or fraction thereof <br />is increased from $.30 to $.35 per one-sixth of a mile. <br />. The waiting time hourly rate is increased from $9.00 per hour to $15.00 <br />per hour. <br />Vision Principle: Robust and Prospering Economy. <br /> <br />Background: <br />. The last taxi rate increase requested for cab companies operating in the City of <br />Portsmouth occurred in 2000. Since that time, cab companies have seen an increase in <br />insurance rates, which have increased to over $1000 per vehicle per year. Additionally, <br />gas prices have increased by over $1.50 per gallon. <br />. Barry Shepard, Vice President of Safeway Cab submitted a proposal to the City <br />Manager requesting that the City take a look at increasing taxi rates in order to mitigate <br />against the rising costs encountered by cab companies over the last 5 years. This <br />proposal was based upon the new taxi rates charged by the City of Chesapeake. <br />. The Police Department reviewed the taxi rate request and worked with Mr. <br />Shepard and the President of the Safeway Taxi Cab Company to reach a mutually <br />agreeable taxi rate increase proposal as set forth below: <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />. Drop Charge for the first one-sixth mile to be increased from $1.85 to $1.95. <br />Additionally each one-sixth mile thereafter or fraction thereof would increase from $.30 to <br />$.35 per one-sixth of a mile. This would increase the cost for the first mile from $3.35 to <br />$3.75. The rate for each succeeding mile after the first mile would be increased from <br />$1.80 to $2.10. <br />. The waiting time hourly rate to be increased from $9.00 per hour to $15.00 per <br /> <br />hour. <br /> <br />. Financial Impact: The increase in rates would act to offset the rising costs <br />faced by cab companies. Any increase in revenues realized by cab companies <br />resulting from this increase would lead to more tax dollars for the City. <br /> <br />Staff Recommends: <br />Adoption of an ordinance to amend Section 37-132 of the City Code to increase the <br />following taxi rates: <br />. The Drop charge rate for the first one-sixth mile or fraction thereof is increased <br />from $1.85 to $1.95. <br />. The rate established for each additional one-sixth mile or fraction thereof is <br />increased from $.30 to $.35 per one-sixth of a mile. <br />. The waiting time hourly rate is increased from $9.00 per hour to $15.00 per hour. <br />Vision Principle: Robust and Prospering Economy <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br />. None. <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Ms. Randall, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />"ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 37 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF <br />PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (1988) BY AMENDING SECTION 37-132 THEREOF <br />PERTAINING TO TAXICAB RATES." <br /> <br />Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Randall, Smith, Whitehurst, Holley <br />Nays: None <br />