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Lt. Helms said the ordinance changes the insurance requirements; changes the required driver training program; changes the responsibility of licensing and permitting; changes the notification procedure, changes the appeal process, changes the length of a driver's permit to two years; adds a description of the government code relating to controlled substance; outlines a new process for revocation and/or suspension of a certificate; provides for the Chief of Police to revoke a license and provides for the holder to appeal to the City Manager and not the City Council; adds cause for revocation; removes the requirement of affixing a seal to the taxi meter; amends the maintenance requirements; removes the week out of service penalty; and adds a new subsection which requires that each owner/driver be given a copy of the ordinance. Ms. Acosta said the process that is being proposed is similar to the property maintenance ordinance and the administrative citation ordinance. Mayor Tarver asked about the one week restriction. Sgt. Balch said the old ordinance stipulated that if a vehicle was not in compliance, it would be out of service for one week. The new ordinance proposes if the owner/driver brings the vehicle into compliance it can be operational the next day. Mayor Tarver asked what would happen if a vehicle failed repeatedly? Sgt. Balch said if a vehicle fails to be certified there is a penalty of $25.00. The inspections are to ensure clean and safe vehicles. Mayor Tarver thought the City was not going to get involved in determining the need for additional taxicabs. That provision is still in the ordinance. Mr. Roush said it is a consideration. The Police Chief can consider the number of existing taxi cab companies already in operation and whether that number is adequate to meet the publics needs. It is not the controlling factor but is something the Chief can certainly look at. Mayor Tarver asked for public testimony. Reza Ghorbani, 3596-B Utah Street, appreciated staff working with the taxicab owners. He said things are different from the driver's point of view versus the regulator's point of view. He said staff tried to look at all the issues. He had no problem with the ordinance in regards to the safety issues. His concern was with the insurance coverage being raised from $1 million to $2 million. He said when he raised his insurance from $500,000 to $1 million, it increased his monthly cost to $700 per vehicle. He said his business is not even worth $2 million. If the city wants to regulate the insurance and rates then it should regulate how many taxicabs are allowed to operate in the city. The regulations are costing him money. He hoped the Council would understand his frustration. The City of San Francisco tells its cab companies how much to charge, how much the insurance rates will be, and what kind of drivers are allowed. It takes years to get a license in San Francisco. He did not agree with this ordinance because it was giving most of the power to the Chief of Police. What will happen in five, ten or fifteen years Pleasanton City Council 18 4/21/98 Minutes