SPECIAL MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
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A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
K. Kitteringham,
Deputy Clerk
B. Wiles, Manager,
By-law Enforcement and Licensing
D. Barker, Senior
Licensing Officer
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 5:30 p.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio in the
Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
1. PREMIER
TAXI LICENSE (2.23)
Report
Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, presented information regarding the
regulatory objectives of the Taxi licensing program, details with respect to
the recent stakeholder consultation process with stakeholders and highlighted
the premier plate regulatory framework. She also discussed enforcement efforts
on the part of the Town’s Wheels Unit and various other statistics regarding
the issuance and licensing of taxi plates in Markham. Ms. Birrell noted a number of issues
that were identified through the stakeholder consultation process such as the
industry’s request for the conversion of premier plates to regular plates, the
operation of unlicensed taxis within the Town, the need for hotel taxi stands and
the inequity of the current population to taxi ratio used to direct the
issuance of taxi plates. Ms. Birrell noted that there would be a report
forthcoming to General Committee in early 2008 with a more comprehensive
analysis of current taxi regulations
Staff suggested that the conversion of premier plates to regular
plates would result in the dismantling of the regulatory framework established
by By-law 2002-308. It was also noted that a further shift towards the Premier
plate program would foster pride in ownership on the part of the
owner/operators and improve the customer service experience.
The Committee discussed the current three (3) year refund available
for the purchase of a taxi plate and questioned whether that timeframe could be
extended. Staff advised that the refund was established to allow buyers a
window of opportunity to withdraw from the industry in the event they decided
to no longer pursue their career. Staff noted that they did not recommend the
extension of the refund period. Members also posed questions relating to the
Priority Waiting List (PWL), a list comprised of individuals currently working
within the Markham
industry who are interested in obtaining a taxi plate when made available by
the Town. Staff advised that a process is currently underway to verify the
eligibility of those named on the PWL. Staff also clarified that the current
fines set for the operation of illegal taxis are set by the Courts.
Mr. Youssef Massoud, Taxi Driver, was in attendance and spoke in
opposition to the staff recommendation to deny the conversion of premier plates
to regular plates. He noted that due to expenditures associated with the
operation of a taxi such as gas, insurance and vehicle maintenance it was
difficult to make a living. Mr. Massoud advised that the ability to transfer
his plate would increase the return on his investment and provide a pension for
his eventual retirement.
Mr. Arie Leitman, Taxi Broker, was in attendance to request that taxi
stands be implemented at all hotels and in various other areas throughout the
Town.
Mr. Jitender S. Parhar, Taxi Driver, was in attendance and spoke in
opposition to the staff recommendation to deny the conversion of premier plates
to regular plates. He noted that additional plates should not be issued at this
time due to the over saturation of the market.
He also suggested the Town should only be issuing regular plates to
increase the profitability of the investment. Mr. Parhar suggested the 1:1,500 ratio
used to determine the issuance of plates does not take into account the number
of vehicles per household in Markham.
He advised that enforcement of illegal taxis operating in the Town had to be
increased. Mr Parhar also noted that the current dress code and conduct of
licensed drivers in the Town was adequate and customers were being given a high
level of service. Members discussed a financial model presented by staff highlighting
the fact that an investment into an RRSP was more profitable than investment
into a Town taxi plate over the same period of time.
Mr. Rajinder Singh, Taxi Driver, was in attendance and spoke in
opposition to the staff recommendation to deny the conversion of premier plates
to regular plates. He expressed concern that his name was formerly on the PWL but
was removed by staff. Mr. Singh advised that all drivers should have the
opportunity to purchase a plate. He also suggested that the requirements associated
with the premier plate program, specifically the requirement for an owner to
operate his vehicle 50% of the time, was not feasible.
Mr. Andy Yoselevsky, Taxi Driver, was in attendance and spoke in
opposition to the staff recommendation to deny the conversion of premier plates
to regular plates. He advised that he and others added their names to the PWL because
they thought they would receive a regular plate from the Town. He questioned
the 1:1,500 population ratio used to determine the issuance of plates noting it
did not adequately take into account the Markham
limousine industry was in direct competition with the taxi industry. Mr.
Yoselevsky also discussed the provision of accessible taxi service in York
Region. He noted that the vehicles used to provide this Regionally required
service did not have Markham
taxi licenses. Mr. Yoselevsky indicated that, Markham drivers should have an opportunity to
provide this service as well.
The Committee posed various questions to Mr. Yoselevsky and Town
staff in order to clarify details concerning the accessible taxi service currently
provided to visitors and residents of Markham.
Staff advised that the Region currently registers and regulates the taxis and
drivers providing accessible service and confirmed that it was legal for them
to operate within the Town without a Markham
taxi licence for this purpose. Staff indicated they are working with the Region
to determine if there are opportunities to bring this business back to Markham.
Mr. John Antwi was in attendance and spoke in opposition to the
staff recommendation to deny the conversion of Premier plates to regular
plates. He expressed concerns regarding the lack of communication regarding the
Town’s decision to issue premier plates in lieu of regular plates. Mr. Antwi
also discussed the potential to receive benefits and a pension from the Town as
he considers himself to be a civic employee.
Mr. Bill Sakorafas Vasilios was in attendance and spoke in
opposition to the staff recommendation to deny the conversion of premier plates
to regular plates. He reiterated that the current market value of taxi plates
is very low when compared to previous years and suggested that the Town will
profit more from regular plates than premier plates due to transfer fees. He
also noted that transferable plates allowed owners an opportunity to realize a
return on their investment. Mr. Vasilios restated concerns regarding Regional
accessible taxi contracts. When asked by the Committee, Mr. Vasilios clarified
that the existence of premier plates did not impact the value of standard
plates.
There was discussion regarding the premier plate program and Members
posed questions to staff and requested clarification on various matters. Staff
noted that the premier plate program upheld the main objectives of regulating
the Taxi industry, specifically as they relate to public safety, consumer
protection and customer service.
Staff clarified the names on the PWL were currently being verified
for eligibility and that moving forward, staff are recommended additional
requirements be implemented in relation to the PWL. It was suggested that an individual should
have to submit an annual fee in person to remain on the PWL as well as submit a
GST number to demonstrate that they are currently working within the taxi
industry in Markham.
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the 1:1,500 plates
issuance ratio because the number of limousines active in Markham were excluded from the calculation.
Members questioned the figures provided regarding the number of limousine
plates issued in other York Region municipalities when compared to those issued
by Markham.
Staff agreed to review the matter and report back. Members directed staff to further
review the implications of converting premier plates to regular plates.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentation and deputations concerning the staff report
entitled “Premier Taxi License” be received;
And that the Town Clerk research the potential implications of
converting current premier taxi plates to regular plates and report back to the
General Committee in four (4) weeks time.
CARRIED
The Special Meeting of the General
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour 7:27
p.m.