Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Henry A. Sniezek
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental & Consumer Protection
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Chapter 22½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Motor Carriers”) related to regulations for vehicle for hire dispatch services and operating permits.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Section 18.5(e) of the Broward County Administrative Code, the subject matter of a proposed Ordinance must be considered by the Board prior to the drafting of the proposed Ordinance.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides required direction to the Office of the County Attorney.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION (ECPD) RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
Approval of this motion permits the County Attorney’s Office to prepare a proposed ordinance change in Chapter 22½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to address recent vehicle for hire issues.
ECPD audits of taxi companies, on-going fee collection issues at ECPD and the Airport, and recent discoveries concerning false information provided on Certificates of Insurance suggest the following regulatory proposals for the vehicle for hire industry.
1. Clarify that dispatch services are to be provided on a 24/7 basis (currently, the code only requires dispatch services be provided when requested).
2. Prohibit the issuance of annual operating permits to any entity that has outstanding ECPD or Broward County Aviation Department fines or fees owed to Broward County, or to any entity that has as one of its officers a person legally associated with an entity whose history includes outstanding fines or fees owed to Broward County.
3. Require each entity offering Taxi or Luxury Sedan dispatch services to register, at no cost, with ECPD (this requirement will affect an estimated 42 dispatch services).
4. Prohibit an entity with a history of submitting false/intentionally misleading applications or documentation to ECPD from obtaining a dispatch service registration, this prohibition lasting for two years from the date on which the case based on submitting false/intentionally misleading information was upheld by the Consumer Protection Board.
5. Require each Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity holder to identify a registered dispatch service on their annual permit application and prohibit the issuance of permit applications listing a prohibited dispatch service.
Source of Additional Information
Jeffery D. Halsey, Director, Environmental and Consumer Protection Division, (954) 519-1468
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact.