Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Henry A. Sniezek
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental & Consumer Protection
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND certain provisions of Chapter 40 of the Broward County Administrative Code and Chapter 22½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to dispense with charging Vehicle for Hire (VFH) permit reinstatement fees through August 1, 2020; extend current chauffeur registrations through August 1, 2020; and remove penalties for failure to renew VFH permits through June 30, 2021.
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Why Action is Necessary
Board action is required to suspend provisions of the Administrative Code or Code of Ordinances.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits the Environmental and Consumer Protection Division to temporarily suspend certain fees and administrative practices to help mitigate COVID-19 impacts to the VFH industry.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
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.
This item supports the Board’s Value of cooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network and Goal 1: Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance Broward County’s economy and livability.
Approval of this item permits ECPD to temporarily suspend certain fees and practices to help mitigate impacts to the VFH industry resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Section 253.38(3)(a)(5), Florida Statutes, provides that the Board may “waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law pertaining to… [p]erformance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.”
In an April 3, 2020 meeting with (VFH) industry representatives, those representatives reported immediate, significant and on-going losses as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, estimating business reduction (depending on activity reported) at between 75% and 99%.
As an initial effort to respond to these concerns, ECPD proposes to modify County rules as follows: through August 1, 2020, permits lost because of enforcement activity or lack of insurance can be recovered (after resolving the enforcement/insurance issue) without paying a reinstatement fee (Section 40.50.e.13. of the Administrative Code); chauffeur registrations due in April, May, June or July 2020 will be extended to August 1, 2020 with the term of the new registration adjusted to reflect the later registration date (waiving Section 22½-8(c) of the Code of Ordinances); and operating permits not renewed by the June 30, 2020 renewal date will remain expired and cannot be used, however they can be renewed any time after June 30, 2020 through June 30, 2021 without any late permit fee or loss of permit or associated Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (waiving Sections 22½-6A(h), 5(d), and 6A(n)).
None of these rule suspensions are expected to significantly impact budget revenue.
Source of Additional Information
Jeffery Halsey, Director, Environmental and Consumer Protection Division, (954) 519-1468
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact. Any late fees that might be associated with COVID-19 were not budgeted. ECPD does not believe a flexible date for expired permit renewal will impact when permits are renewed, but only help permittees renew when they are able to afford to do so and without additional late fee costs.