108-1998 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
cnv HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
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L.T.C. No. 108-1998
LETTER TO COMMISSION
July 16, 1998
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Sergio Rodriguez 4~
City Manager ~
FROM:
SUBJECT:
TAXI REFORM
Attached for your information, is a memorandum from the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors
Bureau, regarding the outcome from the July 12, 1998 Miami-Dade County Commission meeting
agenda item on Taxi Reform.
If you require further information, please contact me or Mayra Diaz Buttacavoli.
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
GMCVB Mt:mbers
Thomas F. Hewitt, oard Chairperson
WUllam D. Talbert, hie' Operating Officer
RE:
Taxi Reform
DATE:
July 13. 1998
f............................. ......................~...............~......
Yesterday afternoon too Miami. de County Commission voted unanimously for
the most sweeping refOrm Of ou taxi system In history. The County Commission
met almost 13 hours over three ys in public hearings and discussions.
This reform consists of the folio ing:
1. A single owner-operator 8Y~m will be implemented under a 'medallion'
system;
2. When current lIcense nolde sell they must sell to a SIngle owner-operator
[who will be allowed to have maximum of two taxis];
3. All vehiclo$ must be no Olde1than 5 years [and never been used previously a!i
a taxi] and may only be use for a maximum of J years thereaner for a total of
8 years;
4. 25 new medallions will be isted to single owner-operators in each of the next
5 years
5. Over the next two years all v hlcles over 8 years old must be phased out and
replacttd by vehicles no olde , thao 5 years. In order to be ready for POW WOW
next year the Commission di cted that all vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15 years old
must be of1 the street and re laced by vehiCles no Olaer than 5 years before
May 1.1999. The bal~"ctt of he vehicle5 9,10. and 11 years old must be off
the $treet no later than 2 yea from now;
6. Medallions will b@ sold by th County for $15,000.: Medallion owners must
reside In Mlaml-Dade County
7. All taxis will have to be y..lo
8. All taxis must have two-way dios;
9. Additional enforcement, tral ing, insurance and c:Inver Incentives are required.
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(aOo) 53 '3000, Fax (305) 539-3113
http:// w.miamiandbeaohes.com
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Page Two
The ordinance itself is over 100 ages long and contains many other more minor
improvements.
This historic reform resulted fro the efforts of many. At the Public Hearing on
July 7,1998, Thomas Hewitt, Ric ard Fain, Arthur Hertl, Maria Sastre and Martin
Zilber te:itified before the Cumml slon. Other Board Members present Included
Chris Perks, Elaine Adler, Barba Howard, and Doug Rodibaogh. Bureau staff
was also in attendanCE!. Tht:!ir pr sence made a difference. Thanks to all who
wrote letters, called or faxed Co miSSioners.
Miami Beach Vice Mayor Nancy iebman and Coral Gables City Commissioner Jim
Barker testified as elected officia s. Jay Malina, Chair of the Greater Miami
Chamber of Commerce, Frank N (0, President & CEO of the Beacon Council also
appeared and testified.
In addition, Steve Nostrand, fo er Bureau Chairperson, appearing as Chair of
the Greater Miami Chamber of C mmerce Ground Transportation Committee lead
the effort of the business comm nity including the Bureau to get this reform
passed. Steve has worked on' th for the last 7 years and deserves tremendous
credit for getting this done. Ove the last month Bill Talbert from the Bureau and
Stu Blumberg from the Hotel As ociation and others joined Steve in intensive
discussions with the taxi indust
Extremely critical to this succes was the support and involvement of Mayor Alex
Penelas, the leadership of Com 'ssioner Dennis Moss who Chaired the
proceedings and County Manag r Merrett Stiemeim with his tourism background
who helped the Commission be r understand the :seriousness of this situation
and the need for significant chan es.
While not all of the reforms the Breau was seeking were passed, significant
portions of our program were ad pted. Taxi product and service should begin
improving very shortly with the r ost significant improvements over the next two
years.
We will monitor implern~ntation nd enforcement and keep the Membership fully
informed.
Once againl thanks to those Bur au members who took the time to call or fax
County Commissioners on thiS v ry serious matter.
co: GMCVB Staff
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