Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft a proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 22½ - Motor Carriers, Broward County Code of Ordinances to improve the quality of the Broward County vehicle for hire experience in two areas: reducing illegal ride solicitation and reducing repeat violations of regulations.

(Commissioner Holness and members of the public pulled this item.)

ACTION:  (T-11:13 AM)  Approved, as amended, with Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, dated May 22, 2018, submitted at the request of Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department.  The Board requested that staff review and consider today’s discussion, as well as review and consider the handout that was distributed to the Board by United Drivers of Broward and bring recommendations back to the Board prior to the Public Hearing of Tuesday, June 5, 2018.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)

VOTE:  8-0. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
 

Board action is required to direct the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the Broward County Code of Ordinances.

Directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft a proposed Ordinance to improve the quality of the vehicle for hire experience in Broward County.

None.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION (ECPD) RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

Approval of this motion permits the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance to improve the quality of the vehicle for hire experience in Broward County.

ECPD has observed two major regulatory challenges in the vehicle for hire community: illegal ride solicitation and repeat violators. Citation data between 4/19/16 and 1/11/18 reflect the following: of 1,736 citations issued, 104 (6%) were issued for illegally soliciting rides; 25% of all violators had three or more citations and were responsible for 55% of the citations issued.

To address these challenges, ECPD recommends revising Chapter 22½ to permit increased penalties and towing of vehicles for those illegally soliciting rides, and suspending vehicle permits and chauffeur registrations for those having received three or more citations adjudicated to be in violation of the same offense within a 24-month period.

Jeffery D. Halsey, Director, Environmental and Consumer Protection Division, (954) 519-1468