Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO CONSIDER enactment of an Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
 
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO MOTOR CARRIER CIVIL PENALTIES; AMENDING SECTION 8½-16 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); INCREASING FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE RELATED TO ILLEGAL SOLICITATION; REMOVING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Dale V.C. Holness)

ACTION:  (T-12:12 PM)  Filed proof of publication and enacted the Ordinance to become effective as provided by law.  Amendments to the proposed Ordinance as reflected on Purple-Sheeted Additional Material, 40 (2) dated February 26, 2019, submitted at the request of Vice-Mayor Holness will travel with this item.  (See Purple-Sheeted Additional Material, 40, dated February 26, 2019, submitted at the request of the Office of the County Attorney.)  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)

VOTE:  9-0.

A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of February 12, 2019.

Enables the Board to consider proposed amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances to allow for increased fines for violations related to illegal ride solicitation.

At its May 22, 2018, and January 29, 2019, meetings, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida ("Board"), directed the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending  Chapter 8½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Code") to increase fines for violations of the Code related to illegal ride solicitation in the vehicle-for-hire industry. Section 162.09, Florida Statutes, permits large counties like Broward County to increase fines for violations of the Code up to $1,000 for an initial violation and up to $5,000 for each repeat violation. To implement this increase, the Board must adopt the increased fines by a vote of at least a majority plus one of the entire Board. 
 
The proposed Ordinance increases fines for violations of the Code related to illegal ride solicitation to $1,000 for an initial violation and $5,000 for each repeat violation. The Office of County Attorney expects to place a proposed Ordinance with other measures to combat illegal ride solicitation, including empowering the County to tow vehicles used to illegally solicit rides, at a subsequent Board meeting.

Annika E. Ashton, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600