10-11-95 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTE5 CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 11, 1995 issued with Little Canada addresses. The Administrator pointed out that it would take an ordinance amendment to increase the fee. That amendment should then provide for future increases by Council resolution. LaValle suggested that the fee be increased to $75 or $100. Fahey felt that a$50 fee would more closely cover the City's costs and pointed out that $50 would track with the cigarette license fee. Morelan indicated that if the fee becomes uncompetitive, the City may lose all the revenue associated with this fee. The City Administrator felt that the fee needed to be increased to at least $50, and indicated he had no problem with the fee being higher. The Administrator indicated that processing a taxi cab license is more time consuming than processing a cigarette license. Fahey asked if the City is assuming any liability in issuing taxi cab licenses. It was noted that in issuing the licenses, the City does require a Certificate of Insurance. However, no criminal background check is done on drivers. The City Administrator commented that the City's insurance company would likely prefer that the City not license taxi cabs. Morelan asked if the City had any flexibility not to offer taxi licensing. The City Administrator pointed out that most cities do not license taxis. Taxis must have two licenses in order to operate at the airport. Therefore, a lot of taxi drivers come to Little Canada for their second license. LaValle suggested that the fee be increased to $100 with a 7-day waiting period before the license is issued so that the City can do background checks on the drivers. Fahey suggested that the Council obtain the City Attorney's opinion on this. There may be some exposure to the City in issuing taxi licenses. Pedersen pointed out that the State of Minnesota has no liability in issuing licenses. Pedersen felt the taxi 2