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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-1964Record of Official Proceedings of the Cornmon Council • of the City of Rochester, Minn., May 11, 1964 Minutes of a'special- meeting of the Common Council of the City of Rochester, Minne- sota, held -in the Council Chambers, in the City Hall, in said City, on May 11; 1964- President DeVries called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P. M., the following members being present: President DeVries, Aldermen Day, Eichten, Hanlon, McCaleb, Perry, Wilson. The call of the special meeting was read, and -President DeVries ordered the same placed on -.file, the said meeting having been called for the purpose of considering (a) loading zone in front of the Airport Terminal Building (2) setting fixed rates from Airport to Downtown area and (c) the placement of signs in and around the Terminal Building at the Airport, and any other business the said Common Council may deem proper. Also present at the meeting were representatives of the Rochester Airport Company, J.. W. Harwick, Gregg Orwall and M. G. Brataas; also present were Carl F. Petersen of the Blue & White Cab Company and Mr. Joe Kremer of the Yellow Cab Company. The two following letters were each read and President DeVries ordered the same placed on file: "Honorable Common Council City of Rochester Rochester, Minnesota Gentlemen: I have been adked by the Council President Harold DeVries for a Recommendation on taxi rates to and from the airport,by our taxi cabs. I do not recommend any changes in our taxi rates and if there are any taxi rates posted•in or at the airport they must be the same 'us we have posted in our cabs and the same as our advertisements in the Post Bulletin. (copies enclosed). We reserve the right to make -our own sign stating the rates and'any sign must include our special A}rport rates of $3.00 for up to five people large enough to read as this is the important rate at the port. I alsowish to be heard on this matter. Yours truly, /s Carl F. Petersen" - "Honorable Members of Rochester City Council Rochester, Minnesota Dear Sirs: In regard to a fixed Taxi Cab rate to Rochester.Airport. We find the flat rate causing some problems in the unfairness to some passengers and also to drivers delivering passengers to the extreme northern edge of our city. We also note the abuse in the practice of loading 2, 3, or 4 parties and charging each passenger the flat rate. We feel that this leaves a bad image of our city. Double and Triple loads should be held at a minimum and should be used only in extreme weather conditions when transportation is at_a minimum. Ninety five percent of the cities of 25,000 population use taxi meters exclusively in running all fares which would be ample proof that metered cabs solve all problems as to the rates charged and the fares collected. We feel that the only honest solution, in all fairness to both the passengers and the drivers would be that the taxi meters be used at all times. Sincerely yours, /s J. H. Kremer" The members of the Airport Company presented a drawing of the area as they had it planned and showing what their recommendations would be, President DeVries ordered the same placed on file r_j 1 • 1 • Record of Official Proceedings of the -'Common Council of the City of Rochester, Minn., May 11, 1964 250 1 u 1 1 • 1 for any one to review if they so desired. Mr. Orwoll said they would like to have,120 feet for the public loading zone in front of the door to be used for loading and unloading; they would like to see stands for two cab stands, the limousine would be parked in the same area as the buses, it would be better for the limousine to be parked in this area because it is - immobile. Mr. Brataas said they would like to install devices to aid the cabs, they would like to have a desk for a transportation officer or starter, they would have a panel that would light a light located in this position, like a red light would mean the cab is called up here, etc. As happens very frequently a plane will unload 70 persons and there is always a mad scramble and confusion for passengers to get transportation and we feel a system of lights and a good public address system would ease the situation; we would also like to place signs near the desk so people would know what the rates are and they would rely on the starter who would i be an Airport Company employee and would "offer the kind of service needed and see that each cab company would be receiving an equal shake. We would like to eliminate parking in front so the cabs would have easy access as to what is goind on. We are talking about 120,000 to 130,000 individuals every year and in order to handle them with dispatch we need space and feel that the starter would be able to give the best service to the individual and give loading right at the front door, as close as you can get. Mr. Carl Peterson said all he asked was that the cabs be placed where the cab can be seen, if the cabs can not be seen, the people will be herded right into the buses. Mr. Brataas said the 120 feet is ideal for loading and unloading space and this is what they would like, he said the starter would call the first cab when the passengers get to the baggage area (the starter will be there as soon as the planes come in) and then continue to call the cabs as needed. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Wilson, second by Perry, and all ,voting in favor thereof, that the City Attorney be instructed to draft a resolution based on the map presented by the Airport Company and in this resolution there will be established (1) one cab stand and one cab hold stand as located (2) one limousine stand as located (3)two passenger loading zones as located (4) to establish the drive it yoursel parking area on the north side of the terminal drive in the parking lot area (5) to establish public parking area on the north side of the terminal drive, 60 minute limit, no parking meters (6) to establish a pail of cross walks at or about the location indicated (7) to indicate that a starter will be available at all times (8) signs are to be placed (9) a starter light system to be installed, the first cab is to pull up on the light and pick up the passengers and fares and the vacant space will be filled from the holding zone (10) the first cab to be called when the people get to the baggage area, upon arrival of the passengers in the baggage area the cab will be called up to.the loading position and (11) the starter will call the second cab and the second cab will move up only when called by the starter, so we don't have cabs crowding. Alderman Hanlon suggested that someone, maybe like the Chamber of Commerce, place a sign out here saying that Rochester is a fine City and hope they enjoy their stay here in this 0 25f 4 Record of Official Proceedings of the Common Council of the City of Rochester, Minn., May 11, 1964 C� CA=60713 City but if they have any complaints as to taxicab service of service at the airport that they notify the starter, a proper sign well defined would help; we want to give good service to the transients. Mr: Peterson said there was a number in each cab ahout 1'k to 2 inches high and if the complaint included this number they could check which driver and cab were at fault; Voth-cab companies agreed if they had -the number of the cab and the date they could take dare df such complaints. The matter of setting rates was then discussed, it was noted that at present a fee of $3.00 was being charged per person, which meant a cab taking three passengers to different locations in the downtown area were charging $9.00. Alderman Day said he had received complaints • from passengers going to I.B.M. each havingto pay a given amount instead of so much per load. R. V. Ehrick, City Attorney, stated that the Council has the rate making power, and the Council is to set the maximum fare in the franchise ordinance; he said he did not understand the justification of double fares for double loading, -he said the dab operators feel there is a justification under some instances but he said the ordinance provides that they can.take no more than eight passengers and he felt it was a violation of the ordinance if they charged more. After a lengthy discussion on the various rate suggestions, and all persons interested being in agreement, a motion was made by Perry, second by Wilson, that the City Attdrney be instructed to prepare amendments to the franchise ordinances providing for a flat of rate of $3.00 to and from the Munictpal Airport, regardless of the number of drop outs, to any address in the City, and said rates to be posted in the cabs and also in the terminal building. All voted in favor of the motion. A motion was made by Hanlon, second by Day, and all voting in favor thereof, that the Council consider business other than the call. A letter signed by Harold J. DeVries appointing Alderman David G. Hanlon as liaison between the Common Council and the Recreation Baord of the City of Rochester was read and upon in favor thereof, the appointment was approved. motion by Wilson, second by Day, and all voting The following resolution was then read and upon motion by Day, second by Wilson, and upon.roll call and all voting in favor thereof, except Alderman Hanlon who voted "no", President DeVries declared the said resolution duly passed and adopted: • "WHEREAS, the Northwestern National Bank of Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota has made application to the Common Council for a permit to construct a canopy over certain public sidewalks in the City hereafter described, and WHEREAS, the Common Council after due investigation and deliveration finds that the proposed canopy will not presently interfere with the public use of the street right-of-way. NOW THEREFORE be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Rochester that the Northwestern National Bank of Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, as the owner of the South 32 feet of Lot 9 and all of Lots 10, 11 and 12 except the east 70 feet thereof, Block 32, Original Plat of the City of Rochester, Olmsted County., Minnesota, is hereby granted a permit to construct a canopy in accordance with the pertinent ordinances of the City of Rochester which overhangs the public sidewalk adjacent to said lots as follows: On First Street Southwest - 7 feet 11 inches; On First Avenue Southwest - 12 feet 3-smnhes. Upon motion by Day, -second by Wilson, and all vo.ting.in favor thereof, the meeting was adjourned. C Clerk a sty - I