CAPTIONING
OCTOBER 14, 2009
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the 
***following meeting.  It should be used for informational 
***purposes only.  This document has not been edited; 
***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words 
***that did not translate.


>>KEVIN WHITE: GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC 
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING.
AT THIS TIME, WE'LL ALL STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 
AND OUR INVOCATION, GIVEN BY MR. RAULERSON.
>>DAN RAULERSON:  LET US PRAY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLY WITH 
APPRECIATION FOR THE FREEDOM THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER TO 
GATHER AS A FREE NATION, AS A FREE PEOPLE.
WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM, WE ASK FOR YOUR INSPIRATION TO MAKE 
GOOD DECISIONS TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC.
WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY.
AMEN.
SALUTE.
PLEDGE.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
>>KEVIN WHITE: FIRST OF ALL, LET ME READ INTO THE RECORD, I 
HAVE A NOTE FROM COMMISSIONER ROSE FERLITA, DUE TO A 
PERSONAL CONFLICT, I WILL NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR TODAY'S 
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING.
I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.
PLEASE READ THE REASON FOR MY ABSENCE INTO THE RECORD.
AND JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT COMMISSIONER KNAPP WILL NOT BE 
HERE AS WELL.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, LET'S SWEAR IN ALL THE WITNESSES.
ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT PLANS TO GIVE TESTIMONY BEFORE 
THE PTC TODAY, PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND TO BE 
SWORN IN.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOU'LL TELL THE TRUTH, THE 
WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD?
THANK YOU.
LET'S SEE.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO RECEIVE OUR REPORTS AND FOR FILING?
>> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
MOTION PASSES.
AND A MOTION TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT ITEMS.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
MOTION PASSES.
OUR ATTORNEY'S NOT HERE, SO WE'LL GO TO OUR ATTORNEY'S 
REPORT IN A LITTLE BIT.
OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
LIMOUSINE SERVICE APPLICATIONS.
EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINES OF TAMPA BAY, LLC, MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: GOOD MORNING, SIR.
EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINES OF TAMPA BAY, LLC, FROM WESLEY CHAPEL, 
FLORIDA, AN APPLICATION FOR A LIMOUSINE CERTIFICATE AND 
FIVE UNRESTRICTED LIMOUSINE PERMITS WAS RECEIVED.
THE HEARING OFFICER, MR. PAUL MARINO, RECOMMENDS THAT THE 
CERTIFICATE AND FIVE UNRESTRICTED PERMITS BE GRANTED.
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE HERE TO SPEAK ON 
THIS PETITION?
IS THERE ANYONE FROM EXECUTIVE IN THE AUDIENCE?
OKAY.
IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK ON THIS PETITION?
DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> SO MOVE TO GRANT --
>> SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE HAVE A QUESTION ON THE MOTION, MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
MR. PADILLA, LOOKING AT THE RECOMMENDATION ON PAGE 3 OF THE 
HEARING OFFICER'S REPORT.
>>CESAR PADILLA: YES, SIR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: DOES THE MOTION NEED TO INDICATE THAT 
WE'RE GRANTING FIVE, THREE IMMEDIATELY AND THEN TWO ON AN 
ADMINISTRATIVE BASIS, OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>>CESAR PADILLA: SIR, WHAT NORMALLY HAPPENS IS THEY GRANT 
THE PERMITS, AND THEY CAN PUT THEM IN THEIR SPECIFIC 
VEHICLES AS THEY GET THEM.
NORMALLY THE COMPANIES DON'T HAVE THE VEHICLES AT THE TIME 
OF APPLICATION.
THE FIVE PERMITS CAN BE ISSUED THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR.
SO THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FOR THE THREE, THAT HE HAS 
VEHICLES FOR THOSE THREE, AND THE OTHER TWO TO BE WHAT WE 
CALLED ON THE SHELF TO BE ISSUED AT A LATER TIME, WHENEVER 
THE PERSON ACQUIRES THE VEHICLES.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: SO THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE 
MOTION?
>>CESAR PADILLA: YES, SIR.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
I'M SORRY.
BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE -- YES, SIR.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>>KEVIN WHITE: COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE.
>> MY NAME IS TERRY.
I OWN EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE AND CHAUFFEUR SERVICE.
AND WE SENT A LETTER TO THIS PERSON THAT'S APPLYING TO THIS 
PERSON, AND HE'S USING THE EXECUTIVE NAME, WHICH I'VE BEEN 
HERE FOR FIVE YEARS USING THE EXECUTIVE NAME.
I SENT MR. PADILLA A LETTER THAT I ASKED HIM TO CEASE AND 
DESIST USING MY NAME.
I GAVE THEM UP UNTIL TODAY.
WE HAVE NO RESPONSE.
ON THIS AFTERNOON OR THURSDAY MORNING, MY LAWYER IS GOING 
TO FILE A SUIT FOR USING THE NAME OF EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE.
I'VE BEEN USING IT IN GOOD FAITH, AND IT'S A CONFUSION WITH 
MY CUSTOMERS.
SO AT THIS TIME, I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO GRANT PERMITS 
BECAUSE, I MEAN, THEY'RE BOTH THE SAME NAMES.
>>KEVIN WHITE: QUICK QUESTION.
THEY'RE EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE OF TAMPA BAY, AND YOUR COMPANY 
IS --
>> EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE AND CHAUFFEUR SERVICE, INCORPORATED.
AS YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S GOT AN INCORPORATION, SO YOU HAVE 
TO USE THAT, BUT WE GO BY THE NAME OF EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE, 
AND WE HAVE BEEN, AND I'VE HAD MY PERMITS WITH HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY FOR FIVE YEARS, SINCE I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
MR. CAETANO.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: SIR, THIS COMPANY, ARE THEY REGISTERED 
WITH THE STATE AS EXECUTIVE ALSO?
>> YES, THEY ARE.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: SO THEY MUST HAVE APPROVED IT.
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME WORDING IN THERE THAT GIVES THEM 
THE RIGHT TO USE THAT.
YOU HAVE CHAUFFEUR -- EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE AND CHAUFFEUR 
SERVICE.
>> AS I CAN EXPLAIN IT TO YOU THE EASY WAY IS THAT THERE'S 
EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINES ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
THERE'S YELLOW CAB ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
BUT IF SOMEBODY CAME IN HERE AND SAID I'M GOING TO USE 
YELLOW CAB NAME AGAIN IN TAMPA BAY, WHETHER -- THE D/B/A IS 
THE CORPORATION.
THAT'S THE BUSINESS THAT YOU USE AS A CORPORATION.
ANYBODY INCORPORATES UNDER ANY NAME, BUT THE FICTITIOUS 
NAME WOULD BE THE EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE.
THAT WOULD BE THE OPERATIONAL NAME THAT YOU WOULD BE USING 
UNDER YOUR OPERATION.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: RIGHT.
>> SO IF I CALLED UP INFORMATION AND SAID I WANT EXECUTIVE 
LIMOUSINE AND MY CLIENT GETS HIM, HE DOES A TERRIBLE JOB, 
YOU COME BACK TO ME AND GO WHY DID YOU DO THIS JOB, WHY DID 
YOU TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMER LIKE THIS, THEN I SAY, WELL, 
THAT ISN'T ME, AND THEN YOU SAY, WELL, WHO IS IT?
IT'S ANOTHER EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE THAT YOU ALLOWED TO GET 
PERMIT.
IT'S CONFUSING, AND IT'S JUST --
>>KEVIN WHITE: UNDERSTAND THE POINT.
MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: MR. PEREZ, JUST TO CATCH YOU UP, WE JUST 
APPROVED -- I THINK WE VOTED --
>>KEVIN WHITE: NO, WE DIDN'T VOTE YET.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE 
LIMOUSINE OF TAMPA BAY.
THIS GENTLEMAN HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS, I THINK, UNDER 
EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE AND CHAUFFEUR.
HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERLAP OF NAMES.
DO WE HAVE ANY JURISDICTION TO BE ADDRESSING THAT?
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY OFFHAND.
I CAN LOOK INTO THAT.
GENERALLY WHEN YOU INCORPORATE, THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON A 
CORPORATE NAME YOU CAN TAKE, AND IF THERE IS A NAME ALREADY 
EXISTING LIKE THAT, THEN THEY CAN'T REGISTER UNDER THAT 
SAME NAME.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: APPARENTLY THEY'VE GONE TO TALLAHASSEE 
AND ALREADY DEALT WITH THAT ISSUE, SO THEY ARE NOT CLOSE 
ENOUGH WHERE THAT'S A PROBLEM.
I THINK WE SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET INTO THAT.
YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A JUDGE AND LET THE JUDGE DEAL 
WITH IT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES I'M LOOKING AT RIGHT 
HERE IS THE OTHER ONE IS AN INCORPORATION AND THIS ONE IS 
AN LLC, SO IT'S CONSIDERED TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES, EVEN 
THOUGH THE NAME IS CLOSE, BUT INCORPORATION AND LLC ARE TWO 
DIFFERENT THINGS, SO THAT MAY BE WHY THEY GOT THEIR 
APPROVAL THROUGH THE STATE.
>> WHAT I'M ASKING IS IF YOU GUYS CAN DELAY IT AND LET ME 
FILE IT, AND THEN --
>>KEVIN WHITE: I THINK WHAT MR. DINGFELDER WAS JUST SAYING 
IF WE DON'T HAVE JURISDICTION, THERE'S NO REASON FOR US TO 
DELAY IT IF WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT ANOTHER AGENCY HAS JURISDICTION 
OVER, THEN THAT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THEM.
IS THAT CORRECT, MR. PEREZ?
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: [OFF MICROPHONE] -- GOT IT RIGHT NOW.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE.
SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO OPINE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: SORRY.
IF I MAY WALK YOU BRIEFLY THROUGH THE PROCESS OF AN 
APPLICATION.
WHEN WE RECEIVE AN APPLICATION, IT'S NOTICED IN THE 
NEWSPAPER, AND ALL THE COMPANIES WITHIN THE SAME 
CERTIFICATE -- I MEAN, FOR LIMOUSINES -- ARE NOTIFIED OF 
THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE HEARING MASTER WILL HEAR ALL 
THIS, ALL THE COMMENTS, AND WILL RENDER HIS DECISION BASED 
ON WHAT HE HAS BEFORE HIM.
SO IF WE -- LIKE I EXPLAINED TO HIM, WE DON'T HAVE ANY 
JURISDICTION AS FAR AS NAME, THAT'S TALLAHASSEE, THAT'S THE 
STATE.
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY TO REALLY 
DELAY IT BECAUSE THE HEARING OFFICER WAS PART OF THE 
PROCESS WHERE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ARGUED.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
MOTION PASSES.
OUR NEXT ITEM, ITEM B, GREGORY EXECUTIVE SERVICES, LLC.
MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: GREGORY EXECUTIVE SERVICES, LLC, SARASOTA, 
FLORIDA, AN APPLICATION FOR A LIMOUSINE CERTIFICATE AND TWO 
UNRESTRICTED LIMOUSINE PERMITS.
THE HEARING OFFICER, MR. PAUL MARINO, RECOMMENDS THAT THE 
CERTIFICATE AND THE TWO UNRESTRICTED LIMOUSINE PERMITS BE 
GRANTED.
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE FROM GREGORY 
EXECUTIVE SERVICES?
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD CARE TO SPEAK ON 
BEHALF OF THIS PETITION?
WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> MOTION TO GRANT.
>> SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
MOTION PASSES.
APPEALS OF PVDLs.
OUR FIRST ONE MARTEA CALLOWAY.
IS MARTEA CALLOWAY IN THE AUDIENCE?
OKAY.
IF YOU'D COME FORWARD.
MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: YES, SIR, MR. MARTEA CALLOWAY.
THE VOTE REGARDING THIS ITEM WAS A TIE VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 
9th MEETING, AND IT WAS REQUESTED TO PUT THE ITEM BACK ON 
THE AGENDA FOR THIS MONTH'S MEETING TO BREAK THE TIE.
MR. MARTEA CALLOWAY WAS DENIED BASED ON HIS CRIMINAL 
HISTORY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. CALLOWAY, THANKS FOR COMING BACK.
I SEE YOU'RE STILL WEARING THE STEPP'S TOWING SHIRT, SO 
YOU'RE STILL WORKING FOR STEPP'S.
I SEE MR. STICKLEY IN THE AUDIENCE.
MR. STICKLEY, IF YOU WOULD JUST NOD, ARE YOU STILL HERE IN 
SUPPORT?
>> YES, SIR.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. CALLOWAY, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO 
ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AND REFRESH EVERYBODY'S MEMORY.
>> YES, I MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS IN MY EARLY 20s, AND AS 
OF SEPTEMBER 14th, I TURNED 43 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVEN'T GOT 
IN TROUBLE SINCE THEN, AND I WOULD HIGHLY APPRECIATE IT IF 
I COULD BE GRANTED THIS LICENSE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: JUST LOOKING AT THE OLD CRIMINAL HISTORY 
THAT WE HAVE HERE, JUST CLARIFY FOR US -- AND YOU'RE UNDER 
OATH; CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: IT APPEARS FROM WHAT I'M SEEING THAT 
YOUR LAST ARREST, YOUR LAST INCIDENT WITH THE POLICE WAS AT 
LEAST 15 YEARS AGO OR MORE?
>> YES, SIR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: OKAY.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY TROUBLE SINCE THEN?
>> NO, SIR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: THANK YOU.
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO 
WOULD CARE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS PETITION?
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD MORNING.
STEVE STICKLEY, MANAGER WITH STEPP'S TOWING.
AS WE WERE HERE LAST MONTH IN SEPTEMBER, IT WAS A TIE VOTE 
FOR MARTEA.
WE HAD GONE THROUGH A HIRING PROCESS WITH HIM.
WE CHECKED HIS BACKGROUND.
WE KNEW WHAT WAS IN HIS BACKGROUND.
WE SAT DOWN WITH MR. STEPP AND TODD STEPP, AND WE HAVE A 
PROGRAM IN PLACE AT STEPP'S TOWING WHERE THEY HAVE REVIEWS.
WE DO CALL-BACKS ON CUSTOMERS, GET FEEDBACK ON THE 
EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.
WE WENT AHEAD AND HIRED MARTEA, AND HE'S DONE AN 
EXCEPTIONAL JOB.
I WISH I HAD FIVE MORE OF THESE GUYS.
HE'S THERE WHEN WE NEED HIM.
HE IS GREAT WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HE IS GREAT WITH THE EMPLOYEES, FITS IN WELL WITH OUR 
SYSTEM, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HIS PROGRESS.
HE KNOWS THAT IF HE DOES HAVE ANY VIOLATIONS OR IS IN 
TROUBLE, IT COULD MEAN TERMINATION FOR HIM, AND WE ARE 
WATCHING HIM.
WE WOULD LIKE, IF WE COULD GET A TEMPORARY PERMIT FOR HIM, 
TO SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT, BUT WE'D LIKE TO KEEP HIM EMPLOYED 
AND GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SECOND CHANCE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU, MR. STICKLER.
MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: STEVE, THANKS FOR COMING.
WHY DO YOU AND THE STEPP FAMILY DO THIS?
WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO HELP HIM OUT?
>> WELL, IT'S A TOUGH PROCESS FOR US TO GET THROUGH, AND A 
LOT OF PEOPLE TRY TO COME ONBOARD WITH US. 
WE LOOK AT THEIR CHARACTER, EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES THEY HAD 
A BAD PAST.
I BELIEVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD A BAD PAST.
SOMETIMES THEY NEED A SECOND OPPORTUNITY, WE SIT DOWN WITH 
THEM, AND IF WE FEEL -- WE GET A GUT FEELING FROM THEM AND 
WE FEEL THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY, WE GO AHEAD 
AND DO IT, BUT WE DO GOT A STRINGENT PROCESS, AND YOU KNOW, 
IT'S TOUGH TO MAKE OUR TEAM.
AND IT'S EVEN TOUGHER TO STAY WITH IT.
ON THAT NOTE, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE A PERMIT ISSUED, IF WE 
COULD, FOR HIM.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. RAULERSON.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>> HE'S PUT ONTO A TEAM WITH DRIVERS,  WRECKER OPERATORS.
WE PROVIDE TOWING, RECOVERY, EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE FOR 
MOTOR CLUBS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
RIGHT NOW WITH THE STATUS HE'S IN, HE CANNOT RUN ROTATION 
POLICE CALLS AND I BELIEVE STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CALLS.
THAT'S WHAT'S HOLDING BACK ON THAT PORTION, BUT ANY OTHER 
PORTION OF IT, PROVIDING TOWING FOR DEALERSHIPS, BODY 
SHOPS, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.
>> WERE HE GRANTED THE LICENSE, IT WOULD STILL BE PRIMARILY 
TOWING ACTIVITIES OF VEHICLES?
>> YEAH, STILL OF VEHICLES, BUT THEN WE COULD ENTER HIM 
INTO THE ROTATION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TOWS, CITY, 
FEDERAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOWS.
>> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE IT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>>KEVIN WHITE: SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
I'M SORRY.
MR. STICKLEY ASKED A QUESTION.
IS THIS GOING TO BE WITH A ONE-YEAR CONDITIONAL?
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: YES.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
SO -- OKAY.
SO THAT'S STATED WITH A ONE-YEAR CONDITIONAL PERMIT.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION -- I'M SORRY -- SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: COULD YOU IDENTIFY WHAT THE CONDITIONS 
ARE.
YOU SAID CONDITIONAL.
>>KEVIN WHITE: ONE YEAR CONDITIONAL.
I'LL LET MR. CAETANO, SINCE HE IS THE MAKER OF THE MOTION.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: THAT WOULD BE FOR DRUG, TRAFFIC 
INFRACTIONS, ANYTHING RELATED TO HIS JOB.
>>KEVIN WHITE: PTC VIOLATIONS.
AGAIN, WITH THAT STATED MOTION, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A 
SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
NAY.
NAY.
MOTION PASSES 4-1.
MR. CALLOWAY, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK AND 
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I WISH YOU VERY WELL.
THANK YOU.
ANTHONY BRADFORD, NUMBER 2, HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF OF THE 
AGENDA.
NUMBER 3 IS RALPH GURLEY WITH PARADISE WORLDWIDE.
MR. PADILLA.
IS MR. GURLEY IN THE AUDIENCE?
OKAY.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: RALPH GURLEY WAS DENIED A PUBLIC VEHICLE 
DRIVER'S LICENCE BASED UPON A REVIEW OF HIS BACKGROUND 
CHECK.
A SUMMARY OF HIS HISTORY IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA PACKET.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. GURLEY, PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD, AND 
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> I HAD WRITTEN LETTERS, I THINK, THAT WERE ATTACHED TO MY 
APPEAL.
DID EVERYBODY GET A COPY OF THAT?
I DON'T KNOW.
AND IN THERE, BASICALLY, I'M JUST INDICATING THAT THE 
INCIDENT THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE DENIAL IS SEVEN YEARS 
OLD, AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE ONLY THING THAT'S HAPPENED, I 
HAD A MINOR SPEEDING CITATION IN 2000.
SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER INFRACTIONS.
I'VE BEEN HAPPILY MARRIED TO MY WIFE, DAWN, WHO IS HERE IN 
MY SUPPORT.
WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
SO --
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS THAT HER TO YOUR RIGHT?
YOU POINTED TO THE --
OH, OKAY.
[LAUGHTER]
I WAS HOPING YOU WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT THE PERSON IN THE 
BLUE JACKET THERE.
[LAUGHTER]
>> NO, I MUCH PREFER --
>>KEVIN WHITE: JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
THANK YOU.
>> AND I HAVE TWO OTHER LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM 
FRIENDS THAT I'VE KNOWN FOR BETTER THAN 20 YEARS, AND THEY 
ARE BOTH OF THE OPINION THAT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS IN 
FRONT OF ME WITH PARADISE WORLDWIDE TRANSPORTATION IS 
IDEALLY SUITED FOR MY PERSONAL SKILLS AND SO FORTH.
THIS WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, AND I WOULD 
LIKE TO HAVE THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER TAKEN UP HERE TODAY, 
PLEASE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
I SEE YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE WITH YOU.
DO EITHER ONE OF THEM CARE TO SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF OR ARE 
YOU JUST INTRODUCING THEM?
>> THIS IS MR. LA ROCHE.
HE IS THE GENERAL MANAGER AT PARADISE.
>> YEAH, RALPH'S A GREAT GUY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WELCOME.
PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> MICHAEL LA ROCHE, PARADISE WORLDWIDE TRANSPORTATION.
HE IS A GREAT GUY, WELL DRESSED, WELL-SPOKEN INDIVIDUAL.
I DON'T BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED NINE YEARS AGO 
SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT CARRIES ON NOW.
EVERYBODY HAS THE ABILITY TO CHANGE, AND I BELIEVE HE HAS 
DONE SO.
OUR COMPANY HAS LOOKED TO HIM, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING 
HIM IN.
>>KEVIN WHITE: GREAT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD CARE TO 
SPEAK ON THIS PETITION?
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I'M SORRY, MRS. GURLEY.
PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> I'M SORRY.
DAWN GURLEY, RALPH GURLEY'S WIFE.
BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED, WE WORKED TOGETHER.
I WAS HIS TRAINER AT ALLTEL, VERIZON, AND I GOT TO KNOW 
RALPH.
WE -- I KNOW HIS CHARACTER AND EVERYTHING, AND HE CAME INTO 
WORK ONE DAY AND TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM, AND I STOOD 
BY HIS SIDE AS A FRIEND.
WE WERE FRIENDS FIRST.
AND GOT HIM THROUGH A HARD TIME.
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY GOES THROUGH, MAKES MISTAKES, THINGS 
HAPPEN.
AND SINCE THEN, HE'S BEEN GREAT.
HE'S BEEN GOOD.
HE'S LEARNED HIS LESSON.
I MARRIED HIM, SO -- AND I'M NOW IN THE WEDDING BUSINESS, 
AND THIS COMPLEMENTS OUR -- WHAT I DO AND WHAT HE'S GOING 
TO DO.
SO TOGETHER WE'RE A TEAM, AND TODAY I'M DESIGNATED DRIVER.
IF WE DO GO OUT SOCIALLY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT OR WE STAY 
HOME PRETTY MUCH MOST OF THE TIME NOW BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS 
WORKING, AND WE DO A LOT OF WEEKEND WORK NOW.
SO THERE'S NO WORRIES.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT 
WOULD CARE TO SPEAK ON THIS PETITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THE OTHER WIFE.
[LAUGHTER]
>> JOHN MADIEDO, PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE CENTER, 2003 EAST 
KENNEDY.
I AM AN INSURANCE AGENT HERE, AND I INSURE PARADISE 
WORLDWIDE LIMOUSINE.
THIS IS AN APPLICANT THAT, UNDER EVERY UNDERWRITING 
GUIDELINE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WE DO BUSINESS WITH, 
IS APPROVABLE BECAUSE OF THE TIME PERIOD ASSOCIATED WITH 
THIS ONE BLEMISH ON HIS RECORD.
IT'S BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE UNDERWRITER FOR CONSIDERATION, 
AND THERE'S NO HESITATION PUTTING HIM ON THE INSURANCE 
POLICY.
I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THEY ARE VERY PERSNICKETY IN SOME OF 
THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE.
SECONDLY, I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT 
STAFF AND OWNERSHIP STAFF AT PARADISE.
HAVING SPOKEN TO JOEL PRESCOTT PERSONALLY ABOUT THIS 
GENTLEMAN AND THEIR OPERATIONS MANAGER, THEY BOTH ARE VERY, 
VERY HIGHLY IN FAVOR OF LETTING THIS MAN WORK FOR THEM.
THEY HAVE A VERY RIGOROUS PRESELECTION PROCESS THAT HE'S 
GONE THROUGH, AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE FINAL HURDLE 
ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, SO I'D ASK YOUR CONSIDERATION, GIVING 
THIS MAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PVDL.
THANK YOU.
>>KEVIN WHITE: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO 
WOULD CARE TO SPEAK ON THIS PETITION?
COMMISSIONERS?
>> COMMISSIONER, I JUST -- I WOULD MOVE APPROVAL WITH A 
ONE-YEAR PROBATION PERIOD WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION ON 
THIS.
>> SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WOULD THAT BE DRUG AND ALCOHOL?
>> YES.
>>KEVIN WHITE: DRUG AND ALCOHOL.
OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
MOTION PASSES.
CONGRATULATIONS.
AND DON'T LET YOUR EMPLOYER DOWN.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, SIR.
THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT APPELLANT IS GEBRU HAMBIR.
IS MR. HAMBIR IN THE AUDIENCE?
OKAY, MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: GEBRU G. HAMBIR HAS BEEN DENIED A PUBLIC 
VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENCE ON MANY OCCASIONS THE HISTORY OF 
THE BOARD'S DECISIONS REGARDING HIS PETITION IS LOCATED IN 
THE TABBED PORTION OF YOUR AGENDA PACKET.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU.
JUST TO BRING SOME OF THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS UP-TO-DATE 
WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HERE WHEN MR. HAMBIR WAS HERE BEFORE, 
THE THINGS ARE OUTLINED IN THE TAB ITEMS, AND MR. HAMBIR, I 
THINK THIS IS HIS THIRD OR MAYBE FOURTH TIME.
HE CAME TO MY OFFICE AND HE CAME TO THE PTC OFFICE, AND I 
TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS THE PROPER VENUE.
AND HE HAS THE RIGHT AND THE ABILITY TO COME BACK AND ASK 
FOR A PVDL AS MANY TIMES AS HE SEES FIT, AND IF THE BOARD 
CHOOSES TO GRANT HIM.
BUT THIS DRIVER WAS INITIALLY -- HIS PVDL WAS INITIALLY 
REVOKED FOR FIGHTING WITH OTHER TAXICAB DRIVERS, FIGHTING 
WITH CUSTOMERS, AND AT ONE POINT IN TIME, ACTUALLY, WAS 
TRYING TO PULL A CUSTOMER OUT OF ANOTHER CAB, SAYING IT WAS 
HIS FARE.
THEN I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ALLEGATION OF ACTUALLY TRYING 
TO RUN OVER ANOTHER CABDRIVER WITH HIS VEHICLE.
>> CORRECT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT -- WHAT THE INCIDENT 
WAS TOTALLY, BUT I WANTED TO BRING EVERYBODY UP-TO-DATE AND 
THEN GIVE MR. HAMBIR AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN HIS SIDE 
ONCE AGAIN.
MR. PADILLA.
>>CESAR PADILLA: YES, SIR.
JUST POINT OF INTEREST.
ON 10/11/06, THE MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO 
PERMANENTLY REVOKE MR. HAMBIR'S PVDL.
SO JUST FOR THE RECORD.
>>KEVIN WHITE: ALL RIGHT.
WELL, THEN WHERE WOULD THAT PUT US, MR. PEREZ?
IF WE VOTED TO PERMANENTLY REVOKE THAT, THEN WE SHOULDN'T 
BE HAVING THESE HEARING PROCESSES?
I THOUGHT IT WAS DENIED AGAIN, BUT IT WAS BROUGHT UP THAT 
IT WAS PERMANENTLY REVOKED.
WHAT IS THE -- DOES THAT MEAN PERMANENTLY PERMANENTLY OR 
YOU CAN APPLY AGAIN?
DOES THAT GIVE THEM NO OPTION TO REAPPLY?
SO HELP ME THROUGH THAT ONE.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: YOUR RULES WERE REVISED TO ALLOW AN 
APPLICANT, ONCE HE'S DENIED -- BECAUSE WE DID HAVE AN ISSUE 
OF APPLICANTS COMING MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER DENIALS, AND I 
BELIEVE THAT THE RULES WERE REVISED SUCH THAT AN APPLICANT 
COULD WAIT A YEAR AND COME BACK BEFORE THIS BOARD.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE -- IT SEEMS FROM THE 
RECORD HERE THAT IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE HE WAS 
LAST DENIED -- TO CONSIDER THAT.
AND CERTAINLY THE BOARD WOULD BE FREE TO CHANGE ITS MIND, 
IF YOU WILL, WITH REGARD TO ITS PRIOR DECISION.
>>KEVIN WHITE: AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AN APPLICANT 
BEING ABLE TO COME BACK, BUT THE WORD "PERMANENTLY" IS 
STICKING IN MY MIND.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A YEAR FOR SOMEBODY BEING DENIED, AND 
THIS PVDL BEING PERMANENTLY REVOKED.
SO I MEANT -- THAT I NEED CLARIFICATION.
IF IT'S PERMANENTLY REVOKED, THEN THAT SHOULD, IN MY MIND, 
NOT GIVE THE APPLICANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO REAPPLY, AND IF 
THAT'S THE CASE, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW, OR IF IT'S 
JUST TURNED DOWN THEN THEY HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR.
>>CESAR PADILLA: AND I QUESTION THE ABILITY OF THE BOARD -- 
YOU KNOW, A PAST BOARD TO BIND FUTURE BOARDS SO PERMANENTLY 
IN THAT REGARD THAT WAY, SO I WOULD THINK THAT THIS BOARD 
HAS THE ABILITY TO OVERTURN THAT PRIOR DECISION, WHICH WAS 
MADE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I GUESS, AND CONSIDER.
AND IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE UNDER YOUR RULES TO CONSIDER AS 
LONG AS IT'S BEEN A YEAR GAP SINCE HE WAS LAST DENIED.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THAT'S FINE, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
SO BEFORE WE CONTINUE, I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND GIVE THE 
APPLICANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN HIS SIDE, THEN THE 
BOARD WILL JUST GO FROM THERE ONCE AGAIN.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.
GO AHEAD.
PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD, AND YOU CAN STATE YOUR CASE.
PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE].
HE IS MY GOOD FRIEND.
HE HAS BEEN WORKING TAXI BUSINESS IN CLEARWATER.
WE HAVE [INDISCERNIBLE] COMING, HE IS OWNER, SO GIVE HIM 
OPPORTUNITY TO REINSTATE HIS LICENSE BECAUSE HE'S PROVIDING 
HIS WIFE, IN THIS CASE, FOR TRANSPORTATION IN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY, NOW HE'S WORKING PINELLAS COUNTY ONLY, SO PLEASE 
GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO WORK.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I'D LIKE TO HEAR HIM ADDRESS SOME OF THE 
ISSUES THAT OCCURRED AND WHY THEY OCCURRED AS FAR AS THE 
VIOLENCE AND, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THINGS THAT OCCURRED, AND 
IF HE'S TAKEN ANY ANGER MANAGEMENT COURSES OR ANYTHING OF 
THAT NATURE.
CAN YOU ANSWER?
>> YEAH.
HE'LL BE OKAY.
I MEAN, HE DON'T DO ANYMORE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED.
I WANT TO KNOW IF HE'S TAKEN ANY ANGER MANAGEMENT COURSES 
OR IF HE'S DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY WHAT'S ON THE RECORD.
>> YEAH.
>>KEVIN WHITE: NO, I DIDN'T ASK WILL HE.
I SAID HAS HE?
HAS HE IN THE PAST?
HAS HE TAKEN ANGER MANAGEMENT COURSES?
>> NO.
>>KEVIN WHITE: DOES HE HAVE AN EMPLOYER IN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY THAT'S WILLING TO EMPLOY HIM NOW?
>> YEAH, HE SAID YES, HE TOOK IT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: DO YOU HAVE CERTIFICATES OR ANYTHING OF THAT 
NATURE?
>> DO YOU HAVE CERTIFICATE?
YES, HE HAS IT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: IN READING THE RECORD FROM THE LAST GO-
AROUND THAT'S TYPED IN OUR PACK GROUND, IT SAID LAST TIME 
HE HAS GONE THROUGH A 12-HOUR OR 24-HOUR PROGRAM, THE PTC 
HAS A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE, SO APPARENTLY THAT WAS IN 
PLACE THE LAST TIME WHEN THE BOARD STILL DECIDED, I GUESS, 
NOT TO APPROVE THIS.
QUESTION, MR. PEREZ.
APPARENTLY, FROM WHAT YOU WERE SAYING BEFORE, THE RULES 
HAVE CHANGED, OKAY, SO THERE'S REALLY NO SUCH THING AS A 
PERMANENT REVOCATION.
I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE WHAT YOU DESCRIBED.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: RIGHT.
THE RULES DON'T ADDRESS A PERMANENT, IF YOU WILL, DENIAL OF 
AN APPLICANT.
ONCE HE IS DENIED ONCE, IT DOESN'T FORECLOSE HIM FROM 
COMING BACK, AND YOUR RULE SAYS AS LONG AS IT'S BEEN 12 
MONTHS, HE CAN COME BACK.
IT DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO COME BACK REPEATEDLY MONTH AFTER 
MONTH.
THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF THE RULE CHANGE WAS THAT YOU HAD 
FOLKS COMING BACK --
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: THAT'S JUST A FUNCTION OF DUE PROCESS.
IF WE DECIDED EVERY TWO YEARS, IT COULD BE EVERY TWO YEARS.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT'S OUR RULE.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE WITH THE PASSAGE OF 
TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE BOARD HAS MADE REFERENCE TO WITH 
CRIMINALITY THAT WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, SOME THINGS 
BECOME SOMEWHAT DATED, SO CERTAINLY THE BOARD COULD 
CONSIDER THAT.
NOW, THE REASON THAT'S CITED FOR THE APPLICANT'S DENIAL WAS 
REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS, WHICH IS A 
LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE TYPICALLY SEE.
YOU TYPICALLY SEE BASED ON CRIMINALITY, AND THAT DOESN'T 
APPEAR TO BE THE ISSUE HERE, BUT THE SPECIAL ACT ALLOWS 
YOU -- DOESN'T OBLIGATE YOU, BUT ALLOWS YOU TO DENY AN 
APPLICANT BASED ON REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF MOTOR VEHICLE 
LAWS.
OKAY.
JUST A FEW QUESTIONS.
DOES HE SPEAK ENGLISH AT ALL OR --
>> VERY LITTLE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: A LITTLE BIT?
OKAY.
THEN YOU CAN TRANSLATE, I GUESS, FOR HIM.
IN OUR PACKET IN FRONT OF US TODAY, IT SHOWS AN INCIDENT 
SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SEPTEMBER, MAYBE TWO 
INCIDENTS, I'M NOT SURE, IN ORANGE COUNTY, IN ORLANDO, IN 
THE ORLANDO AREA, FAILURE TO USE DUE CARE, DRIVING SLOWER 
THAN THE MINIMUM SPEED.
I GUESS -- I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS.
I GUESS THAT'S JUST SORT OF CRUISING TOO SLOW.
BUT FAILURE TO USE DUE CARE.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN.
AND HE PLEAD GUILTY TO ALL THREE CHARGES.
THE OTHER ONE IS JUST AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE.
AND IT LOOKED LIKE PERHAPS IT WAS STEMMED OUT OF AN 
ACCIDENT IN SEPTEMBER.
IS HE AWARE OF THAT, FAMILIAR WITH THAT?
>> YES.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: WAS THAT -- DID THAT HAPPEN WHEN HE WAS 
IN A PRIVATE VEHICLE, OR WAS HE DRIVING A CAB THEN?
>> HE WAS DRIVING A TAXI.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: OKAY.
SO HE'S BEEN DRIVING OUT THERE IN ORLANDO AS WELL AS 
CLEARWATER?
OKAY.
DO YOU KNOW HIM TO HAVE SOME ANGER ISSUES OR HAS HE HAD 
ANGER ISSUES IN THE PAST?
THAT'S WHAT IT APPEARS THESE REPORTS INDICATE.
>> YES, I KNOW HIM.
HE'S OKAY.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN HIM?
>> I'VE KNOWN HIM ALMOST 15 YEARS.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: BACK IN '04, IT APPEARS THERE WERE SOME 
ANGER THINGS GOING ON HERE.
I MEAN, DOES HE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OR DOES HE DENY IT 
COMPLETELY?
>> YEAH, HE'S PROGRESSED.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: HE FEELS HE'S GETTING BETTER?
>> YES.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: WHY?
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: STEP UP TO THE MICROPHONE, MR. HAMBIR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: YOU CAN SPEAK THROUGH HIM, WHATEVER 
YOU'RE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> YEAH, HE'S CHANGED NOW BECAUSE HE HAS RESPONSIBILITY 
WITH FAMILY MEMBER, YOU KNOW, HE'S APOLOGIZED FOR WHAT HE 
DID.
YOU KNOW?
HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: UH-HUH.
WHAT COMPANY DID HE WORK FOR BEFORE IN TAMPA?
>> AFFORDABLE TAXI IN CLEARWATER.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THAT'S WHO HE WORKS FOR NOW.
HE WORKED FOR YELLOW CAB, DIDN'T HE?
>> USED TO BE YELLOW CAB, YES, LONG TIME.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: OKAY.
I MIGHT BE CURIOUS IF YELLOW CAB HAS AN OPINION.
>>KEVIN WHITE: DOES HE HAVE AN EMPLOYER RIGHT NOW THAT WILL 
EMPLOY HIM?
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: LOOKS LIKE I'M SEEING AN OPINION BACK 
THERE, BUT --
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
LET'S JUST MOVE ON, AND WE'LL SEE.
THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON 
THIS APPLICATION, SO COME FORWARD, SIR, PUT YOUR NAME ON 
THE RECORD, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> YES, MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] TAXI.
I WAS ASKED TO BE HERE TODAY IF HE WOULD HAVE A JOB IF HE 
WAS GIVEN A PERMIT IN HILLSBOROUGH.
RIGHT NOW HE DOES WORK FOR ME IN PINELLAS COUNTY.
PRIOR TO THAT, HE WAS WORKING IN ORLANDO AND DID WORK FOR 
YELLOW AND UNITED IN THE PAST AND WORKED FOR ME IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, BUT HE LOST HIS PERMIT PERMANENTLY, 
BUT AGAIN, WASN'T SURE PERMANENTLY MEANS EVEN COME HERE 
AGAIN OR WAIT A YEAR AND COME BACK.
>>KEVIN WHITE: SO WHEN THE ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE 
WERE OCCURRING, HE WAS WORKING FOR AFFORDABLE AT THAT TIME?
>> NO, I THINK ONE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS WORKING 
FOR AFFORDABLE, ONE, BUT THE REST WAS FOR DIFFERENT 
COMPANIES.
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I WASN'T REALLY AWARE OF MOST OF THE 
ISSUES THAT WAS ADDRESSED, BUT IF YOU GO BACK, YOU WERE 
ASKING QUESTIONS, ONE OF THEM, WHAT DID HE DO ABOUT HIS 
ANGER, I'M AWARE HE DID GO TO ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES, GET 
CERTIFICATE, AND HE SUBMITTED THAT TO THE HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY CAB COMMISSION AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND THEY 
STILL DENY HIM BECAUSE HE -- TO ME, I THINK MR. HAMBIR DOES 
HAVE ONE PROBLEM WITH HIS COMMUNICATION.
MAYBE THAT'S HIS PROBLEM.
BEING ANGER, I DON'T REALLY SEE HIM -- I MEAN, I DIDN'T SEE 
A BIG ISSUE BEING ANGER.
HE'S NOT.
BUT HE'S REALLY -- DOES NOT COMMUNICATE RIGHT.
I MEAN, I SEE HIM ANSWERING YOU, YOU ASK HIM, HE IS SAYING 
YES, I MEAN, THE ANSWER IS NO, BUT HE'S STILL SHAKING HIS 
HEAD.
I DON'T KNOW WHY, DOES HE UNDERSTAND YOU, IS IT ENGLISH.
YOU ASK HIM IF HE TAKE ANYTHING FOR MANAGEMENT CLASSES, HE 
SAYS NO.
>>KEVIN WHITE: LET ME ASK YOU THIS.
DO THE PEOPLE IN PINELLAS COUNTY --
>> I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I'M SAYING DO THE PEOPLE IN PINELLAS COUNTY 
UNDERSTAND ANY BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE IN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY?
>> NO, NO, THOSE NOT WHAT I MEANT AT ALL.
THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WHAT I'M SAYING, IF THERE'S A COMMUNICATION 
BARRIER BETWEEN THE CUSTOMER AND HIM OR OTHER DRIVERS, I 
MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT WOULD SPAN ACROSS THE BAY AS WELL 
AS HERE.
>> YEAH.
>>KEVIN WHITE: BUT ANYWAY.
OKAY.
MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THIS GENTLEMAN?
>> I WOULD SAY AROUND FOUR YEARS NOW.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: OKAY.
HOW LONG HAS HE WORKED FOR YOU?
>> ON AND OFF ABOUT FOUR YEARS.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: HAS HE HAD ANY ISSUES DURING THE TIME 
HE'S WORKED FOR YOU?
>> ONE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I'M SORRY?
>> ONE ISSUE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: WHEN?
>> THAT'S ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO IN FRONT OF MARRIOTT, I 
BELIEVE, DOWNTOWN TAMPA.
HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A DRIVER SAYING THAT HE TOOK MY FARE, 
AND THEN HE CALLED AND I SAID WELL -- WE RESOLVED THAT.
I THINK IT WAS A YELLOW CAB DRIVER.
BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY ONE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: AND WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY ON HIS 
BEHALF?
>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
I'M HERE TODAY REALLY TO ASK IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE 
MR. HAMBIR ONE LAST CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO GET HIS PERMIT 
BACK, BE PUT ON PROBATION FOR A YEAR OR SO, GIVE HIM A 
CHANCE TO DRIVE AGAIN IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
HE LIVES IN HILLSBOROUGH, YET HE DRIVES TO PINELLAS TO WORK 
DAILY.
HIS FAMILY AND EVERYBODY ARE HERE.
IT WOULD BE, OF COURSE, MORE CONVENIENT FOR HIM TO BE 
DRIVING HERE.
THAT'S TOTALLY, OF COURSE, UP TO YOU, BUT HE ASKED ME 
REPEATEDLY TO COME AND PRESENT, LET YOU KNOW THAT, YOU 
KNOW, HE HAS A JOB IF HE WOULD BE GRANTED A PERMIT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD CARE TO 
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS PETITION?
MR.  CAETANO.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A 
MOTION THAT WE GRANT THIS GENTLEMAN -- IT WOULD BE THREE 
PARTS TO IT.
IT WOULD BE ONE YEAR PROVISIONAL, AND HE NEEDS TO TAKE AN 
ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASS.
DID YOU TAKE ONE OF THOSE, MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU KNOW WHERE 
IT'S AT?
[LAUGHTER]
>>KEVIN WHITE: NO, I DIDN'T, BUT HE'S EVIDENTLY ALREADY 
TAKEN ONE, MR. CAETANO.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: HE HAS TO COMPLETE THAT WITHIN A SIX-
MONTH PERIOD.
OKAY?
AND HE HAS ONE YEAR OF PROVISIONAL, EVEN AFTER HE FINISHES 
THAT SIX-MONTH ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASS, HOWEVER LONG IT 
TAKES.
THAT'S MY MOTION.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I'LL SECOND YOUR MOTION.
JUST LET ME GET A CLARIFICATION, JOE.
HE'S ALREADY TAKEN ONE, BUT YOU WANT HIM TO TAKE ANOTHER 
ONE?
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: EVIDENTLY, HE MAY NEED ANOTHER ONE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, AND I'LL 
SECOND THE MOTION.
>>KEVIN WHITE: LET ME PUT ON THE RECORD I WILL NOT BE 
SUPPORTING THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
THIS IS NOT A CASE, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, OF SECRETARY 
CHANCES BECAUSE MR. HAMBIR IS EMPLOYED NOW.
HE IS EMPLOYED BY THIS PARTICULAR CAB COMPANY.
IT IS IN PINELLAS.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE RECORD, FAILURE TO FOLLOW TAXICAB 
STAND PROCEDURES, BATTERY, FIST FIGHTING WITH ANOTHER 
DRIVER IN FRONT OF PASSENGERS, RUDE AND RECKLESS DRIVING, 
USING PROFANITY IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS, DISTURBANCE AT THE 
SEAPORT, FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES, AGAIN, CRASHED INTO 
ANOTHER TAXICAB, THIS IS WHAT I'M REMEMBERING FROM THE LAST 
RECORD.
HE ACTUALLY HIT ANOTHER TAXICAB AND REACHED IN AND GRABBED 
A CUSTOMER OUT OF A TAXI.
>> POINT OF ORDER.
POINT OF ORDER.
POINT OF ORDER.
>>KEVIN WHITE: LET ME FINISH.
>> A POINT OF ORDER HAS PREFERENCE OVER ANYTHING YOU HAVE 
TO SAY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I HAVE THE FLOOR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: POINT OF ORDER.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I HAVE THE FLOOR.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: YOU CANNOT TESTIFY AS THE CHAIRMAN.
YOU CANNOT TESTIFY AS THE CHAIRMAN.
IT'S WRONG.
MR. PEREZ, YOU HAVE TO OPINE ON THIS.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I PASS THE GAVEL.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: MR. PEREZ, I'M ASKING YOU FOR AN 
OPINION.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: WITH REGARD TO PROCEDURAL MATTER?
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: WITH REGARD TO MR. CHAIRMAN TESTIFYING 
TO THINGS I'M NOT SEEING IN THE RECORD.
IF I'M NOT SEEING IT IN THE RECORD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW 
HE HE CAN TESTIFY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I AM READING THE RECORD HERE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: BUT YOU WENT ON FURTHER.
IT SAYS CRASHED INTO A TAXICAB, BUT YOU WENT ON FURTHER.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: 1999 CRASH, 2000 SPEEDING, 2000 CRASH AGAIN, 
2001 CRASH, 2004 CRASH.
WILL NOT BE IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I'M SORRY FOR BEING LOUD.
I APOLOGIZE.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: EXCUSE ME, MR. WHITE.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: CAN I APOLOGIZE TO THIS COUNCIL?
THANK YOU.
I APOLOGIZE TO THIS COUNCIL FOR BEING LOUD, BUT I AM 
CONCERNED ABOUT DUE PROCESS BECAUSE THAT'S ALL WE'RE ABOUT.
THANK YOU.
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: MR. WHITE, THAT'S WHY I THINK HE NEEDS 
THE MANAGEMENT CLASS BECAUSE EVERYTHING YOU POINTED OUT --
>>KEVIN WHITE: YOU TALKING ABOUT MR. DINGFELDER?
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: NO.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I'M SORRY.
[LAUGHTER]
>>JOSEPH CAETANO: MAYBE WE CAN GET A TWO FOR ONE.
THE GENTLEMAN WHO IS APPLYING FOR THIS APPLICATION HERE, 
PERHAPS EVERYTHING YOU TALKED ABOUT WAS ANGER.
HE TOOK SOMEBODY -- I MEAN, EVERYBODY SAW IT ON NATIONAL TV 
THE OTHER DAY WHERE A GUY GOT OUT OF A BICYCLE AND TOOK A 
CABBIE, AND THEY'RE FIGHTING IN THE STREET.
THAT HAPPENS.
WE HAVE TO DECREASE OUR UNEMPLOYMENT LINES, AND MAYBE THIS 
WILL HELP.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. RAULERSON.
>>DAN RAULERSON: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD SAYING BECAUSE OF THE 
PERVASIVENESS OF THE BEHAVIOR, THE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES OF 
THE BEHAVIOR, THE RECENT DATES OF THE BEHAVIOR, I CAN IN NO 
WAY SUPPORT THIS APPLICATION.
I AM GOING TO GO ON RECORD AS STATING SUCH, AND I DON'T 
THINK ANGER MANAGEMENT IS AN ISSUE.
I THINK IT'S A BASIC BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM THAT WE NEED TO BE 
VERY CAREFUL ABOUT ALLOWING THAT ELEMENT INTO OUR PUBLIC 
TRANSPORTATION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, SO I'M GOING TO VOTE 
AGAINST THIS.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
[CHORUS OF NAYS]
MOTION FAILS 3-2.
THANK YOU.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR ATTORNEY'S REPORT, PLEASE.
MR. PEREZ.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: YES.
FOR THE ATTORNEY'S REPORT, WHAT I WANTED TO DO IS BRING YOU 
UP TO SPEED A LITTLE BIT JUST BRIEFLY WITH REGARD TO SOME 
MATTERS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED WITH REGARD TO PRIOR ACTIONS OF 
THE BOARD INVOLVING THE NEVs.
IF YOU RECALL, ONE OF THE DIRECTIONS THAT WAS PROVIDED TO 
OUR OFFICE WAS TO PURSUE SEEKING AN ADVISORY OPINION FROM 
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE 
MEETING, WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THAT 
DOCUMENT AND SUBMITTING IT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S 
OFFICE.
WE HAVE SINCE RECEIVED CORRESPONDENCE THAT THE ATTORNEY 
GENERAL'S OFFICE WILL NOT BE ISSUING AN OPINION ON THE 
MATTER, AND THE BASIS IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LAWSUIT 
FILED, ALSO IN OCCURRENCE, WHICH HAPPENED AFTER YOUR 
MEETING.
RED TOP CAB COMPANY HAS FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING DECLARATORY 
RELIEF WITH REGARD TO ISSUES INVOLVING FOR-HIRE 
COMPENSATION AND HOW THOSE COULD BE CONSTRUED WITH REGARD 
TO THE PTC'S JURISDICTION OVER WHAT RED TOP REFERS TO AS 
ITS GREEN FLEET.
IN LIGHT OF THAT LITIGATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE 
WILL NOT BE ISSUING AN OPINION.
SO WE'RE IN THE COURSE OF DEFENDING THAT ACTION AND WILL BE 
FILING APPROPRIATE PLEADINGS IN DEFENSE OF THAT ACTION BUT 
WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION, THAT THOSE HAVE 
BEEN SOME OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT, AND THIS 
ISSUE, THE STANDARD WARNING THAT THIS IS A MATTER IN 
LITIGATION.
SO NOT NECESSARILY ASKING FOR ANY ACTION, BUT ANY COMMENTS 
SHOULD BE MADE -- IF ANY WANT TO BE MADE SHOULD BE MADE 
WITH THAT WARNING THAT IT IS A MATTER IN LITIGATION.
THANK YOU.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU, MR. PEREZ.
NEXT ITEM IS OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
MR. DiMAIO, COME FORWARD.
BEFORE WE HAVE OUR UPDATE FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE 
REPRESENTATIVE, OUR LOBBYIST, I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE A 
COMMENT REAL QUICKLY FOR THE RECORD.
THERE WAS AN ARTICLE TODAY IN THE TAMPA TRIBUNE THAT SAYS 
THAT MR. DiMAIO, OUR LOBBYIST, EVIDENCELY RECEIVED SPECIAL 
FAVOR, IF YOU WILL, FOR THE HIRING OF HIS POSITION BECAUSE 
OF HIS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ME.
FIRST OF ALL, FOR THE RECORD, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IS 
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.
WHEN MR. DiMAIO WAS APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION AND -- AND 
MR. PEREZ, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- EACH TIME THAT 
ANY VOTE EVER CAME BEFORE THIS COMMISSION, I EXPRESSED MY 
PRIOR DEALINGS AND RELATIONSHIPS, BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS, 
WITH MR. DiMAIO AND ACTUALLY ASKED YOUR OPINION BECAUSE I 
WANTED TO ABSTAIN.
YOU ASKED IF I STILL HAD AN ONGOING BUSINESS, PERSONAL OR 
FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. DiMAIO AT THAT TIME.
I STATED THAT I DID NOT, AND YOU TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE 
INAPPROPRIATE FOR ME TO ABSTAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO VOTE ON 
THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES.
AM I CORRECT SO FAR?
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: YES.
JUST TO PARAPHRASE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL PRIVATE GAIN 
INURING TO YOUR BENEFIT IN ORDER TO HAVE A CONFLICT, AND 
THE RECORD REFLECTS THAT WE HAD AN EXCHANGE WHERE WE ASKED 
ABOUT THAT, AND YOU SAID THERE WOULD BE NO SPECIAL PRIVATE 
GAIN TO YOU BASED ON THE RESULT OF THAT RULING -- OR THE 
VOTE.
AND BASED ON THAT ASSUMPTION, THE ADVICE WOULD BE THAT 
THERE WOULD BE NO BASIS UPON WHICH TO ABSTAIN.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU.
AND AS WELL AS THE -- AND THAT VOTE WAS A VOTE OF THIS 
ENTIRE BOARD, NOT ONE VOTE OF THIS PARTICULAR MEMBER OF THE 
BOARD, AND I IN NO WAY EVER SPOKE TO ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER 
OR ANYTHING ELSE INAPPROPRIATE TO TRY AND SWAY ANYBODY'S 
VOTE TO HELP MR. DiMAIO IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, FORM, OR 
FASHION, AS WELL AS WITH HIS NEW CONTRACT THAT WAS ALSO 
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S PAPER WITH HIS REDUCTION IN PAY.
I TALKED TO THAT.
I TALKED TO OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR. CAESAR PADILLA, WHO 
ACTUALLY DID NOT WANT TO RENEW THE CONTRACT BECAUSE OF 
ECONOMIC TIMES, AND MR. DiMAIO EVIDENTLY, COMING TO FIND 
OUT NOW, TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO LOBBY EACH COMMISSIONER 
INDIVIDUALLY AND BROUGHT IT BEFORE THE BOARD'S ATTENTION, 
AND I'M SURE IT EVIDENTLY PASSED AFTER THE LAST VOTE.
I JUST WANT TO PUT IT ON THE RECORD TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR 
IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FASHION DID MR. DiMAIO GET ANY 
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FROM THIS COMMISSIONER NOR DO I 
BELIEVE ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER THAT'S ON THIS BOARD, AND 
EVERYTHING WAS DONE ABOVEBOARD AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE 
WHATSOEVER.
WITH THAT BEING STATED, MR. DiMAIO, IF YOU WOULD COME AND 
GIVE US OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
JUST A MOMENT.
I'M SORRY.
MR. DINGFELDER HAD A QUESTION.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
I WAS READING, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE TWO ISSUES TO TALK TO 
US ABOUT.
ONE IS THE LIMOUSINE ISSUE AND THE VARIOUS OPTIONS AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE, OF COURSE, OUR 
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
ON THE LIMOUSINE ISSUE, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF THE 
BOARD FEELS ABOUT IT, BUT I JUST RECEIVED THIS -- THESE TWO 
REPORTS, THE OPPAGA REPORT AND THE CUTR REPORT, AND I'D 
LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO READ THEM BEFORE WE GET INTO IT.
SO I'D LOVE FOR US TO AT LEAST DEFER THIS FOR A MONTH SO WE 
CAN ALL GET A LITTLE BETTER EDUCATED ON THIS TOPIC.
BECAUSE IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC, BUT ANYWAY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT IN THE FORM OF A 
MOTION?
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I MEAN, IF IT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY 
ELSE, THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO.
MOVE IT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MOVED BY MR. DINGFELDER, SECOND BY 
MR. CAETANO.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SAY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
MOTION PASSES.
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THOSE REPORTS ARE DATED 
1999.
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO STUDY THE 
REPORTS, BUT MY QUESTION IS IS THE DATA STILL RELEVANT?
BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED -- I READ THE REPORTS, AND IN ONE OF 
THE REPORTS, THEY ALLUDE TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S 
CONTINGENCY FUNDS THAT ARE NOT ENOUGH OR SOMEHOW LACKING OR 
DEFICIENT IN CONTINGENCY FUNDS, AND IN FACT, WE HAVE 
$250,000 SITTING IN OUR CONTINGENCY FUND TODAY.
SO I THINK THAT WE MAY -- IF WE DO STUDY IT, I THINK WE 
NEED TO STUDY IT WITH SOME -- SOME CAUTION AS TO HOW MUCH 
OF THIS DATA IS STILL RELEVANT.
AND THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORTS ARE BASICALLY THAT 
EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE AND THERE'S NO COMPELLING REASON 
TO CHANGE THE WAY WE'RE DOING BUSINESS.
>>CESAR PADILLA: YES, SIR, THE INTENT OF PUTTING THOSE TWO 
REPORTS IN THERE WAS JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT A STUDY WAS 
DONE IN THE PAST AND WHAT THE PROCESS WAS FOR THE STUDY.
ARE THEY OUTDATED?
ABSOLUTELY.
AND THE CONCLUSION BASICALLY IS THAT FOR US TO HAVE A -- AN 
EDUCATED GUIDANCE FOR, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S FOR A 
[INDISCERNIBLE] WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.  
LIKE I SAID, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO HAVE AN 
INDEPENDENT STUDY DONE BASED ON THOSE CRITERIAS.
>>DAN RAULERSON: AND COMMISSIONER DINGFELDER, I'D LIKE YOUR 
OPINION ON THIS.
I THINK IF WE HAVE TEN-YEAR DATA AND THEN THE QUESTION 
BECOMES IS THERE A COMPELLING REASON OR IS THERE AN OUTCRY 
FOR AN UPDATED STUDY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IN READING THIS, I 
REALLY, QUITE FRANKLY, GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT.
THERE REALLY WAS NO SUBSTANCE HERE THAT REALLY TOLD ME OR 
EDUCATED ME OR COMPELLED ME TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT AS A 
COMMISSIONER ON THIS BOARD.
SO I THINK AS AN EDUCATIONAL EXERCISE, IT WAS FAIRLY 
USELESS, AND IF WE WERE TO -- AND THEN MY QUESTION NOW, 
HAVING SAID THAT, IS THERE ANY REASON OR IS THERE AN OUTCRY 
FROM ANYBODY FOR US TO DO ANOTHER STUDY FOR ANY PARTICULAR 
REASON?
>>CESAR PADILLA: THE ONLY ANSWER I HAVE FOR THAT IS THE 
NEED BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ASK FOR THE LIMOUSINE INDUSTRY TO 
BE CAPPED.
OKAY?
SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND IS, OKAY, DO WE HAVE TO -- DO 
WE HAVE A NEED TO CAP THE LIMOUSINE INDUSTRY?
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO DO IT?
>>DAN RAULERSON: WE ARE NOT, UNDER CURRENT STATUTE, ABLE TO 
CAP?
>>CESAR PADILLA: CORRECT.
>>DAN RAULERSON: BUT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE A $5,000 ENTRY 
FEE?
>>CESAR PADILLA: CORRECT.
>>DAN RAULERSON: SO THAT'S KIND OF THE PROCESS WE'RE GOING 
THROUGH NOW.
>>CESAR PADILLA: CORRECT.
>>DAN RAULERSON: OKAY.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT CLEAR.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
WE PUT THAT OFF TILL NEXT MONTH, SO I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE 
ANYTHING.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
PUT YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD.
>> VICTOR DiMAIO, DiMAIO AND ASSOCIATES.
WE DO HAVE A BILL WE PUT TOGETHER, A VERY SHORT, SWEET 
BILL, THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE WE TRIED TO BRING UP LAST 
YEAR CONCERNING THE NONCONSENSUAL TOW PROBLEM THAT'S KIND 
OF A PROBLEM HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND IT'S A VERY 
SIMPLE BILL, AND I'D LIKE YOUR APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD 
WITH THAT AND TRY TO GET THAT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: I CAN'T HEAR YOU.
CAN YOU SPEAK UP A LITTLE BIT?
>> YES.
WE PUT TOGETHER A VERY SHORT, SIMPLE, SWEET BILL TO -- FOR 
YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR US TO TAKE TO TALLAHASSEE.
THIS IS REALLY THE PART -- THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE 
BILL FROM LAST YEAR WAS TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON THE 
PROBLEM WITH NONCONSENSUAL TOWING IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, 
AND IT'S BEEN A SERIES OF ARTICLES IN THE PAPERS AND 
CHANNEL 28 AND SEVERAL OTHER TV STATIONS HAVE DONE NUMEROUS 
STORIES ON THE PROBLEM OF THESE NONCONSENSUAL TOWERS, 
IMPOUND TOWERS THAT TOW YOUR CAR OFF THE LOTS WHEN YOU PARK 
IN THE WRONG PLACE, SO FORTH.
THIS IS A BILL WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON NOW FOR -- THIS IS OUR 
THIRD SESSION TRYING TO GET THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION 
PASSED, SO I'D APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION ON THAT.
>>KEVIN WHITE: MR. DINGFELDER.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: THANK YOU.
VICTOR, I'M LOOKING AT THE TWO PAGES THAT ARE ATTACHED.
IT APPEARS TO BE A BILL -- WAS THIS LAST YEAR'S BILL, OR IS 
THIS THE ONE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?
>> I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: THE TWO PAGES YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU ARE NOT 
LAST YEAR'S BILL.
THEY WERE REVISED FROM LAST YEAR'S BILL.
SO LAST YEAR'S BILL WAS USED AS A BASE TO DEVELOP THIS, BUT 
THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS YOU APPROVED LAST TIME.
>>DAN RAULERSON: SO WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO?
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO?
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: THE SUBSTANTIVE IS THE TERM "WRECKER" IS 
REDEFINED, AND THE INTENT IS TO CAPTURE NOT ONLY GOVERNMENT 
TOWS WHICH YOU CURRENTLY HAVE JURISDICTION, BUT ALSO TO 
EXPAND THAT JURISDICTION TO COVER NONCONSENSUAL PRIVATE 
TOWING THAT GOES ON THAT MR. DiMAIO ALLUDED TO.
>> I'M SORRY.
GO AHEAD.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: DOESN'T IT ESSENTIALLY ADDRESS 
CONSENSUAL, NONCONSENSUAL.
YOU ARE ADDRESSING IT THROUGH THE LANGUAGE TO ESSENTIALLY 
SAY ANY TOWING OPERATION, NO MATTER WHAT?
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: NO, THE REFERENCE COMES IN TO 715.07 OF 
FLORIDA STATUTES.
THAT LITTLE PART THERE IS WHAT'S TALKING ABOUT YOUR 
NONCONSENSUAL ENVIRONMENT.
THAT IS, FOR THE FOLKS AT HOME, USED BY ANY PERSON ENGAGED 
IN TOWING OR STORING VEHICLES PURSUANT TO SECTION 715.07, 
AND THAT'S THE STATUTE WHICH OUTLINES THE CONDITIONS UNDER 
WHICH A PRIVATE TOW OF NONCONSENSUAL NATURE COULD GO ON AND 
IDENTIFIES THOSE CONDITIONS WHICH ARE APPROPRIATE OR 
REQUIRED BEFORE SUCH A TOW COULD HAPPEN.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: I HAD MEMORIZED EVERY OTHER STATUTE BUT 
THAT ONE.
SORRY.
[LAUGHTER]
>> JUST FOR THE RECORD,  TO LET YOU KNOW, WE WORK VERY 
CLOSELY WITH MIKE SIEMENS.
I SPOKE WITH HIM JUST THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY, FROM THE 
PROFESSIONAL WRECKER ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, PWF.
I SPOKE WITH STEVE MICHELINI IS HERE FROM THE HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION.
WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE INDUSTRY TO TRY TO GET EVERYBODY 
ONBOARD TO AGREE WITH THIS.
IF STEVE WANTS TO SPEAK, HE IS WELCOME TO.
HE IS HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR RECOMMENDATION, 
ENDORSEMENT OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WELCOME, MR. MICHELINI.
>> GOOD MORNING, SIR.
STEVE MICHELINI.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING 
ASSOCIATION.
WE HAVE A WORKSHOP COMING UP ON FRIDAY, AND WHAT I'D LIKE 
TO DO IS, IF WE COULD, IS TO HAVE VIC COME AND TALK TO US 
ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE SOME RULE CHANGES BEING 
ENTERTAINED THERE SO WE MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS 
EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION DOES.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN ADVOCATES FOR 
CONTROLLING NONCONSENSUAL TOWING BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN 
SOME OF THE GREATEST OFFENDERS OF PUBLIC TRUST, AND WE HAVE 
SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS THERE.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LEGISLATION DOESN'T 
INADVERTENTLY CAUSE SOME OTHER PROBLEM.
BUT NONCONSENSUAL TOWING IS A PROBLEM, AND WE'D LIKE TO 
ADDRESS IT.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, ALONG WITH THE REST OF MY 
BOARD MEMBERS, THAT WE'RE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT'S 
BEING PROPOSED.
SO I SUGGEST THAT IF WE COULD HAVE VIC COME ON FRIDAY AND 
DISCUSS EXACTLY, AND CERTAINLY MR. PEREZ, WHAT THIS 
LEGISLATION -- WHAT THE IMPACT IS, AND THEN HOPEFULLY COME 
BACK TO YOU WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON OUR POSITION.
THE PWF, JUST FOR THE RECORD, DOES NOT REPRESENT THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWING ASSOCIATION.
THAT'S A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION.
AND SOME OF THE MEMBERS ARE -- FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ARE 
MEMBERS OF THAT.
MOST ARE NOT.
SO I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE US TO BE LOOKING AT THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TOWERS FOR THE PREFERENCE ON THIS AS 
OPPOSED TO A STATE ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS LIMITED 
MEMBERSHIP.
THANK YOU.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE'D CERTAINLY ADVOCATE MR. DiMAIO DOING AS 
MUCH WORK AS POSSIBLE.
>> TO FINISH UP, FOR THE RECORD, AAA, THE FIRST PROBLEM 
WITH THE VERY FIRST BILL, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T 
INCLUDE CONSENSUAL TOWERS, WHEN YOU CALL AAA TO PICK UP 
YOUR CAR WHEN IT BREAKS DOWN, THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS 
BILL, SO AAA AND THOSE TYPE OF TOWS ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS 
BILL.
THIS IS STRICTLY NONCONSENSUAL TOWERS WHERE PEOPLE TOW YOUR 
CAR WITHOUT CONSENT.
THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER PART IN THE STATUTE FOR REPO TOWERS.
THAT'S IN ANOTHER PART OF THE STATUTE THAT DOESN'T COME IN 
OUR JURISDICTION, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION THERE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS FOR OLD BUSINESS THAT MR. PADILLA 
WOULD LIKE TO CLEAN UP.
>>CESAR PADILLA: YEAH, VERY QUICKLY, SIR.
WE'RE REVISING THE 2010 CALENDAR FOR OUR MEETINGS.
WE HAVE A CONFLICT WITH THE JULY AND NOVEMBER FOR THE BOCC 
HAS A MEETING DURING THAT TIME, AND ALSO WE HAVE -- THE EPC 
HAS A MEETING DURING NOVEMBER, SO I WILL ASK RIGHT NOW, I 
CAN RESCHEDULE THE PTC MEETING FOR A DIFFERENT WEDNESDAY, 
OR YOU CAN VOTE TO NOT TO HAVE THE MEETINGS ON THOSE TWO 
MONTHS AND JUST GO AHEAD AND --
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE NORMALLY DON'T DO ONE.
IS THAT JUNE OR JULY?
>>CESAR PADILLA: NORMALLY THAT'S JULY.
THAT'S WHEN MOST EVERYBODY IS ON SUMMER VACATION.
>>KEVIN WHITE: SO I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY WE COULDN'T 
CONTINUE OUR PATTERN OF NOT DOING THE JULY.
OF COURSE, IT'S UP TO THE BOARD.
PERSONALLY, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RESCHEDULING  -- 
WHEN WAS THE OTHER ONE?
NOVEMBER?
>>CESAR PADILLA: NOVEMBER, SIR.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE CAN JUST CHECK THE CONDUCIVENESS OF 
EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULE.
IF WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO GO AHEAD AND DELETE THE ONE IN 
JULY LIKE WE NORMALLY DO, WE CAN DO THAT NOW IN THE FORM OF 
A MOTION IF SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO MOVE THAT.
>> SO MOVE.
>> SECRETARY.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO NOT HAVE THE 
JULY 2010 MEETING.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, SIGNIFY BY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED, NAY.
AND --
>>CESAR PADILLA: NOVEMBER YOU WANT ME TO RESCHEDULE?
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE'LL DO RESCHEDULE AND JUST CHECK 
COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES AND WE'LL, OF COURSE, PUT IT OUT 
IN PUBLIC NOTICE.
IS THAT IT?
>>CESAR PADILLA: ONE LAST ONE.
WE RECEIVED THE ESTIMATE OF THE POPULATION FOR HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY, AND FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT'S GOOD NEWS; FOR SOME 
PEOPLE, IT'S BAD NEWS.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE ANY TAXI 
PERMITS.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE SHORT FROM 
LAST YEAR'S COUNT.
SO THAT'S --
>>KEVIN WHITE: NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY BACK, THOUGH.
[LAUGHTER]
MR. PEREZ.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: WITH REGARD TO THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND 
THE PRESENTATION BY MR. DiMAIO, THE COMMISSION HEARD FROM 
THAT, BUT THE GAME PLAN WITH REGARD TO THAT, I THINK WE 
DISCUSSED AT THE PRIOR MEETING IS THAT THERE'S A DEADLINE 
COMING UP WITH REGARD TO SUBMISSION OF LOCAL BILLS ON 
NOVEMBER 20th, AND ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF YOUR RESCHEDULING 
OF THE NOVEMBER MEETING, IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO RECEIVE 
DIRECTION FROM THIS COMMITTEE WITH REGARD TO WHETHER YOU 
WOULD LIKE THIS BILL PROCESSED AND SUBMITTED AND GO FORWARD 
WITH THIS OR HAVE ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT YOU'D LIKE OR ANY 
OTHER LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS YOU'D LIKE.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THAT WAS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2010 MEETING, 
WASN'T IT?
THAT WASN'T THIS NOVEMBER.
>>CESAR PADILLA: THAT'S CORRECT, THAT'S NOVEMBER 2010.
>>KEVIN WHITE: THE RESCHEDULING.
>>ORLANDO PEREZ: I'M SORRY.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE NEXT MEETING.
THE DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 20th THIS YEAR FOR THE SUBMISSION 
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>>KEVIN WHITE: OKAY.
I GUESS I SHOULD REQUEST THE BOARD TO MOVE FORWARD.
IS IT OKAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BILL?
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE'RE ABOUT TO GET A MOTION FOR THAT.
>>JOHN DINGFELDER: MR. CHAIRMAN, I AGREE.
I THINK WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND FORMALIZE THAT.
I MOVE THAT WE DIRECT STAFF AND LEGAL TO INTRODUCE THE BILL 
AS WE'VE REVIEWED IT TODAY.
>> AND I'LL SECOND.
>>KEVIN WHITE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR SUBMISSION 
AS REVIEWED.
ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
MOTION PASSES.
ANY NEW BUSINESS?
ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS?
WE STAND ADJOURNED UNTIL NEXT MONTH.


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