City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: April 1, 2024
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-142 Amending Chapter 4.56 Taxicabs
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council conduct a public hearing, adopt, waive second reading and read by title only Ordinance No. 2024-142, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, Amending Chapter 4.56 Taxicabs of Title 4 Business and License Regulations of the Gonzales City Code, pertaining to permit requirements for taxicabs.
BACKGROUND
Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) is interested in expanding taxi service to South Monterey County cities to increase transportation options for residents. They administer a Taxi Voucher Program, which offers subsidized taxi fares for older adults, veterans, and persons with disabilities. It is funded through Measure Q, a 1/8 cent countywide sales tax that funds transportation programs.
Many Gonzales residents qualify for the program, but they have been unable to participate due to the lack of taxi operators in South County even though Gonzales residents are paying for a portion of the program costs. Yellow Cab has expressed an interest in expanding its services to South County, which could finally enable eligible Gonzales residents to participate in the future.
MST operates the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority (MCRTA), which permits, approves rates, and inspects vehicles for taxi companies in all the jurisdictions in Monterey County except for the South Monterey County cities. Staff is recommending the City Council adopt an Ordinance that would exempt taxi companies and drivers from the City’s permit process if they have already completed the MCRTA requirements to streamline the process.
AGENDA
ITEM
10 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
The City’s public transit permit process is similar to those that have been established in many cities.
However, they have become outdated because they were developed prior to the introduction of Uber services when taxi companies were much more prevalent and competitive.
Staff has concerns that Yellow Cab or another taxi company may lose interest in serving South County if they are required to complete a lengthy permitting process for each individual jurisdiction. In addition, since the City of Gonzales is a small jurisdiction, it does not have in-house mechanics and is not equipped to provide vehicle inspections. This service is provided to the MCRTA by the City of Monterey.
Therefore, the purpose of the recommended Ordinance is to help promote taxi service in the City of Gonzales by simplifying the permitting process, making the process more efficient by reducing duplication, and reducing workload and costs for the City.
Staff believes that the Ordinance will enable the City to benefit from the MCRTA services without the need for membership and representation with the MCRTA. The option of requesting consideration of membership could always be considered in the future if any issues arise.
The City’s existing process requires all operators to apply with detailed information on each vehicle.
Following a recommendation from the Chief of Police, permits are issued by the City Council following a public hearing. Vehicles are subject to inspections at any time by the Chief of Police. Rates for all vehicles are also set by the City Council following a public hearing.
Under the provisions of the proposed Ordinance, public transit operators and taxi drivers will be exempt from the City permitting, rate, and inspection requirements if they have a valid permit issued by the MCRTA. All other Municipal Code requirements will still apply. They will be required to apply for and maintain a City business license, which will be revoked if they violate any of the other Municipal Code provisions.
On Monday, March 18, 2024, the City Council received a staff report introducing Ordinance 2024-142, by title only and waived the reading of the ordinance.
Explain the Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: The recommendation is to revise the Gonzales City Code regarding taxicab service to dis-encumber local governmental permitting processes to encourage taxicab service to the City of Gonzales and South County Cities, by recognizing that MST operates the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority (MCRTA), which permits, approves rates, and inspects vehicles for taxi companies in all the jurisdictions in Monterey County except for the South Monterey County cities. The City would like to benefit from this engagement and service provided by MCRTA and encourage taxicab services so licensed to serve the City.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Reducing governmental constraints that potentially discourage taxicab transit services locally, hopefully, will encourage such transit service to serve the community and provide such a missing utility to our residents, thereby enhancing the quality of life by allowing greater mobility.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: While not anticipating a direct cost to the City budget, having taxicab service in the community will allow our residents to better utilize existing voucher programs that help underwrite the costs to individuals needing such transportation.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: Please see the Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
The following alternatives are presented for City Council consideration:
1. Introduce the Ordinance;
2. Direct staff to modify the Ordinance to reduce some of the requirements for taxi service providers who have a valid MCRTA permit, but maintain the requirement for a City permit;
3. Introduce the Ordinance, but direct staff to request consideration of joining the MCRTA;
4. Do not introduce the Ordinance and maintain the current taxi operator requirements; or
5. Provide staff with other direction.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no direct cost from the proposed action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15061(b)(3)). Further, the adoption and implementation of this Ordinance is not a project, as defined in CEQA Guidelines section 15378, because it has no potential for resulting in a physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly, and is therefore not subject to environmental review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
CONCLUSION
It is recommended the City Council conduct a public hearing, adopt, waive second reading and read by title only Ordinance No. 2024-142, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, Amending Chapter 4.56 Taxicabs of Title 4 Business and License Regulations of the Gonzales City Code, pertaining to permit requirements for taxicabs.
Attachments:
1. 03-20-2024 Proof of publication
2. Ordinance No. 2024-142