Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board — Burlington, VT
Date: 2023-12-19
Time: 17:30

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board




  Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 5:30 PM, Queen City Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 149
 Church St. Burlington, VT 05401

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/99537620207
Or One tap mobile :
  +13052241968,,99537620207# US
  +13092053325,,99537620207# US

Webinar ID: 995 3762 0207
 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aemytHlrB



1. Agenda
 Subject 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Previous Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Previous Minutes Approval
 File Attachments
 1. VFH 10.18.23 Minutes - Draft VFH 10.18.23 Minutes - Draft.pdf

3. Public Forum
 Subject 3.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments

4. Hearings
 Subject 4.1. Easy Cab
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted Courtney Rice & Easy Cab Complaint Redacted Courtney Rice & Easy Cab Complaint.pdf
 2. Fare receipt - Redacted Fare receipt - Redacted.png

 Subject 4.2. Queen City Transportation
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted - Sara Jelen & Queen City Trans. Redacted - Sara Jelen & Queen City Trans.
 Complaint Complaint.pdf

 Subject 4.3. Route 100 Taxi
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted - Rod & Route 100 Taxi Complaint Redacted - Rod & Route 100 Taxi Complaint.pdf

5. Deliberative Session
  Subject 5.1. Deliberative Session

6. Report
  Subject 6.1. Report on business license fees and pickup/dropoff fees

7. New Business
  Subject 7.1. New Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board




  Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 5:30 PM, Queen City Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 149
 Church St. Burlington, VT 05401

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/99537620207
Or One tap mobile :
  +13052241968,,99537620207# US
  +13092053325,,99537620207# US

Webinar ID: 995 3762 0207
 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aemytHlrB



1. Agenda
 Subject 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Previous Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Previous Minutes Approval
 File Attachments
 1. VFH 10.18.23 Minutes - Draft VFH 10.18.23 Minutes - Draft.pdf

3. Public Forum
 Subject 3.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments

4. Hearings
 Subject 4.1. Easy Cab
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted Courtney Rice & Easy Cab Complaint Redacted Courtney Rice & Easy Cab Complaint.pdf
 2. Fare receipt - Redacted Fare receipt - Redacted.png

 Subject 4.2. Queen City Transportation
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted - Sara Jelen & Queen City Trans. Redacted - Sara Jelen & Queen City Trans.
 Complaint Complaint.pdf

 Subject 4.3. Route 100 Taxi



 Page 1 of 13
 File Attachments
 1. Redacted - Rod & Route 100 Taxi Complaint Redacted - Rod & Route 100 Taxi Complaint.pdf

5. Deliberative Session
  Subject 5.1. Deliberative Session

6. Report
  Subject 6.1. Report on business license fees and pickup/dropoff fees

7. New Business
  Subject 7.1. New Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn




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 Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board




 Vehicle For Hire - Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 5:30 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, 149 Church Street, Burlington. VT 05401 OR remotely via Zoom.

 Member Present: Paul Hines
 Stephen Hamlin
 Youness Jamil

 Also present: Hayley McClenahan
 Tenzin Chokden
 Nic Longo
 Councilor Mark Barlow



Meeting start time: 5:40PM

1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
  Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin
  Seconded: Youness Jamil
  Approved unanimously.

2. Previous Minutes
 2.1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

 Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin
 Seconded: Youness Jamil
 Approved unanimously.


3. Public Forum
  3.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments

  Councilor Mark Barlow said that the memo to the City Council that the board sent was accepted and referred


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 to TEUC committee. He is going to add it to the agenda for the next TECU meeting in October and deliberate
 and work with Director Spencer on that.
4. New Business
 4.1. Updating Taxi Rates

 Paul Hines asked if this is the commission’s job to set the taxi rates and if the board decided today that the
 rates should change, could that go into effect immediately.

 Hayley McClenahan replied yes, it is board’s job to set the taxi rates. However it’s supposed to be on a
 licensing year basis and she would have to check with Sarah. She believes the licensing year runs with the
 fiscal year, but she will double check.

 Councilor Barlow asked if the licensing does not run on fiscal year, does the board have any flexibility on
 making changes to the rate structure at any point.

 Hayley McClenahan replied her understanding is that the past practice is that the rates have been set on a
 licensing year basis and that the licensing year has lined up with the fiscal year, but it does not explicitly state
 this anywhere in ordinance.

 Paul Hines noted that he is concerned in general that the system is really not working right now. One of his
 colleagues was charged $70 for a 3 mile trip from the airport, not using the meter. He thinks this is because
 the rates are really low and people don’t know the rules.

 Hayley McClenahan replied that for ease administration, the current licensing year should be completed
 before starting fresh. She described the current rates as only applying to vehicles for hire who are operating
 as taxis with a taximeter, and noted that there is not a rate schedule for vehicles for hire that are operating on
 a prearranged basis.

 Youness Jamil added that this discussion is about pick up from the airport. Taxi drivers are supposed to use a
 meter when picking up from the airport and picking up street hails from downtown or anywhere else. There
 are two different rates between airport and downtown.

 Paul Hines shared proposed new meter rates on a spreadsheet and asked the board if they have any opinions
 on how the rates should be set and how the change should be implemented.

 Youness Jamil asked to put into consideration when calculating new rates that we are a small city compared
 to other big cities. We don’t have the level of traffic that they do - these cities have more planes, and more
 tourists. As far as implementation, he knows the person in Florida who used to calibrate meters in
 Burlington; perhaps the city can hire him to calibrate all the meters with new rates.

 Paul Hines asked Youness Jamil what would be an ideal charge for a 5 miles ride from the airport.
 Youness Jamil replied the price should be set between $35-$40.

 Nic Longo mentioned airport queue permits at the airport will be increased to 90. They are also thinking
 about splitting the queue permits between an early shift and a late shift because the airport queue line can
 only hold up to 18 taxis at once.

 Stephen Hamlin asked if there is going to be a way to tell the difference between two queue permits.

 Nic Longo replied yes. There are obviously some concerns with the expired queue permits that are operating
 at the airport. Monitoring this is very labor intensive and his team is responsible for the security element of

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the airport but also the queue permit side.

Paul Hines is interested to see if there is way to solve this problem by looking at a mobile app based system
to replace taximeters. Especially, with the night time problem. If there is nobody in a queue, you could send
out messages to everybody who’s a driver and notify them and alert them that there are people who want to
ride.

Mark Barlow asked what the current rates are. Tenzin Chokden answered that the starting fee from anywhere
in the city is $2.50. Pick-ups from the airport incur an additional $4.00 surcharge. The rate after that is .25
cents per 1/10 mile ($2.50/ mile), with a minimum final charge of $7.50.

The board proposed the rate change as noted here and also in the spreadsheet in this minutes.
 1. Fixed Charge =$4.00
 2. Airport Surcharge = $4.00
 3. Extra Night Charge =$4.00
 4. Per Mile = $3.50
 5. Per Minute = $.50


Hayley McClenahan asked: When is the board proposing that the rates would be effective? Her
recommendation to the board would be to wait until we can confirm the licensing cycle. If the cycle operates
on the fiscal calendar, the board may want to consider having the rates be effective with the new licensing
year. Even if the board consider doing it midyear, she recommended giving a minimum of 30 day notice to
the businesses.

Paul Hines agreed with giving 30 day notice.

The motion is to adopt the rates, as mentioned, starting January 1st, and the rate won’t change for at least one
year after that, unless the board hears back from the Vehicle for Hire administration that they are impractical.

Stephen Hamlin made to motion to accept, seconded by Youness Jamil.

Approved unanimously.




4.2. Signage at the Airport

Paul Hines started the discussion on the signage at the Airport, the key points that would be important to note

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 in signage are noted below.

 “Passenger Rights
 As a passenger using Taxis in the City of Burlington you should expect to:
  Ride in a clean vehicle with a courteous and professional driver, and review the taxi license.
  Understand how much you will be charged. Most rides should use the city-approved taxi rate. If you choose you
 may agree to a different fare before starting your ride.
  Obtain a printed or electronic receipt for your ride.

 The city approved taxi fare for a ride from the airport is
 $X + $Y/mile + $Z/minute + [after 10pm fee]

 For a full description of your rights see:
 https://www.codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington/html/Burlington30/Burlington3008.html
 [insert QR code]

 If you feel that you rights as a passenger have been violated, you may file a complaint at {XYZ}”

 Stephen Hamlin suggested the passengers should have the right to see taxi driver’s license.

 Nic Longo mentioned that he had great conversation with his teams, ambassadors and ground transportation
 and they had great ideas. Some of the ideas include having a chart of how much a passenger can expect to pay
 for certain miles and also having printed material that would be translated. Another idea was using a QR code
 for easy access on information. He mentioned they interact with drivers and can ask the drivers if they have
 bill of rights posted in their vehicle and check on them.

 Stephen Hamlin expressed how important is it for the board on take on this action because the past
 complaints in the last meetings were complaints about not having a clean car.

 Paul Hines suggested the Airport to create signage with the current rates even though no one will use and
 then put up new version in January. Nic Longo suggested having a QR code that will directly link to
 passengers to file complaints to the Taxi Administration and that all drivers should accept credit card.

 Youness Jamil agreed that all drivers should accept credit cards and he knows a company who is avoiding
 using to credit cards to avoid paying taxes and he tells his drivers to not accept credit cards.

 Tenzin Chokden added all the taxis should have a copy of the bill of rights and the current rates. They are
 being reminded and issued a copy of these, whenever they renew their license.

 The motion to recommend to the Airport Director or designee that signage substantially similar to that
 presented be implemented at the Airport as soon as possible.

 Stephen Hamlin accepted the motion, seconded by Youness Jamil. Approved unanimously.

5. Adjournment
 5.1. Motion to adjourn

 Youness Jamil made the motion to adjourn.
 Seconded by Stephen Hamlin.
 The meeting ended at 6:52pm.




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BURLINGTON VEHICLE FOR HIRE LICENSING BOARD
 QUEEN CITY ROOM, 3RD FLOOR, CITY HALL, 149 CHURCH ST. BURLINGTON, VT
 05401
 MINUTES OF MEETING
 December 19, 2023

 Member Present: Paul Hines
 Stephen Hamlin
 Youness Jamil
 Also present: Hayley McClenahan
 Tenzin Chokden

Meeting start time: 5:37 p.m.



1. Agenda
1. Agenda

Subject 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin
Seconded: Youness Jamil
Approved unanimously.
2. Previous Minutes
2. Previous Minutes



Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin
Seconded: Youness Jamil
Approved unanimously.


3. Public Forum
3. Public Forum

No members of the public present for the public forum.

4. Hearings
4. Hearings

Subject 4.1. Easy Cab
Hayley McClenahan swore in Mahmoud Alshaabi, the owner and driver of Easy Cab.
Mahmoud Alshaabi shared that Courtney Rice, the customer, requested a ride from the airport to
Burlington, he gave her the estimate, and she agreed. He then dropped her off at her location, gave her
the receipt upon her request, and left. He was surprised to see this complaint from her.

Youness Jamil asked: Did you tell her that you were going to use the meter? Where did you drop her?

Mahmoud Alshaabi replied: He told her he was not using his meter and the fare price is $30. He asked
whether she accepted the price or not. He doesn’t remember exactly where, but she was dropped off
near Downtown.

Stephen Hamlin asked: Why don’t you use your meter?

Mahmoud Alshaabi replied: Most drivers at the airport don’t use their meters. The meter rate is not
enough to cover the cost of maintenance, insurance, and fees. He followed the rule set by the vehicle for
hire order on the pre-agreement of the fare before the ride began.

Paul Hines asked if that is the right interpretation.

 Hayley McClenahan replied that under the ordinance, if one is acting as a taxi and picking up street
hail, they have to use the meter. If one is acting as a vehicle for hire, then the ride must be pre-arranged
and the fare negotiated before the pick-up.


Subject 4.2. Queen City Transportation



The complainant was not present for the hearing.

Hayley McClenahan swore in Usamah Abdulkhaleq, the owner and driver of Queen City
Transportation.

Usamah Abdulkhaleq stated he doesn’t get why the complaint was about not having a meter when he
has one in his car. He told her he would charge her a flat rate fee, and she agreed.

Youness Jamil asked if the driver has a meter installed in his car, and if so, why is the complainant
saying that you don’t have a meter.

Usamah Abdulkhaleq said he does have a meter, but the meter wasn’t on because the flat rate fee was
agreed upon by the complainant. The ride went okay, and he believed he was given a tip at the end of
the trip.

Stephen Hamlin asked where he dropped off the customer.

Usamah Abdulkhaleq replied in South Burlington, near Hinesburg Rd., but shortly agreed with the
board, who mentioned in the complaint that the drop-off location was in the Old North End.


Subject 4.3. Route 100 Taxi
Hayley McClenahan swore in Anmar Abdulkhaleq, the owner and driver of Route 100.

Usamah Abdulkhaleq, interpreting on behalf of his brother, Anmar Abdulkhaleq, said there was a
miscommunication between him and the complainant. He thought the customer was going to Hinesburg,
but it was Hinesburg Road in South Burlington, and the customer never rode with him. The customer
got a ride with MB Taxi, which was next in line.

Youness Jamil agreed that misunderstandings can happen between customers and drivers.

5. Deliberative Session
5. Deliberative Session

Subject 5.1. Deliberative Session
The board deliberated on the three hearings privately.

6. Report
6. Report

Subject 6.1. Report on business license fees and pickup/dropoff fees
6.1. Report on business license fees and pickup/dropoff fees


Tenzin Chokden presented the revenue collected in last three years from business license fees and
pickup/dropoff fees.

 INCOME ESTIMATED ACTUAL Total

 2021 Business Lic. Fees
 Collected 2,000.00 2,000.00

 2022 Pickup/Dropoff Fees 35,982.75 35,982.75
 2022 Business Lic. Fees
 Collected 3,375.00 3,375.00

 2022 Pickup/Dropoff Fees 64,495.00 64,495.00
 2023 Business Lic. Fees
 Collected 4,375.00 4,375.00

 2023 Pickup/Dropoff Fees 86,718.00 86,718.00

 Total Income 196,945.75 196,945.75




 2021 Business License Fees = $2,000
 2021 Monthly Pickup/Dropoff Fees = $35,982.75
 Customer 4064 - Rasier LLC - Pickup/Dropoff $26,864.50 75%
 Customer 4096 - Lyft, inc - Pickup/Dropoff $7,250.50 20%
 Other Taxi Companies - Pickup/Dropoff $1,867.75 5%
 $35,982.75

 2022 Total $67,870


 2022 Business License Fees $3,375
 2022 Taxi Pickup/Dropoff Fees $64,495

 Customer 4064 - Rasier LLC -
 Pickup/Dropoff $57,046 88%
 Customer 4096 - Lyft, inc -
 Pickup/Dropoff $6,452.25 10%
 Other Taxi Companies - Pickup/Dropoff $996.75 2%
 64495


 2023 Total $91,093


 Business License Fees $4,375
 Taxi Pickup/Dropoff Fees $86,718

 Customer 4064 - Rasier LLC -
 Pickup/Dropoff 81351.5 94%
 Customer 4096 - Lyft, inc -
 Pickup/Dropoff $4,233.75 5%
 Other Taxi Companies - Pickup/Dropoff $1,132.75 1%
 86718


The board agreed that the evidence from the fees collected shows that the fee system is not working and
should come up with another way to collect the fees. Youness Jamil suggested adding an annual fee to
these companies instead of collecting $25 per pickup or dropoff in Burlington. Paul Hines asked if this
annual fee could be applied to all companies except TNC companies. Hayley McClenahan, the board,
can make recommendations on fees to City Council, and then City Council will make ratification. This
would also involve an airport commission, and it would be a comprehensive effort. The board will
discuss this issue further in future meetings.

7. New Business
7. New Business
Continued discussion from October meeting about meter rate updates.

It was confirmed from the taxi administration office that the licenses are issued on a rolling basis and
that the board can update the meter by sending a notice at least 30 days in advance.

Youness Jamil brought up the suggestion of bringing a technician from Florida and calibrating all the
taxi meters. Youness Jamil said he knows a guy in Canada who may be able to come and calibrate the
meters. He will give this information to Tenzin, and Tenzin can research it further.

Hayley McClenahan suggested that if the board is going to pick one company to calibrate all meters,
then there needs to be procurement.

Paul Hines said he has been working with Scott Barker on an app-based company, so we don’t have the
issue of finding someone to calibrate the physical meters.

Youness Jamil made the motion to pick the date for the new rate to go into effect at the next January
meeting. Seconded by Stephen Hamlin.

Passed unanimously.

The next meeting is on January 22, 2024.

8. Adjournment
8. Adjournment

Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
8.1. Motion to adjourn


The motion to adjourn by Stephen Hamlin and seconded by Youness Jamil.

The meeting ended at 7:03 p.m.