Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-02-05
Time: 09:00

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board




 Monday, February 5, 2024, 9:00 AM, Remote only via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95723923485?pwd=RUU3TzBGTWpNYmpwOXZibEtHK1FwQT09

Meeting ID: 957 2392 3485
Passcode: 314485
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US



1. Agenda
 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda


2. Previous Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Approval of Previous Minutes



 File Attachments
 1. VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft.pdf

3. New Meter Rate
 3.1. Discussion on the new meter rate rollout plan


4. Public Forum
 4.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments


5. New Business

6. Adjournment
 6.1. Motion to adjourn

Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board




 Monday, February 5, 2024, 9:00 AM, Remote only via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95723923485?pwd=RUU3TzBGTWpNYmpwOXZibEtHK1FwQT09

Meeting ID: 957 2392 3485
Passcode: 314485
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,95723923485#,,,,*314482# US



1. Agenda
 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda


2. Previous Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Approval of Previous Minutes



 File Attachments
 1. VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft VHF 01.22.24 Minutes Draft.pdf

3. New Meter Rate
 3.1. Discussion on the new meter rate rollout plan


4. Public Forum
 4.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments


5. New Business

6. Adjournment
 6.1. Motion to adjourn




 Page 1 of 6
Page 2 of 6
 BURLINGTON VEHICLE FOR HIRE LICENSING BOARD
 QUEEN CITY ROOM, 3RD FLOOR, CITY HALL, 149 CHURCH ST.
 MINUTES OF MEETING
 January 22, 2024

 Member Present: Paul Hines, Youness Jamil, Stephen Hamlin

 Also present: Hayley McClenahan, Tenzin Chokden

Meeting start time: 5:39p



1. Agenda

1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.
Approved unanimously.


2. Previous Minutes

2.1. Previous Minutes Approval

Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.
Approved unanimously.




3. Ordinance Update

3.1. Ordinance update

According to Paul Hines, some elements of the ordinance appeared out of date or were not followed. He
wants to propose two ordinance changes but believes they can only make recommendations as a board.
He asked if that was correct.

Hayley McClenahan responded that the board can recommend and contact the Transportation Energy
Utilities Committee or the Ordinance Committee (TEUC), but it would be preferable for the board to
work with TECU because they are more familiar with the situation, and they are the board that would
step in if the VFH board fell short of quorum. She can help edit and review the ordinance before
submitting it to the city council for final approval.




 Page 3 of 6
Paul Hines suggested updating the definitions of taxicab and vehicle for hire, as well as removing the
roof light from the taxicab description.

Hayley McClenahan stated that this would cause confusion in the ordinance because all taxis are
vehicles for hire, and not all vehicles for hire are not taxis.

Paul Hines proposed requiring taxis in the queue line to use their meters. According to him, the
ordinance already requires taxicabs to use meters when they are at taxi stands or hailing from the street.

Hayley McClenahan suggested that if the board intends to update airport rules, it should update
Appendix E in the ordinance. Otherwise, taxis may operate as vehicles for hire if the fare was discussed
and agreed upon by both parties before entering the cab. Previously, the definition of street hail was
interpreted as a customer getting into a cab and beginning the ride. Paul Hines proposed the taxis at the
airport queue must use their taxi meter and it’s not right for people who are visiting the city to have to
negotiate with drivers at fair prices and it doesn’t look good for the city. He added that it states in other
language that you are required to have meters if you hold a queue permit.

Youness Jamil agreed and he knows there are taxis in the airport queue line who don’t have meters and
charge flat fees.

Stephen Hamlin agreed.

Paul suggested updating the ordinance and Appendix E of the city ordinance governing airport rules and
regulations. Drivers must allow riders to pay with credit cards, and they are not permitted to refuse
service if a credit card is requested. They must also provide a receipt.

Hayley McClenahan stated that the board can certainly make recommendations to the TEUC and
Ordinance Committee, but the city attorney will conduct research and determine whether the decision is
within the authority of the city council.

Stephen Hamlin proposed that board chair Paul Hines collaborate with city staff to develop a memo on
the aforementioned ordinance changes. Youness Jamil seconded it.
Approved unanimously.




4. New Meter Rate
4. New Meter Rate

Tenzin Chokden suggested giving all business owners 45 days to notify them of any changes to meter
rates, as there is no one here locally.

Stephen Hamlin suggested that the new meter rate be reflected beginning March 15th.

Tenzin Chokden questioned how we would ensure that the new rates set in each taxi were accurate.
Would it be appropriate for business owners to change their meter rate and certify that the rates have



 Page 4 of 6
been changed? Is there a provision in the ordinance that specifies who can change the rate?

Hayley McClenahan responded that while the ordinance does not state anything specific, the board has
the authority to establish rules and regulations in the future.

Paul Hines suggested that we notify business owners of the new meter rate, and that the board develop
rules and regulations regarding meter calibration. He asked Youness Jamil if he was concerned about
that.

Youness Jamil agreed that before announcing the new meter rate, the board should first determine the
rules and regulations governing meter calibration to avoid driver confusion.

Paul Hines suggested we allow the new meter rate, sent notices out and follow up with guidelines to
meter calibration.

Hayley McClenahan agreed that the board could do so and solicit feedback from business owners on
meter calibration and standards.

Tenzin Chokden asked if the board would be okay with business owners getting their meters calibrated
and changing the rate themselves and submitting some sort of certification, such as a sworn statement or
a technician's certification.

Paul Hines and Stephen Hamlin both liked the concept.

Stephen Hamlin moved for this board to approve the meter rate effective 03/15/24, and that the meter
rates be updated by providing a certification, and that new guidelines on meter calibration be presented
in the future.

Paul Hines seconded to go into further discussion on this motion.

Youness Jamil stated that he knows a driver in town who knows how to calibrate the meter and asked if
the board would grant authority to change meter rates in other taxicabs.

Tenzin Chokden asked Hayley if this was permitted.

Hayley McClenahan responded that there is nothing in the ordinance that specifies who can calibrate
meters. The board can either refer to a certified technician or allow business owners to self-certify their
meter calibrations. She suggested that the board work on rules and regulations regarding meter
calibration.

Youness Jamil suggested that we watch this Alpha Taxi driver demonstrate how to change the meter
rate and see if it is correct, after which he can do it for others.

Tenzin Chokden recalled a previous conversation with the Centrodyne support team about training
someone or an entity on how to calibrate meters and provide certification. He asked if that convinced
the board to allow this Alpha Taxi driver to calibrate all meters in Burlington if he received his
certification. He can gather additional information about training and report back to the board.
Paul Hines asked if that would be something he could do and discuss next week.




 Page 5 of 6
Tenzin Chokden said he would find out the information and let the board know.

The motion was tabled until the next meeting on Tuesday, 01/30 at 5:00p.




5. Public Forum


No members from the public comment.
6. New Business
6. New Business


None


7. Adjournment
7. Adjournment

7.1. Motion to adjourn
 The motion to adjourn by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.
Approved unanimously.




 Page 6 of 6

BURLINGTON VEHICLE FOR HIRE LICENSING BOARD
 REMOTE ONLY VIA ZOOM
 MINUTES OF MEETING
 February 5, 2024
 Member present: Paul Hines, Youness Jamil, Stephen Hamlin
 Also present: Mark Barlow, Tenzin Chokden, Scot Barker, Byron Corcoran
Meeting start time: 9:05 am

1. Agenda

Motion to accept the agenda by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.
Approved unanimously.


2. Previous Minutes

Motion to accept the previous minutes by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.
Approved unanimously.

3. New Meter Rate

3.1. Discussion on the new meter rate rollout plan

According to Byron Corcoran, he spent thirty years working for Centrodyne, where he gained experience in
reprogramming and calibrating meters. He also worked in Burlington. If the city requires him to adjust the
new taxi rates and calibrate the taxi meters, he is capable of handling the task. The entire procedure,
including calibration and reprogramming, takes 45 minutes to complete.

According to Youness Jamil, installing the meters could be challenging, but calibrating them is not difficult.

Paul Hines inquired about the cost of installing a new meter.

According to Jamil, installation and calibration can run up to $500, depending on the model of the vehicle.

If Byron is up for the task and can train others to become certified, Paul Hines would like to write a language
on the use of electronic meters in the future. However, the new meter rate change must come first.

Scot Barker stated that he has gotten in touch with a few app-based electronic meter companies, including
Curb, Taximeter, and the vehicle for hire office in Washington, DC. He also has another meeting with Curb for
later today, and he will provide the board with an update on that meeting after.

Mark Barlow asked what is holding up the new meter rates from being effective, even though the new meter
rates have been passed.

Tenzin Chokden responded that the board was looking for a local certified technician to make the new rates
convenient for business owners. Maybe taking into account the certification training of two drivers. He found
out about Byron after contacting Centrodyne, and the business can train someone to become a certified
technician for calibrating and reprogramming taxi meters.
Byron Corcoron said he would be able to start this project in the middle of March, after returning from
vacation. He added that he could train two people chosen by the city to take over in his absence.

Youness Jamil suggested the board should think about price on meter calibration service. He will be out of the
country from 03/06 through the middle of April. He can do the training before he leaves.

Byron Corcoron doesn’t recall the board previously setting a rate on how much a company can charge for
meter calibration. Companies are charging $75-$100 and that’s what the drivers should expect to pay.

Paul Hines agreed that seems more micromanaging.

The motion to approve the new meter rates was made by Stephen Hamlin. The new rates will take effect on
April 15, 2024 and drivers can only use the meter on or after that date if it has been reprogrammed,
calibrated, and verified by a city certified technician. Up to three people may be certified by city staff to
calibrate meters.

Youness Jamil seconded the motion.
Motion passed with a unanimous vote.




4. Public Forum
4. Public Forum

No member of the public commented.



5. New Business

It was suggested by Youness Jamil that the board investigate why certain drivers refuse to take credit card
payments from customers. He is adamant that anyone refusing to let customers pay with a credit card should
be challenged by the board or the airport.

Paul Hines agreed with Youness, stating that in order to inform customers and drivers alike, this issue needs
to be changed in the ordinance. Then a sign can be displayed at the airport indicating that credit cards are
accepted.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 5:30 p.m. Since Youness Jamil won't be able to make it to the
upcoming meeting on March 20, Mark Barlow from TEUC will take over in order to ensure a quorum. Tenzin
will check with Hayley McClenahan, the attorney for this board, to see if that is acceptable.

6. Adjournment
6. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Stephen Hamlin, seconded by Youness Jamil.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05am.