02-07-1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY - (Continued) There were no further proponents or opponents in the matter, the Assistant Clerk reported no written communications had been received, and the Mayor closed the public hearing. In response to questions from Council, David Tayco, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that several months ago Larry Ogden, President of UTO, informed him that the Tustin Cab Company was operating vehicles which had the exact identity and markings as UTO--a white vehicle which contained the letters UTO-Tustin Cab Company. He stated that Mr. Ogden presented a fictitious firm name filed with the Orange County Recorder's Office; that the Santa Ana Code does not specify that a taxi must operate with a particular identity and he had informed Mr. Ogden he could operate, using the White Cab Company name; and that they are still UTO dba White Cab Company, which is not in violation of the Code. He stated that UTO did not meet the insurance requirements of the Code; thai the validity of UTO's corporate status was in question; that UTO was doing business without the approval of the Federal Communications Commission; that later, he was informed that they had a temporary license but it had expired; that in December of 1971 he wrote a letter to Larry Ogden informing him that in addition to the violations previously mentioned, he was operating more than ten taxicabs, which was the total number permitted by Council several years, ago, and that it was Mr. Ogden's contention that Council had given him permission to operate ten cabs at any given time-- ten for one eight-hour period, another ten for the next eight-hour period, and another ten for the third eight-hour period--or a total of 30 vehicles in 24 hours. Mr. Tayco further stated that permits issued by the City were encased in plastic by UTO, Inc., and were affixed to the rear trunk lid of the cabs, and that they were switched at will from one cab to another; that as a result of a court order obtained by Gordon Wiggins, the Marshal's office took possession of the UTO cabs and delivered them to the Tustin Cab Company; that he went to the location where they were stored and counted 22 cabs that had evidence of a license having been affixed to the rear bumper; that he later determined that some of the permits fixed to the vehicles were originally Sold to cigarette machines or gum ball machines. He stated that at that time he requested proof that UTO was actually a corporation; that the records showing the existence of UTO were presented to the City Attorney's office and the stipulation was made that UTO was a legal corporation; that he issued 1972 permits for ten vehicles and had them affixed to the rear windows of ten taxicabs; that approximately two weeks ago, Larry Ogden and Gordon Wiggins informed him they were no longer in disagreement with each other and wished to operate from the same location, 1001 N. Logan, which has been the continuous location of the Tustin Cab Company; that part of the reason for changing to the ne%v location was so thai UTO cars could avail themselves of the insurance that was written for Tustin Cab Company. He stated that he had in his possession driver's manifests indicating that during a 5-1/2 month period, cabs were dispatched in the City of Santa Ana by the Tustin Cab Company; that in the last two months the Police Depart- ment has issued citations against the vehicles operated by Tustin Cab Company, charging them with operating without a license, operating without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity~ soliciting passengers in the City of Santa Aha; and operating without proper insurance coverage. Councilman Villa stated that he did not believe in monopolies; that competition pro- vides better service to the City. Mayor Griset stated he is infavor of competition, but does not believe the public convenience and necessity was established by C & S Tours. Councilman Patterson stated that in discussions of monopolies and free enterprise, cabs, buses and ambulances tend to fall into the same category as telephone and electric light companies; that competition tends to bring down rates and prices; how- ever, with bus and cab companies, cutting of costs downgrades the level of service. CITY COUNCIL -66- February 7, 1972