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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-10 Nantucket Commission on Disability Minutes May 10, 2006 Present: Absent: Guests: Mickey Rowland, Dick Moran, Phil Gallagher, and Brenda McDonough Dave Dennis and Linda Williams Jon S1. Laurent and Steve Cohen The meeting opened with the members reviewing March's minutes, which !fre unanimously approved. :::! ~.,:,:: '-' '- ::E ~ 2: Topics: - ex> c:' r-- Autopscot's Accessible Tours ;:1 ~ . Jon S1. Laurent and his attorney Steve Cohen attended our meeting to explC\iD Jon's plan to operate a general tour service along with his taxi service. BotIfOf these businesses would operate from the same accessible vehicle, Atopscot Taxi. Steve stated the following: 1. The expenses (the taxi's cost of $65,000, advertising expenses, fuel costs) that Jon has incurred since operating the accessible taxi. 2. The taxi must operate seven-days-a-week 3. The additional requirements of operating the accessible taxi 4. Receives no federal or state subsidies, which Brenda made a point of noting that no other taxi or tour company receives any subsidies. The NRTA does receive subsidies. 5. Jon has been approached to give tours but is legally unable to give a tour from his taxi 6. Jon would like to provide a tour service for disabled residents and visitors 7. Jon wants to generate enough revenue to operate his accessible vehicle as a taxi and tour. 8. Jon is looking for our support to operate a tour company that will be open to the general public along with the disabled community. 9. There are no accessible tour vans operating on the Island. Nantucket Island Tours have an accessible bus, but you have to may an advanced reservation for an accessible vehicle. 10. Let Jon give general tours because giving tours to disabled people only is not economically feasible. If you limit his service to wheelchair users only, then it takes away Jon's ability to provide a service to all disabled people. 11. Jon should be able to make some money by providing tours to the general public and if there are any complaints regarding his taxi service to disabled clients then we can review his taxi/tour license. 12. If there is a new tour license created for an accessible tour van, then there may be a six-month delay before that service gets started. Ifwe think having a separate tour van is the correct approach for servicing the disabled population, that's OK, but let Jon do tours for the general and disabled communities in the interim. . Mickey asked Jon if the cost of the vehicle and maintaining it are so expensive that you cannot make ends meet if you operate as a taxi only? 1. Jon said he was making money 2. He would like to have a new van someday 3. People who have used the vehicle's lift in the past include wheelchair users, people with walkers, hip problems and elderly. 4. He wants to be able to offer tours legally to disabled people when they request them. 5. He does not want to risk his taxi license to give a tour. . Mickey asked exactly what Jon is looking for? 1. Steve answered that Jon is asking to provide a tour service to everyone. There may not be enough revenue offering tours to disabled people only. 2. Mickey stated that our biggest concern is that we would lose the on- demand taxi service for disabled people. This is our foremost concern that disabled people have the same access to on-demand taxi service as the ambulatory population have. We have waited years for this service and we are not willing to give up this service. 3. Jon stated that his priority is disabled passengers and that he always takes care of his customers. He said that disabled people usually call in advance for a taxi reservation. 4. Mickey once again stated why we wanted to have an accessible taxi and that he is not in favor of Jon also receiving a general tour license, which Jon would operate from his one accessible vehicle. Mickey may consider a limited tour license for tours for some disabled people along with his accessible taxi business. 5. Steve asked if he was willing to sacrifice the tour service to have the taxi service? Mickey replied that he could purchase another accessible vehicle for tours and then we may support a general tour license. Jon said that a tour van is more expensive and it has fewer seats. 6. Mickey recognized that Jon has done an outstanding job with his taxi service and that he appreciates all his dedication and efforts. However the discussion that we are having has nothing to do with the service that you presently provide. Mickey polled the Commission members to see who was in favor of Jon receiving a general tour license. Phil, Dick, and Mickey all were not in favor of Jon receiving a general tour license. Mickey then asked the members if they would support Jon giving tours to the disabled community? 7. Dick replied that we are advocates for disabled people and that there are many tour companies servicing the general population that he would like to see Jon begin to give tours to disabled people. Phil also stated that he supports tours for the disabled community. 8. Mickey is in favor of a letter of support but only tours for disabled people. If Jon has a general tour license, this may hurt the disabled population by not having an on-demand taxi service. But since you will be providing a benefit to the disabled population, he is in favor of Jon receiving a tour license for the disabled only. Dick agreed. 9. Steve was surprised by our reaction to a general tour license. 10. Jon was concerned that he does not want to be put in a situation where he has to decide who is and who is not disabled. So that's another reason why he wants a general tour license. Steve said that this could raise some liability concerns as to labeling who actually is disabled. . Dick motioned to endorse a modification to Jon's accessible license to provide tours to disabled people and whoever may be accompanying them. Phil seconded the motion and so all voted favorably for the motion. . Mickey mentioned that we would write a letter of support to the Board of Selectmen for Jon to operate a tour company for disabled people only. Brenda McDonough, Facilitator Our Next Meeting will be on September 6th, 2006 GO SOX!