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. :::! ~.,:,::
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Topics:
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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!