City of Ottawa

Taxi Advisory Sub-Committee

Taxi Stands

Minute 6

Friday, March 14, 2003

9:15 – 11:30 a.m.

Coventry Connections

Ottawa

Present: Linda Anderson - Emergency & Protective Services

Paul Bendus - Taxi Driver

Christine Charbonneau - Public Member - TAC

Phil Edens - Transportation, Utilities & Public Works

Tony El-Ghazal – TAC

Troy Leeson - Transportation, Utilities & Public Works

R. Warden McKimm – Legal, Coventry Connections

Guy Oweis – Manager – Operations, Coventry Connections

Other Information:

Facilitator: Tony El-Ghazal

Minutes: Christine Charbonneau

Scribe: Linda Anderson

Next Meeting - Friday, March 28, 2003. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Coventry Connections, 455 Coventry Road, Ottawa.

Taxi-Stand Sub-Committee Transit-Way Sub-Committee Contact Information
Mitri Khalife	Committee Coordinator (Taxi-Stands)	277-6464
Linda Anderson	Emergency and Protective Services	580-2424 x 29257 linda.anderson@ottawa.ca
Paul Bendus	Taxi Driver	739-7898
Douglas Bowron	Transportation, Utilities and Public Works	580-2424 x 13926 douglas.bowron@ottawa.ca
Christine Charbonneau	Public Member - TAC	824-9348 charb@sympatico.ca
Phil Edens	Transportation, Utilities and Public Works	580-2424 x 28924 philip.edens@ottawa.ca
Tony El-Ghazal	Taxi Driver - TAC	293-9898 tonyghazal@sympatico.ca
Troy Leeson	Transportation, Utilities and Public Works	798-8998 troy.leeson@ottawa.ca
Hanif Patni	Coventry Connections	746-8740 x 3313 hpatni@coventryconnections.com

Guests for Friday, March 14, 2003
R. Warden McKimm	Coventry Connections Legal	746-8740 x 3315 rmckimm@coventryconnections.com
Guy Oweis	Coventry Connections Manager, Operations	746-8740 x 3308 goweis@coventryconnections.com

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

1. 17. Rideau Street Temporary Taxi Stand. List A. – Walk-about with consultant week of Mar. 18. Plan coming forward next few weeks.

Concerns from drivers: loading zones are small. Too far from Rideau Centre doors. Concerns from City: changing signs requires consultation. Drivers are still parking outside of loading zones

2. 38. Weston and 39. Daly. List A. See Attachment C: Jackie Holtzman, Congess Centre, meeting with Hanif Patni, Coventry Connections. The need for taxi stands at the Congress Centre - reply.

3. 3. Delta Hotel. List B. - no update

Negotiate for light system as a technical solution. Negotiate with Shamrock use of parking lot to queue cabs.

4. 7. Capital Hill Hotel - List B.– no update

Hanif spoke with Hume Rogers - Manager. Heard no complaints re: insufficient cabs. Taxis cannot use loading zone. Phil to examine alternatives on North side of Albert. One space possible. Hanif to investigate near-by parking lot for queuing.

5. 40. 111 Sussex: - List A. See Attachment D from Guy Oweis, G.M. Coventry & Public Works. Temporary Solution until construction is complete in 2005. All calls will go out as message to entire fleet – closest car will get the job and installation of a direct line to Blue Line Taxi in lobby of 11l Sussex.

6. Reviewed: 23. Bare Fax – Added to List D – Market Study

24. 47 York – Added to List D – Market Study

25. Pearson Building – Added to List C

26. Dalhousie & Clarance – Removed from List A and added to List D – Market Study

27. York At Byward Market – Added to List D – Market Study

28. Elgin Street – Added to List C

30. 400 Cooper – Added to List B

31. All the Museums - Added to List B - Letter to Public Works from TAC Chairman required

32. George Street – In front of Bay – Added to List D – Market Study

List A - High Probability for Changes or Additions Subject To Agreement and/or Consultation - 1 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
9	Crown Plaza - Albert St.: possibility of extension by removal of 1 parking meter to create space 30 m in length 3 + 2 add’l spaces.
10	Albert St. West of Bay - possibility of 4 spaces 24m with parking meters removed.
12	Minto Hotel - Laurier Ave -. South side removal of up to 2 parking meters. Possibility of 2 spaces.
17	Rideau Street (Shopping Centre)	01/02		Interim Solution Completed Notices posted. See Attachment B. Tender in process for study. ****** $ 75K Funding for study approved - January 8, 03. Interim solution until study is complete and implemented (Fall 2003.) Rideau Street Temporary Taxi Stand: Subject to confirmation/implementation Feb. 2003. 6 loading zones on Rideau St. between Dalhousie and Sussex: 3 on North & 3 on South sides. 1 taxi per zone. Zones subject to verification. Strict enforcement, zero tolerance - ticketing applies. No changes to current signs.
18	180 Cooper-potential for 3 spaces from 49.5m-68.7m East of Elgin St. involving removal of parking meters.

List A - High Probability for Changes or Additions Subject To Agreement and/or Consultation -2-
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
22	Courtyard Hotel - Dalhousie St. possibility of 2 additional spaces by removing parking meters 2 + 2 add’l spaces.
29	City Hall - Issue with Real Property and Asset Management if to be on entrance area. Consideration could be given for 2 spaces on street North Side of Lisgar Street, East of Cartier by removing parking meters.
30.	400 Cooper			· No parking Zone · Para Transpo Zone · Possibility of angled parking? · Possibility of 2 spots
38	New Taxi Stand at the Weston Hotel at Daly. Front entrance stand was closed in 2002 and will be reestablished due to demand.	12/02	02/03	No consultation required. COMPLETED (January 2003)
39	Daly Street (Feeder for Weston)	02/03	03/05	See Attachment C. Jackie Holtzman, Congress Centre, meeting with Hanif Patni. Any future building (expansion 2005) would accommodate taxicab stands. Recommend that city officers continue to investigate the legal position of the Congress Centre.

List A - High Probability for Changes or Additions Subject To Agreement and/or Consultation -3-
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
40.	111 Sussex	02/03	03/03	Interim Solution See Attachment D. Temporary solution until construction is complete in 2005. All calls will go out as message to entire fleet –closest car will get the job and installation of a direct line to Blue Line in lobby of 111 Sussex. Required more stands to feed volume.

List B - Medium Probability for Changes or Additions - 1 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
2	Marriott Hotel - from Queen St. to the entrance of the Hotel and three spots on the south side of Queen St.			· Unable to move back far enough on Queen to make left turn safe because of Place de Ville driveways. · When hotel construction finished, City may be willing to flip location of stand with loading zone.
3	Delta Hotel - return the three parking spots and add four more			· Negotiate for light system as technical solution for Delta and Barbarella’s Diamond’s Cabaret @ 340 Queen · Negotiate with Shamrock use of parking lot to queue cabs. · Air intake. · Hotel loading zone must be moved back. · Letters on file from Delta saying they do not want stand there. · Fire Marshall concerns. · 2 cabs park in front circle of hotel and · install light at back to signal when cab to come forward. · Too slow - by time cab moves out someone else has grabbed fare. Meeting to take place with owner/ Hanif/Tony to discuss light installation.
5	Sparks & Metcalfe - add 3 more on the east side of Metcalfe			· Police zone - RCMP located there. · Queen east of Metcalfe, both sides are tour bus zones. · If chip wagon on NW corner of Queen & Metcalfe can be moved to other side & freed up for taxi space. · Perhaps industry approach owner of chip wagon to see if can use space for taxi stand after hours. · Phil to explore East side of Metcalfe loading zone/parking zone uses · Note: NCC development of underground parking spaces to be examined.

List B - Medium Probability for Changes or Additions - 2 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
6	Sparks at O’Connor - create at least 3 spots			· May be opportunity to do something in off-peak hours in “no parking zone (west side). · East-side - driveway, etc - not appropriate. · Why was sidewalk widened? - too expensive to revisit.
7	Capital Hill (88 Albert) 3 spots			· Hanif spoke with Hume Rogers - Manager. Heard no complaints re: insufficient cabs. Taxis cannot use loading zone. Phil to examine alternatives on North side of Albert. · One space possible. · Hanif to investigate near-by parking lot for queuing. ***** · Request Hanif write a letter to hotel owner requesting 3 additional taxi spaces in hotel loading zone.
8	130 Albert Street			· 3 spaces already there · 3 parking meters - if hotel agrees possibility of 1 more taxi stand at 88 Albert (requires further verification during sub-committee meeting)
11	300 Slater -Kent up to beginning of the existing stand			· 2 loading zones - may be possible to shorten loading zone near Kent · Add one space

List B - Medium Probability for Changes or Additions - 3 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
14	Gloucester at O’Connor			· Add 2 -4 more stands on north side of Gloucester, West of O’Connor · 8 existing spaces · No parking & loading zone on N. Side between Elgin & entrance to city p/lot. Meters ahead of that · Request - Take meters on north side out - create new area or on south side between existing stand and laneway aprox. 20 meters · busy building - needs taxi stands · Tony to provide business case via blue line call centre stats.
16	123 Metcalfe			· Existing 3 meters · Add spaces by removing hotel loading zone · Peak hour restriction - re-look at restrictions · Remove meters - Troy to discuss with meter group
21	Civic Centre			· Letter of Intro from TAC requesting permanent taxi stand spaces · Private Property · City to help set up meeting
28.	Elgin Street – Elgin Street Diner			· In 2002 stand created in bus zone after OC hours · Many restraints/low probability · Examine creation of stands on side streets · Consider using side streets for stands – Jack Percell/Frank. · 301 Elgin – outside rush hour
31.	Museums			· Private Property · Federal Land · Letter from TAC to Heritage Canada/Public works requesting stands.

List C - Low Probability for Changes or Additions - 1 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
1	235 Queen Street - from Bank St. to Para Transpo Parking Spot			· Remove parking meter. · Co-use Para Transpo spot. · Protocol restricts stands to 4 spaces. · Existing curb regulations and Para Transpo have precedence · Proposed additional spaces on south side of Queen however U turns not permitted within 150 m of existing stand
4	402 Queen - as is and 2 additional spaces			· Currently 3 spaces 9 m from intersection with loading zone at rear - loading zone now encroaches on lane way. · No space for available stands.
13	Gloucester @ 160 Elgin			· Need 2 - 4 more · Safety issue - turning space needed for larger vehicles · Already has 8 - 10 spaces · No stopping at start of zone back to Elgin · Far end is entrance to parking lost. No parking after laneway.
15	50 O’Connor			· 4 spaces in stand · very busy zone · move police zone ahead to no parking area or look at supplemental stand on west side · business case required
19	131 Cooper			· Low Probability · Refer to List A. 18. 180 Cooper. · Both will not happen. 180 Cooper will be feeder.
20	25 Cartier			· Wanted two more spots · No spare spot on street · Refer to List A. 18. 180 Cooper · Phil to provide design alternatives for 180 Cooper. · Large private parking lot near-by possibility of space availability (Hanif)

List C - Low Probability for Changes or Additions - 2 -
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
25.	Pearson Building – from King Edward to the top of the Stand			· Need turning lane · Need access to bridge · Reconstruction within next two years · Related to #40, 111 Sussex – (attachment D)

List D – Market Area Review
Item #	Taxi Stand	Start Date	Finish Date	Comments
23.	Bare Fax – York Street			· Looking for temporary solution · EMS & Taxi Concerns · Recognized by city as urgent requirement · Troy to investigate temporary solution
24.	47 York			· Part of Market Study
26.	Clarence and Dalhousie - possibility of 2 spaces either West side of Dalhousie or North of Clarence or on either side of Clarence West of Dalhousie.			· Troy will examine temporary use of “No Parking” zones. · York North side of Byward · York South side of William · York East of Sussex · George South side of Bay
27.	York at Byward			· Possible use of “No Parking” zones
32.	George Street – In front of Bay (Back door to Bay)			· Removed a 3 – 4 car stand · Reinstate requested · Part of Market Study ·

Upcoming Sub-Committee Taxi Stand Meetings:

1. Start at #37 of list. Continue to review Taxi Stand List. Document reasons for acceptance or decline. Place in list A, B or C or D.

2003 Considerations

1. Review consultation/criteria process - requires streamlining.

Example: Allow taxi stands during rush hour. Some taxi stands are closed during peak traffic.

2. Official Transportation Master Plan - Taxi’s are seen as a supplement to Transit. Taxi’s should be given official Transportation Status along with OC Transpo, Light Rail. Escalation of Taxi status required. Letter from TAC to Trasport required. Representation from TAC at Transportation Meetings required.

Mike McDermott, Chairman, TAC to draft letter.

3. Consider forming new sub-committee for Bus Lane/Taxi Lane issue. Abdulatif Madi, Airport wishes to join. Abd.madi@sympatico.ca 761-8333.

4. 29. New City Hall – List A: Create two spots on the Lisgar St. entrance. – Private Property – Letter from Chairman, TAC Requesting space.

31. Museums – List B: Private Property/ Federal Land. Letter from TAC to Heritage Canada/Public works requesting permanent stands. - Mike McDermott, Chairman, TAC to draft letter of introduction.

36. Bank Street, Glebe Lansdowne Park Area - verify if this is the same as

#21 Civic Centre List B. (remove duplicate)

Attachment A: 1/2

TAXI STANDS

1. 235 QUEEN STREET: From Bank St. to Para Transpo Parking Spot
2. MARRIOTT HOTEL: From Queen St. to the entrance of the Hotel and three spots on the south side of Queen Street
3. DELTA HOTEL: Return the three parking spots and add four more
4. 402 QUEEN STREET: As is and two additional
5. SPARKS AND METCALFE: Add three more on the east side of Metcalfe
6. SPARKS AT O’CONNOR: Create at least three spots
7. CAPITAL HILL: Three spots
8. 130 ALBERT ST: Add four more to the existing ones
9. CROWN PLAZA: Add three more on Albert St
10. ALBERT AT BAY: A stand for four taxis
11. 300 SLATER: Kent up to the beginning of the existing stand
12. MINTO HOTEL: On the North side of Laurier add two more and add four more on the South side
13. GLOUCESTER AT ELGIN (160 ELGIN): Add four more
14. GLOUCESTER AT O’CONNOR: Add four more
15. 50 O’CONNOR: Make the stand start at O’Connor and end at Queen
16. 123 METCALFE: Extend the existing stand all the way to Laurier and add two more on the west side of Metcalfe.
17. RIDEAU STREET (Shopping Centre): Create a taxi stand for at least five vehicles
18. 180 COOPER: Create a taxi stand for four vehicles
19. 131 COOPER: Create a taxi stand for two vehicles
20. 25 CARTIER: Add two more spots to the existing ones
21. CIVIC CENTRE: Create a taxi stand for a minimum of 10 Vehicles
22. COURTYARD HOTEL: The stand should start at York and end at the Hotel’s entrance
23. BARE FAX: Create a taxi stand of at least five spots.
24. 47 YORK: Create a taxi stand for four vehicles
25. PEARSON BUILDING: From King Edward to the top of the stand
26. DALHOUSIE AND CLARENCE: Create a stand for two vehicles

Attachment A: 2/2

27. YORK AT BYWARD MARKET: Create a stand for four vehicles
28. ELGIN STREET: Create a stand for three vehicles at the diner and three at the corner of MacLaren
29. NEW CITY HALL: Create two spots on the Lisgar St. entrance
30. 400 COOPER: Create a taxi stand for two vehicles
31. ALL THE MUSEUMS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 2 –3 TAXI STANDS
32. George Street (need address) In front of Bay (Back door to Bay). Removed a 3-4 car taxi stand. Reinstate.
33. O’Connor and Sparks. Widened the sidewalk and removed the taxi stand. Reinstate.
34. Gloucester 2 (2^nd stand on Gloucester) – need extension 4 + 2
35. Bank and Gilmour - needs to be reestablished
36. Bank Street, Glebe Lansdowne Park area - permanent stand - same as #21 (verify for duplication)
37. 70-100 Bessier Court - 3 taxis stands. Was always a fire lane with 3 taxi stands, however taxi stands were removed. Re-instate taxi stands.
38. New Taxi Stand at the Weston Hotel at Daly. Front entrance stand was closed in 2002 and will be reestablished due to demand. No consultation required as it was requested by business - installation Feb/March. 4 taxi stands on north side. Added to List A Jan. 2003.
39. Daly Street
40. 111 Sussex
41. Johnston and Bank – West Side, O’Train and Park & ride need taxi stand with 4 to 6 spaces
42. 700 Montreal Road – North side near the former Muggs restaurant

Original list created by Tony El-Ghazal, September 9, 2002, # 1 - 31

Additions submitted November 7, 2002, # 32 - 36

Additions submitted January 10, 2003. #37 - 38.

Additions submitted February 7, 2003. #39 – 40

Additions submitted March 14, 2003 #41 – 42 – (Shaheed)

ATTACHMENT B

NOTICE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

TEMPORARY RIDEAU STREET TAXI STANDS ON LOADING ZONE BAYS

The Taxi Advisory Committee, working together with City By-law and City Enforcement Officers, has now sought approval for six (6) TEMPORARY TAXI STANDS at separate locations on Rideau Street between Sussex Street (Colonel By Drive) and Cumberland Street. These stands are clearly marked on the map below.

MAP INSERTED HERE

These temporary stands are NOT marked as Taxi Stands, and are located at LOADING ZONES, and will continue to be sign posted as “Loading Zones”. Each Loading Zone will only be allowed to accommodate ONE taxicab at a time. A single taxicab may wait on one of these loading zones as if it were occupying a taxi stand for an indefinite period of time (except under practical circumstances where a transport vehicle needs the loading zone for that purpose). Taxicabs parked or waiting in any other unauthorized area along Rideau Street will continue to be fined in accordance with the law. This arrangement will conclude once studies for a permanent stand for Rideau Street are completed, and a long-term solution is in place. We congratulate the TAC and City officials in achieving this arrangement for all Ottawa drivers.

Hanif Patni

ATTACHMENT C. Page 1/2

To: Taxi Stand Sub-Committee

General Managers, Coventry Connections

From: Hanif Patni

Date: 13^th of March, 2003

Subject: Congress Centre meeting with the Chairperson

At the suggestion of the sub-committee, I arranged an informal meeting with Jackie Holtzman, Chairperson of the Congress Centre to discuss the issues around the need for a taxi stand at that facility.

Background

Blue Line Taxi was informed last year that the Congress Centre will no longer make the space in its front entrance. As a result, the taxicabs have been parking on Daley Street (#38 &#39 on our list). There is no authorized taxi stand on the side of Daley Street that abuts the Congress Centre (#39). In order to cover that work, the illegally parked taxicab has to make a dangerous “U-turn” and drive a circuitous route to get to the front entrance.

Official Reasons for eliminating the Taxi Stand

The drivers kept their car engines on to keep warm in the winter – causing an emissions problem.

The drivers congregated in that covered area for discussions.

The drivers did not move their cabs when required for loading or other purposes.

The Position of the Company

There are ways to mitigate such concerns including temporary suspensions of drivers.

ATTACHMENT C. Page 2/2

The Optics and Perception of Union and Drivers

Mr. Wayne French, who used to be General Manager at Blue Line Taxi, sits on the Board of Directors of the Congress Centre. Mr. French was relieved of his employment early last year. There is a perception of Blue Line Drivers that the Congress Centre has responded with such a harsh decision due to Mr. French’s departure. While it maybe unfounded, and never stated or implied by Coventry, the optics behind the decision of the Congress Centre do not look good for it.

The Obligations

It is the view of the company and the sub-committee that the Congress Centre may have a legal obligation to provide for a taxi stand. Furthermore, even if there is no legal obligation, there is an implied fiduciary duty for such an operation to make some accommodation for taxicabs – and not to force the company to have its cabs parked illegally on the street.

Purpose of the Meeting

To understand the reasons behind the decision and persuade the Congress Centre to reconsider.

Result

Ms. Holtzman was most forthright and very helpful in our informal meeting. As it was a private discussion, I would prefer not to minute our discussion.

The Congress Centre is attempting to place a bid for a new enhanced and larger convention facility. Any future building would accommodate taxicab stands. As for the present, this may be discussed by the board, but no commitment was sought or provided.

Recommendation

We would like to recommend that city officers continue to investigate the legal position of the Congress Centre.

Best Regards,

Hanif Patni

Attachment D

Memorandum

To: Mr. Hanif Patni

CC: T.A.C.

From: Guy Oweis

Date: 2003-05-12

Re: Taxi stand @ 111 Sussex Dr

The issue at hand is providing 111 Sussex Drive with an efficient taxi service.

On Monday March 4, Hanif Patni, Adele Delcorde & I had the pleasure of meeting with Diana Lyons, the Property and Facility Manager for Public Works Canada at this location. The concern that was brought to our attention is the non existence of a taxi stand at 111 Sussex.

In order to get a taxi, the staff & guests of 111 Sussex must walk across the street to the N.R.C. taxi stand, which is one block away. This poses a safety issue. Due to construction commencing on the Sussex Bridge and the renovation of 111 Sussex, which is estimated to be completed by the fall of 2005, a permanent solution is not presently possible.

Our temporary solution is as follows:

· All calls will go out as a message to the entire fleet, which means the closest car will get the job, making it a faster and safer service.

· Installation of a direct line to Blue Line Taxi in the lobby of 111 Sussex.

Once construction is complete, a new four or five car taxi stand will be created in front of the building, thereby permanently solving the problem.

Guy Oweis

Assistance Manager Taxi Operation