Passenger Vehicle Record Board Meeting - November 6, 2025
Passenger Vehicle Record Board Meeting - November 6, 2025
The Passenger Vehicle Record Board held its regular meeting on November 6, 2025, addressing driver permit renewals, a towing violation, and significant discussion on towing rotation classes. The board approved a driver permit renewal, accepted corrective actions for a towing citation, and voted to recommend combining two towing classes to city council. Public comments included calls for taxi rate increases and clarification on recently approved towing rates.
Consent Calendar
- Driver Permit Renewal: Approved unanimously for William Harris (Mercury Cab). All paperwork and fees were completed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jonathan Easter (New Taxi): Asked for a fresh board recommendation to city council supporting taxi rate increases. He noted meeting with councilman Ryan Elliott and Chris Anderson, who acknowledged the need for increases. He provided data showing Chattanooga rates are lowest compared to other cities.
- Mark Shackleford (Jaguar Towing): Raised concern over a recently approved rate increase by city council (second reading on October 28) not yet implemented by regulatory unit. He requested clarity on the effective date and board support if cited for using the new rates. The board suggested the effective date may be two weeks after passage (November 11) but could not give legal advice.
Discussion Items
- A1 Towing Violation (Section 35-171 B – Non-consent towing failure to report): Laura Rogers (A1 dispatch) explained that the driver attempted to report via a new online system but no record was found. She detailed corrective actions: counseling, updated procedures, annual training, and documentation. Inspector Mike Simmons confirmed the changes were satisfactory, noting A1 had no prior citations in 22 years. The board accepted the corrective actions.
- Janie Parker (Moss Tellers Towing) – Rotation Schedule & Class Merger: Parker requested the board review documents and consider reverting to a system where towing companies rotate equally. She argued that Yates companies (multiple family-owned firms) dominate Class C and Recovery rotations, while her company (a minority- and woman-owned business) gets fewer calls. She advocated combining Class C (heavy trucks) and Recovery (heavy trucks with rotator) into one class. Inspector Simmons explained the current weekly rotation system and confirmed that similar discussions with city hall had stalled. The board discussed the fairness and legalities, with some members noting the need to review the ordinance first. A motion to recommend combining classes passed.
Key Outcomes
- Passed: Motion to approve William Harris driver permit renewal (unanimous aye).
- Passed: Motion to take no further action on A1 towing violation after accepting their corrective measures (unanimous aye).
- Passed: Motion to recommend to city council combining Class C and Recovery into one towing class (vote: ayes majority, one nay). The board also directed staff to seek clarity from Chris Anderson on the status of earlier discussions.
- Passed: Motion to place taxi rate increase discussion on the December meeting agenda (unanimous aye), allowing other taxi companies to participate.
- Informal Guidance: For the already-passed rate increase, the board noted possible effective date of November 11, 2025 (two weeks after second reading on October 28), but advised Mark Shackleford to consult legal counsel.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, there she is. Okay. I thought she disappeared in the thin air. Okay, yeah, I'm ready. Thank you. I just wanted to work the original book. We'd like to call to order the passenger vehicle record board meeting for Thursday, November 6th, 2025. We'd like to remind everyone that the application of the Sunshine Law is in effect. There are no meeting meeting, excuse me, there are no minutes from last meeting. We did not have a quarrel. All right, so uh we have no new driver permits or temporary permits. We have uh request for driver's permit renewals. We have one, a William Harris from Mercury Cab. All paperwork has been completed and fees paid. Under old business, there's 44 cabs were inspected over two weeks of the annual inspections. And uh we're still waiting on November 18th of this year for the court date for Mercury CAD versus Mercury Transportation under old business. And under new business we have a record violation for A1 towing 3610 Calhoun Avenue. Uh violation of section 35-171 B non-consent towing for private property. This is a failure to report private property towed to dispatch. I don't know if you want me to read the ordinance or not. No, we read it, uh thank you. Um they are here. We have a motion to approve Mr. William Harris uh permit renewal. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Motion carries. Um new business is for the uh violation of section 35-171. And you said A1 towing is present in special. Okay. Uh yes. Okay. Anybody that's going to be speaking on this violation needs to raise their hand and be sworn. Do each of you saw me swear or affirm the testimony you're giving today. Will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing. Thank you. Y'all ready? Yes, sir. Okay. So on 9-802025, the CPD regulatory unit received a complaint from a John Schmeckel who stated his 2008 trooper uh vehicle is illegally sold by A1 towing. During the investigation, it was found A1 towing followed proper procedure with paperwork, but it's found the driver A1 towing did not report the private property tow to dispatch. So they were cited for that. Just for not calling in the uh private property tow. Hi, I'm Laura Rogers. Um primary dispatch for A1 towing. My uh primary responsibility is handling the impound lot calls coming in. We got this uh citation from Officer Mosher. I immediately talked with our driver that was subject to this.
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