Passenger Vehicle for Hire Board Meeting - August 6, 2026
Passenger Vehicle for Hire Board Meeting - August 6, 2026
The Passenger Vehicle for Hire (PVH) Board met on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 3:30 PM (actual start time from transcript). The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments on regulatory enforcement, and the scheduling of a public hearing for a new taxi company. Key issues included concerns about the handling of consumer complaints and the color scheme of taxis.
Consent Calendar
- New driver permits: Timps issued to Alfred Wiley (Mercury Taxi).
- Driver permit renewals: Willy Kitchens (Mercury Cab).
- Updated taxi inspections, vehicle insurance, and fees: Mercury Cab 220, New Good Taxi 911 and 901, and Uptown Taxi (new company).
- Updated tow company inspections: SNH Towing, Forge Garage, Denton's Record, RD Record, Monegro Towing, Reliable Towing, and new company North and South Towing.
- Motion to approve: All items approved unanimously (motion by [member], seconded, all ayes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Antonio Boston (Mercury Taxi): Expressed frustration that his company had not received inspection notices and that some taxi companies were excluded from the previous round of inspections. He requested that his cars be inspected and that the process be fair.
- Mark Shackleford (Shackleford Towing, Vice President of Tennessee Tow Truck Association): Raised concerns that consumer complaints about overcharging by tow trucks were being handled informally between the inspector and the tow operator ("on the street") without being brought before the board. He argued that this lack of formal citations allows bad actors to continue. He asked whether the board could request complaint records and whether the inspector's role should be to report violations rather than adjudicate.
- Jonathan Easter (Nouga Taxi): Supported Mr. Shackleford's concerns, noting that the same pattern has occurred for years in the taxi industry. He stated that the city ordinance requires the inspector to report all complaints to the board, not resolve them alone. He noted that no recent complaints other than those tied to ongoing litigation have been brought forward.
Discussion Items
- Complaint handling process: The board and city attorney discussed the legal framework. The attorney noted that the ordinance is clear: complaints go to the inspector, who must investigate and report to the board. The board decides on penalties. Inspector Moser stated that he has two current investigations that will be brought to the next meeting. The board agreed to review the relevant ordinance section and requested that Mr. Shackleford email his complaint documentation to Bertha Lawrence for follow-up.
- Uptown Taxi application: Norman Freeman, owner of Uptown Taxi, stated that he has met all requirements (inspections, fees, insurance) and asked for next steps. The board explained that a public hearing is required. Board member Antonio Boston raised concerns about the color scheme of Uptown Taxi's vehicles (white) being similar to Mercury Taxi's, potentially causing confusion. The board agreed to address the color scheme issue at the public hearing.
Key Outcomes
- Public hearing scheduled for Uptown Taxi: Motion made and unanimously approved to set a 30-day public hearing for September 3, 2026, at 3:30 PM. The hearing will consider the need for a new taxi company and the applicant's qualifications, including the color scheme of vehicles.
- Complaint follow-up: Mr. Shackleford will email complaint documentation to Bertha Lawrence for investigation by Inspector Moser. The board will also receive a copy of the relevant ordinance section to review the complaint process.
- Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
It is Thursday, August sixth, twenty twenty-six. The passenger vehicle for board hire is in session. Like to remind everyone that the sunshine law is in effect. Second item action. All opposed. Motion carries. New driver permits, Timps issued. We have Alfred Wiley and Mercury Taxi. Under B request for driver permits renewals, Mercury Cab Willy Kitchens. Under C you updated taxi inspections, vehicle insurance fees, all that Mercury Cab 220. New good taxi 911 and 901. And Uptown Taxi. Uptown Taxi will be a new taxi company that's coming on board. They've passed everything. Mr. Freeman here. Mr. Freeman. There's the owner of Uptown Taxi. All right, before we hear from Mr. Freeman, um, all in favor of approving the uh issue temporary uh permits and inspections. Do we have a motion to approve? I'll make that motion. A second. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. Do you want to hear from Mr. Freeman now? You want him to wait till then? Uh we know we wait till the end. That's why. I don't know if you have any questions from for him or anything. You all have anything for him? I don't. Okay. You have anything you want to say, okay? Uh we'll move on then. Under D, updated tow company inspections. Uh SNH towing, forge garage, Denton's record, RD record, Monegro towing, and a reliable towing. And we have a new towing company uh coming on board, North and South Towing. Everything's been passed. Um North and South. Tell me owners are here if you want to speak to them, ask them any questions or anything. I didn't have any questions for North and South Toyne, but I did um with the new uh uptown taxi. Has the uh 30 days been given for any public comment? Uh I mean they're not on the agenda for approval today, so we we will have uh we'll need to have a public hearing. Gotcha.
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