Village of Lombard Legistar System

Yuri Shapiro, AAA Universal Taxi

Terri Simic, AAA Universal Taxi

Mr. Livorsi, 649 N. Joyce

Mr. Fetterhoff, 645 N. Joyce

Ms. Steben, 1146 S. Church

Mr. Livorsi spoke regarding an issue with excessive traffic in the Lombard Lagoon area.

Since the driveway was put in for Casey's going out to Joyce now people are cutting

through the neighborhood. One concern is there are alcoholic beverages served there

and there are a lot of families with kids. Also, the delivery drivers for Papa John's are

cutting through. At the intersection of Joyce and Marcus there is no stop sign. Deputy

Chief Cuny explained that they did monitor the area, but he has not yet received the

report. Once results are received, they will see what they can do. Mr. Livorsi asked

about the possibility of installing stop signs. Chairperson Sebby explained that traffic

counts, etc. would be required. Mr. Fetterhoff stated that several times vehicles have

ended up in his yard, it seems that they follow the paving lines. Deputy Chief Cuny said

that he will request counts if necessary once they see where the traffic is going.

Hulseberg reviewed the item. Adjacent property owners are in support of No Parking

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. There are vehicles leaking oil and unregistered vehicles

parking there. Staff would also sign properties south of the area with restricted parking

so the problem doesn't move south. Staff has worked with Trustee Florey on this. It is a

result of the businesses in the immediate area of St. Charles Road. Murphy asked if

parking is available at the businesses. Hulseberg responded that there is. What makes

it more difficult is where the vehicles park obstructs people crossing Highland on the

Great Western Trail. Deputy Chief Cuny explained that this came to the Police

Departments attention a couple months ago. They contacted the used car dealer and

since then the unregistered vehicles have not been on the street. After conversation

with Trustee Florey they looked at sight lines. The vehicles are not causing a sight

obstruction. Hulseberg added that all five property owners are in support of it. He

further added that in regard to the limited restriction, there hasn't been a problem there,

we just don't want to move the problem south. Two hours is sufficient time

Monday-Friday. Chairperson Sebby stated that he would like to review the item at the

next committee meeting to give the committee time to drive and look at this area at

different times and days.

Ms. Steben explained that the original reason for the request is there are at least 20 kids

on the block and a school across the street. On Morris from Luther to Westmore the lots

are short, cars go very fast. She stated that her concern is not about car accidents, she

is concerned about a kid getting hit. Since they are such short blocks, you have to be

accelerating pretty fast to get to 33 mph at Church. That's not enough time to react to a

kid crossing the street. There is no point to putting a stop sign on Church. She asked if

there's a chance to still consider a stop sign being put on Morris and reiterated that any

slowing down of vehicles would help.

Gembala reviewed the memo. Chairperson Sebby asked if the access is already

restricted in the area. Gembala responded that Church is one way southbound from

Roosevelt to about 200' north. She further explained that you always stop the road with

less traffic. The traffic will have a comfort level if they know they have the right of way.

Right now no one has the right of way and they yield. Murphy explained to Ms. Steben

that studies have proven that by putting a stop sign in it usually increases the speed.

Gembala explained that if they have to stop they will speed up to the stop sign, stop,

and speed up again. Ms. Steben commented that she didn't think if they had to stop

they would get to 33 mph.

company has updated their operations. They have 100 cabs throughout Du Page and

Kane counties. They have a garage facility where cabs are inspected thoroughly

monthly, they make sure drivers have all their papers insurance, etc. and for any

complaints received they have weekly meetings, penalize drivers and get back to the

customers. Currently they only have company vehicles. Before they had

owner-operators which was a huge problem. They did not adhere to regulations. She

further stated that the company does try to work with villages and law enforcement.

They have also improved security and safety; when we hire these drivers we perform a

better criminal background check, they are trained for a number of days, and they do

random drug screening for drivers. There is no tolerance for drugs, for drivers or office

staff. Hearings for complaints are held on Wednesdays; they are either fined,

suspended, put on probation or fired. A lot of the problem has been the subsidized

coupons. The subsidy participants are complaining because the coupons are not being

accepted. We held a mandatory driver meeting this afternoon because we don't

understand what the problem is. A lot of the confusion is the photo ID cards, the seniors

are not providing them. The drivers feel they are pushed to accept the coupons, but

when they come in the office they don't have any information because the seniors are

not providing their ID card, so they don't get paid. A lot of the coupons are not

redeemed. She suggested that perhaps a newsletter could be sent reminding people

that they have to have their photo ID. Chairperson Sebby suggested that when

somebody calls in, the dispatcher could ask if they are going to be using the coupons

and have the dispatcher remind them that they need to have their photo ID and have the

drivers ask as soon as they pick them up. Ms. Simic suggested that they could put it on

the hold message.

Chairperson Sebby pointed out that from March 2005 to June 2005 there were quite a

few incident reports. Ms. Simic responded that there were review hearings,

unfortunately the drivers are there to make money. Chairperson Sebby agreed that they

are there to make money and we are here to provide a service to our residents. He

reiterated that there are quite a few incidents reported. Murphy pointed out that there

are two other companies that operate in Lombard and there have been no complaints.

He further stated that he understands that seniors may forget their ID's sometimes, but

no other company has these problems. There have been 31 incidents since you've

started this new program in March. Johnson stated that there are four other cab

companies that operate in Lombard. Murphy reiterated that his concern is no other

company has had these problems. It doesn't seem to be a problem with the coupon

system because nobody else is getting complaints. Ms. Simic responded that they're

hiring process is firm right now, they have fired a lot of drivers. She further stated she

was appalled by some of these complaints and can not make excuses. Murphy agreed

that they are making great strides, however, the concern is that we're not getting the

same complaints from the other companies. Ms. Simic added that they also just recently

put a full page regarding the Lombard subsidy program in the manual because they felt

something was not being explained properly. Chairperson Sebby stated that there are

seven items from January 2005, some of this stuff is downright ridiculous, it's criminal.

Ms. Simic responded that they are trying to get to the bottom of these, they were never

able to find the order within the system about picking up in a family car, that could not

have been Universal. They would have had to have a radio in their car because all

vehicles have radio dispatches.

Schwarz asked how many fares a day are in Lombard. Mr. Shapiro answered

approximately 50-60 a day, whereas, City Suburban has around 20. Not using that as

an excuse if we're doing something wrong, but that may be part of the explanation.

Schwarz asked who has the most pick ups. Johnson responded that American does.

Chairperson Sebby asked for clarification on independent contractors versus

employees. Ms. Simic explained that the company owns the cars and contracts with the

drivers. Murphy asked who provides the insurance. Ms. Simic explained that the

company does.

Schwarz asked how many complaints have been received for American. Johnson

responded one complaint in two years. Schwarz explained that all the committee has to

compare this to is the other companies.