After an hour's worth of debate Thursday, the Jefferson City Council Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to consider a transportation network company (TNC) ordinance at the full Council meeting Feb. 20.
The committee discussion involved seven of the nine Council members, Mayor Carrie Tergin and City Administrator Steve Crowell, in addition to Tom Landwehr, owner of Checker Cab, the community's only taxi operation.
No representatives attended from the nationally known Uber ride-hailing company, which was granted a special one-day permit to function Jan. 9 in Jefferson City for Missouri's inauguration. Uber officials reported its drivers from Jefferson City and Columbia provided more than 1,000 free rides in a 19-hour period on inauguration day. The city currently has no laws in force regulating TNCs, unlike taxi cabs, which must fulfill certain regulations.
Fourth Ward Councilman Carlos Graham, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, guided the discussion, which was built on an update from city counselor Ryan Moehlman. The attorney reviewed current legislation quickly moving through the state Legislature, which would regulate all TNCs statewide and become effective Aug. 28, if passed and signed by Gov. Eric Greitens.
Moehlman said the key question the committee faced was if it wanted to consider local legislation. Councilmen Rick Mihalevich and Ken Hussey indicated they intended to offer a TNC ordinance as soon as one could be drafted. Councilwoman Erin Wiseman suggested she was unsure the General Assembly would pass a TNC bill this session.
The panel directed Moehlman to produce the local bill for consideration at its second meeting in February.
Landwehr, when asked to join the Council discussion, said he was confident the public would continue to see the services of his taxi company, despite the expenses and hurdles it faces. Those include 24/7 operation, maintaining at least three four-door vehicles 10 years of age or younger, licensing of drivers, and strict compliance with insurance and law enforcement. Mihalevich praised Landwehr for his cooperative and entrepreneurial spirit in working with local officials on an issue which could threaten his company's profitability.
Tergin cited the success of Uber during the inauguration as an example of public demand for TNCs. She suggested Jefferson City could be a model for the state, as well as the nation's state capitals, in blending taxi and ride-hailing services.
In other business, Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell was on hand to explain the issue of prescription drug monitoring, its statewide implications and the status of legislation pending in the General Assembly, as well as with the Cole County Commission.
After significant discussion, the committee chose to delay any action until the Legislature and counties, including first-class entities like St. Louis and Jackson counties, establish a path of action to bring some movement on the issue.
Missouri is the only state in the nation without prescription drug monitoring laws. It affects Jefferson City, Campbell said, because there are no drug providers outside city limits.