MINUTES SUBJECT TO CORRECTION BY THE BURLINGTON TAXI LICENSING APPEALS PANEL. CHANGES, IF
ANY, WILL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE TAXI LICENSING APPEALS PANEL.
BURLINGTON TAXI LICENSING APPEALS PANEL
BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MINUTES OF MEETING
July 30, 2014
APPROVED – 9/15/14
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Munger (Chairman)
Bill Keogh (Vice Chairman)
Dennis Duffy
MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:
Norm Blais
Max Tracy
Tom Ayres
LICENSE REVIEW/APPEALS PANEL:
Jeff Munger, Airport Commission
Bill Keogh, Airport Commission
Lt. Dennis Duffy, Burlington Police Dept.
ADMINISTRATION:
Isaac Trombley, Taxi Administration Office
STAFF ATTORNEY:
Gregg Meyer, Assistant City Attorney
OTHERS PRESENT:
Reporter and camera operator with Fox 44 News
Appellants:
 Mohamed Sheikh-Bile
 Stephen Hutchins
 Michael Edwards
1.0
CALL TO ORDER and AGENDA
The meeting was opened at 1:23 PM on July 30, 2014.
1.01 Agenda
Action: The Panel voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by
Jeff Munger, to approve the agenda as presented.
2.0
CONSENT AGENDA
2.01 COMMUNICATIONS:
Kristin Jones, Office Assistant, Burlington
International Airport; Youness Jamil, Star
Cab; Tsering Yeshi, Potalta Taxi, re:
Complaint
2.02 COMMUNICATIONS:
Kristin Jones, Office Assistant, Burlington
International Airport; Michael Ashton,
Airport Ambassador; Jassim Jassim,
Champlain Taxi re: Complaint
Action: The Board voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by
Jeff Munger to accept the consent agenda as presented, take the action indicated
and place the item(s) on file.
3.0
TAXI DRIVER DENIAL/APPEAL HEARINGS
3.01 Loretta Guarino
No one appeared on behalf of the appeal. The appellant can contact the Taxi
Administration to reschedule.
MINUTES OF MEETING – July 30, 2014
PAGE 2
3.02 Mohamed Sheikh-Bile
Mohamed Sheikh-Bile appeared on behalf of the appeal. Gregg Meyer explained
the procedure to be followed, swore in individuals to provide testimony, and
introduced the Taxi Appeal Panel.
Background
The appellant contends the denial of a taxi license was based on mistaken identity.
Testimony
Mohamed Skeikh-Bile testified his younger brother used his name and was pulled
over while driving. Mr. Skeikh-Bile said he had his fingerprints and photo taken
at the Burlington Police Department and was advised to secure a letter from the
Criminal Center in Waterbury. A letter from Jeffrey Wallen, Vermont Crime
Information Center, dated July 24, 2014, was submitted by the appellant.
Lt. Duffy asked when the criminal history was run on the appellant and if the
charges have in fact been cleared. Mr. Skeikh-Bile testified he was confused with
his brother who is now in jail, and his background check is now clear.
There was no further testimony. Lt. Duffy offered to verify that the criminal
history has been cleared.
Deliberation/Decision
The Panel will issue a decision in writing.
3.03 Stephen Hutchins
Stephen Hutchins appeared on behalf of the appeal. Gregg Meyer explained the
procedure to be followed, swore in individuals to provide testimony, and
introduced the Taxi Appeal Panel.
Background
The appellant was denied a taxi license.
Testimony
Stephen Hutchins testified he understands the responsibility of the Panel to look
out for the public’s safety with regard to taxi operations and the concern for his
criminal history. Mr. Hutchins said he spent 18 years in prison for a crime that
occurred a long time ago and had ample opportunity and motivation during that
time to look at his life and how he messed it up. During his time in prison, Mr.
Hutchins said he was always involved in therapy, rehab programs and
volunteerism to turn his life around, and came to the conclusion that marijuana is
not a harmless drug based on what it did to his mind, purpose and ambition. Mr.
Hutchins testified he does not use the drug, approve of the drug, or traffic the
drug, and realizes the harm the drug did to his life and those around him which
was very difficult to deal with. Equally as damaging, testified Mr. Hutchins, was
his decision to consistently break serious laws of state and country that resulted in
MINUTES OF MEETING – July 30, 2014
PAGE 3
having to keep secrets which was very corrosive over time to him, his family, and
the authorities, and contracted his ability to reach out and do things to enjoy his
life. Mr. Hutchins stated in his case prison turned him around and he has been out
of prison for the past three years. Additionally, Judge Sessions released him early
from probation for no longer being a risk of reoffending. Mr. Hutchins said for the
last 24 years he has been under constant jurisdiction of government authorities
and has taken numerous urinalysis tests, and since 1997 has not failed a test. Mr.
Hutchins said he has family connections and is a grandfather, and until his license
was revoked was a driver for Blazer Transportation. An appeal hearing was held
to reinstate the taxi license with Blazer, but the Panel wanted to wait six months.
Mr. Hutchins said since the time of the appeal hearing and for the past two years
he has been a delivery driver (league driver for the company) driving 50 miles a
day, five days a week, with no moving violations or accidents.
Jeff Munger asked if taxi driving will supplement the delivery job. The appellant
said he plans to start part-time with Green Cab and if he likes the work will cease
the delivery driving job and work 30 hours per week driving for Green Cab.
There were no further comments.
Deliberation/Decision
The Panel will issue a decision in writing.
3.04 Thomas Cilley
No one appeared on behalf of the appeal. The appellant can contact the Taxi
Administration to reschedule.
3.05 Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards appeared on behalf of the appeal. Gregg Meyer explained the
procedure to be followed, swore in individuals to provide testimony, and
introduced the Taxi Appeal Panel.
Background
The appellant was denied a taxi license.
Testimony
Michael Edwards testified he was gainfully employed and enjoyed being a driver
at Benways for the past year until the company closed a month ago. Mr. Edwards
submitted a letter of recommendation from the owner of Benways. The letter
speaks positively about his performance on the job for the past year.
Jeff Munger asked why the taxi license was denied. Gregg Meyer explained there
was a condition on the license which required Mr. Edwards to report to the Taxi
Administration that his record is clean subsequent to being issued a license. Mr.
Edwards said there was a misunderstanding that his record would be expunged in
December 2013 when the actual date is December 2014. Isaac Trombley added
MINUTES OF MEETING – July 30, 2014
PAGE 4
the condition on the license only allowed six months for a clean record which was
not enough time with the December 2014 date. Jeff Munger asked Mr. Edwards if
he has other employment since the closure of Benways. Mr. Edwards said he has
been working for Green Cab.
There were no further comments.
Deliberation/Decision
Gregg Meyer advised the Panel can have a condition on the license that says once
the record is expunged Mr. Edwards is obligated to notify the Taxi Panel.
The Panel will issue a decision in writing.
Action: The Panel voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by
Jeff Munger, to go into Executive Session. Executive Session was convened at
1:50 PM.
Action: The Panel voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by
Jeff Munger, to adjourn Executive Session and reconvene the regular meeting.
The regular meeting reconvened at 1:53 PM.
4.0
MINUTES
4.01 Taxi Licensing Appeal Panel 6/25/14
Action: The Panel voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by
Jeff Munger, to approve the minutes of June 25, 2014 as presented.
5.0
ADJOURNMENT
Action: The Panel voted unanimously on a motion by Bill Keogh, seconded by Jeff
Munger, to adjourn the meeting.
The Taxi Appeals Panel meeting was adjourned at 1:54 PM.
RScty: MERiordan