Council confirms taxicab and transportation commission nominees after questioning

The Los Angeles City Council confirmed two commission nominees on Sept. 21 after brief questioning by councilmembers about their experience and readiness for the roles.

John Bavarian was confirmed for the Board of Taxicab Commissioners. During the hearing Councilmember Bernard C. Holden asked Bavarian whether he had previous experience with the city’s taxicab industry; Bavarian said he had a business-management background and sits on various boards and that he would learn more about the industry’s issues. Councilmember Jack Weiss and others warned the nominee that the taxicab regulation environment has longstanding operational and enforcement issues. The council approved Bavarian’s appointment by roll call vote (11 ayes).

Howard Coleman was confirmed to the Board of Transportation Commissioners. Holden asked Coleman whether he had reviewed Department of Transportation materials and whether he understood the breadth of responsibilities — including franchising, traffic-flow and congestion mitigation, and rate-setting for certain services. Coleman said he had read materials available online and had been nominated a few weeks earlier; he said he understood the scope of the commission’s duties. The motion to confirm Coleman passed (recorded vote as stated during the meeting: 5 ayes recorded by the clerk at that moment).

Why it matters: The two boards play oversight roles in city transportation policy and regulation — the Taxicab Commission oversees taxi franchise and regulation matters while the Transportation Commission advises on broader transport and traffic matters. Councilmembers asked nominees to prepare for technical workloads and complex regulatory histories.

Ending: Both nominees were urged to review commission materials and coordinate with the relevant departments as they begin their service.