Taxi drivers and representatives addressed council during public comment about proposed changes to Chapter 32 (Vehicles for Hire) that recoded vehicle-for-hire regulations. Ignacio Hinojosa, representing local taxi interests, outlined five requests including allowing limited transfer/inheritance of a permit, clarifying insurance and risk-management requirements, setting specific time windows for disqualifying convictions, reviewing the number of authorized taxi permits, and re-establishing a centralized downtown staging area.

"At the end of the day, I can per but if it's left up to judgment the next time, like, permit...that's up to management to decide," Hinojosa said, asking for clarity on transfer and next-of-kin treatment. Taxi representatives asked the city to work with them on possible revenue approaches (downtown surcharge or low-cost daily fees at designated taxi stands) and suggested partnering on micro-transit pilots so taxi companies can participate in app-based demand response.

Councilmembers said the administration should continue meetings with industry, public-works and transit staff to bring back recommendations. The council voted to accept the ordinance process while instructing legal and city management to examine the industry requests and return with proposed text and options for designated pickup areas, micro-transit coordination, and potential downtown revenue mechanisms.

Why it matters: Changes to vehicles-for-hire rules affect small business operators, worker eligibility, downtown mobility and special-event traffic management. Council's direction preserves regulatory modernization while creating a pathway for industry input.

What happens next: Staff will work with the taxi committee and transportation consultants to return with proposed language and operational options for council consideration.