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Greenfield council approves taxi permit for local operator while urging higher insurance for voucher program participation
Summary
The City Council voted to approve a taxi-driver permit for Eduardo Bravo Gomez of USA Taxicabs after staff described local ordinance insurance minimums (city code: $500,000) and the Monterey County regional authority(MCRTA/MST) requirement for $1,000,000 to participate in the taxi voucher program; council asked staff to help the operator connect with MST and to publicize the new service.
The Greenfield City Council approved a permit allowing Eduardo Bravo Gomez, operating as USA Taxicabs, to provide taxi service within city limits after a continued public hearing.
Staff outlined requirements from the municipal code for taxi permits, including vehicle descriptions, driver qualifications, permitted hours and insurance. The city—s code requires $500,000 minimum liability coverage; Monterey-Salinas Transit and the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority encourage $1,000,000 in coverage to qualify for the MST taxi voucher program for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Staff said Gomez submitted documentation showing $500,000 coverage and indicated he was willing to obtain higher limits to participate in the voucher program.
During council questions, members asked how vehicle inspections and program enrollment would work. Staff said the chief of police or an authorized representative may inspect taxicabs at any time and that the city would help put the operator in contact with MST to pursue voucher participation. Gomez told the council he has been a taxi driver for about 12 years and that his meters and equipment are modern.
Councilmember [name withheld in transcript] moved to approve the permit and a second was recorded; council approved the motion by voice vote. The motion description and outcome were recorded in the official minutes. Council asked staff to post information on city channels and to coordinate with MST so voucher-eligible riders can use the service.
The permit was granted as a local business authorization only; council members noted that the city ordinance may need modernization to align with regional insurance expectations and directed staff to return with proposed ordinance updates if necessary.
