Commission denies taxi-license appeal after officials cite prior noncompliance

The Williston City Commission voted 5-0 Feb. 11 to deny an appeal from taxi operator applicant Tarek Huq after interim police leadership and the city attorney recounted prior enforcement actions.

Finance Director Hercules Cummings introduced the appeal, explaining Interim Police Chief Captain Gutknecht had denied Huq’s application under Ordinance Section 21-29(2), which allows denial when the chief finds an applicant unfit to drive a taxicab for preservation of public safety, welfare or good order. Captain Gutknecht and City Attorney Taylor Olson reviewed Huq’s court history and past citations, including multiple instances described as operating a taxicab without a license.

Huq told the commission he had no criminal record and no tickets in the past two years. Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk said the city had repeatedly warned Huq and that past enforcement had been prolonged; Cymbaluk said the situation had reached a point of repeated noncompliance. “Enough is enough,” Cymbaluk said during the discussion. Mayor Howard Klug said the record disagreed with Huq’s assertion.

Following a brief exchange, Commissioner James Bervig moved to deny the written appeal, seconded by Cymbaluk; the motion carried unanimously. The commission’s action upholds the interim chief’s denial and leaves in place the process for applicants to appeal by submitting materials in the packet and presenting to the commission.

The transcript does not list any immediate path for Huq to reapply or conditions for reinstatement; the city attorney referenced prior charges and court referrals but noted no recent criminal charges since 2022.