Okaloosa County BOCC — September 6, 2016 — Request to schedule a Public Hearing to Amend Ordinance 14-01 — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: September 6, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Tracy Stage SUBJECT: Request to schedule a Public Hearing to Amend Ordinance 14-01 DEPARTMENT: Airport BCC DISTRICT: 2 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: This agenda item seeks approval by the Board of County Commissioners to schedule a Public Hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Ground Transportation Policy to reflect the Airport’s new name, create policies, definitions and a trip fee for Transportation Network Companies (TNC), and other minor administrative modifications to further clarify the Airport’s Ground Transportation Policy. BACKGROUND: On March 1, 2014, the Board adopted Ordinance 14-01, which established rules and regulations governing the operations of Ground Transportation at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Upon reviewing the Ground Transportation Policy, numerous grammatical corrections and airport name changes were made. Further, the permitting hours of operation have been adjusted and the Schedule “A” now lists the permit fees including tax. Additionally, Article 6, Transportation Network Companies (such as UBER and LYFT) was added. Ground transportation options such as TNCs are a highly demanded service from passengers. 70% of all Florida airports currently have agreements in place to allow TNCs to operate, specifically in passenger pickups. Previous Board Discussions Relating to TNCs:  May 19, 2015 (Minute Book 73, Page 17). Direction to staff to bring back additional information on safe ground transportation options.  August 18, 2015 (Minute Book 73, Page 176-177). Staff returned with three (3) separate options to allow TNCs to operate at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Airport staff hosted three (3) separate stakeholder meetings with invitations to all Airport permitted ground transportation providers (50 companies/ 114 drivers) to provide air service updates, openly discuss the airports efforts to meet passenger demands, and publicly update business partners on the proposed Ground Transportation Policy revisions with a Q&A session. Meeting minutes are attached from the following Stakeholder Meetings held at The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.  November 10, 2015  March 30, 2016   July 27, 2016 Taxi and Limo companies have voiced their disputes against competition in the market place at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and the alleged unfairness. A representative from UBER is expected to attend the Public Hearing to address the Board. OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove scheduling a Public Hearing for September 20, 2016 to consider the amendment to Ordinance 14-01. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends the Board approve the scheduling of a Public Hearing for September 20, 2016 at 9:00am, or shortly thereafter, to consider the amendment to Ordinance 14-01. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator