✍️ Do's First TLC Meeting Sees Introduction Of New TLC Board Commissioner & Approves Medallion Relief Program. No News On FHV License Pause
TLC Chair David Do's first Commission meeting saw introduction of new TLC Board Commissioner and the official approval of taxi medallion debt relief. No news on FHV License Pause determination 🤷♀️
AutoMarketplace.com NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace.com on YouTube ▶️
NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) Chair David Do’s first public TLC hearing lasted about one hour and was fairly uncontroversial. Unfortunately, there was no update on the August FHV License Pause Determination (aka TLC Plate Cap), which should be published any day now 🤷♀️.
A new TLC Board Commissioner, Elisa Velazquez, was also officially introduced after being nominated in early August by Mayor Adams. Interestingly, Ms. Velazquez, based on public statements, seems to prefer yellow cabs 🚕. Perhaps her appointment is a reaction to the distress that occurred in the medallion industry over the past several years and the need for more yellow cab sector advocacy.
Ms. Velazquez has spent 22 years in City government and is currently the assistant commissioner and chief contracting officer at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection “where she manages the procurement and fiscal operations for New York City’s water and wastewater utility — totaling approximately $1.2 billion in contracts and $1.5 billion in payments per fiscal year”.
“As a born and bred New Yorker, I have used taxis all my life,” said Elisa Velazquez, nominee, TLC. “They are part of the DNA of this great city, and I am thrilled to have the chance as a TLC commissioner to work hard to preserve this quintessential New York experience and to help improve, support, and strengthen the taxi industry as a whole. I want to thank Mayor Adams for nominating me and giving me another exciting opportunity to expand my government service and ‘Get Stuff Done!’”
- NYC government press release, August 5th 2022
In addition to Ms. Velazquez, Anokye Blissett was also nominated to the TLC Commission Board by Mayor Adams in early August, but it wasn’t immediately clear if she was in attendance. Ms. Blissett “has practiced law in New York for over 15 years. She is currently the managing partner of the Blissett Law Group PLLC, a boutique firm that represents purchasers, sellers, and financial institutions in various real estate transactions”.
When both nominations were announced, there was an official statement from Deputy Mayor and former TLC Chair Meera Joshi. We think that’s noteworthy.
“Elisa Velazquez and Anokye B[l]issett bring fresh perspective and extensive legal experience to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Moreover, their genuine commitment to improving the lives of all New Yorkers will be a great asset for the TLC and its mission of setting policy and standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the taxi and for-hire industry and its patrons.”
- NYC government press release, August 5th 2022
The official NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission page on the TLC’s Board of Commissioners doesn’t seem to be updated, reflecting the new appointments, so that’s somewhat confusing 🤔. With Ms. Velazquez’s and Ms. Blissett’s appointments, the TLC Board of Commissioners seems to be full (i.e., 9 Commissioners).
We wanted to note though, as we wrote several months ago, we believe a strong case can be made for a current or former TLC driver and/or industry participant(s) to fill slots for two additional proposed TLC Commission Board seats. There was a NYC Council bill calling for this, but it seems to have not progressed since the end of last year (see below).
This is what we wrote back in March 👇…
Is It Time For Base & Driver Representatives on the NYC TLC Board?
Right now, the NYC TLC industry is in flux after a highly disruptive period that coincided with the rise of app-based ridehailing companies, such as Uber and Lyft. From the recent yellow cab debt relief deal to the black & livery industries call for an exemption to the FHV License Pause (aka TLC Plate Cap), it might be as good a time as any to redefine how the NYC TLC Board looks.
As recently mentioned in Black Car News, there is a proposed City Council bill that wants to increase the size of the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission Board from 9 to 11! In fact, the proposal is summarized as follows:
“This bill would increase the size of the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) board from nine to eleven commissioners. The two additional commissioners would be required to hold a valid TLC driver license and would be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council.” - NYC Council Bill
This is probably an idea worth considering EVEN MORE NOW with the news of the recent TLC Chair’s resignation. Instead of the current US vs. THEM (i.e., Yellow vs. Uber, regulator vs. driver, etc.) mentality that has arisen within the NYC for-hire transportation community, it’s as good a time as any for this industry to come together to solve the very real issues everyone collectively faces. The only thing we would add is for the legislation to also include NYC TLC base representatives to the Commission’s Board, in addition to NYC TLC drivers.
Let us know what you think? Do you think NYC TLC Driver(s) and/or Base Representative(s) should hold TLC Board Seats? Why or why not? Would there be a conflict of interest? What are the main benefits and downsides in your view?
TLC Commission Board Is Now Full
Based on the official webpage on the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) website, there still seems to be two open Commission slots, but if we include Ms. Velazquez’s and Ms. Blissett’s recent appointments, the Board is full now.
We’ll hear from Chair David Do soon again at next Thursday’s TLC Commission meeting on driver pay. Be sure to sign up!
AutoMarketplace.com NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace.com on YouTube ▶️