Council to Weigh New Rules for Taxis : Regulation: Glendale considers an ordinance to prohibit smoking in taxis.

An ordinance to update Glendale’s regulations for taxicabs and other vehicles for hire was introduced at the City Council meeting Tuesday after being delayed twice for revisions.

The ordinance would prohibit drivers and their passengers from smoking in cabs, and allow an applicant to receive a temporary taxi driver’s permit after only a limited background check. The law now requires the Glendale Police Department to thoroughly check the criminal history of each applicant for a taxi driver’s permit, Sgt. Dean Durand said. Under the proposed ordinance, an applicant could begin work while the check was proceeding for a permanent permit, and the temporary document could be revoked if needed.

Taxi companies in Glendale had requested that new applicants be given temporary permits, said John Gantus, an attorney for Checker Cab Co. Companies were losing potential drivers because police take about eight weeks to do the background checks for a permanent permit, he said.

The city staff included the request in a draft of the ordinance, which was brought to the council Nov. 14. Council members refused to introduce it at that meeting and Councilman Larry Zarian suggested a mandatory minimal check on temporary cabdriver’s permits. From comments at that meeting and again on Nov. 28, the city staff revised the ordinance to require police to minimally check the applicant’s criminal history with local records, the California Department of Motor Vehicles and, when applicable, out-of-state motor vehicles records.

The complete check now takes longer because it also requires information from the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Durand said.

Senior Assistant City Atty. Scott Howard reported that many other communities either issue temporary permits or allow an individual to begin work upon receipt of his application before the background check.

Gantus said later that he was satisfied the ordinance dealt with the smoking issue because Checker now asks its drivers not to smoke for health and environmental reasons.

However, a Checker dispatcher, Ray Stout, said in a telephone interview that the smoking prohibition would be difficult to enforce.

“Some people can’t do without that cigarette,” he said. “An old-timer will get into the cab and light up. He’s paying for the ride, and he wants to do as he pleases. What can the driver say? And what if the fare starts in Glendale and goes into another city?”

Gantus said he hopes “that our drivers would abide by the ordinance wherever they go.”

Five taxi companies operate in Glendale. The ordinance to regulate them and other companies with vehicles for hire will be voted on Dec. 12.