From: "Rafferty, Kimberly" <Kim.Rafferty@birminghamal.

gov>
Date: April 22, 2015 at 10:46:25 PM CDT
To: Walter Maddox <mayor@tuscaloosa.com>
Cc: Claudia Anderson <CLAUDIA.ANDERSON@huntsvilleal.gov>, "Fliegel, Mike"
<Mike.Fliegel@birminghamal.gov>, "Glenda D. Webb" <gwebb@tuscaloosa.com>, "Flo Kessler"
<fkessler@cityofmobile.org>, "KFEHL@MONTGOMERYAL.GOV"
<KFEHL@MONTGOMERYAL.GOV>, Todd McDonald <tmcdonald@dothan.org>,
"gshirah@dothan.org" <gshirah@dothan.org>, LaTrice Kelley Mose <lmose@auburnalabama.org>,
"cengland1@hotmail.com" <cengland1@hotmail.com>, "alee@montgomeryal.gov"
<alee@montgomeryal.gov>, "Marcus@troy.edu" <Marcus@troy.edu>,
"wcochran@cityoforangebeach.com" <wcochran@cityoforangebeach.com>, Tommy Brown
<tommy.brown@huntsvilleal.gov>, "HHMARKS@DECATUR-AL.GOV" <HHMARKS@DECATURAL.GOV>, Peter Joffrion <peter.joffrion@huntsvilleal.gov>, "Charles M. Duggan"
<cduggan@auburnalabama.org>, Kelvin Miller <kmiller@montgomerytransit.com>, Bill Ham
<bham@auburnalabama.org>, "colby@cityofmobile.org" <colby@cityofmobile.org>, "Pitts, Zavier M."
<Zavier.Pitts@birminghamal.gov>, Greg Cochran <gregc@alalm.org>, Daryl Perkins
<dperkins@mastersolutionsnow.com>, Allen Sanderson <asanderson@thebloomgroup.com>, Hal
Bloom <halbloom@thebloomgroup.com>, "Curt Lee" <dcurtlee@aol.com>, "Cook, Ralph"
<Ralph.Cook@birminghamal.gov>
Subject: Re: Uber HB 509
I am honored sir.
Councilor Kim Rafferty
City of Birmingham, District 2
"Pride of the Magic City"
(205) 254-2348
On Apr 22, 2015, at 10:06 PM, Walter Maddox <mayor@tuscaloosa.com> wrote:
Councilor Rafferty,
First and foremost, thank you for all your efforts on this matter. I
absolutely agree that being static is not an option and we must adapt.
Clearly, controlling the narrative is in our best interests. Please know
that Tuscaloosa stands ready to work with you and all those involved in
creating an effective piece of legislation that protects our citizens and
modernizes our vehicles for hire laws. Lastly, your assessment of how
Alabamas municipalities have handled this issue is on target.
Walt
On 4/22/15, 7:40 PM, "Rafferty, Kimberly" <Kim.Rafferty@birminghamal.gov>
wrote:
I met with bill sponsor, Jack Williams of Vestavia this past Saturday for
about two hours. At that time, he stated the bill would be on his
committee (Commerce) agenda, possiblyApril 29th. Tonight, he has stated
he cannot confirm until Friday. I have asked Greg Cochran with ALM to
request a public hearing on the matter.
I am finishing up a 300 page collection of internet articles and support
evidence to our side on the bill. I shared a copy with Rep. Williams,
not to read but to browse and become better educated. I am preparing a
white paper with attachments (readers digest condensed version) to
distribute to the committee. If anyone wishes a copy, I can provide
electronically or hard copy when done. Any contributions are most
welcome.
Change in the on-demand for hire transportation industry is coming and we

need to be not just prepared but proactive. I feel our best move, to
keep control of this issue going forward, is to form an ad hoc committee
- composed representatives from enforcement (police and PSC), licensing
(municipalities and PSC), Insurance regulators, legal advisors on state
and municipal law, and any other pertinent state-based stakeholders to
examine the situation before us, meet with on demand for-hire companies
in the state and out (including app driven companies) and assemble what
we need to secure for public safety and regulatory means and what we can
offer to the on-demand for hire industry as a whole. Rather that
creating exclusive legislation for one particular aspect of an industry,
it would behoove us to insure inclusion and equality - not exclusion and
special treatment.
As a state, I am immensely proud of how our municipalities prevented and
or dispensed with illegal app transportation operations with a minimal
cost legally. As far as I can see, we did it most expeditiously and
effectively than any other state or country in the world. We all should
be proud of what we have accomplished so far. So I have faith we can
adapt to change without compromising our duty to secure public safety,
business integrity, and regulatory measures.
Proactive not reactive is the key here. I just thought you all needed to
know where I stood.
Any thoughts?
Councilor Kim Rafferty
City of Birmingham, District 2
"Pride of the Magic City"
(205) 254-2348