07/09/1992
COLLEEN DION - APPEAL TO CITY MANAGER re TAXI OPERATOR'S PERMIT
July 9, 1992
Present:
Kathy S. Rice, Deputy City Manager
Milton A. Galbraith, Jr., City Attorney
Sergeant Don Githens, Police Department
Colleen Dion, Appellant
Also Present:
Holly Ausanio, Staff Assistant III
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice stated Ms. Dion is appealing the denial of her taxi
operator's permit. The Police Department denied the request based on Ms. Dion's criminal record
from 1984. (City Code Section 61.41(1)(g))
Colleen Dion, appellant, stated the information supplied by Tallahassee shows the charges
combined and a conviction. She acquired a copy from Hillsborough County which differs from the
records from the State. In response to a question, Ms. Dion stated she was not charged with
vehicular manslaughter, but manslaughter by neglect.
In response to questions, Sergeant Githens stated the charges against Ms. Dion were
manslaughter, culpable negligence and vehicular intoxication. He stated the report he received
from Florida Law Enforcement Agency is the same used for all applications.
It was stated the report submitted by them May 14, 1992, shows a conviction for homicide
by intoxication, negligent manslaughter, vehicular homicide. The certified document from
Hillsborough County shows three counts charged; two charges not processed and a guilty plea
with a conviction to the manslaughter-culpable negligence charge. Ms. Dion pleaded guilty to one
count and the other two were dropped.
Ms. Dion stated her license would have been taken away if the other charges were
processed.
Discussion ensued regarding the probation period which ended two years ago. Sergeant
Githens stated he interpreted the code as not allowing taxi operator permits if a person has ever
been convicted, not just in the past two years.
Ms. Dion reiterated that her license was not taken away. In response to a question, she
stated her probation ended in April, 1990. She was denied her license on May 11, 1992.
Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice stated a decision would be made and submitted in writing
within 10 days of this hearing.
The meeting adjourned at 3:54 p.m.
Dion 7/9/92