Res. No. 335 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to authorize the City of New York to sell new taxicab medallions conditioned upon their exclusive use with wheelchair-accessible vehicles, or in the alternative, calling upon the State Legislature to authorize the sale of new taxicab medallions and allow the City of New York to impose such condition. Body By Council Member Nelson; also Council Members Gerson and Jackson Whereas, Individuals using wheelchairs have limited public transportation options in the City of New York because of the inaccessibility of many facilities and vehicles to wheelchairs; and Whereas, The lack of public transportation options to individuals using wheelchairs is particularly acute in the taxicab industry; and Whereas, Presently there are fewer than ten wheelchair accessible taxicabs in the City of New York out of a total of 12,187 taxicabs; and Whereas, Individuals using wheelchairs have the same right to on-demand taxicab service as is provided to members of the community who do not use wheelchairs; and Whereas, The Mayor and the Council have, in the context of fiscal year 2003 budget talks, agreed that the City should seek a grant of authority from the New York State Legislature to sell new taxicab medallions for the first time since 1996; and Whereas, Should the State Legislature authorize the sale of new taxicab medallions by the City, such sale should be conditioned upon their use only with wheelchair-accessible taxicabs; and Whereas, Such a conditional sale would represent the first step in converting all taxicabs in New York City to wheelchair-accessibility; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to authorize the City of New York to sell new taxicab medallions conditioned upon their exclusive use with wheelchair-accessible vehicles, or in the alternative, calling upon the State Legislature to authorize the sale of new taxicab medallions and allow the City of New York to impose such condition. MBS-6-5-02 LS#635