On July 2, I submitted a sunshine request for all complaints and comments submitted to the MTC from drivers and passengers in the last 18 months. After a lengthy back-and-forth, they have responded requiring a $350 deposit to process approximately 120 discovered complaints. The MTC will have a role in policing and enforcing vehicle-for-hire and technology-network-companies long after Uber-X is decided. The public has a role in holding the MTC accountable as a regulatory body, and it can do that by requesting documents such as these.

Reviewing these complaints publicly will offer another level of review ensuring codes and their enforcement adequately prevent unsafe, discriminatory, and other unacceptable practices against drivers and passengers from vehicle-for-hire companies and also transportation-network-companies (Uber/Lyft), once they operate in St. Louis.

If you’d like to see these documents released to the public, consider contributing anything from $5, to the full $402 (includes Muckrock’s fee). The documents will be posted on Muckrock and available to everyone as soon as they’re recieved. Any support is appreciated, and we all benefit from a more transparent MTC.

Backed by Mike Bollich-Ziegler, John Martin, Benjamin Bathke, Sean Marshall, and 7 others.

$402.50 raised out of $402.50.

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36 Communications
2 Files

Communications

From: Mike Ziegler

07/02/2015

Subject: None

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law and the Missouri Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

I am requesting any customer and/or driver complaints submitted to the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission between 1/1/2014 and 6/30/2015.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Mike Ziegler

From: Bob Oldani

07/02/2015

Subject: FW: Sunshine Request-Metropolitan St. Louis Taxicab Commission

Robert Oldani
Deputy Director
2628 Delmar
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Office: 314-535-7700
FAX: 314-535-7603
bob@stl-taxi.com
www.stl-taxi.com

Image
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From: Mike Ziegler

07/02/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Oldani,

Thank you for your response. On what date do you expect to have an estimate of associated request costs?

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Bob Oldani

07/07/2015

Subject: FW: Sunshine Request-July 2, 2015

Robert Oldani
Deputy Director
2628 Delmar
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Office: 314-535-7700
FAX: 314-535-7603
bob@stl-taxi.com
www.stl-taxi.com

Image
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<iframe src="https://www.muckrock.com/foi/file/48274/embed/" width="100%" height="600px"></iframe>

From: Mike Ziegler

07/07/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Oldani,

In satisfaction of Section 610.023.3, RSMo, I request an expected date and/or timeline of when you anticipate to complete my request.

As advised within the statute itself, "If access to the public record is not granted immediately, the custodian shall give a detailed explanation of the cause for further delay and the place and earliest time and date that the record will be available for inspection."

Please advise the earliest time and date the records will be available for inspection.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Mike Ziegler

07/10/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Oldani,

I understand and find it reasonable that it will take some time to gather and review what are likely paper documents in my request. The reason for asking for a date (other than it being part of the sunshine law statute) is to hopefully keep from inundating you with follow-ups as that process is carried out at the MTC. I also can gather it has been an unusually busy week/month at the MTC.

With a date and/or timeline provided, I am assured of a reasonable timeframe to expect the MTC to fulfill the request. Please let this follow-up also apply to a separate sunshine request of mine regarding a May 2013 taxicab accident.

I appreciate your time, and I look forward to your response.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

07/11/2015

Subject: None

Dear Mr. Ziegler,

I am in receipt of your request tot he St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab
Commission requesting records of customer and drier complaints between
January 2014 and June 30 2015. Before we can honor your request, we
request a clarification of your request.

You request "Driver complaints". Are you requesting complaints that may
have been filed by drivers or against specific drivers?

Additionally, we need need clarification of your request for complaints.
Are you requesting data regarding violations against drivers such as being
out of uniform?

Since you are requesting information that will have to be tabulated you
will charged the hourly rate for the compilation.

Please forward your deposit of $150.00 with a clarification of your request
and we will be happy to respond. You will only be charged for actual time
spent if responding to your request.

Charles Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxicab Commission

--
Charles H. Billings
Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.
1735 S. Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo 63117
314-646-0066
chb@law-stl.com
************************PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL****************
*This transmission and any attached files are privileged, confidential or
otherwise the exclusive property of the intended recipient or Bruntrager &
Billings, P.C.. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or
attached to this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received
this transmission in error, please contact us immediately by e-mail or
telephone, and promptly destroy the original transmission and its
attachments. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message
that do not relate to the official business of Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.
shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.*

From: Mike Ziegler

07/15/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

Thank you for your response.

I would be happy to clarify my request.

As to the driver complaints (I'll refer to these as "driver comments"): That is regarding any formal comments submitted by taxicab drivers against their employer, a passenger or otherwise. I am not sure if that is a role MTC plays (acting as a third party in driver disputes or issues with passengers during rides, for example), but if any drivers have submitted comments to the MTC, those are the documents I am looking for.

As for the complaints (I'll refer to these as "passenger comments"): I am requesting any complaints and/or comments made to the MTC by a passenger of a taxicab. This could include, but is not limited to, being out of uniform. I am requesting any comments from taxicab passengers/customers submitted to the MTC in the timeframe specified.

As to the deposit and fees, I need one clarification from you and have an additional request clarification.

- What is the hourly rate in responding to this request?

- Additionally, if it is possible, I request that that passenger comments portion of my request be completed first and a fee update be provided to me prior to any time spent on the driver complaints.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

From: Charles H Billings

07/16/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Ziegler.

the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission has received your request for taxicab
complaints over the last year and one half. We are examining our files.
If your request involves a review of emails that may have touched on a
complaint your request is over-broad and in most cases involves attorney
client protected issues. We would need a deposit well over $1,000 to
perform such a task.

If your request involves formal complaints filed with the Director against
a specific cab company or driver that is much less time consuming and can
be done relatively cheaply.

Please clarify your request before we undertake the search of our records.

Charles H. Billing
General Counsel
Taxicab Commission

From: Mike Ziegler

07/21/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. Also, please advise the hourly rate you will be charging for compiling the comment request as well as a expected completion date of when to expect each request to be fulfilled In satisfaction of Section 610.023.3, RSMo.

Thank you for your help.

From: Mike Ziegler

07/30/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

Apologies for the mixup. A few emails fell through my inbox including your earlier response regarding the comment request clarification.

Your latter description of my complaints/comments request is accurate. I am looking for the formal complaints and/or comments submitted to the MTC from passengers, customers, and drivers.

Documents possibly touching on a complaint but are not the formal original complaint themselves are not necessary, and I am not requesting documents requiring review due to attorney client privilege.

Please let me know of any additional clarification you need from me.

Thank you for your time.

- Mike

From: Beth Dunham

07/30/2015

Subject: Sunshine Request

Mr. Ziegler,

We are in receipt of this email and are forwarding to Mr. Billings.
Thanks,
Beth Dunham
Custodian of Records
314-535-7700
beth@stl-taxi.com

From: Charles H Billings

07/31/2015

Subject: Sunshine ruest

Mr. Ziegler,

We have examined the communication log that is kept at the MTC. This
information then leads us to separate files which would have to be examined
for their paper response. Some issues would involve Attorney-Client issues.

Since I haven't been through the files, we cannot give a precise listing of
the costs of retrieval. Our best estimate is that a deposit of $500 should
cover these cost. Attorney fees are billed at $250.00 per hour and the
employee time is billed at cost. You will receive a precise statement with
the final retrieval.

If you wish to proceed, please forward you precise request with a check
made payable to the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

Thanks for your interest in the Taxi Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel

From: Charles H Billings

08/05/2015

Subject: Ziegler Sunshine requests.

The staff at the Taxicab Commission has identified 75 documents complaints
from 2014 and about 43 through June 30, 2015. They are not sure if all of
their entries qualify as complaints as an examination of each sheet in each
file would have to be performed.

I do not think that any of these items are privileged at this time. Upon
final review, that opinion may change.

I think that the review can be accomplished within a budget of $350.00.
Please forward your check in the that amount payable to the MTC and we we
initiate the compilation that you request. You will only be charged for
the actual time spent at the actual rate of the employee.

If you have any questions, please email or call.

Thank you for your interest in the Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

From: MuckRock

08/18/2015

Subject: None

Mail

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find enclosed a check for $350 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.

Thank you.

From: Mike Ziegler

08/19/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

A $350 deposit was mailed to the MTC yesterday. Upon receiving payment, please let me know of an expected timeline for completing this request. Also, I would prefer the request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me to complete the request.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

08/21/2015

Subject: Re: Freedom of Information Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

The Metropolitan Taxicab commission has received your deposit of $350 to
pay for the compilation of requested records. As you know, these records
are being gathered, certain personal information must be manually redacted
such as social security numbers, and the documents must be copied. We will
see if the records can be scanned.

We will notify you when the records are ready for delivery.

Thank you for your interest in the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel

From: Charles H Billings

08/21/2015

Subject: Re: Freedom of Information Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

I sent you an email about 20 minutes ago in error. The Taxicab Commission
has compiled the records, but has not received your payment of $350.00.
Please forward your check made payble to the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab
Commission in the amount of 350.00 to reimburse the Commission for it's
compilation and review. An itemized statement will accompany your records
detailed the reimbursement cost.

Chuck Billings.

From: Mike Ziegler

08/22/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

Understood. The payment has been sent, but I believe is still en route to the commission via mail. Please advise when you receive the payment.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Mike Ziegler

08/27/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

I am following up to check on the status of arrival of the $350 deposit mailed 8/18 to the MTC's office.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

08/27/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

Your records are ready and I have reviewed the records. We are not
claiming privilege as to any of the requested records. If you require the
records electronically, please set up an account at Kinkos, UPS or wherever
you wish. We can drop the records off for scanning purposes. If you
prefer us to simply copy and mail them, we will be happy to do that.

At this point the costs are as follows: Search and review $235.00. Legal
review $200.00 Postage/scanning?

You have deposited $350.00 Please forward your supplemental check for $150
if you want us to drop them off or $200 if you want us to mail.

Thanks for your interest.

Chuck Billings

From: Mike Ziegler

08/27/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

Please provide an itemized statement regarding the costs that includes the employee rate and hours spent compiling/reviewing, the legal review rate and time spent compiling/reviewing, and include a final number count of documents compiled.

Also, please advise why a supplemental check is required for $150 for drop off or $200 to mail. including an itemized list of costs associated with each option.

- Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

08/27/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Deputy Director 5 hours @ $25.00 per hour: $125.00

Temp clerk 3 hours @ $15.00 per hour: 45.00

Copy 602 pages @ .10 per copy: *60.20*

TOTAL COMMISSION LABOR/COSTS $230.20

Attorney Review. 1 Hour @250.00 redced to $200.00

From: Mike Ziegler

08/27/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

To confirm, an additional $80.20 will satisfy the fees for this request? Please advise how you concluded on the earlier $150-200 number.

Thank you,

- Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

08/28/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

We have provided you an accounting of the efforts of the Taxi Commission
staff to date. We have discounted some of the fees. You must now decide
if you want these records copied or scanned. We will do that at our cost.
If you wish to set up an account at a copy center, we will drop the records
to that office for scanning or copying. We have a copy service that will
also make the copies and mail or email them to you.

The deposit is the forecast for the amount of time that we anticipate the
additional services will take. You will only be billed for the actual cost.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxi Commission.

From: Mike Ziegler

08/28/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

My confusion lies in the charge of the accounted efforts you sent over that lists "Copy 602 pages". It seems that the records have already been copied and any associated labor for that copying.

Deputy Director 5 hours @ $25.00 per hour: $125.00
Temp clerk 3 hours @ $15.00 per hour: 45.00
Copy 602 pages @ .10 per copy: *60.20*
TOTAL COMMISSION LABOR/COSTS $230.20
Attorney Review. 1 Hour @250.00 redced to $200.00

Total from above: $430.20 minus the initial deposit of $350 = $80.20 in outstanding fees. If copies are included in the above total, why are copies again being charged in delivery?

Based on the above charge, the MTC has already made copies of the records I requested and I do not require the MTC to mail and/or drop the records off for scanning. I am happy to pick them up directly from the MTC's office and will bring payment for the $80.20 in outstanding fees. There should be no additional charge for delivery.

Please advise when the copies are available for pickup.

Thank you,

Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

08/28/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr.Ziegler,

You have requested records that were not readily kept in the ordinary
course of our record keeping. The staff has now located the requested
records, made copies and redacted certain information such as social
security numbers. Your record will be a new copy of the redacted
information.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxi Commission.

From: Mike Ziegler

09/06/2015

Subject: None

Mr. Billings,

I'd like to again state the requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

As stated § 610.026.1, RSMo,
"Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge when the public governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the public governmental body and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

If the MTC is denying waving additional fees, I would like to make sure I am clear about the deposit:

To make copies (again) of the documents prepared for my request, the MTC is requiring a $150 deposit for someone at the MTC to drop them off at a copy center (Fedex Office on 2628 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103 is where I prefer) where Fedex Office will copy them and then charge the copying fees to my account?

If the MTC's costs for that option only include time spent taking the documents to a copy center, I believe $150 is an unreasonable deposit for what should be 20 minute drive each way.

Please clarify what "additional services" are required from the MTC for the drop-off option and how that is figured into the $150 deposit.

- Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

09/07/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

Your statement is not correct.

The Metropolitan taxicab commission only charges for our costs. I
suggested several seeks ago that you set up an account with a copy service
and we will deliver our copy to the service center for copying. We do not
charge for transportation to/from the copy center. The charges to date are
$430.00. Please deposit the balance ($80.00) and we will deposit your
records at the copy center of your choosing. Please pick a location within
2 miles of the Office of the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

Your request for accident records will be handles separately.

Thanks for your interest in the Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings

From: Mike Ziegler

09/17/2015

Subject: None

Mr Billings,

I dropped off payment at the MTC's offices this afternoon containing a $80 money order made out to the commission in an envelope with your name. I dispute that the charges for copying the documents twice and charging me for both times is allowable under the state statute.

Nevertheless, please have the documents copied at FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, 700 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. I have called there and they assured me that when the documents are dropped off, the person from the MTC dropping them off can notify someone working there that payment for the order will be made over the phone.

Please have them call me at 314-420-6708 and I will provide payment information. Setting up an account with FedEx requires a commercial business application process that is laborious and not applicable to my situation.

If possible, please advise me when you anticipate the drop off to occur, and I will ensure that I am available for payment.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if clarification is needed.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

From: Charles H Billings

09/17/2015

Subject: Re: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

We will notify you when the documents are delivered to Fed Ex.

Chuck Billings

From: MuckRock.com

10/02/2015

Subject: None

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 2, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

From: MuckRock.com

10/19/2015

Subject: None

To Whom It May Concern:

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

From: Beth Dunham

10/19/2015

Subject: RE: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints

Mr. Ziegler,

I received the following email trail from one of our attorneys today. According to my records, you already picked up the responsive documents at our office. Is there anything else you need in respect to the subject Request? Also, in the future, please direct any Sunshine Law requests solely to me, the MTC Custodian of Records. Delivery of messages to multiple parties leads to confusion and requests directed to anyone other than me may not be deemed properly delivered according to the Sunshine Law statutes. By subscribing to uniformity of delivery to me, the MTC is better situated to timely respond to not only yours, but all other Sunshine Law requests. Thank you for your understanding. Your cooperation will help ensure the purpose of the Law is well served.

Sunshine Law requests may be made by United States Postal Service, fax at: (314)531-7603, and/or email delivered at: info@stl-taxi.com<mailto:info@stl-taxi.com> Again, deliveries in any manner should be directed to the “Custodian of Records.”
But please note, the general email address is not checked on a daily basis. To assure your request is handled most expeditiously, mailing may be the best delivery method or deliver requests to my personal email address at: beth@stl-taxi.com<mailto:beth@stl-taxi.com>
Mailing address: Beth Dunham, Custodian of Records Metropolitan Taxicab Commission 2628 Delmar Blvd., Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
You may also call me directly regarding requests or difficulties with same at: (314) 535-7700.
Please tell me if you need anything else on the subject Request.
Regards,
Beth Dunham
Custodian of Records
314-535-7700
beth@stl-taxi.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>>
Date: Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 4:00 AM
Subject: RE: Missouri Sunshine Law Request: St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Complaints
To: chb@law-stl.com<mailto:chb@law-stl.com>
Cc: bob@stl-taxi.com<mailto:bob@stl-taxi.com>

October 19, 2015
St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission
Metropolitan Taxicab Commission
2628 Delmar
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

This is a follow up to a previous request:

To Whom It May Concern:

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

---
On Oct. 2, 2015:

To Whom It May Concern:

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

---
On Sept. 17, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

We will notify you when the documents are delivered to Fed Ex.

Chuck Billings

--
Charles H. Billings
Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.
1735 S. Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo 63117
314-646-0066<tel:314-646-0066>
chb@law-stl.com<mailto:chb@law-stl.com>
************************PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL****************
*This transmission and any attached files are privileged, confidential or
otherwise the exclusive property of the intended recipient or Bruntrager &
Billings, P.C.. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or
attached to this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received
this transmission in error, please contact us immediately by e-mail or
telephone, and promptly destroy the original transmission and its
attachments. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message
that do not relate to the official business of Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.
shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.*

---
On Sept. 17, 2015:
Mr Billings,

Please have them call me at 314-420-6708<tel:314-420-6708> and I will provide payment information. Setting up an account with FedEx requires a commercial business application process that is laborious and not applicable to my situation.

If possible, please advise me when you anticipate the drop off to occur, and I will ensure that I am available for payment.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if clarification is needed.

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On Sept. 7, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

Your statement is not correct.

Your request for accident records will be handles separately.

Thanks for your interest in the Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings

---
On Sept. 6, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

I'd like to again state the requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

If the MTC is denying waving additional fees, I would like to make sure I am clear about the deposit:

If the MTC's costs for that option only include time spent taking the documents to a copy center, I believe $150 is an unreasonable deposit for what should be 20 minute drive each way.

Please clarify what "additional services" are required from the MTC for the drop-off option and how that is figured into the $150 deposit.

- Mike Ziegler

---
On Aug. 28, 2015:
Mr.Ziegler,

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxi Commission.

---
On Aug. 28, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

My confusion lies in the charge of the accounted efforts you sent over that lists "Copy 602 pages". It seems that the records have already been copied and any associated labor for that copying.

Total from above: $430.20 minus the initial deposit of $350 = $80.20 in outstanding fees. If copies are included in the above total, why are copies again being charged in delivery?

Please advise when the copies are available for pickup.

Thank you,

Mike Ziegler
---
On Aug. 28, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

The deposit is the forecast for the amount of time that we anticipate the
additional services will take. You will only be billed for the actual cost.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxi Commission.

---
On Aug. 27, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

To confirm, an additional $80.20 will satisfy the fees for this request? Please advise how you concluded on the earlier $150-200 number.

Thank you,

- Mike Ziegler

---
On Aug. 27, 2015:
Deputy Director 5 hours @ $25.00 per hour: $125.00

Temp clerk 3 hours @ $15.00 per hour: 45.00

Copy 602 pages @ .10 per copy: *60.20*

TOTAL COMMISSION LABOR/COSTS $230.20

Attorney Review. 1 Hour @250.00 redced to $200.00

---
On Aug. 27, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Also, please advise why a supplemental check is required for $150 for drop off or $200 to mail. including an itemized list of costs associated with each option.

- Mike Ziegler
---
On Aug. 27, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

At this point the costs are as follows: Search and review $235.00. Legal
review $200.00 Postage/scanning?

You have deposited $350.00 Please forward your supplemental check for $150
if you want us to drop them off or $200 if you want us to mail.

Thanks for your interest.

Chuck Billings

---
On Aug. 27, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

I am following up to check on the status of arrival of the $350 deposit mailed 8/18 to the MTC's office.

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On Aug. 22, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Understood. The payment has been sent, but I believe is still en route to the commission via mail. Please advise when you receive the payment.

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On Aug. 21, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

Chuck Billings.

---
On Aug. 21, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

We will notify you when the records are ready for delivery.

Thank you for your interest in the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel

---
On Aug. 19, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me to complete the request.

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On Aug. 18, 2015:
To Whom It May Concern:

Please find enclosed a check for $350 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.

Thank you.
---
On Aug. 5, 2015:
The staff at the Taxicab Commission has identified 75 documents complaints
from 2014 and about 43 through June 30, 2015. They are not sure if all of
their entries qualify as complaints as an examination of each sheet in each
file would have to be performed.

I do not think that any of these items are privileged at this time. Upon
final review, that opinion may change.

If you have any questions, please email or call.

Thank you for your interest in the Taxicab Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel
St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

---
On July 31, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

If you wish to proceed, please forward you precise request with a check
made payable to the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.

Thanks for your interest in the Taxi Commission.

Chuck Billings
General Counsel

---
On July 30, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler,

We are in receipt of this email and are forwarding to Mr. Billings.
Thanks,
Beth Dunham
Custodian of Records
314-535-7700<tel:314-535-7700>
beth@stl-taxi.com<mailto:beth@stl-taxi.com>
---
On July 30, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Apologies for the mixup. A few emails fell through my inbox including your earlier response regarding the comment request clarification.

Your latter description of my complaints/comments request is accurate. I am looking for the formal complaints and/or comments submitted to the MTC from passengers, customers, and drivers.

Documents possibly touching on a complaint but are not the formal original complaint themselves are not necessary, and I am not requesting documents requiring review due to attorney client privilege.

Please let me know of any additional clarification you need from me.

Thank you for your time.

- Mike
---
On July 21, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Thank you for your help.
---
On July 16, 2015:
Mr. Ziegler.

If your request involves formal complaints filed with the Director against
a specific cab company or driver that is much less time consuming and can
be done relatively cheaply.

Please clarify your request before we undertake the search of our records.

Charles H. Billing
General Counsel
Taxicab Commission

---
On July 15, 2015:
Mr. Billings,

Thank you for your response.

I would be happy to clarify my request.

As to the deposit and fees, I need one clarification from you and have an additional request clarification.

- What is the hourly rate in responding to this request?

- Additionally, if it is possible, I request that that passenger comments portion of my request be completed first and a fee update be provided to me prior to any time spent on the driver complaints.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
---
On July 11, 2015:
Dear Mr. Ziegler,

You request "Driver complaints". Are you requesting complaints that may
have been filed by drivers or against specific drivers?

Additionally, we need need clarification of your request for complaints.
Are you requesting data regarding violations against drivers such as being
out of uniform?

Since you are requesting information that will have to be tabulated you
will charged the hourly rate for the compilation.

Please forward your deposit of $150.00 with a clarification of your request
and we will be happy to respond. You will only be charged for actual time
spent if responding to your request.

Charles Billings
General Counsel
Metropolitan Taxicab Commission

---
On July 10, 2015:
Mr. Oldani,

I appreciate your time, and I look forward to your response.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

---
On July 7, 2015:
Mr. Oldani,

In satisfaction of Section 610.023.3, RSMo, I request an expected date and/or timeline of when you anticipate to complete my request.

Please advise the earliest time and date the records will be available for inspection.

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On July 7, 2015:
Robert Oldani
Deputy Director
2628 Delmar
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Office: 314-535-7700<tel:314-535-7700>
FAX: 314-535-7603<tel:314-535-7603>
bob@stl-taxi.com<mailto:bob@stl-taxi.com>
www.stl-taxi.com<http://www.stl-taxi.com>
---
On July 2, 2015:
Mr. Oldani,

Thank you for your response. On what date do you expect to have an estimate of associated request costs?

Best,

Mike Ziegler
---
On July 2, 2015:
Robert Oldani
Deputy Director
2628 Delmar
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Office: 314-535-7700<tel:314-535-7700>
FAX: 314-535-7603<tel:314-535-7603>
bob@stl-taxi.com<mailto:bob@stl-taxi.com>
www.stl-taxi.com<http://www.stl-taxi.com>
---
On July 2, 2015:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law and the Missouri Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

I am requesting any customer and/or driver complaints submitted to the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission between 1/1/2014 and 6/30/2015.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Mike Ziegler

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock
DEPT MR 19226
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

--
Charles H. Billings
Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.
1735 S. Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo 63117
314-646-0066
chb@law-stl.com<mailto:chb@law-stl.com>
***********************PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL***************
This transmission and any attached files are privileged, confidential or otherwise the exclusive property of the intended recipient or Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please contact us immediately by e-mail or telephone, and promptly destroy the original transmission and its attachments. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of Bruntrager & Billings, P.C. shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.

From: Mike Ziegler

11/16/2015

Subject: None

Hi Beth,

My apologies for the much delayed response. It appears the service I use to help manage sunshine/FOIA requests inadvertently followed-up with you/Charles regarding this request. This request has been completed.

I would be happy to direct my requests to you in the future and will ensure that I do so.

Best,

Mike Ziegler

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