The Ketchikan City Council will talk Thursday about how the city might regulate transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft.
During a previous meeting, Council members asked for an ordinance to be drafted for this meeting that adds transportation network companies to the existing ordinance related to taxi cabs. But, City Attorney Mitch Seaver says he needs some clarification first.
In a memo to the Council, Seaver says the existing regulations for taxis don’t work for Uber-style companies. In fact, existing regulations 
essentially make it illegal for Uber-type services to operate within city limits.
Seaver says adding language to allow that industry into the local market is a major change, and he wants to make sure that’s what the Council wants.
Seaver says he’s also hesitant to draft an ordinance now because there is pending state legislation related to transportation network companies. Depending on which way that goes, the city could be prohibited from regulating the industry locally.
He’s asking for more detailed direction from the City Council.
Also Thursday, the Council will vote on a $15,000 lease agreement with Dominion Voting Systems for new election equipment. The equipment will be used for local elections only.
Thursday’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
