Edmonton’s city council unanimously passed the first reading of the proposed vehicle-for-hire bylaw Tuesday afternoon, which would make ride-sharing companies such as UBER legal.

Following a three-hour debate, Mayor Don Iveson proposed that councillors vote on first reading and revisit the bylaw later.

Before the bylaw passes second and third readings, councillors have asked administration to come back in January with more details on a possible fee structure.

City staff members have also been asked to provide more information on how many extra bylaw officers are going to be needed to enforce the changes.

The last time the subject was brought up, dozens of taxi drivers were in attendance, and eventually became frustrated – standing up in chambers, yelling and some taking off their shirts, bringing the debate to a halt.

On Tuesday, officials increased security at city hall, with a few more security guards and some police officers on hand. Taxi drivers were told they had to wear their shirts, which said ‘support legal taxis’, inside out.

In a statement, the General Manager for Uber Alberta, Ramit Kar, said the ride-sharing company is pleased with Tuesday’s decision: "More time is needed for City Staff to study the evolving for-hire transportation industry and more work is required to develop smart regulations for ridesharing in Edmonton."

"We are deeply interested in being regulated here in Edmonton as we already are in close to 70 jurisdictions in North America.”

With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith