Taxicabs
Sec. 35-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Driver's license. The permission granted by the chief of police or his/her authorized agent to a person to drive a taxicab upon the streets of the city.
Taxicab. A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire and not operating on a fixed route.
Taxicab stand. A public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the city which has been designated by the public works director as reserved exclusively for the use of taxicabs.
Sec. 35-2. License required.
No person shall operate or permit a taxicab owned or controlled by him/her to operate as a vehicle for hire upon the streets of the city without first obtaining a license as herein required.
Sec. 35-3. Application for license.
An application for a taxicab license shall be filed upon forms provided by the city clerk. The application shall include:
(1) The name and address of the applicant.
(2) The experience of the applicant in transporting passengers for hire.
(3) The number of taxicabs owned and the number of taxicabs operated by the applicant, if any.
(4) The number of taxicabs for which a license is desired and the location of the applicant' central business office.
(5) Insignia to be used to designate the vehicles.
(6) Any further information that may be required.
Sec. 35-4. Investigation of applicant; license issuance; hearing.
The chief of police shall investigate each application and recommend to the city clerk his/her acceptance or rejection. In making such recommendations, he/she shall consider the character, experience and responsibility of the applicant. No taxicab company owner's license shall be granted to any person who has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving murder, a crime of moral turpitude or armed robbery, or who within 5 years from the time of application for a taxicab license, has been convicted of any other felony. The city clerk shall issue a taxicab license upon the recommendation of the police chief to do so. If the police chief recommends denial of the taxicab license, the city clerk shall deny the license.
The applicant has a right to a hearing before the city council if he/she so desires to be heard if the chief of police recommends denial of a license application. At said hearing, all other interested parties can be heard.
Sec. 35-5. Annual license fee.
No taxicab license shall be issued or continue to operate unless the holder thereof has paid an annual license fee of $50.00 for the right to engage in the taxicab business and $25.00 each year for each vehicle used in the operation of said business.
Sec. 35-6. Suspension, revocation of license.
A license issued under the provisions of this article may be revoked or suspended by the city council after a public hearing, if the holder thereof has been convicted of violating any provision of this article or any motor vehicle provision of this code or any motor vehicle law of the state or the United States.
Sec. 35-7. Taxicab stands.
The public works director is hereby authorized to establish taxicab stands in such places and in such manner as is deemed necessary for the use of taxicabs operated in the city. The public works director, in authorizing such stands, shall take into consideration both the need for such stands by the companies and the convenience of the general public. There shall be a fee of $100.00 a year for the use of each authorized cab stand. The term "taxicab stand", for the purposes of this section shall mean the space required to park one automobile or taxicab.
Sec. 35-8. Record of trips to be maintained; duration.
Every taxicab company shall keep a record of all trips made showing time and place of origin and destination, and the amount of fare. These records shall be kept for one year by the company.
Sec. 35-9. Records of receipts, expenses required.
Every taxicab company shall keep accurate records of receipts from operation, operating expense, capital expenditures and such other information as may be required by the city.
Sec. 35-10. Records available for inspection by city.
All records referred to in this article shall be available for inspections by the city upon request of the city administrator.
Sec. 35-11. Liability insurance.
No taxicab business license shall be issued or continue in operation unless there is in full force and effect an insurance policy issued by an insurance company providing liability insurance coverage for each and every taxi vehicle operated and/or leased by said applicant, providing a minimum liability of $100,000.00 for injury or death of any person, and $300,000.00 for injury or death of any number of persons in any one accident, and a minimum liability of $50,000.00 for property damage in any one accident. Certificates evidencing such policy shall be filed with the city clerk.
The policy of insurance shall contain provisions that the same may not be canceled by either party before the expiration of its term, except upon 30 days written notice to the city. Unless a new policy is on file before the cancellation takes place, all licenses are automatically canceled.