Chapter 5.26 — TAXICABS

For purposes of this chapter, a taxicab is a motor propelled vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire over and along public streets, not over a defined route, but as to route and destination in accordance with and under the direction of the person hiring such vehicle.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

The full and sole purpose of this chapter is one of regulation for the public good and under no circumstances whatsoever shall any permit provided for and issued pursuant to this chapter constitute or be deemed to be a property right or right of livelihood vested in the holder of any such permit.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced and administered by the city administrator or his designee.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating or causing to be operated any taxicab in the city without first having obtained from the city administrator a permit under this chapter.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

Any person applying for a permit required by Section 5.26.040 shall file with the city administrator a written application which shall contain:

(1)

Name and residence address of the person making application;

(2)

The fictitious name, if any, under which such applicant does business or proposes to do business;

(3)

The business of the applicant or business address of the proposed place of business;

(4)

The name and residence addresses of all managers, directors, officers, trustees and other individuals connected or professed to be connected, directly or indirectly, with the business;

(5)

A schedule of rates or fares to be charged;

(6)

Any other information which the city administrator may reasonably require.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

The city administrator shall issue the permit upon payment of a fee in an amount to be fixed by the city council as being sufficient to pay for the costs of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

Permits may be extended or amended only in the manner provided for issuance of a permit, and all of the conditions, terms and provisions of this chapter shall be complied with in accomplishing such extension or change.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

The city administrator may at any time revoke, suspend or change, after proper notice and opportunity of hearing given to the holder thereof, the permit granted if the owner or driver fails to operate a vehicle authorized by this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and such reasonable rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the city council.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

Each taxicab operator to whom a permit is issued for the operation of a taxicab shall cause a copy of the permit, duly authenticated by the city clerk, to be conspicuously displayed at all times in each cab operated pursuant to the permit.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

All permits which shall have been suspended or revoked by the city administrator shall be surrendered to the city clerk and the operation of all taxicabs covered by such permits shall cease and the continued operation thereof shall thereafter constitute a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

Any action or decision of the city administrator pursuant to this chapter may be appealed by any interested person to the city council. Such appeal shall be by a letter addressed to the city clerk and specifying the grounds for the appeal and the interest of the appellant in the matter. Upon receipt of such appeal, the city clerk shall set the matter for hearing before the city council at a meeting to be held within thirty days from the date of the filing of the appeal. Written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing shall be given by the city clerk to the applicant, the appellant, and the permit holder, if any, as the case may be. At the hearing, the city council shall hear from any interested person with respect to the subject matter of the appeal. The decision of the city council shall be final.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).

Each taxicab operator to whom a permit is issued pursuant to this chapter shall promptly register in writing with the city administrator, prior to placing into effect, any changes in the schedule of rates or fares to be charged as set forth in the permit application.

(Ord. 415 §1(part), 1988).