Healdsburg Municipal Code Art. II Operator's Permits

A. No person shall engage in the business of operating any taxicab within the City without first having obtained an operator's permit from the City Council, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. An operator's permit shall be required for each additional or different taxicab.

B. If a permittee wishes to substitute one vehicle for another, he or she shall file an application with the chief of police who shall cause a safety inspection of the taxicab to be conducted.

(Ord. 1083 § 2, 2009)

A. All persons or businesses applying for an operator's permit under this chapter shall file with the chief of police a sworn application including the following information:

1. The name, residence and business addresses of the applicant.

2. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth for all persons named in the application. If the applicant is a partnership or corporation, then the information shall be provided for each partner or corporate officer.

3. Fictitious name under which the business is proposed to operate.

4. Whether any license, permit, or certificate sought by the applicant or any related entity has been denied, revoked, or suspended by any public agency, explaining the circumstances of any denial, revocation, or suspension in full. "Related entity" as used in this section shall include any corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, firm, joint venture, association or other enterprise that has any director, partner, officer, trustee, shareholder or member in common with the applicant.

5. The number and type of vehicles proposed to be operated in the business, including year, make, model, license number, VIN, and company assigned taxicab number.

6. The color, name, monogram or insignia to appear on the vehicles.

7. A complete schedule of fares or rates to be charged and services to be operated, demonstrating compliance with existing fares and rates as established by the City Council.

8. The location where the business will be operated, including dispatch facilities, storage facilities, repair and maintenance facilities, and fuel dispensing operations.

9. Copies of required insurance policies or, if not yet issued, a written statement from an insurer that such policies will be issued if the application is granted.

10. A statement as to whether any applicant, partner, or corporate officer has been convicted of any misdemeanor or crime, or violation of any municipal ordinance other than minor parking and traffic offenses, the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed.

11. The facts the applicant believes tend to prove that public convenience and necessity require the granting of a permit.

12. Such other information as the chief of police, City Manager, or City Council may deem necessary for promotion of the public health, safety, and welfare.

B. The City Council shall establish an operator's permit application fee that shall accompany any such application.

(Ord. 1083 § 2, 2009)

A. Upon receipt of an application for an operator's permit under this chapter, the chief of police or his or her designee shall undertake a preliminary investigation to verify the criminal history information submitted by the applicant and shall submit the applicant's fingerprints to the state of California for criminal history review. Upon receipt of all information relating to criminal history and suitability of the applicant's moral character, the chief of police shall forward a summary of information and a recommendation to the City Manager.

B. The City Manager, or his or her designee, shall review the application and the recommendation from the chief of police to determine if it appears that, based on public convenience and necessity, there is a need for the taxicab services proposed, and whether the applicant is of suitable character to provide such services. The City Manager may require the applicant to provide financial information and other documentation to demonstrate the ability to appropriately and lawfully operate the taxicab business proposed. The City Manager shall recommend approval or denial of the application to the City Council.

C. The application shall be reviewed by the City Council at a noticed public hearing. The City Council shall approve any such application only if the following findings are first made:

1. The applicant is financially responsible.

2. The applicant is of good moral character consistent with federal, state, and local laws for the public services that will be provided by the operator.

3. Existing taxicab businesses are not adequately serving the public with respect to taxicab services.

4. Such additional taxicab service will not result in a greater hazard to the public or create substantial traffic or parking problems.

D. The application shall be denied if any of the following findings are first made:

1. The public convenience and necessity do not require the proposed service.

2. The application fails to contain any of the required information as set forth above.

(Ord. 1083 § 2, 2009)

The chief of police shall have the power to suspend or revoke any operator's permit to operate a taxicab for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any ordinance relating to traffic or use of streets; for a failure to pay any judgment for damages arising from the unlawful or negligent operation of the motor vehicle for which any operator's permit was issued; or for conduct on the part of any operator which is not conducive to proper service to the public, or to proper relationships with any competitive operator. Any operator whose permit has been suspended or revoked may request a hearing to contest the suspension or revocation pursuant to the procedures set forth in HMC § 5.16.420. It shall be unlawful for any operator to operate a taxicab while his or her appeal from any suspension or revocation is pending unless the City Manager grants a temporary operator's permit valid only during the period of the appeal.

(Ord. 1083 § 2, 2009)

No operator's permit issued under this chapter shall be assignable or transferable without the prior approval of the City Council. Prior to presenting the proposed assignment or transfer to the City Council, the transferee shall first submit a statement with the chief of police setting forth the information required to be furnished on an original application as set forth in HMC § 5.16.230. The chief of police shall investigate the transferee in the same manner as a new applicant and make a recommendation to approve or disapprove the transfer to the City Council within 45 days after the statement is received.

(Ord. 1083 § 2, 2009)