Article I — GENERALLY

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate vehicles for hire, hereinafter defined as taxis and jitney vehicles, and the owners and drivers thereof; provided, however, that pedicabs and any like vehicle driven by human motive power shall not be subject to such regulation. Whenever the word "vehicle" shall appear in this chapter, it shall mean vehicle for hire unless specifically defined otherwise. (Prior code § 11-A.010)

"Taxi" or "taxicab" means every vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire operated over the public streets of the city, but not over a defined route, the destination of such vehicle being under the direction of the passenger or such other person who hires the vehicle. (Prior code § 11-A.030)

The city council is empowered from time to time, by resolution, when in its discretion the public welfare, health and safety require such action, to adopt and enforce a schedule of fares and charges for vehicles as herein defined. (Prior code § 11-A.050)

It is unlawful for any person to do, or to permit or suffer to be done, with the vehicles owned, operated, managed or under his or her control, any of the things for which a permit is required under this chapter, unless such person, the vehicle and each of the persons involved in the doing of this thing for which permit is required, does have a valid, unrevoked and unsuspended permit. (Prior code § 11-A.060)

Any applicant for any driver's or vehicle permit authorized under this chapter who has been denied such permit, or any person, including an owner, whose permit has been suspended or revoked, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall have the right to appeal to the city council from the action resulting in such a denial, suspension, or revocation. Such appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the city clerk within 10 days after the formal action resulting in the denial, revocation or suspension. Such appeal need not be in formal language, but shall state concisely the name of the appellant, the matter complained of and the date of the action appealed from. The clerk shall transmit such appeal to the council at its next regular meeting occurring more than 10 days hence. At such meeting, the city council shall set a date of hearing on the appeal which hearing shall be within 35 days from the date such appeal was presented to the city council. At such hearing the appellant shall have the right to be represented by counsel and to present evidence in support of his or her appeal. At the time of the setting of the hearing, the council shall direct the clerk to give notice of the time and place of the hearing to the appellant and to the city manager. Upon the conclusion of such hearing, the council shall make a determination of such matter within 35 days. Determination of the council shall be final.

(Prior code § 11-A.070)

The city council may prescribe by resolution such fees as shall be required for the permits and processing required herein and required by state law. Said fees shall be due and payable by the applicant therefor upon submission of his or her application to the city manager, and shall not be refundable, irrespective of the disposition of such application. In addition to such permit fees, the permittee shall pay currently any and all other taxes or fees as may be required by the provisions of this code for the permit period, and those fees shall likewise be set by resolution of the city council. (Prior code § 11-A.080)