Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Taxicab Standards Ordinance

This chapter shall be known as the Taxicab Standards Ordinance.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The city council of Vallejo does find that:

A. Taxicabs provide an essential component of the public transit system which serves the city; and

B. Taxicabs are operated by private companies which utilize public rights-of-way in the delivery of their service; and

C. Appropriate efforts must be undertaken to ensure that taxicab companies, their employees, and drivers take all reasonable actions to ensure protection of the public health and safety when providing taxicab services; and

D. The city's administration of taxicab regulations should not unduly burden the taxicab industry; however, the protection of the public health and safety shall be deemed paramount in the enforcement and interpretation of taxicab regulations.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section:

A. "Driver" means every person driving a taxicab as defined by this chapter.

B. "Driver permit" means the annual permit issued by the department which authorizes the recipient to drive a taxicab for a specified fleet manager within the city.

C. "Fleet management permit" means the permit issued by the department which authorizes the overall operation and management of all taxicabs using the same name and vehicle color combinations.

D. "Fleet manager" means that person designated by the holder of the fleet management permit as the person responsible for all operations under the fleet management permit.

E. "Operating permit" means the permit issued by the department, which evidences that a vehicle is authorized by the department to operate for a specific fleet and has been inspected and certified to operate as a taxicab.

F. "Owner" means any person, partnership, cooperative, corporation, firm, or association who is named as the registered owner of a vehicle which is used as a taxicab in the city, including but not limited to, receivers or trustees appointed by any court.

G. "Police department" or "department" means that member of the Vallejo police department designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

H. "Taxicab" means every passenger vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, used to carry passengers for hire, and which is operated at rates per mile or upon a waiting time basis or both. "Taxicab" does not include ambulance vans ("ambuvans") or limousines.

I. "Taximeter" means a mechanical or electronic device by which the charge for the hire of a taxicab is automatically calculated, either for distance traveled or for waiting time, or both, and upon which such charge is plainly registered by means of figures indicating dollars and cents and which is visible in the rear passenger compartment.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

A. It is unlawful for any person, partnership, cooperative, corporation, firm, or association to engage in the business of operating or managing a taxicab company, fleet, or taxi service in the city without first obtaining a fleet management permit as specified by this section.

B. Application for a fleet management permit shall be filed in duplicate with the city clerk. The application shall be referred to the department. In the case of a new taxicab company, fleet, or taxi service in the city or additional taxi service by an existing fleet management permittee in the city, the city clerk shall schedule a public hearing before the city council no sooner than thirty days and no later than forty-five days after the filing of the application for new or increased taxi service. Additional taxi service is defined as an increase in the number of vehicles operated by an existing fleet management permittee. An existing fleet management permittee which files an application for an additional operating permit under Section 5.32.050 after October 27, 2011, must also apply for a fleet management permit pursuant to this section. The form and contents of such application shall be specified by the department; however, the following shall constitute the minimum requirements to qualify for a fleet management permit:

1. Proof that the fleet management permit applicant has insurance which satisfies the requirements of Section 5.32.090 and which is adequate to cover all vehicles permitted under the name and vehicle colors for which the applicant is responsible;

2. Designation of a manager to whom all correspondence and official notices may be directed and who is authorized to and is responsible for the conduct of all business with city officials charged with enforcing the provisions of the chapter;

3. Disclosure of the names, residence, and business addresses of the designated manager, all directors, officers, partners, and associates directly or indirectly holding a financial interest in the applicant and the proposed fleet management permit. A copy of the current, valid, fictitious business name certificate under which the applicant does, or intends to do, business;

4. A complete description of the fleet's proposed operations, including the number of taxicabs for which an operating permit will be secured, and the type of dispatching service provided either by the applicant or another party under contract;

5. Photographs of the proposed color scheme for each vehicle in the fleet. The color scheme shall not be substantially similar to that used by authorized emergency vehicles, any vehicle operated by the city of Vallejo, the county of Solano or any other permitted taxicab operator;

6. Proof that the fleet's operations are conducted in conformance with zoning laws;

7. In the case of a new taxicab company, fleet, or taxi service in the city or additional taxi service by an existing fleet management permittee, payment of a fee as set forth in Section 5.32.200 or, if not set forth therein, in a resolution adopted by the city council, to cover the cost of the public hearing and city staff time involved in reporting to the council on the finding of public convenience and necessity as required herein.

Notice of the public hearing shall be given to the applicant and to all persons and entities to which fleet management permits have been theretofore issued. Any interested person may file with the city clerk a memorandum in support or opposition to the issuance of the fleet management permit. If the city council finds that the application is complete and that further taxicab service in the city is required for the public convenience and necessity and that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform such public transportation and to conform to the provisions of this chapter, then the department shall issue a fleet management permit stating the name and address of the applicant, the number of taxicab operating permits authorized under the permit and the date of issuance; otherwise, the application shall be denied. The city council shall, in its discretion, determine the maximum number of taxicab operating permits that may be granted to any applicant pursuant to this chapter. In considering whether an applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform such public transportation and able to conform to the provisions of this chapter, the city council may deny granting of a fleet management permit if the applicant has been convicted of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, taking into consideration the nature and circumstances of the conviction, the age of the applicant at the time of the conviction, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation.

C. Fleet management permittees are required to maintain for a period of not less than one year all records pertaining to the fleet manager's operation and management, including, but not limited to, all trip sheets completed by drivers, all dispatch logs, all vehicle inspection records, passenger complaints, citation records, leasing records, and insurance records. Fleet managers shall make available for inspection, Monday through Friday from eight a.m. to four p.m., all such records. Fleet managers shall take reasonable efforts to ensure the completeness and accuracy of all records. Any records which are determined to be inadequate, inaccurate, or any request which is not complied with may result in the suspension or revocation of the fleet management permit pursuant to Section 5.32.080.

D. Fleet management permittees shall be responsible for all aspects of the fleet management and day-to-day management operations, including, but not limited to, drivers and vehicles operated under the fleet management permit. Any violation of any provision of this chapter by a driver or vehicle may be grounds for suspension or revocation of the fleet management permit pursuant to Section 5.32.080.

E. The department may deny the granting of any fleet management permit renewal if the applicant has been convicted of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, taking into consideration the nature and circumstance of the conviction, the age of the applicant at the time of the conviction, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation.

F. Fleet management permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be effective for the calendar year for which the permit is issued only. All fleet management permits shall expire on December 31st of the year for which the permit is issued. Fleet management permits must be renewed annually by the fleet management permittee by submitting a completed application with required documents as set forth in this section no later than November 15th.

G. Any person, partnership, cooperative, corporation, firm, or association in receipt of a fleet management permit shall designate one person as the fleet manager. The fleet manager shall be jointly and severally liable with the fleet management permittee for all acts and omissions arising from the operation of the fleet.

H. Every fleet management permittee shall operate the number of permitted vehicles reasonably necessary to meet the daily public demand for such service, but no more than the number of vehicles listed in the fleet management permit.

I. Fleet management permits are non-transferable.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. No. 1654 N.C.(2d), § 1, 9-27-2011)

A. Each fleet management permittee shall maintain an adequate telephone and dispatch system in operation at all times permittee's taxicabs are available for hire.

B. Failure to comply with this requirement is a violation of this chapter, and grounds for suspension or revocation of the fleet management permit.

(Ord. 1618 N.C.(2d) § 1, 2009: Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

A. Application for an operating permit shall be filed with the department. The form and contents of the application shall be specified by the department; provided, however, the following standards constitute the minimum requirements to qualify for an operating permit:

1. Written acknowledgment by the manager of a fleet management permittee that the vehicle for which the operating permit is issued is authorized to operate using the color scheme and name of the fleet management permittee and that the fleet management permittee assumes responsibility for the operation of the vehicle;

2. Proof that the vehicle is covered by the insurance of the fleet management permittee;

3. Presentation of a valid city of Vallejo business license;

4. Presentation of a valid certificate of registration for the vehicle issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The permit applicant must be named as the registered owner of the vehicle;

5. Proof that a taximeter of a type approved by the department has been installed in the vehicle and has been certified by the county of Solano Division of Weights and Measures subsequent to its installation in the vehicle;

6. Proof that the vehicle is equipped with suitable two-way communications equipment, in good working order, to be used for taxicab service dispatch purposes;

7. Disclosure of the names, residence, and business addresses of the owner(s), all partners, and associates directly or indirectly having a financial interest in the ownership of the vehicle or the operation authorized by the operating permit for which application has been made. A certified copy of any fictitious business name certificate, evidence of publication, and an affidavit of publication, under which the applicant does, or intends to do, business;

8. State of California certificate of compliance - brake adjustment which is valid at the time of the annual inspection;

9. State of California certificate of compliance - motor vehicle pollution control which is valid at the lime of the annual inspection;

10. State of California certificate of adjustment - lamp adjustment which is valid at the time of the annual inspection;

11. The above certificates must be dated within sixty days of the date of the inspection by the department.

B. Applicants for an operating permit must demonstrate that the vehicle meets specified safety and equipment standards. The department shall publish safety and equipment standards and/or reference other standards with which each vehicle must comply.

C. The department shall conduct an inspection of all vehicles for which permits are granted under the provisions of this chapter prior to the issuance of an operating permit and at regular annual intervals thereafter on a schedule to be determined by the department.

Such inspections shall determine compliance with all applicable laws and standards.

Standards for such inspections as set by the department shall include the following:

1. Any door, window, hood, or trunk which fails to open or close securely;

2. Peeling, defaced, or improperly repaired exterior decals, lettering or numbering;

3. Exterior paint or color schemes which are different from those submitted by the fleet manager;

4. Dirt, broken fixtures, or other conditions in the passenger compartments which could soil or tear a patron's clothes;

5. Rust, dents, or chips in the vehicle's exterior which are more than trivial, or missing components, including, but not limited to, chrome, rubber strips, or other component parts which might snag, tear, or injure a driver, pedestrian, or passenger. Any such damage will be considered to be more than trivial when single or multiple areas of damage affect an aggregate area of at least three linear feet of the cab exterior. The measurement of each damaged area will be taken between the two most widely spread points of the affected surface;

6. Dirty luggage compartments or luggage compartments which are maintained in a condition which would soil or damage baggage;

7. Driver or passenger compartments which have litter or trash;

8. Torn or improperly repaired upholstery, headliners or floor covering;

9. Safety standards as published pursuant to the provisions of subsection B of this section.

D. All taxicabs operating within the city shall have signs containing the following information permanently affixed to the vehicle:

1. On the exterior sides of the vehicle shall appear the name of the fleet management permittee, the insignia of such permittee, and the telephone number of the fleet management permittee. The size and location of vehicle numbers shall be designated by the department.

2. On the exterior sides of the vehicle shall appear the vehicle permit number in a size specified by the department.

3. On the exterior sides of the vehicle, and within the interior of the vehicle in a location readily visible to the passenger, shall appear a sign which states "Driver carries only $10.00 in change."

4. Within the interior of the vehicle, and in a location readily visible to the passenger, shall appear a sign which states the name of the fleet management permittee, such permittee's address and telephone number, in addition the sign shall state:

Vallejo Police Department - Traffic Division 111 Amador Street Vallejo, CA 94590 (707) 648-4329

Such sign shall be no smaller than four by six inches in size.

5. Within the interior of the vehicle shall appear a copy of the operating permit. The form, contents, and location of the operating permit shall be designated by the department. A vehicle permittee shall be issued a metallic medallion for each vehicle upon full completion of the annual vehicle permit renewal and vehicle inspection.

E. In addition to the annual inspections provided for in subsection C of this section, and as authorized under the California Vehicle Code, the department may cause spot inspections to be made of any taxicab vehicle, provided that at the time of such spot inspection the vehicle is in service and not transporting a paying customer. If the taxi vehicle fails to pass the spot inspection, the vehicle permit and operating permit may be suspended pursuant to Section 5.32.080.

F. The department shall issue a metallic medallion for each vehicle upon approval of each operating permit. During all hours of operation of a taxicab, the medallion shall be secured as designated by the department and shall be clearly visible from the exterior of the taxicab.

G. Any individual who affixes or removes an operating permit without the permission of the department shall be in violation of this chapter. It is unlawful for any person to operate or permit to be operated a taxicab within the city without having an operating permit affixed to the vehicle. Any taxi driver permittee or fleet management permittee found in violation of this paragraph may have their permit suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 5.32.080.

H. All citations issued for violations of subsections C.1 through C.9 of this section, inclusive, shall require the person to whom the notice to appear is issued to produce evidence which is satisfactory to the department that the vehicle has been made to conform with the requirements of this chapter within thirty days.

I. Operating permits shall be renewed annually on a date to be set for each permit by the department; provided, however, that the renewal date so set shall be within ninety days from the calendar anniversary of the date on which the vehicle was last inspected and passed. Such renewal date shall also be within thirty days of the date the registration for that vehicle is renewed with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

J. Operating permits are nontransferable.

K. The department may approve, in writing, the replacement of vehicles authorized by an operating permit with vehicles of a different type, and such replacement shall not be considered additional taxi service requiring a public hearing and finding of public convenience and necessity under Section 5.32.030.B.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. No. 1654 N.C.(2d), § 1, 9-27-2011)

A. It is unlawful for any person to drive a taxicab for hire within the city without first obtaining a driver permit as specified in this section.

B. Application for a driver permit shall be filed with the department. The form and contents of the application shall be specified by the department; however, the following constitute the minimum requirements to qualify for a driver permit:

1. Presentation and maintenance of a valid California driver's license;

2. Written acknowledgment by the manager of a permitted fleet management permittee that the applicant is authorized to drive vehicles operated and managed by that permittee;

3. Satisfactory completion of an examination approved by the department demonstrating knowledge of the streets, ways and principal public places in Vallejo, the traffic regulations of the city, and the provisions of this chapter. All taxicab drivers shall receive training annually on safety, appearance, customer relations, and promoting the city of Vallejo;

4. Evidence that the driver is covered under the fleet management permittee's insurance policy under whom the driver operates;

5. Evidence that the applicant will be a lease driver or an employee of a fleet management permittee and has an offer of leasing a vehicle or employment from a fleet management permittee unless the applicant himself or herself is an individual holding a fleet management permit;

6. Evidence that a person has tested negative for drugs and alcohol through an approved drug and alcohol testing provider within thirty days prior to submitting their driver permit application. A positive test result is grounds for denial or revocation of a driver permit;

7. The department may deny the granting or renewal of any driver permit if the applicant has been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, taking into consideration the nature and circumstances of the conviction, the age of the applicant at the time of conviction, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation.

C. Drivers shall take the most direct route possible that will carry passengers safely, lawfully, and expeditiously to their desired destination.

D. Drivers shall not refuse a reasonable request for service from any legitimate customer. Service may be refused when, in the opinion of the driver, accepting a passenger would threaten the safety of the driver.

E. All persons driving taxicabs are required to post their driver permit within the taxicab as directed by the department and in full view of passengers.

F. Drivers shall maintain trip sheets which fully and accurately report all fares paid and distances traveled while hired by a passenger. Trip sheets shall be deposited with the fleet manager for filing. Such trip sheets shall contain the following information:

1. The driver's name;

2. The correct date;

3. The vehicle permit number;

4. The time each paid trip is begun and completed, entered contemporaneously;

5. The origin and destination of each paid trip, entered contemporaneously;

6. The amount of fare paid for each trip.

G. Fleet management permittees may require drivers to complete a vehicle inspection report in conjunction with other required trip sheets information.

H. Upon request, drivers shall present their permits or trip sheets to department officials, the vehicle permit holder, or the fleet manager.

I. Upon request, drivers shall issue to any passenger a receipt for the fare paid for hiring the taxicab.

J. No driver shall permit any taxicab to be parked unattended in any taxi stand for a period of time in excess of ten minutes.

K. Every driver shall operate the taximeter to correctly indicate whether or not the taxicab is available for hire, and shall turn the taximeter on at the beginning and off at the end of each trip. Persons operating a taxi vehicle shall not accept fees or compensation for taxi services in an amount other than that indicated on the taximeter at the end of a trip except for services rendered pursuant to special programs or activities identified and approved by the city council, or any gratuity voluntarily given by a passenger(s).

L. Driver permits shall be renewed on the birthday of the permit holder each year. Driver permit renewal applicants must show compliance with subsections B.1, B.2, and B.4 through B.7 of this section, in order to renew his or her driver permit. If a driver permit is not renewed as set forth above, it shall be deemed to have lapsed. No driver shall operate a taxi while his or her driver permit is lapsed.

Any driver permit which has lapsed for thirty-one days or less may be renewed upon the payment of the fee set forth in this ordinance. Any driver permit that has lapsed for thirty-two days or more shall not be renewed, but instead that driver must file for a new driver permit and will be considered a new driver permit applicant.

M. Test results pursuant to mandatory drug and alcohol testing set forth in subsection B.6 of this section shall be released directly to the fleet management permittee. The fleet management permittee shall notify the department of any positive test results.

N. The taxi driver permittee or applicant will be charged for the cost of the drug and alcohol test by the fleet management permittee.

O. Test results shall not be released without the taxi driver permittee's or applicants consent, except as set forth above or as authorized or required by law.

P. Each driver permit issued pursuant to this section must state the fleet management permittee's name on the face of the permit. In the event the taxi driver's lease or employment is terminated for any reason, such driver permit shall be void. The department shall be notified within ten days of the termination of lease or employment of any permitted driver, and the driver permit must be returned to the department.

Q. An applicant whose driver permit application is denied must wait sixty days from the date of a denial before he or she may reapply. Any application received prior to the sixty day expiration period will not be acted upon until expiration of the sixty day period. Any person whose permit application has been denied shall be notified of the reason(s) for such denial within ten days of the date such decision is made. Any person whose permit application has been denied may appeal such decision pursuant to Section 5.32.300 of this chapter.

R. Driver permits are nontransferable.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The department may grant a ninety day temporary driver permit to an individual whose application for a permanent driver permit is pending. A temporary driver permit shall be in the possession of the applicant while operating a taxicab. Temporary driver permits may not be extended beyond the ninety day period.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

A. The department is designated as having responsibility for the administration of the city's taxicab regulations. The department is authorized to develop standards and procedures which are necessary to implement the requirements of this chapter.

B. Any person, partnership, cooperative, corporation, firm, or association is entitled to apply for a fleet management permit or a vehicle permit. Any natural person is entitled to apply for a driver permit. A separate application is required for each permit specified in this chapter. Each permit application must be accompanied by the fee set forth in this chapter.

C. Every fleet management permittee shall notify the department of any change in the information originally supplied on the permittee's permit application form within ten days of any such change.

D. Fleet management permits shall expire upon the failure to pay the annual city business tax.

E. Application for renewal of any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be made in the conformity with, and shall contain such information as may be required by, rules prescribed by the department. Each renewal application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee set forth in this chapter.

F. The department shall have the discretion to revoke or suspend the permit of any taxicab driver for good cause. "Good cause" shall include, but shall not be limited to, violations of this chapter or standards promulgated by the department pursuant to the provisions hereof, or violations of the California Vehicle Code. Permit revocations or suspensions may be appealed pursuant to Section 5.32.300 of this chapter.

G. If, in the judgment of the department, suspension of any permit specified in this chapter is necessary to protect the public health and safety, including but not limited to compliance with the insurance requirements of this chapter, the department is authorized to suspend permits peremptorily on an emergency basis. An appeal of an emergency suspension may be made informally to the department. Emergency suspensions will expire when the conditions which forced the suspension are corrected to the satisfaction of the department. An emergency suspension shall last no longer than fifteen days. However, an emergency suspension may be renewed by the department if the condition or conditions on which the suspension was made continues.

H. If, in the judgment of the department, the impoundment of a taxicab is necessary in association with the emergency suspension of an operating permit, such impoundment is authorized.

I. All permit holders are required to maintain their current business and home address on file with the police department and to give written notification of any changes thereof to the department within ten calendar days thereof.

J. Any permit lawfully obtained under this chapter must continue to adhere to the minimum requirements set for such permit. Any failure to adhere to the minimum requirements for a permit issued under this chapter constitutes grounds to revoke such permit and shall also be considered to be a violation of this chapter. The chief of police or his/her designee may issue citations for such

violations

and pursue any applicable legal, injunctive or equitable remedies.

(Ord. 1618 N.C.(2d) § 2, 2009: Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

A. It is unlawful for any fleet management permittee or any holder of a vehicle permit to operate or allow to be operated any taxicab unless a valid insurance policy, indicating that a motor vehicle liability policy is in effect which covers such taxicab, has been filed with the department. The insurance policy must be issued by a company holding a certificate of authority to do insurance business in the state of California, or by a company doing business through an authorized surplus lines broker. Such insurance shall remain in full force and effect at all times for each taxicab permit; provided, however, that the fleet management permittee may temporarily suspend coverage for any covered vehicle not actually in service or being operated on public streets or ways provided that written notice to the department has first been provided by the fleet management permittee.

B. An insurance policy evidencing motor vehicle liability insurance made by a company doing business through an authorized surplus lines broker shall have on it an endorsement substantially as follows:

It is agreed that in the event of a dispute as to the validity of any claim made by the insured under this insurance policy, or in the event of any suit instituted by the insured against the company upon this contract, the company hereon will submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of California, and will comply with all legal requirements necessary to give such courts jurisdiction; and for this purpose said company hereby appoints _______ at _______ Street, _______, California, its agent for the purpose of service of process; and in any suit instituted against the company upon this contract, the company will abide by the final decision of the courts of said State and settle accordingly.

C. The motor vehicle liability policy required under the provisions of subsection A of this section shall name and insure the registered vehicle owner, the fleet management permittee, any permitted taxi driver, and any other person using or responsible for the use of any such vehicle, with the consent, express or implied, of the owner or fleet management permittee, against loss from liability imposed upon such owner or fleet management permittee by law for injury to, or death of, any person, or damage to property growing out of the maintenance, operation, or ownership of any taxicab, to the amount limit of five hundred thousand dollars.

D. Every insurance policy required under the provisions of subsection A of this section shall certify that the motor vehicle liability policy shall not be canceled, nor the policy limits thereof changed, except upon thirty days' prior written notice to:

Vallejo Police Department Traffic Division 111 Amador Street Vallejo, CA 94590

Such motor vehicle liability insurance shall be continuing liability up to the full amount thereof, notwithstanding any recovery thereon; and such insurance policy shall so certify. The department is authorized to impose additional requirements for the form or content of any insurance policy, provided the additional requirements are not inconsistent with or prohibited by the provisions of this chapter or with state law.

Each fleet management permittee shall be required to provide the department with written notice within thirty days of any changes or amendments to an insurance policy.

If at any time there arises a question as to the existence, continued validity, adequacy, or sufficiency of a motor vehicle liability policy, the department may temporarily suspend the fleet management permit or operating permit in accordance with Section 5.32.080 and/or may require the registered owner of the motor vehicle or the fleet management permittee named on the policy, or both, to replace such policies within ten days with other policies which meet the requirements established by this chapter. If the owner, fleet management company, or both fails to replace the insurance policy or policies within the said ten-day period with sufficient policies the department may then continue to suspend or revoke the permits issued to the owner, fleet management permittee, or both in accordance with Section 5.32.080.

In the event that an insurer has amended or changed a policy four times from the date of its issuance, the fleet management permittee shall be required to file a new, reissued insurance policy with the department within thirty days after the effective date of any fourth amendment or change.

E. The following endorsement shall be made a part of the comprehensive motor vehicle liability policy in the exact language listed below:

The City, its Council members, officers, agents, and employees are hereby added as additional insureds.

F. Every fleet management permittee or holder of an operating permit shall provide to the department written notice within ten days of any final judgment being entered against him or her or against any taxicab company or vehicle under his or her control if that judgment arises from any accident or injury occurring within the limits of the city or if the person injured entered a Vallejo permitted taxicab in the city regardless of where the accident occurred. Failure to provide such notice is grounds for revocation of the fleet management permit or operating permit in accordance with Section 5.32.080. Failure of a fleet management permittee or taxi vehicle permittee to satisfy a final judgment arising under the conditions heretofore set forth herein within six months of entry of such judgment shall be grounds for revoking the fleet management permit under which the vehicle permittee operated, revoking the operating permit, or both.

G. Failure to comply with the insurance requirements set forth in this section shall be grounds for revocation pursuant to Section 5.32.080.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

Each driver shall participate in a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program pursuant to California Government Code Section 53075.5(E)(3)(A), in compliance with the terms and procedures set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 40, Section 40.1 through 40.111.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The driver of a taxicab authorized to operate in any municipality other than the city may transport passengers from such municipality to a destination within or beyond the city limits of the city of Vallejo, provided that the driver of such taxicab shall not seek or accept passengers within the city of Vallejo.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The following fees shall be in effect immediately upon adoption of this chapter. The fees shall be adjusted on July 1st of each year following enactment of this chapter by the Annual Average Percentage Increase in the U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Area for the preceding calendar year, rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Initial taxi driver permit—$150.00

Taxi driver permit annual renewal—$50.00

Taxi driver permit replacement or transfer—$25.00

Initial annual taxicab inspection, (includes medallion and one reinspection)—$200.00

Replacement taxicab medallion—$50.00

Fleet management permit—Except as provided in Section 5.32.030.B.7., no charge. Must have valid city of Vallejo business license.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. No. 1654 N.C.(2d), § 1, 9-27-2011)

A. It is unlawful for the owner or driver of any vehicle-for-hire to demand or charge for services any amount greater than the rates that shall be established by resolution from time to time by the council.

B. A proposed change in a rate schedule if less than the rates established by the council may be filed with the city clerk once a year in September and no changes shall be made thereon until consent is granted by the order of the council.

(Ord, 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

A. Fares shall remain in effect until a new schedule of fares has been adopted.

B. The schedule of fares in effect must be posted in a place conspicuous from the passengers compartment of the vehicle-for-hire at all times, and must be printed or typewritten, in letters and figures as directed by the department.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

The department may designate taxi stands at particular locations in the city recommended by the traffic engineer. The department may also regulate the use of said stands.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

It is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle-for-hire/public motor vehicle other than a motorbus to stand or park in an officially designated motorbus zone, or for any public motor vehicle other than a taxicab to stand or park in an officially designated taxi stand, except that the operator of any passenger motor vehicle may temporarily stop in any such zone or stand for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

It is unlawful for any driver of any taxicab who has received a passenger for an announced trip to fail to complete said trip with all reasonable dispatch and without any extra payment of fare.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

In all cases, reception and discharge of passengers from a public motor vehicle shall be at a point as near the curb as practical, and shall be through and from the right-hand side door of the nearest street curb.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008.)

Except from the denial of a fleet management permit after a public hearing held by the city council, any person excepting to any denial, suspension or revocation of a permit required under this chapter shall have the right to appeal to the city manager, or a hearing officer designated by the city manager, such denial, suspension or revocation. A written request for such an appeal must be received by the city clerk within ten days following such a denial, suspension or revocation. Absent extenuating circumstances, the appeal shall be heard and the appellant notified of the results within thirty days following receipt of the appeal request.

(Ord. 1606 N.C.(2d) § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. No. 1654 N.C.(2d), § 1, 9-27-2011)