It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a taxicab within the City unless he first secures a license so to do. No person shall permit any unlicensed driver or any driver whose license has been revoked or suspended to operate any taxicab in the City.
Each applicant for a taxicab driver's license shall fill out, upon a form to be published by the Police Department, a statement giving his full name, address, whether a citizen of the United States, name and address of his previous employer, whether he has ever been convicted of a felony, whether he has ever been previously licensed as a driver by the City and if so, when and where and whether his license has ever been revoked and for what cause, the number of his New York State chauffeur's license, age, height, weight, color, color of eyes and hair and fingerprints. Such statement shall be signed by the applicant and filed by the Police Department as a permanent record.
A. 
All applications for drivers' licenses under the provisions of this chapter shall be investigated by the Police Department; and, if approved, the approval shall be stamped thereon and the application forwarded to the City Clerk.
B. 
The application for the taxicab driver's license shall be provided by the City Clerk. A nonrefundable fee in the amount of $25 shall be paid by the applicant at the time that the application is submitted. No application will be processed unless said fee has been paid.
[Added 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4-2017]
A. 
Each applicant for a driver's license under this chapter shall file with his application two (2) recent photographs of himself of a size which may be easily attached to the license card.
B. 
One (1) of the photographs required under the provisions of Subsection A above shall be attached to the license card when issued, and the other shall be filed with the Police Department along with the application.
[Amended 12-6-1966; 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4-2017]
A. 
Each applicant for a taxicab driver's license, in addition to all other requirements and approvals required under this chapter, must meet all of the following criteria:
(1) 
Be of at least 18 years of age.
(2) 
Be a citizen of the United States.
(3) 
Be of sound physique and mind.
(4) 
Able to read, write and speak the English language.
(5) 
Be clean in dress and person.
(6) 
Not be addicted to the use of drugs or intoxicating liquors.
(7) 
Applicant must have a valid chauffer's license issued by the State of New York.
(8) 
Applicant must provide three references regarding the applicant's good moral character.
B. 
Reason for denial of a license. Grounds for denial shall include:
(1) 
Circumstances or conditions contrary to the General Business Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Penal Law or other applicable statute.
(2) 
Background checks revealing convictions of, but not limited to, the following: disorderly conduct, harassment, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, petty larceny, fraud or issuing bad checks.
(3) 
Protection of the public safety, health, morals or general welfare as determined by the Mayor or other authorized agent of the City.
(4) 
Age of applicant. No person under the age of 18 years shall be eligible for a license.
Each applicant for a taxicab driver's license under the provisions of this chapter shall be examined, by a person designated by the Police Department, as to his knowledge of the provisions of this chapter and the traffic regulations and geography of the City.
[Amended 3-22-1988; 12-28-2010 by L.L. No. 5-2011]
For each taxicab driver's license, the applicant therefor shall pay to the City Clerk the fee established by resolution of the Common Council.
Every taxicab driver's license which shall be issued under this chapter shall be upon the condition that, while acting as a public driver, the licensee will:
A. 
Comply with the laws of the state and the Charter and ordinances of the City.
B. 
Not charge any person a greater rate of fare than that allowed by § 265-10 hereof.
C. 
Return any property left by any person in the taxicab operated by him.
Upon satisfactory fulfillment of the requirements of this chapter, there shall be issued to the applicant by the City Clerk a license card which shall be in such form as to contain the photograph and signature of the licensee. Such photograph shall be so attached to the license card that it cannot be removed and another photograph substituted without detection.
The Police Department shall keep a complete and public record of the issuance of each taxicab driver's license and all renewals, suspensions and revocations thereof, which record shall be kept on file with the original application for such license.
A temporary taxicab driver's license may be issued by the Police Department pending the investigation of the application provided for by § 265-38 of this chapter. Such temporary license shall in no case be issued for a period longer than twenty (20) days.
Any licensee who defaces, removes or obliterates any official entry made upon his license may, in addition to any other punishment imposed, have his license revoked at the discretion of the Mayor.
Every taxicab driver licensed hereunder shall have his license card conspicuously displayed on the inside of his taxicab at all times he is the operator thereof.
[Amended 4-25-1995 by L.L. No. 4-1995; 3-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2-2019]
All taxicab licenses shall expire two years from the date of issuance. Upon renewal, a new two-year taxicab license will be issued. Any expired taxicab license, upon renewal, shall expire on the date said license would have otherwise expired had it been renewed prior to expiration.
A. 
Any taxicab driver's license issued under the provisions of this chapter may be temporarily suspended by the Chief of Police and may be revoked by the Mayor if the holder thereof is engaged in any immoral or illegal business with his taxicab or is violating any provision of this chapter, other City ordinances or state or federal laws.
B. 
Any person aggrieved by reason of the conduct or action of any taxicab driver may present his complaint to any police officer. Such complaint shall be promptly investigated by the Police Department and, should it be determined that the driver has been guilty of conduct as described in Subsection A above, the license of such driver may be suspended by the Chief of Police or revoked by the Mayor.
[Amended 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4-2017]
Any person aggrieved by the action of the Chief of Police or the City Clerk in the denial of an application for a permit or license as provided in this chapter or in the decision with reference to revocation of a license as provided in this chapter shall have the right to appeal to the City of Gloversville Common Council. Such appeal shall be taken by filing with the Common Council, within 14 days after notice of the action complained of has been mailed to such person's last known address, a written statement setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The Common Council shall set a time and place for a hearing on such appeal, and notice of such hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same manner as provided in this chapter for notice of hearing on revocation. The decision and order of the Common Council on such appeal shall be final and conclusive.
[Added 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4-2017[1]]
For any taxicab license approved under this chapter, the applicant must pay a license fee on an annual basis in the amount of $25. This fee is to be paid prior to the issuance of the license, and this fee is a separate fee from the nonrefundable application fee referenced in § 265-38 of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former § 265-52 as § 265-54.
[Added 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4-2017]
Each license issued under this chapter shall enable and authorize the licensee to operate the licensed taxicab in the City January 1 through December 31, provided that the provisions of this chapter and other ordinances of the City are fully complied with and the taxicab has been approved at the monthly inspection hereinafter provided for.