[CC 1977 §32-1]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
DRIVER
Every person physically in charge of or driving a taxicab.
LICENSEE
The privilege granted by the City to a person to engage in the operation of a taxicab business within the City.
OWNER
Any person having control of the operation or maintenance and collection of the revenue of taxicabs.
PERMIT
A permit granted by the City to the driver of a taxicab.
STREET
Any street, alley, avenue, lane, public place or highway in the City.
TAXICAB
Any vehicle for hire for the purpose of transporting passengers upon the streets, except vehicles operating over a fixed route and between fixed termini.
[CC 1977 §32-2; Ord. No. 837 §1, 10-1-1969]
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all passenger motor vehicles operated as public carriers within the corporate limits of the City for the purpose of transporting passengers or property for hire from one point to another within the City.
[CC 1977 §32-3]
Every person owning and operating a taxicab under the provisions of this Chapter may adopt any trade name, design, color scheme or method of painting or lettering such taxicabs that is approved by the City Administrator. Such trade names, designs, color schemes or method of lettering shall include the name of the owner or the trade name under which it or he/she does business painted on each side of the taxicab. Whenever the name of the owner or the trade name under which it or he/she does business does not include any one (1) of the words "taxicab", "taxi" or "cab", then the word "taxicab" shall be printed on each side of the taxicab beneath the name or trade name. All lettering or wording shall be at least two (2) inches in height and shall be clearly visible from each side of the taxicab.
[CC 1977 §32-4]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate upon any public street in the City any taxicab unless such vehicle shall at all times be maintained in a good mechanical condition.
[CC 1977 §32-5; Ord. No. 837 §4, 10-1-1969]
Each and every taxicab operator on the streets of the City shall have affixed thereto at a location in plain view of any passenger therein a placard setting out the maximum legal rates for taxicab services and such rates shall be so shown thereon as to be readily visible to and readable by any occupant of such taxicab.
[1]
Cross References — Licenses, ch. 605; license fee for taxicabs, §605.020.
[CC 1977 §32-17; Ord. No. 837 §2, 10-1-1969]
No person shall engage in, operate or conduct a taxicab business within the City without first paying the license tax therefor and obtaining a license therefor.
[CC 1977 §32-18]
The provisions of Chapter 605 of this Code, insofar as the same may be applicable and not in conflict, shall apply to and govern the issuance of any license under the provisions of this Article.
[CC 1977 §32-19]
Any taxicab not licensed under the provisions of this Article shall be allowed to transport passengers from outside the City limits to a destination within the City; provided however, it shall be unlawful for any such taxicab to pick up any passenger or accept any other business within the City for any destination within or without the City.
[CC 1977 §32-20]
A. 
Any person desiring to secure a license to engage in, operate or conduct a taxicab business within the City shall file with the City a written application therefor, in duplicate, giving the following information:
1. 
The full name and address of the applicant, if a partnership, the name and address of all the partners, if a corporation, the name and address of all the officers and directors, the trade name under which the applicant does or proposes to do business and the address of the principal place of business of the applicant;
2. 
The number of taxicabs actually owned by the applicant and the number held by him/her under lease, if any;
3. 
The make, model, motor number and serial number of each taxicab and the registered owner; provided however, that the make, model, motor number and serial number of each new motor vehicle included in the application may be supplied by the applicant and endorsed on the application at any time prior to the actual issuance of the license by the City;
4. 
The experience, if any, the applicant has had in such business.
B. 
Such application shall be sworn to before a notary public or other officer duly authorized to administer oaths.
[CC 1977 §32-21; Ord. No. 837 §3, 10-1-1969; Ord. No. 2658 §1, 8-7-2000]
A. 
No license to engage in a taxicab business shall be issued to the applicant therefor by the City until and after such applicant has filed with the City and the same has been approved by the City Attorney a liability insurance policy or bond in some insurance company or association or other insurer authorized to transact business in the State, which liability insurance shall bind the obligers thereunder to make compensation with respect to each taxicab operated by the applicant as follows:
1. 
One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident and subject to such limit for one (1) person;
2. 
Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident; and
3. 
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident.
[CC 1977 §32-22]
The liability insurance policy or bond required by this Article shall at all times be in full force and effect during the period of time for which such license has been issued. If for any reason such insurance policy or bond is canceled or not in force or effect during the period of time for which the license has been issued, then the Board of Aldermen shall revoke the license forthwith in a summary manner.
[CC 1977 §32-23]
A. 
In the event that any insurer desires to be released from any insurance filed under this Article, it may give written notice of such desire to the City at least thirty (30) days before it desires its liability released and the City shall thereupon give written notice, by personal delivery or by mail, to the insured and demand that he/she furnish new assurance by the expiration of such thirty (30) day period and shall discharge such first (1st) insurer from any liability which shall accrue after the time of approval of such new policy or shall discharge such first (1st) insurer after the expiration of such thirty (30) day period.
B. 
In the event any policy is so canceled upon the request of the insurer and no new insurance policy is filed before the cancellation of the original insurance, the license to operate taxicabs granted to the insured shall be automatically revoked.
[CC 1977 §32-24]
In the event an owner of a licensed taxicab shall cease to own the same or in the event that such vehicle shall become unsuitable for operation or the owner shall desire to substitute another vehicle, an affidavit for such an effect shall be filed with the City who shall transfer the license to any other vehicle belonging to such owner.