The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
TAXICAB
Every motor vehicle that is used or to be used for the conveyance of persons for hire shall be deemed to be a taxicab within the meaning of this article, except motor vehicles while actually used in the conduct of funerals or by a funeral director and his agents in connection with the conduct of a funeral. These exceptions will apply only to motor vehicles registered in the name of the undertaker or funeral director in charge of the funeral. Vehicles used in the manner and for the purpose stated in Article III, Private Livery Vehicles, of this chapter shall also be excepted.
A. 
All licensed taxicabs operating in this City shall have installed therein a mechanical device, commonly called a "taximeter," to record the rate of fare. Such taximeters shall plainly show, in figures, the amount of each fare.
B. 
The operator of a licensed taxicab shall, immediately upon taking a passenger, place the taximeter into operation, and no operator shall transport a passenger without properly engaging the taximeter.
[Amended 6-20-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-15; 10-15-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-30; 10-30-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-25; 8-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-17; 1-25-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-1]
A. 
Every licensed taxicab shall have posted within the vehicle, plainly visible to the passenger, a card issued by the City Clerk showing the rate of the fare. No taxicab licensee shall permit to be operated, and no person shall operate, a taxicab unless the rate card is lawfully posted.
B. 
The rate of fare shall be uniform for all licensed taxicabs and shall be as follows:
[Amended 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-20; 12-13-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-35]
(1) 
On the drop: $3.
(2) 
Plus, for each additional 1/10 mile or fraction thereof: $0.30.
(3) 
The charge for a taxicab hired on an hourly basis shall be $30 per hour in lieu of any other rate listed in this section.
C. 
Time shall be computed from the time the taxicab is actually occupied and set in motion; except that when a taxicab has been ordered to arrive at a certain specified time, the time shall be computed from the time that the taxicab has actually arrived or from the time of arrival specified by the caller, whichever occurs later. No charge shall be made for time lost through the inefficiency of the driver or his vehicle.
D. 
No taxicab licensee and no person in charge of or operating a taxicab shall demand, charge, arrange, accept or receive any rate in excess of or below the rates established by this article.
[Amended 1-25-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-1]
All licensed taxicabs shall have painted on each side thereof on the front door the name of the taxicab company and, in addition thereto, shall be identified by a sign on the front part of the roof of the taxicab. The sign is to be plainly visible from the front and shall be synchronized with the taximeter so that such sign will be illuminated at all times that the taxicab is available for hire and be turned off as soon as the taximeter is put into operation.
No person having charge of or driving a taxicab shall refuse to carry any person asking to be carried as a passenger therein unless the person so asking is drunk or disorderly.
No person driving a taxicab shall have in his possession a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe while any passenger is being carried therein.
Every person having charge of or driving a taxicab shall deliver any article left therein by any passenger to the Chief of Police not later than 24 hours after finding the article, and shall receive from the Chief of Police a receipt therefor. The Chief of Police shall take proper steps to return the article to the owner. All such articles delivered to the Chief of Police and not claimed by the owner within 90 days from such delivery shall be delivered to the licensee of the vehicle in which they were left.
No person riding in a taxicab within the limits of the City shall evade or refuse to pay the lawfully established rate for transportation therein.
Any license issued in accordance with this article may be revoked or suspended at any time by the City Council. The City Clerk may revoke or suspend at any time any temporary license issued in accordance with this article.