[Adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Mills 6-6-2006 by Ord. No. 986 (Title 3, Ch. 8, of the 2009 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 615.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
TAXICAB
A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire, having a seating capacity of less than eight persons and not operated on a fixed route. The term shall not include: taxicabs licensed in other municipalities who use the City streets temporarily; rent-a-cars; and motor vehicles operated as ambulances or funeral cars.
A. 
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any taxicab within the City without first obtaining a license for said taxicab.
B. 
Application for a license to operate one or more taxicabs, or an application to operate additional taxicabs under an existing license, shall be made in writing to the City Clerk on forms furnished by the City, and shall include the address from which the business is to be conducted and shall be signed by the owner of the business or its authorized agent. The application shall also state for each vehicle to be operated the make, model and year of manufacture, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the capacity for passengers, and the Wisconsin certificate of title number and vehicle registration number.
[Amended 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 1103]
C. 
The application shall be submitted to the City Clerk, who shall present each application to the Council at its next regular meeting.
[Amended 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 1103]
D. 
The Council shall approve such application and grant such license within 30 days from its presentation to the Council, unless it finds that public convenience and necessity would not be served by granting such license. In making its findings, the Council may hold a public hearing, and may procure such additional information as it may deem necessary or advisable.
A. 
No taxicab license shall be issued until the applicant deposits with the Clerk a policy of liability insurance covering all vehicles to be included under the license. Such policy shall describe each vehicle by make, model and VIN, the number of passengers capable of being accommodated therein at one time and the vehicle registration number. Such insurance policy shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Wisconsin and shall insure against loss from liability to the amount of $50,000 for damage to property and $100,000 for injury or death of a person or persons caused by the negligent operation of such vehicle.
[Amended 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 1103]
B. 
Such insurance certificate shall include the City of Lake Mills as an additional insured.
C. 
Any holder of a taxicab license shall have a continuing duty to notify the City Clerk within five days of the lapse of insurance. If such insurance lapses for any reason, the vehicle or vehicles covered thereby shall not be operated until a new certificate of insurance that meets the requirements of this section is filed with the City Clerk.
[Amended 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 1103]
A. 
No license shall be issued until each taxicab to be operated under such license has been annually examined by the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, and found to be in a thoroughly satisfactory and safe condition for the transportation of passengers, clean, of good appearance and well painted.
B. 
No vehicle shall be licensed if equipment violations under Wis. Stats. Ch. 347 are found during the inspection.
C. 
Every vehicle shall be distinctly marked on two sides in letters not less than 1 1/2 inches in height with "TAXICAB" together with the licensee's name.
D. 
If more than one vehicle is operated by the licensee, each vehicle shall be marked with a distinct number.
Every taxicab licensed under this chapter shall have at all times prominently posted and displayed so as to be visible to the passengers therein, the rates or fares for the use of such taxicab. Failure to display said rates may be grounds for revocation of the taxicab license.
Upon notice and a hearing, the Council may revoke such license for:
A. 
Failure of the licensee to maintain the equipment of each taxicab in operation in accordance with Wis. Stats. Ch. 347;
B. 
More than three convictions for violations of traffic laws within any six-month period by the licensee or by persons driving vehicles under such taxicab license;
C. 
Operating a taxicab without the required insurance; or
D. 
Conduct by the licensee which is prejudicial to the public safety, welfare, morals or good order of the community.
The operations of taxicab service in the City of Lake Mills under the Public Transportation for Non-Urbanized Areas Program (Shared-Ride Taxi) are to be in accordance with contract specifications and are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
An annual fee as set by City Council shall be paid by any applicant for a taxicab license prior to the submission of the license application to the City Council for its decision.