[R.O. 2009 §10.16.010; Prior Code §7-303]
No license to engage in the taxicab business shall be issued
to any person until the applicant has filed with the City Clerk a
liability insurance policy or bond in such amounts as may from time
to time be determined by the Council. Policies of insurance shall
be issued by insurance companies registered to do business within
the State and every such policy shall contain a clause obligating
the insurer to give the City Clerk, by registered mail, at least ten
(10) days' written notice before the cancellation, expiration, lapse
or other termination of such insurance. The policy shall agree to
pay, within the limits of the amounts, on behalf of the insured, all
sums which the insured shall become obliged to pay by reason of judgment
for damages because of bodily injury, including death, at any time
resulting therefrom or for damages to property, or both, sustained
by any person and arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use
of the licensed taxicab. Liability insurance polices and bonds required
by this Section shall be approved by the City Counselor.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.020; Prior Code §7-301; Ord. No. 6086, 3-26-2018]
Whenever used in this Chapter, the term "taxicab" means every motor vehicle used to transport persons for a charge
or fee within the corporate limits of the City, except Transportation
Network Companies or Ride Hauling Services regulated separately by
the State of Missouri.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.030; Prior Code §7-302]
No person shall engage in the taxicab business until having obtained a City license. Any person engaged in operating one (1) or more taxicabs, as defined in Section 640.020, shall be deemed engaged in the taxicab business.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.040; Prior Code §7-304; Ord. No. 6086, 3-26-2018]
Upon proper application for license, payment of such fee as
may be prescribed by the City Council, the filing with the City Clerk
of an acceptable liability insurance policy or bond, the City Clerk
shall issue to the applicant a license to engage in the taxicab business.
A license to operate a taxicab business shall not be transferred or
assigned.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.050; Prior Code §7-305]
All persons engaging in the taxicab business shall secure suitable
off-street parking facilities for the parking of all their taxicabs
when not in taxi service. All owners, operators and drivers are forbidden
to park any taxicab on any public street in the City for a longer
period of time than is necessary for the loading and unloading of
passengers.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.060; Prior Code §7-306; Ord. No. 6086, 3-26-2018]
Every motor vehicle being used as a taxicab shall have printed
on both sides and the rear of the vehicle written designation that
it is a "Taxi," the name of the cab company or the owner thereof and
the identification number of such taxicab, in legible letters professionally
stenciled or applied vinyl of not less than four (4) inches. Hand
written letters shall not be considered legible.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.070; Prior Code §7-307]
The schedule of rates of fare shall be conspicuously posted
in each taxicab in such manner as to be readily visible to any passenger.
Copies of such schedules shall be on file in the office of the City
Clerk for public inspection.
[Ord. No. 6086, 3-26-2018[1]]
A.
Any
person desiring to secure a license to operate a taxicab within the
City shall file with the City Clerk a written application, verified
under oath, giving the following information:
1.
The full name, residential and business addresses of the applicant
for the past five (5) years.
2.
Whether or not the applicant, has been convicted of the violation
of any Federal or State Felony law, or any Federal or State misdemeanor
involving the use or threat of force or violence or the sale of drugs
or sexual abuse; or has been convicted of violating any provision
of the Sikeston City Code, or has ever had a business license or other
license or permit issued by the City revoked or suspended. Applicant
shall supply a criminal record check, including a report by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, and by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
or similar agency, to verify the information provided in this Section.
These criminal record checks are authorized pursuant to Section 43.535,
RSMo., and shall be processed as follows:
a.
Upon receipt of such application, the original shall be referred
to the Sikeston City Clerk who shall cause such investigation of the
applicant's business and moral character to be made as he/she deems
necessary for the protection of the public good.
b.
The Sikeston City Clerk shall render a fitness determination based
upon the results of the criminal background check, pursuant to the
terms of this Chapter.
c.
In rendering a fitness determination, the Sikeston City Clerk's office
will decide whether the record subject has been convicted of or has
pled guilty to:
(1)
A crime which bears upon the applicant's eligibility or fitness
for a license issued pursuant to the terms of this Chapter;
(2)
Any felony or a misdemeanor which involved force or threat of
force, controlled substances, or was a sex-related offense as described
in the Chapter; or
(3)
Violated any other requirement of this Chapter.
d.
A record subject may request and receive a copy of their criminal
history record information from the Sikeston City Clerk's office.
Should the applicant seek to amend or correct their record, they must
contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol — Criminal Records
and Identification Division for a Missouri State record or the Federal
Bureau of Investigation for records from other jurisdictions maintained
in its file.
3.
Whether or not the applicant or any person listed in Subsection (A) above, or present or former drivers of the taxicab business has unpaid claims or unsatisfied judgments against them for damages resulting from the negligent operation of a vehicle.
4.
The past experience, if any, that the applicant has had in rendering
a taxicab, or similar service, including the dates such service was
rendered and the City wherein the service was rendered.
5.
Whether the applicant has had any previous license to operate a taxicab
or vehicle for hire service suspended or revoked in this or any other
City or State, and if so, the circumstances of the revocation or suspension.
6.
A Statement that the applicant has a thorough knowledge of the geography
of the City, the traffic regulations of the City, and the provisions
of this Chapter.
7.
A certificate of insurance coverage required by this Chapter prior
to commencing business.
8.
A statement that the applicant will maintain the vehicles' condition and appearance as required by Section 640.090, Driver — Duties, of this Chapter.
9.
Such further information as the city clerk or the city manager may
reasonably require.
[R.O. 2009 §10.16.080; Prior Code §7-306]
A.
It
shall be the duty of every taxicab driver to:
1.
Obey and fully comply with the traffic regulations of the City applicable
to the drivers of motor vehicles;
2.
Maintain the taxicab in a clean orderly condition;
3.
Operate only such vehicles as are known to its driver to be in good
working order and to abstain from driving any taxicab suspected or
known to be in an unsafe condition;
4.
Be clean and neat in person and dress while operating a taxicab;
5.
Operate the taxicab in such manner as will not obstruct or hinder
the usual flow of traffic, not obstruct the entrance or exists of
any premises open to the public;
6.
Convey any orderly person upon request by signal or telephone call,
unless the taxicab is previously engaged;
7.
Abstain from smoking and the use of profane language while operating
a taxicab; and
8.
Search the taxicab interior, immediately after the termination of
any hiring or employment, for any property lost or left therein; and
any such property, unless sooner claimed or delivered to the owner,
shall be taken to the Police Station and deposited with the officer
in charge, taking written receipt therefor, within twenty-four (24)
hours of its discovery.
