[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2012-332 (part)]
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall have the meanings as set out herein:
A. 
ADVERTISING – Shall mean to advise, announce, give notice of, publish, or call attention by use of oral, written, or graphic statements made in newspapers, telephone directories or other publications or on radio or television, any electronic medium, or contained in any notice, handbill, catalog, newsletter, poster, sign, flyer, business card or letter.
B. 
COMPENSATION – Shall mean a return in money, property, or anything of value for the rendition of vehicle for hire service.
C. 
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OFFICE – Shall mean the primary place of business where management and employees perform office work for a vehicle for hire company and which shall meet the following requirements: a) properly zoned, b) customer/employee parking, c) sufficient commercial vehicle parking, d) sanitary facilities/restrooms, e) dedicated wired phone line with a unique/dedicated number, f) identifying signage, and g) central dispatch. The address of the commercial business office must match the address on the local business tax receipt.
D. 
DRIVER – Shall mean the individual who is driving or physically operating the taxicab, limousine, shuttle, or other passenger vehicle for hire and includes the term "chauffeur."
E. 
LIMOUSINE – Shall mean a chauffeur-driven motor vehicle, modified-for-the-purpose as a luxury stretch vehicle, regardless of length and which contains a fixed partition used to separate the driver and passenger seating areas. A limousine is prohibited from using a taximeter and toplight unless it is being used as taxicab.
F. 
MANIFEST – Shall mean written or electronic/digital documentation prepared by the vehicle for hire business providing individual trip logs for each pickup/drop-off of passengers that can be viewed upon request by law enforcement officers. The "manifest" shall be in the possession of the vehicle for hire driver and central dispatch and shall include the business name, business phone number, name of the passenger (if provided/known), pickup/drop-off address and dates/times involved.
G. 
MUNICIPAL EXEMPTION – Shall mean the recognition by City of certain vehicle for hire businesses authorized to operate through municipal ordinances and which may be exempt from paying certain fees required by this chapter. In order to exercise this exemption, such businesses must be physically located, operating and dispatching within the City limits of the municipality approving the business to operate. Such exempt businesses must meet all other requirements of this chapter.
H. 
NONMEDICAL, WHEELCHAIR AND STRETCHER TRANSPORTATION SERVICE – Shall mean the transportation of persons while on stretchers or wheelchairs, or persons whose handicap, illness, injury, or other incapacitation makes it impractical to be transported by a regular common carrier such as a bus, taxicab, or other vehicle for hire. Such persons do not need, nor are likely to need, any medical attention during transport.
I. 
PASSENGER – Shall mean a person utilizing a vehicle for hire for the purpose of being transported to a destination, or a person who is awaiting the arrival of a dispatched vehicle for hire, and does not include the chauffeur.
J. 
PREARRANGED – Shall mean a written, e-mail, fax or telephone reservation made at least 30 minutes in advance by the person requesting service from a vehicle for hire business. Such reservations shall be documented in written form by the business. The written documentation requested herein shall be made available immediately upon the request of authorized personnel or law enforcement.
K. 
SEDAN – Shall mean any pre-arranged vehicle for hire, not equipped with a taximeter, which is not a limousine, SUV, transport van/shuttle, nonmedical wheelchair and stretcher transportation vehicle or taxi. Sedans shall include all other commercially manufactured passenger vehicles not already defined herein. Such vehicles shall not display the word "taxicab," "taxi," or "cab" on the vehicle exterior or interior. A sedan is prohibited from using a taximeter and toplight unless it is being used as a taxicab.
L. 
SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE OR SUV – Shall mean a type of passenger vehicle which combines the load-hauling and passenger-carrying capacity of a large station wagon or minivan. An SUV is prohibited from using a taximeter and toplight unless it is being used as a taxicab.
M. 
TAXICAB – Shall mean a motorized vehicle, equipped with a taximeter, engaged in the transportation of passengers for compensation, and where the route or destination is controlled by the passenger.
N. 
TAXIMETER – Shall mean any device permanently and internally mounted in a taxicab and which records and indicates a charge or fare measured by distance traveled, waiting time or other traditionally compensable activities of taxicab service.
O. 
TOP LIGHT – Shall mean a permanently installed roof mounted lighted device which shall be illuminated whenever the taximeter is on. The top light must be a minimum size of 10 inches by four inches permanently mounted on the vehicle roof and display or include the word "taxi," "taxicab" or "cab."
P. 
TRANSPORT VAN/SHUTTLE – Shall mean a motor vehicle not equipped with a taximeter, with a seating capacity for at least four passengers, exclusive of the driver, where there is no separation of the driver and passenger compartments and not modified from the manufacturer's specifications. A functioning seat belt must be available for each passenger.
Q. 
(Reserved)
R. 
VEHICLE FOR HIRE – Shall mean any motorized, self-propelled vehicle engaged in the transportation of persons upon the streets of the City with the intent to receive compensation for providing such transportation, and shall include, but not be limited to, nonmedical, wheelchair and stretcher transportation services, taxicabs, transport vans/shuttles, SUVs and limousines. The term shall not be construed to include ambulances.
S. 
VEHICLE FOR HIRE COMPANY – Shall mean any individual, partnership, association, corporation, broker or other legal entity which holds business permits for or contracts with one or more vehicles for hire, provides vehicles or services to drivers of vehicles for hire, or which operates a central dispatch for one or more vehicles for hire.
T. 
VEHICLE FOR HIRE DRIVER'S I.D. BADGE (I.D. BADGE) – Shall mean a permit authorizing the holder thereof to utilize the motor vehicle(s) described in said permit for the transportation of passengers as authorized pursuant to this chapter.
U. 
VEHICLE FOR HIRE SERVICE STANDARDS – Shall mean a summary of "passenger" and "driver" expectations prominently displayed within every vehicle for hire passenger compartment.
[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2012-332 (part)]
A. 
Compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall in no way relieve an individual or vehicle for hire company from compliance with all municipal, county, state and federal laws.
B. 
Vehicle for hire businesses and drivers shall cooperate fully at all times with law enforcement personnel in furnishing information required in connection with requests for proof of insurance, vehicle registration, driver's I.D. badge, manifest inspection or investigations of consumer complaints. Further, vehicle for hire businesses and drivers shall not obstruct, hamper or interfere with an investigation of alleged violations of this chapter conducted by the finance department or a law enforcement officer. At no time shall a vehicle for hire driver use abusive language or display discourteous, hostile, aggressive or other inappropriate behavior toward passengers, other vehicle for hire drivers, finance department personnel, any law enforcement officer or any agency authorized to enforce this chapter.
C. 
All taxicabs and nonmedical wheelchair and stretcher transportation service vehicles shall clearly display on the exterior of the driver and passenger side of the vehicle, permanent vinyl or painted lettering at least four inches high and in clearly visible bold contrasting colors, the vehicle for hire company's name and telephone number. Magnetic signage is not permitted.
D. 
Law enforcement officers are authorized to seize and impound any vehicle for hire which such employee or officer has probable cause to believe is being operated without commercial liability insurance and in violation of this chapter.
[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2012-332 (part)]
A. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter to fail to meet the requirements of vehicles described in this section and in any section pertinent to that particular type of vehicle.
1. 
The windshield and all side and rear windows shall provide clear visibility and operate according to the manufacturer's specifications. The windshield and all windows shall possess no breakage, cracks or pits that impair visibility or hinder the safety of passengers. All window cranks/power window switches shall be complete, intact and functioning. Windows on vehicles for hire shall not be covered by, or treated with, a material which would cause the vehicle to be in violation of local ordinance or state law.
2. 
All standard manufacturer's interior equipment shall be complete, intact and functioning; including, but not limited to interior lights, dashboard, trim, gear shifts and head rests. Vehicle interiors must not contain loose objects and must be clean, sanitary, and free of broken seats/protruding sharp edges or torn or damaged upholstery, headliner, or floor coverings. The vehicle's interior must be free of offensive odors. The floor board shall be free of rust and holes. Trunks and luggage compartments must be kept clean and free of debris.
3. 
All doors must have operating handles, which allow opening from both the inside and outside, and door hinges and latches must function properly. Door locks must be operable by passengers at all times. Door seals and gaskets must be intact/operating and prevent water, odor and fumes from entering the vehicle from outside. All door panels must be intact to prevent accidental injuries on door and window mechanisms.
4. 
Seat belts shall be available for all passengers (according to manufacturer's specifications and Iowa law). Seat belts shall be in operating condition, easily accessible, clean and free of grease and other objectionable substances.
5. 
All vehicles shall be equipped with a fully functioning heating and air-conditioning system which controls the temperature of the inside of the vehicle between 68° and 78° F. The vehicle shall be equipped with a fully functioning windshield defrost or defogging system.
6. 
All vehicles shall be equipped with a light capable of illuminating the interior of the vehicle, controlled by the operation of the doors, or manually controlled by the driver.
7. 
The transportation of children shall be in accordance with child safety seats and restraints as provided by state law and local ordinance.
8. 
Those vehicles and operations, which are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), shall comply with the applicable provisions of said Act.
9. 
The vehicle's body, fenders, doors, trim, grill and paint must be free from cracks, breaks, rust, and body damage that detracts from the overall appearance of the vehicle or could result in harm or injury to the passenger or his/her personal belongings.
10. 
The vehicle must be equipped with safe tires of the same size. No recaps shall be used. Maximum allowable tread wear shall be where tread is level with the wear bar, or 2/32 inches when measured at three random places in the tire tread. The tires shall be inflated to manufacturer's specifications and free of cuts, cracks, bulges, or exposed belts.
11. 
Windshield wipers must be operational according to the manufacturer's specifications. Wiper blades shall be in such a condition as to make firm contact with the windshield when operational, and shall not be torn or worn.
12. 
Reflectors and lenses shall not be cracked or missing and must be the correct color and properly positioned.
13. 
Low and high beam headlights, turn signals, brake, tail and reverse lights shall be operable as required by state or local law. Each vehicle shall have a white light on the vehicle to illuminate the rear license plate so that it is clearly visible.
14. 
The vehicle suspension shall function as designed by the manufacturer.
15. 
The vehicle shall be equipped with an operating horn with the actuating button mounted in the location designated by the vehicle manufacturer and operated in the manner designed and assembled by the vehicle manufacturer.
16. 
Each vehicle shall contain an operating parking brake and a primary brake system which acts on all four vehicle wheels. There shall be no visible leaks in the brake line, hoses, wheel cylinders or any part of the brake system and no frayed cables. Brake linings and/or disc pads, when measured at the thinnest point shall not be less than one-sixteenth of an inch and firmly attached to the brake shoe or disc. Disc brake rotors and brake drums shall be of a size and type appropriate for the vehicle, with no cracks or other damage which change or impair the functional surface. All primary brake systems shall demonstrate a reasonable total braking force when conducting a rolling stop.
17. 
There shall be no leakage of exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold, muffler or any other point in the exhaust system as determined through a visual and audible inspection. The tail pipe shall discharge exhaust from the rear of the vehicle according to manufacturer specifications.
18. 
Belts shall show no signs of excessive wear and be free of cracks and frays. Hoses shall be firm and in good condition, free of leaks and cracks.
19. 
All fluid levels shall be maintained according to manufacturer's specifications.
20. 
Vehicles must be equipped with functioning speedometer and odometer.
21. 
Vehicles must receive routine maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations pertaining to service intervals.
22. 
Businesses must assure that each vehicle or driver has a means of communicating to a central dispatch or to emergency agencies with a two-way radio and/or cellular mobile telephone.
[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2012-332 (part)]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle for hire company or driver to operate and transport passengers for compensation unless it has in effect a currently valid liability insurance policy covering each vehicle which shall insure such vehicle for commercial automobile liability insurance for passenger transportation and shall meet or exceed minimum insurance limits as established by law of the company's state of domicile.
B. 
Each vehicle for hire driver shall be able to produce proof of insurance coverage upon demand by a law enforcement officer.
[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2015-11 § 9; Ord. 2012-332 (part); Ord. 91-104 § 27]
A. 
A vehicle for hire/taxicab driver is not qualified if:
1. 
Is under the care of a physician who has prescribed a drug for the applicant for whom one of the contraindications is a prohibition on driving a motor vehicle and the prescriptive period is still open.
2. 
Has been convicted of a felony;
3. 
Has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving assault on a person;
4. 
Has been convicted of the offense of operating while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol within the last three years or two such convictions in the last six years;
5. 
Has been convicted of three traffic violations in the past 12 months or five traffic violations in the last 36 months.
[Ord. 2016-587 (part); Ord. 2012-332 (part)]
In addition to complying with all other applicable sections of this title, a party bus may only be operated on the streets of the City subject to the following regulations:
A. 
No passenger who is under the age of 21 may possess or consume alcoholic beverages.
B. 
No passenger may engage in disorderly conduct.
C. 
No passenger may hurl any projectile from the vehicle for hire.
D. 
No passenger on a vehicle for hire shall commit an indecent exposure.
E. 
No passenger on a vehicle for hire may litter.
F. 
No passenger shall possess or use a controlled substance as defined by state law.