(a) 
Any business or person violating any prohibition, requirement, duty, or provision of this article shall be deemed to have committed a Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed amounts prescribed in section 1-14.
(b) 
A culpable mental state is not required for the commission of an offense under this article. A separate offense is committed each day in which an offense occurs.
(c) 
It is prima facie evidence that a taxicab is on duty and serving the general public for hire if there are two or more people in the taxicab.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
In lieu of or in addition to any criminal prosecution or other civil remedy for the violation of any section of this article, the director shall have the duty and authority to enforce this article by administrative action.
(b) 
The director may, after adequate investigation, issue a franchise holder a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per violation of any prohibition, requirement, duty, or provision of this article. A separate penalty may be issued each day a violation occurs.
(c) 
Failure to pay administrative penalties within 45 days from the date of notice of such penalties shall constitute a valid reason for revocation of the franchise by the city council and/or suspension of the franchise by the director.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
The following regulations apply to the suspension of a franchise:
(1) 
The director may suspend a franchise if the director determines that the franchise holder:
a. 
Failed to comply with this article.
b. 
Intentionally or knowingly impeded the director, his staff, or other law enforcement officials in their duty or execution of their authority.
c. 
Does not qualify for a franchise under this article.
(2) 
Suspension of a franchise does not affect the expiration date of the permit.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
Whenever a civil penalty or franchise suspension is issued by the director, the franchise holder shall be notified in writing of the penalty. Opportunity for a hearing will be provided if the franchise holder files a written request with the city manager within ten business days. The franchise holder shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing within ten business days of a request for a hearing. If no request for a hearing is filed within ten business days, the administrative penalty or suspension is sustained and becomes final.
(b) 
A notice as required in this section is properly served when it is personally delivered to the franchise holder or when it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the franchise holder. A copy of the notice shall be filed in the records of the city.
(c) 
The city manager, or his designee, shall conduct the hearings provided for in this section at a time and place designated by him. Based upon the recorded evidence of such hearing, the city manager shall make final findings and shall sustain, modify, or rescind said administrative penalties considered in the hearing. A written report of the hearing decision shall be furnished to the franchise holder by the city manager.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)