Annual permit.
Permission granted by the city to a person to operate a taxicab service inside the city for a period of one (1) year, renewable under the provisions of this chapter.
Appeal hearing officer.
The city manager and/or his designee authorized to enforce and/or administer this chapter.
Charter service.
Any type of service in which a vehicle not equipped with a meter is furnished, along with a driver, for a specific trip or excursion, and which is contracted for orally or in writing by an individual or group so as to obtain exclusive use of the vehicle for an interval of time.
City chauffeur’s license.
A license issued to an individual by the director authorizing that individual to drive or operate a taxicab in the city.
Conviction.
A conviction in a federal court or a court of any state or foreign nation or political subdivision of a state or foreign nation that has not been reversed, vacated, or pardoned.
Curb.
The raised edge of the street, driveway or other public or private way upon which a taxicab is operating, provided that if no raised edge curbing exists, then it means the edge of the area that is paved for vehicular operation.
Department.
The department designated by the city manager to enforce and administer this chapter.
Director.
The director of the department designated by the city manager to enforce and administer this chapter; which includes representatives, agents, or employees designated by the director.
Dispatching facility.
A fixed facility:
(1) 
At which requests for taxicab service are received;
(2) 
From which drivers are notified, by radio or any other electronic communication system, of requests for taxicab service; and
(3) 
To which drivers communicate, by radio or any other electronic communication system, their availability to provide the requested taxicab service.
Driver.
An individual who drives or operates a taxicab.
Holder.
A person who is granted an annual permit providing operating authority under this chapter.
Legal resident.
A citizen of the United States or a person residing in the United States in accordance with federal immigration laws.
Operate.
To drive or to be in control of a taxicab.
Operating authority.
Written permission granted on an annual basis by the director under this chapter to operate a taxicab service.
Operator.
(i) the driver of a taxicab; (ii) the owner of a taxicab; or (iii) the holder of a taxicab operating authority.
Owner with regard to a motor vehicle.
The person to whom state license plates for a vehicle were issued.
Person.
An individual; corporation; government or governmental subdivision; agency, trust, partnership, or two (2) or more persons having a joint or common economic interest; or any other legal entity.
Taxicab.
A chauffeured motor vehicle that is equipped with a taximeter, that is used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city that typically operates on irregular routes, irregular schedules, and on a call-and-demand basis, and irrespective of whether or not the operations extend beyond the city limits, at rates for distance traveled, or for waiting time, or for both, and such vehicle is routed under the direction of the passenger hiring the same.
Taxicab service.
A passenger transportation service operated for hire that uses any one (1) or more taxicabs in the operation of the service and includes (but is not limited to) a facility from which the service is operated; taxicabs used in the operation; and a person who owns, controls, or operates the service.
Taximeter.
A device that computes a fare based upon the distance traveled, the time the taxicab is engaged, and any other basis for charges that are specified in the operating authority pertaining to the holder.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
It is the policy of the city to provide for and to promote adequate and efficient taxicab services in the city. To this end, this chapter provides for the regulation of taxicab services, to be carried out in a manner that protects the public health and safety, promotes the public convenience and necessity, and respects the concept of free enterprise.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
The city manager and his delegates shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The director shall implement and enforce this chapter as he determines necessary to discharge his duty under, or to affect the policy of this chapter.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
This chapter does not apply to:
(1) 
The transportation of a person by a taxicab licensed by another governmental entity from a point outside the city to a destination inside the city, if the taxicab leaves the city without receiving a passenger inside the city;
(2) 
A taxicab service operated under state or federal authority unless the service is subject to the city’s regulatory authority;
(3) 
A motor vehicle used to transport persons for hire that is regulated by another city ordinance;
(4) 
A vehicle operated by a funeral home in the performance of funeral services;
(5) 
A vehicle provided by an employer or employee association for use in transporting employees between employees’ homes and the employer’s place of business or between workstations, with the employees reimbursing the employer or employee association in an amount calculated only to offset the reasonable expenses of operating the vehicle;
(6) 
A vehicle owned and operated by the federal or state government, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a person under contract with the city for operation of the vehicle;
(7) 
A vehicle used in a carpool to transport the person and others on a prearranged basis between their homes and places of employment or places of common destination, if only a fee calculated to reasonably cover expenses is charged;
(8) 
A vehicle transporting children to or from school if only a fee calculated to reasonably cover expenses is charged;
(9) 
A vehicle owned by a nonprofit organization and carrying only passengers associated with that organization, if no compensation is received from any other person for carrying the passengers;
(10) 
A vehicle being operated under a transportation network company permit issued by the State of Texas pursuant to chapter 2402 of the Occupations Code, or
(11) 
A charter service, regardless of vehicle type.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
(a) 
The office of the city secretary is designated for delivery of any application, notice, or payment required under this chapter.
(b) 
Any application, notice, or payment will be deemed received by the city on the date of delivery to the office of the city secretary at city hall.
(c) 
The city secretary shall ensure that applications made under this chapter are timely processed and shall ensure proper service of any required notice from the city manager and/or the director under this chapter.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)