For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Conduct a taxicab business.
The use of one or more limousines or taxicabs within the city, by the owner thereof, for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, either by driving the same himself or having the same driven by some other person; provided that this definition shall not apply to any licensed chauffeur hired as a driver by any person holding a license to conduct a taxicab business in this city.
Cruise or cruising.
The movement of unoccupied limousines or taxicabs over the public streets of the city in search of or soliciting prospective passengers for hire. Unoccupied or unengaged limousines or taxicabs proceeding to answer a telephone or radio call for limousine or taxicab service from the intended passenger, and limousines or taxicabs returning by the most direct route, after having discharged a passenger or passengers, to the terminal or office where such limousine or taxicab is housed, shall not be considered to be cruising.
Driver.
Every person in actual charge of the operation of a limousine or taxicab, as herein defined, whether as owner or agent, servant or employee of the owner as herein defined.
Inspector of taxicabs.
The person designated by the city manager to inspect limousines or taxicabs as provided by this article.
Limousine.
Any and all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, which vehicle is differentiated from a taxicab in that it is primarily leased on a daily or hourly basis.
Owner.
Any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership or society which has the control, direction, maintenance and the benefit of the collection of revenue derived from the operation of limousines or taxicabs on or over the streets or public ways of the city, whether as owner or otherwise, except as driver as herein defined.
Taxicab.
Any and all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, except limousines and motor buses or motor coaches operated by bus lines over designated routes in and through the city.
Taxicab driver’s license.
The appropriate operating license required by the state which is required of any person who drives or operates a limousine or taxicab upon the streets of this city.
Taxicab license.
The license which is required of any limousine or taxicab owner for the conduct of a taxicab business upon the streets of the city.
Taximeter.
A mechanical instrument or device by which the charge for hire of a taxicab at a predetermined rate or rates is mechanically calculated and registered for distance traveled, [and] for waiting time, if any, and upon which such charge shall be indicated by means of clearly legible figures.
Waiting time.
Such time as may be consumed or lost at the instance or request of a passenger, but not time consumed or lost when occasioned by mechanical breakdown of the taxicab.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-22; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.001)
In addition to any other remedies available to enforce the provisions of this article, each and every violation of same shall constitute a class C misdemeanor and be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-73; Ordinance 398 adopted 9/17/1991; 1995 Code, sec. 119.999)
There shall be a three-member committee established by the city council made up of three citizens of the city appointed by the city council to serve three-year terms each. The committee shall establish their own rules of procedure.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-40; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.025)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, cause to be operated or drive any limousine or taxicab within the city when a limousine, taxicab or taxicab driver’s license has not been issued. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, cause to be operated or drive any limousine or taxicab where his taxicab or taxicab driver’s license has been revoked or suspended under this article. A violation of this section shall be deemed sufficient reason for revoking or suspending any other taxicab or taxicab driver’s license which such person may own.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-23; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.002)
No owner, operator or driver of any limousine or taxicab shall receive any passenger upon the streets of the city unless in pursuance of an engagement made prior to the time such limousine or taxicab goes upon the street for the purpose of receiving such passenger, except where the operator or driver is stopped and transportation is requested by a waiting passenger. It shall be unlawful for any person, operator, driver, owner, or licensee of any limousine, taxicab or taxicab driver’s license operating within the city to seek or solicit employment or passengers while operating the limousine or taxicab by repeatedly or persistently driving such limousine or taxicab to and fro on the public streets of the city and offering accommodations to prospective passengers either by signal, word of mouth, sign or otherwise, or in any manner whatsoever operating the vehicle upon the public streets of the city for the purpose of soliciting passengers.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-24; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.003)
A schedule of rates charged by each owner or operator of a limousine or taxicab under this article shall be filed with the city secretary, and these rates shall be reasonable and the rates actually charged by such owner or operator shall be in conformity therewith. Such rate shall remain in force and effect until a new rate is filed with the city secretary. This rate schedule shall be posted in a conspicuous place in each taxicab operating hereunder where it may be seen and read and understood by such passenger as may occupy such taxicab.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-27; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.006)
All holders of licenses for taxicabs operating within the city and upon the streets of the city shall install and equip taxicabs with a taximeter, which meter shall be set upon the rates as filed with the city secretary in accordance with section 4.07.006 of this article.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-28; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.007)
It shall be the duty of the owner or operator of any taxicab licensed under this article to display on the front doors or cowl of such taxicab the license number of such taxicab in letters or figures not less than four inches in height, and the name under which such taxicab is operated shall be likewise displayed in at least one conspicuous place on the outside of the motor vehicle. This license number is to be permanently assigned to a taxicab during use by the owner of a taxicab license so long as the cab is used in the conduct of his taxicab business. When a taxicab is replaced in service, the city secretary shall be notified and the permanent license number shall be reassigned.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-29; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.008)
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator or driver of any limousine or taxicab licensed under this article to permit any person to occupy or use such limousine or taxicab for the purpose of or aiding in prostitution, lewdness or assignation, or to take or transport any person where the circumstances are such that such owner, operator or driver has knowledge or reasonably should know that the purpose of such direction, taking or transportation is for the purpose of or aiding in prostitution, lewdness or assignation.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-30; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.009)
No owner, operator or driver of any taxicab licensed under this article shall permit or allow more than six persons, including the driver, to ride in such taxicab, and in no event shall more than two persons, in addition to the driver, be permitted to ride in the front seat of such taxicab.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-31; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.010)
It shall be unlawful for any driver to be on duty for more than 12 hours in any day. “Day” is defined as a 24-hour period from 12:01 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of any limousine or taxicab licensed under this article to permit or require any driver to be on duty as a driver for more than 12 hours in any day.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-32; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; Ordinance 398 adopted 9/17/1991; 1995 Code, sec. 119.011)
All licensed limousine or taxicab drivers, when operating a limousine or taxicab, must keep themselves clean in person and dress.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-33; Ordinance 318 adopted 2/1/1983; 1995 Code, sec. 119.012)
(a) 
A record shall be maintained by the driver of any taxicab or limousine that is a chronological listing of all calls for service. The record shall reflect:
(1) 
The time of pickup of the passenger or service;
(2) 
The location of the pickup of the passenger or service;
(3) 
The location of delivery of the passenger or service;
(4) 
The time that delivery was completed;
(5) 
The fare charged for the service; and
(6) 
The name of the driver providing the service.
(b) 
This record shall be completed by the driver. This record shall be in the possession of the driver while he is on duty and shall be completed upon the termination of each trip. “Trip” is defined as one call for service from one individual or group. This record shall be maintained by the owner or operator of a taxicab or limousine for a period of one year and shall be available for inspection by the city secretary or the taxicab inspector, as designated by the city manager, at all times.
(1972 Code, sec. 25-34; Ordinance 398 adopted 9/17/1991; 1995 Code, sec. 119.013)