For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them.
Driver.
Shall mean the person actually driving the taxicab.
Operate a Taxicab.
Shall mean the driving of a vehicle so marked as to indicate that it is a taxicab on any street in the city, and shall also mean the driving of any vehicle containing a passenger over any street for any monetary fare, unless such vehicle is being operated pursuant to a franchise or permit issued by the city or franchise or permit issued by the Railroad Commission of the State of Texas, or any permission duly granted by the city council or is a chartered bus carrying more than twelve (12) passengers, or is an ambulance.
Operator.
Shall mean the person, firm or corporation to whom a certificate of public necessity and convenience has been issued and under which certificate the particular taxicab is being operated.
Owner.
Shall mean the person, firm or corporation to whom a certificate of public necessity and convenience for the operation of taxicabs has been issued.
Street.
Shall mean and include any street, alley, lane, public place or highway within the city.
Taxicab.
Shall mean and include every vehicle used for transportation of passengers over the streets of the city with the following exceptions, to-wit:
(1) 
A vehicle being operated pursuant to a franchise or permit issued by the city or pursuant to a franchise or permit legally issued by the Railroad Commission of the State of Texas, or pursuant to permission duly granted by proper authority of the city for a vehicle to operate over a regular route upon a set schedule, or pursuant to any permission duly granted by the city council or a vehicle being operated as a chartered bus under a contract to carry twelve (12) or more passengers;
(2) 
Vehicles being used as ambulances; and
(3) 
Vehicles rented or leased for self-operation by the persons actually driving the same, unless such a vehicle is transporting for compensation persons other than the one who actually rented or leased the same.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-27)
The chief of police is charged with the duty of enforcing this article and all police officers shall promptly report to him all violations of the provisions hereof or any facts coming to their attention showing a change in the conditions existing at the time the certificate of necessity and convenience was issued to the operator thereof.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-28)
Before being allowed to operate upon the streets of the city, each and every taxicab shall be inspected and approved by the chief of police or his representatives. No taxicab shall be driven or operated upon the streets of the city unless the same is in safe condition and free of mechanical defects and with the brakes in excellent condition.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-29)
Each and every taxicab operated upon the streets of the city shall have painted upon its rear end and both sides, in letters and numbers more than six (6) inches in height and three (3) inches in width, the trade name of the organization under whose certificate of necessity said taxicab is being operated and the number assigned to said taxicab by or under the direction of the chief of police. Such letters and numbers shall be painted on each taxicab with permanent, nonwashable paint of a color sharply contrasting to the color of the taxicab so that the same will be readily apparent, and said letters and numbers shall not at any time be covered with any substance, material or other object that would prevent the same being seen, or in any way obscure their visibility.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-30)
No person shall drive, operate, or cause to be operated, nor shall any person employ, permit or allow another to drive, operate or cause to be operated any taxicab over any street in the city for the purpose of transporting a passenger or passengers for hire, nor shall any person accept compensation for the transportation of passengers without first having obtained from the city under the provisions of this article, a certificate of necessity and convenience authorizing such operation and acts; provided that no such vehicle without such permit shall solicit or accept a passenger or passengers from any point within the city for transportation to any destination whatsoever.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-36)
(a) 
Any person desiring a certificate of public necessity and convenience to operate taxicabs in the city shall file with the city council written application for such a certificate, and said application shall be filled out in triplicate on forms obtained from the city secretary, shall be verified under oath by the applicant, and shall give among other details the following information:
(1) 
The name, age and address of the applicant, if a natural person, or if a corporation, its name, date and place of incorporation, address of its principal place of incorporation, address of its principal place of business and the names of all of its officers and directors, together with their respective addresses, as well as a certified copy of the articles of incorporation; the trade name, if any, under which the applicant proposes to operate, and the address of the place or places of business from which applicant proposes to operate.
(2) 
The make, type, model, capacity and condition of the taxicabs proposed to be operated, the design and color scheme of each taxicab, and the lettering and marks to be used thereon.
(3) 
The number of taxicabs for which a certificate of permit is desired.
(4) 
A full and complete statement of all of the applicant's assets and liabilities.
(5) 
A full list of any unpaid judgments of record against applicant, which said list shall include the name of the owner of the judgment, the amount of said judgment, and the address of said owner, and if said applicant be a corporation, a full list of any unpaid judgments against any of its officers and directors, which said list shall include the name of the owner of the judgment, the amount of said judgment, and the address of said owner.
(6) 
A full list of any and all items, mortgages, and other encumbrances on said taxicabs, which said list shall include the amount secured by said lien, mortgage or other encumbrances and the name and address of the holder of said lien, mortgage or other encumbrance.
(7) 
A list of all convictions of the applicant of violations of any and all federal, state or municipal laws, and if the applicant be a corporation, a list of all convictions of all officers and directors of said corporation of violations of any federal, state or municipal laws.
(8) 
Full information pertaining to the extent, quality and character of the service that applicant proposes to render.
(9) 
Facts showing the demand, need and necessity for such service.
(10) 
A full and complete statement of the experience, if any, the applicant has had in rendering such services in the city or elsewhere; and if the applicant be a corporation, a full and complete statement of the experience the officers and directors have had in rendering such services in the city or elsewhere.
(11) 
The amount applicant proposes to charge for the rendition of such services.
(12) 
Any such other and additional information as may be required by the city in its discretion.
(b) 
In the event a certificate of necessity and convenience shall be issued by the city council to the applicant therefor, then the information contained within the application for such certificate shall be kept current at all times.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-37)
After receiving any application for such a certificate of necessity and convenience, the city council shall make or cause to be made by its agents or employees, or by persons designated by it, such investigation as it may consider necessary; and the city council shall determine whether or not the public necessity and convenience require the operation of such taxicab or taxicabs and whether or not the applicant is fit and proper and qualified and able to efficiently conduct such business and render such service to the public. In determining whether or not said certificate should be issued, the city council shall consider, among other things, the following items:
(1) 
Probable permanency and experience of applicant.
(2) 
The financial ability of the applicant to respond in damages to claim or judgments arising by reason of injury to persons or damage to property resulting from operation of a taxicab.
(3) 
The price the applicant proposes to charge.
(4) 
The character and condition of the taxicabs to be used.
(5) 
If said applicant be a corporation, the fitness of the officers, directors, stockholders and employees of the corporation making such application.
(6) 
The character, fitness and past record of the applicant.
(7) 
Any other item the city council may deem in its sole judgment pertinent to the application or applicant.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-38)
The evidence in any investigation, inquiry or hearing may be taken by the city council as a whole or by any councilman, councilmen, agent, agents, employee, employees, representative or representatives authorized, requested or designated to conduct such investigation, inquiry or hearing. The finding or opinion made by such person or persons authorized or instructed to conduct such investigation, inquiry or hearing shall be the finding or opinion of the city council itself when presented to the city council in open meeting and adopted and approved or confirmed by said city council in open meeting.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-39)
(a) 
If the city council finds that the public necessity and convenience do not require the operation of any additional taxicabs or that the applicant is not fit to conduct such business for any reason, or that the interest of the general public in the city will best be served by the refusal of such application or if the city council shall for any reason decide not to issue such certificate of convenience and necessity, then it shall forthwith refuse such application and no certificate shall issue to such applicant.
(b) 
If the city council finds that the public necessity and convenience require the operation of such taxicabs to be operated by the applicant, and that the applicant is fit and qualified, morally and financially, to conduct the business, and that the general welfare of the citizens of the city will best be served by operation of such taxicabs, and that all other requirements of this article have been fully complied with by the applicant, the city council may grant such certificate of convenience and necessity to such applicant for a period of one year only from such granting of such certificate of convenience and necessity.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-40)
No certificate of convenience or necessity issued under the terms of this article shall be transferable without the formal consent and approval of the city council after proper written application made thereto therefor. Such transferee of such certificate shall meet all of the requirements, conditions and stipulations as contained in this article as though he were the original applicant.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-41)
The owner of any certificate of necessity and convenience issued under the terms of this article shall be authorized to operate his taxicab business only for a term of one year from the date of the issuance of such certificate.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-42)
If for any reason the city council deems that the general welfare of the citizens requires such action, the best interest of the city will be served thereby, the city council may by formal action suspend for any period up to but not exceeding thirty (30) days any certificate of necessity and convenience issued by it under the terms of this article. In the event of such a suspension, then from and after the time of said suspension, and for the duration of such suspension, said certificate of necessity and convenience shall be of no force and effect and the holder thereof shall not be authorized to operate taxicabs in the city. For good cause the city council may by formal action lessen or terminate any such period of suspension.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-43)
If the holder of any certificate of necessity and convenience shall show by his actions that he is not a fit and proper person to operate taxicabs in the city, or if the financial position of said holder shall reach such a condition that the city council does not deem said holder able to pay in full reasonable claims for damages which might be legally established and confirmed, or if for good and sufficient reason the general welfare of the citizens of the city will best be served by such action, the city council may at any time after a hearing, revoke and cancel any certificate of necessity and convenience issued by it under the terms of this article. In the event of such revocation and cancellation said certificate shall be thereafter completely null and void and of no further force and effect.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-44)
The hearing to determine whether or not to revoke any certificate of necessity and convenience shall not be held until notice thereof has been given to the holder of the certificate in question by registered mail addressed to said holder at the address shown on the records of the city and until a period of at least five (5) days has elapsed since the mailing of such notice. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the hearing and shall list the reasons why the general welfare of the city requires the revocation and cancellation of such certificate. The holder of the certificate in question shall be allowed to be present at said hearing, and shall be allowed to be represented by counsel if the holder deems the same advisable. He shall have full opportunity to disprove any and all charges and allegations set out against him or his operations in said notice. Said hearing may be conducted by the city council or any agent, employee or representative designated by it. If conducted by any agent, employee or representative, then upon approval and adoption by the city council of findings of fact made by the person or persons conducting such hearing, said findings of fact by the city council shall be and become the findings of fact made after such a hearing show that the operator is not a fit and proper person to conduct such business, or is unable to pay in full reasonable claims for damages which might be asserted, or if for any reason the general welfare of the citizens of the city or the best interests of said city will be served best by such action, then the city council shall revoke and cancel the certificate of necessity and convenience in question, and there shall be no appeal of any nature from such action.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-45)
Upon the approval by the city council of an applicant for the issuance of a certificate of convenience and necessity for the operation of a taxicab over and across the streets of the city, and prior to the issuance of said certificate, the operator shall cause to be issued by an insurance company acceptable to the city council a policy of insurance on each and every taxicab operated or to be operated by the operator under the terms of this article with coverage on said taxicab as follows: One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) bodily injury, each person; three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) bodily injury each accident; and one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) property damage each accident, and such certificate of convenience and necessity shall not be issued unless and until said insurance policies shall be so secured and deposited with the city.
(Ordinance 1816 adopted 4/23/98)
The owner of any certificate of necessity and convenience issued under the terms of this article shall be authorized to operate in the city only the number of taxicabs specified on such certificate. However, if the public necessity and convenience require the operation of additional taxicabs at any time, then after formal application thereto, the city council may, after proper investigation made or caused to be made, authorize such holder to add additional taxicabs to his fleet.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-48)
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a taxicab in the city without having first obtained a taxicab driver's permit from the chief of police.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-54)
A written application for such a permit shall be filed, accompanied by a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in the appendix of this code, upon a form obtained from the chief of police containing among other matters, the following information:
(1) 
A showing of the experience of the applicant in driving motor vehicles, including public vehicles;
(2) 
Whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted of a violation of any federal, state or municipal law and if so, the particulars of each violation;
(3) 
Applicant's name, street address, age, sex, period of experience in operating public vehicles, telephone number, and place of residence for the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of said application;
(4) 
The taxicab operator for whom said driver proposes to work, and such other additional information as the chief of police may prescribe on said form, such information to be furnished under oath of the person applying for such permit.
(Ordinance 1816 adopted 4/23/98)
The chief of police shall make such investigation of the applicant as he deems necessary. If after examining said application and obtaining such information as he deems advisable the chief of police is satisfied that said applicant is a fit and proper person to drive a taxicab in the city, then the chief of police shall cause to be issued to said applicant a permit to drive taxicabs in the city until the next ensuing January 1st, on which date the permit shall expire. On the next ensuing January 1st, said applicant must obtain a new permit after filling out a new application therefor and paying a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in the appendix of this code.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-56)
If during the year the holder of such taxicab driver's permit shall desire to change his employment so that he will be employed by another operator of taxicabs in the city, he must first file a written statement of such intent to change employment and obtain the written permission of the chief of police. Such permission shall not be unreasonably or arbitrarily withheld, and unless for good cause the chief of police deems it inadvisable in the public interest for such a change of employment to be made, he shall grant his permission for such a change upon payment of a fee by the permit holder as set forth in the fee schedule in the appendix of this code. Immediately after such a change has been made, all records in the police department and other departments pertaining to such driver shall be corrected so as to show the name of his new employer.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-57)
The fees required by this article are intended to defray the cost of keeping the records in the police department pertaining to said taxicab drivers so that the same will be at all times up to date.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-58)
The taxicab driver's permit must be prominently displayed at all times in full view of any person in the back seat of the taxicab being driven by the permittee. Said permit shall have attached to it a picture of the permittee, his name, age and such other information as may be deemed proper by the chief of police. Further, a description of the owner's license must also be attached to the taxicab in a conspicuous place where it can be seen easily by the passenger or passengers.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-59)
If at any time in the opinion of the chief of police the public interest, the public safety or the general welfare of the citizens of the city will best be served by suspension or revocation of taxicab driver's permit, the chief of police shall suspend or shall cancel and revoke said driver's permit. No person whose driver's permit has been so suspended or revoked shall drive any taxicab in the city until and unless said permit shall be reinstated by the chief of police or he shall obtain a new permit.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-60)
Each holder of a permit to drive a taxicab in the city shall keep the chief of police fully informed at all times as to any changes in his residence address and telephone number from those shown upon his application for such a permit.
(1965 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-61)