(a)
Any person violating or failing or refusing to comply with any provision of this article shall be subject to the penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code. Each act constituting a violation of this article and each failure or refusal to comply with any provision of this article shall be a separate offense and shall be punished as such. Each charge made and each trip made upon the streets of the city answering a call or carrying a passenger by any person who does not have a written license in full force and effect at the time shall constitute a separate offense under this article.
(b)
The permit of any person who fails to keep on file with the city clerk and in full force and effect valid insurance policies as provided in section 4.07.045 shall immediately be canceled by the city clerk. The permit or license of any person violating or failing or refusing to comply with any other provision of this article may be canceled by the chief of police after ten (10) days’ notice has been sent to the permittee.
(c)
In
addition to the remedies provided hereinabove, the city may file in
the proper court a suit for injunction and may enjoin the use of the
streets of the city by any person operating a taxicab or automobile
for hire when such person does not have a written permit in full force
and effect, procured under the terms and provisions of this article.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-22)
It shall be the duty of the driver of any taxicab or automobile for hire to have his driver’s license, together with his photograph and the rates provided for in section 4.07.008, the size to be prescribed by the chief of police, affixed and displayed in the driving compartment of the taxicab or automobile for hire.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-16)
(a)
It
shall be unlawful for any owner of a taxicab or automobile for hire
to employ a driver who does not have a valid state driver’s
license as required by the state department of public safety for taxicab
drivers. The names of all drivers shall be filed with the city clerk
by the owner or operator of such taxicab or automobile for hire.
(b)
A
background check will be conducted by the city police department on
all drivers to verify their license and determine appropriateness
to operate a taxi in the city. In lieu of a background check, proof
that a comparable background check has been conducted by the city
will be satisfactory.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-17)
Each operator of a taxicab or automobile for hire shall have
plainly painted or affixed by non-reusable decal on each vehicle operated
by him a sign giving the name, trade name or firm name under which
he operates such taxicab or automobile for hire, and the vehicle unit
number.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-18)
Each operator shall file with the city clerk an affidavit disclosing
the names and addresses of all owners or persons owning an interest
in the business being operated by him, such initial affidavit to be
filed when the license is granted and an affidavit to be filed immediately
upon any change in the ownership of such business.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-19)
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly transport or
offer to transport or to aid or assist in transporting directly or
indirectly any person in, on, over or through the streets, alleys
or public highways of the city by means of a taxicab or automobile
for hire or other vehicle for unlawful purposes, or to knowingly transport
or offer to transport or to aid or assist in transporting directly
or indirectly any controlled or unlawful or hazardous substance.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-20)
(a)
Each
vehicle for hire operated within the city shall comply with all requirements
for vehicles operated on the public highways by the state department
transportation insofar as equipment and mechanical safety are concerned.
The city may demand and require special inspection of any such vehicle
by a competent mechanic at any time to determine if the same is in
safe mechanical condition. The owners of such vehicles shall be responsible
for keeping and maintaining such vehicles in a safe mechanical condition.
If any such vehicle is found to be unsafe for operation, it shall
be withdrawn from service until put in safe condition. No person shall
operate such vehicle as a public vehicle, or cause it to be so operated,
until the necessary repairs are made.
(b)
The
operator of a vehicle for hire shall keep the interior of said vehicle
in a clean and sanitary condition at all times the same is offered
for use as a vehicle for hire. It shall be unlawful for any person
to operate a vehicle for hire that is in an unclean and unsanitary
condition.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-21)
(a)
The
current rate schedule to be charged by a license holder or permittee
under this article shall be filed with the city clerk along with the
application. The city council shall determine if the rates are reasonable.
(b)
The
rate schedule cannot be changed without approval of the city council.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-56)
It shall be unlawful for any person to block any portion of
the streets or alleys of the city so as to impede the flow of traffic
for the parking of taxicabs, buses or jitneys, or as a place for soliciting
or accepting business for such taxicabs, buses or jitneys.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, or cause to
be operated, a taxicab or automobile for hire on any of the streets
of the city without first obtaining a permit therefor as provided
in this division.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-36)
At the time of issuance of a permit, the permittee shall pay to the city the sum as provided in the fee schedule in appendix B to this code. This is a street use fee and shall be nonrefundable.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-37; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Any person who desires a permit to operate a taxicab or automobile
for hire shall request an application from the city clerk.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-39)
Before the city clerk shall issue a permit under the provisions
of this division, the city clerk must first make a determination that
the public convenience and necessity require the issuance of such
license. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the city clerk
may appeal the determination to the city council.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-40)
(a)
Before
a permit required by this division shall be issued, the applicant
therefor shall pay the permit fee required herein and shall furnish
to the city, for each such vehicle to be licensed, evidence of the
issuance of a commercial automobile insurance policy insuring the
carrying of persons for hire or for a fee, approved by the city attorney.
(b)
The
certificate of insurance shall be filed with the city clerk.
(c)
The
city shall not be deemed to have assumed any pecuniary responsibility
for the solvency of any insurance company or in any manner to have
become liable for any sum on account of any claim, or on account of
any act or omission of any officer of the city in connection with
any matter relating to this section, nor shall the lawful liability
of the owner or operator in any manner be either limited or enlarged
by anything in connection with this article or any permit issued pursuant
thereto or insurance policy.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-41)
When the city clerk shall issue a permit under the provisions
of this division, it shall be exhibited to all persons when the vehicle
is in use. In the event the vehicle is operated without such permit
displayed, such fact will be prima facie evidence of the violation
of this article, and that the vehicle is being operated without a
permit under the terms of the provisions of this article.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-42)
Any driver or operator licensed pursuant to this article who
shall be convicted of the violation of any city ordinance or state
law shall have his permit suspended by the city clerk; provided, such
suspended driver or operator shall have the right to appeal from such
suspension to the chief of police.
(1987 Code, sec. 28-23)
