Unless expressly stated, wherever used in this chapter, the following words shall mean:
“Municipality”
means the city and borough of Sitka.
“Person”
means any natural person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association.
“Police chief”
means the chief of police of the city and borough of Sitka, or his/her authorized representative.
“Street”
means every road, highway, thoroughfare, alley and place, including bridges, viaducts and other structures within the boundaries of this municipality used or intended for the use of the public for vehicles.
“Taxicab”
means every motor vehicle, except cars for rent without drivers, used for the transportation of passengers for hire within the corporate limits of the municipality, not operated exclusively over a fixed and defined route, but used for transportation of passengers where the destination and route are controlled by the passengers, for which a charge is made.
“Taxicab driver”
means any person who carries on the vocation of driving a taxicab.
“Taxicab operator”
means any person engaged in the business of providing services of a taxicab.
(S.G.C. 11.56.010; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
No person shall operate or permit a taxicab owned or controlled by them to be operated as a vehicle for hire upon the streets of the city and borough of Sitka without having first obtained an operator’s license from the chief of police.
(S.G.C. 11.56.020; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
An application for an operator’s license shall be filed with the police chief upon forms provided by the municipality. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee to be determined by the police chief per person named as owner or co-owner. Such application shall be verified under oath and shall include the following information:
1. 
The name and residence address of the applicant;
2. 
The business name and business address of the taxicab operation;
3. 
The experience of the applicant in the transportation of passengers;
4. 
The number of vehicles to be operated or controlled by the applicant and the location of proposed depots or terminals;
5. 
The color scheme or insignia to be used to designate the vehicle or vehicles of the applicant is to be approved by the police chief;
6. 
Information regarding any criminal convictions; and
7. 
Information as the police chief may require.
B. 
The application shall be signed by the applicant; such signature shall constitute the applicant’s consent to an investigation conducted by the municipality of the applicant’s qualifications.
(S.G.C. 11.56.030; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
The police department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for an operator’s license, and a report of such investigation shall be maintained.
Applicants shall provide proof of their residence or residences for the 10 years previous to their application and shall provide fingerprints and F.B.I. and state police record printouts as necessary.
(S.G.C. 11.56.040; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 97-1408 § 4, 1997; Ord. 97-1463 § 4, 1997; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
Except as provided for in SGC § 6.30.060, no operator license shall be issued to:
A. 
A person who has been convicted of murder in the first degree or murder in the second degree or any other unclassified felony, or their counterparts in another jurisdiction; or
B. 
A person who has been convicted of any other crime included in the Alaska Statutes or its counterpart in another jurisdiction, within the time period specified as follows:
Years Immediately Preceding Application for License
Crime(s)
10
Class A or B felony
5
Class C felony or Class A misdemeanor or other felony or misdemeanor not specifically classified as unclassified, A, B or C
2
Class B misdemeanor
C. 
An applicant who fails to supply information so required or submits false or misleading information.
(S.G.C. 11.56.050; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 00-1574 § 4(A), 2000)
A. 
The police chief, after considering the application, the reports required to be attached thereto, and the results of the police investigation, shall approve or deny the application for an operator’s license. The chief of police shall issue a statement of reasons in writing for a denial. If the application is denied, the applicant may request a hearing, pursuant to SGC § 6.30.220, before the police chief, to offer evidence why the denial should be reconsidered. An adverse decision may be appealed to the municipal administrator and ultimately to the municipal assembly.
B. 
The purpose of these regulations is to promote the safety of taxicab passengers and of the public generally. In considering an appeal or application, the police chief, the administrator and the assembly shall consider the nature of the disqualifying offense or other justification for permit denial, the time which has passed, as well as the applicant’s driving record and the applicant’s completion of any condition or requirement of any probation imposed, in determining if public safety will be protected if the appeal is granted.
C. 
No right of appeal should be afforded to persons convicted of a Class A felony.
(S.G.C. 11.56.060; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 96-1353 § 4, 1996; Ord. 00-1574 § 4(B), 2000)
A. 
Before a license is issued to any operator, the operator shall deposit with the police chief a policy or policies of an insurance company or companies duly licensed to transact business in the state, insuring the operator of any taxicab against loss and liability imposed by law for damages on account of bodily injuries or death, or for damages to property resulting from the ownership, maintenance, or use of any taxicab to be owned or operated under such license and naming the city as an additional insured. The policy or policies shall be approved by the municipal attorney as to form and compliance with this chapter. The limit in any such insurance policy shall be not less than $50,000 for damage to or destruction of property arising out of a single accident or occurrence, $100,000 for bodily injuries to or death of one person, and $200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single accident or occurrence.
B. 
The policy or policies shall be maintained in full force and effect during the operation of the business and shall provide for 30 days’ prior notification to the police chief of all changes in the terms and/or cancellation of the policy.
C. 
Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire automatically upon the cancellation of the insurance required by this section.
D. 
The licensed operator may not sublet or permit satellite business operations to extend from his license; and
1. 
The operator must be the person or entity controlling the business operations of the taxicab operation for which the license is issued;
2. 
The operator may allow drivers with permits required by SGC § 6.30.100 to lease his vehicles or drive their own vehicles if all of the following exist:
a. 
The vehicles are properly licensed and registered, and
b. 
The vehicles and drivers are fully insured as required by SGC § 6.30.070 and fully comply with the other requirements of this chapter, including, but not limited to, insignia and color requirements, and
c. 
The operator shall maintain central records for all taxicabs in his operation, and
d. 
The operator shall be responsible for any damage or personal injury caused by negligent or willful misconduct of drivers and vehicles in his operation;
E. 
Any change in ownership shall require a new application for an operator’s permit or license.
(S.G.C. 11.56.070; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
The operator’s license issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked or suspended by the chief of police if the holder thereof has:
1. 
Violated any of the provisions of this chapter;
2. 
Discontinued operations for more than 30 days;
3. 
Committed any offense as listed in SGC § 6.30.050;
4. 
Violated SGC § 6.30.070(D).
B. 
Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, prior to suspension or revocation, the holder shall be given notice of the proposed action to be taken in accordance with the provisions of SGC § 6.30.210.
C. 
Upon determining that an immediate danger to persons or property exists, the police chief may suspend the license at once. The suspension shall take effect immediately upon notice of the suspension being received by the licensee, or being delivered to the licensee’s business address as stated on the licensee’s application for the license that is being suspended. The notice provided for in SGC § 6.30.210 shall be mailed to the licensee by certified mail.
(S.G.C. 11.56.080; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
No person shall drive a taxicab for hire upon the streets of the city and borough of Sitka and no person who owns or controls a taxicab shall permit it to be so driven unless the driver of the taxicab shall have first obtained and shall have then in force a taxicab driver’s permit issued under the provisions of this chapter.
(S.G.C. 11.56.090; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
An application for a taxicab driver’s permit shall be filed with the police chief on forms provided by the municipality; and such application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee to be determined by the police chief. The application shall be verified, under oath, and shall contain the following:
1. 
Name and residence address of the applicant;
2. 
A concise history of the applicant’s employment;
3. 
Name of prospective employer;
4. 
Information relating to criminal convictions;
5. 
Information relating to convictions of traffic infractions;
6. 
Number of valid Alaska driver’s license;
7. 
Such other information as the police chief may require;
8. 
Two two-inch by two-inch full-face photographs, to be taken by the Sitka police department.
B. 
The application shall be signed by the applicant; such signature shall constitute the applicant’s consent to an investigation conducted by the municipality of the applicant’s qualifications.
C. 
A taxicab driver’s license shall not be issued to any person who does not meet the medical standards set forth in 2 AAC 90.440.
(S.G.C. 11.56.100; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009; Ord. 15-11 § 4, 2015)
The police department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for a taxicab driver’s permit, and a report of such investigation shall be forwarded to the police chief.
Applicants shall provide proof of their residence or residences for the 10 years prior to their application and shall provide fingerprints and F.B.I. and state police record printouts as necessary.
(S.G.C. 11.56.110; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 97-1408 § 4, 1997; Ord. 97-1463 § 4, 1997; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
Except as provided for in SGC § 6.30.130, no driver’s permit shall be issued to:
A. 
A person who does not have a valid driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles; or
B. 
A person who has been convicted of murder in the first degree or murder in the second degree, or any other unclassified felony, or their counterparts in another jurisdiction; or
C. 
A person who has been convicted of any other crime included in the Alaska Statutes not described in subsection D of this section or its counterpart in another jurisdiction within the time periods specified as follows:
Years Immediately Preceding Application for Permit
Crime(s)
10
Class A or B felony
5
Class C felony or Class A misdemeanor or other felony or misdemeanor not specifically classified as unclassified, A, B or C
2
Class B misdemeanor
D. 
A person who has been convicted of a traffic offense, as is defined in AS Title 28, or SGC Title 11, or their counterparts in another jurisdiction, within the time periods specified as follows:
Years Immediately Preceding Application for Permit
Crime(s)
2
Major traffic offense, including driving while under the influence, refusal to take breath test
1
Accumulation of eight or more points under the Department of Motor Vehicles system in any one year
E. 
An applicant who fails to supply information so required or who submits false or misleading information.
(S.G.C. 11.56.120; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 00-1574 § 4(C), 2000)
A. 
The chief of police shall, upon consideration of the application and the police investigation, approve or deny the application for a driver’s permit. The chief of police shall issue a statement of reasons in writing for a denial. If the application is denied, the applicant may request a hearing, which shall be held in accordance with the provisions of SGC § 6.30.220 to offer evidence why the denial should be reconsidered. An adverse decision may be appealed to the municipal administrator and ultimately to the municipal assembly.
B. 
The chief of police shall have the power, in his/her sole discretion, to issue temporary licenses pending completion of the application investigation.
C. 
The purpose of these regulations is to promote the safety of taxicab passengers and of the public generally. In considering an appeal or application, the police chief, the administrator and the assembly shall consider the nature of the disqualifying offense or other jurisdiction for permit denial, the time which has passed, as well as the applicant’s driving record, and the applicant’s completion of any condition or requirement of any probation imposed, in determining if public safety will be protected if the appeal is granted.
D. 
No right of appeal should be afforded to persons convicted of a Class A felony.
(S.G.C. 11.56.130; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 96-1353 § 4, 1996; Ord. 00-1574 § 4(D), 2000)
The driver’s permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the taxicab which the driver is operating.
(S.G.C. 11.56.140; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
The police chief may suspend or revoke any driver’s permit issued under this chapter for failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter and for violation of the offenses listed in SGC § 6.30.120.
B. 
Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, prior to suspension or revocation, the permit holder shall be given notice of the proposed action to be taken, in accordance with the provisions of SGC § 6.30.210.
C. 
Upon determining that an immediate danger to person or property exists, the police chief may suspend the license at once. The suspension shall take effect immediately upon notice of the suspension being received by the licensee, or being delivered to the licensee’s business address as stated on the licensee’s application for the license that is being suspended. The notice provided for in SGC § 6.30.210 shall be mailed to the licensee by certified mail.
(S.G.C. 11.56.150; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
The application for renewal of a license or permit shall be made to the municipality prior to the license or permit expiration date. A penalty to be determined by the police chief shall be added to the license or permit fee accompanying a renewal application received by the municipality after the expiration date.
(S.G.C. 11.56.170; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
No taxicab operator’s license or taxicab driver’s permit shall be issued or continue to be valid unless the holder thereof has paid the fees as required.
(S.G.C. 11.56.180; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
Any license or permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall remain the property of the city and borough of Sitka, and upon expiration, revocation or suspension, it shall be returned to the municipality. If a license or permit is lost or destroyed, upon affidavit made as to its loss or destruction, it may be replaced upon payment by the applicant of a required fee to be determined by the police chief.
(S.G.C. 11.56.200; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
Unless otherwise provided, prior to revocation or suspension of a license or permit issued under the provisions of this chapter, the chief of police shall provide a notice to the holder of said license or permit. The notice shall contain the following information:
A. 
The name and title of the person issuing the notice;
B. 
The date on which the suspension or revocation will become effective;
C. 
The reason for the revocation or suspension;
D. 
That the licensee or permittee may request a hearing regarding the revocation or suspension;
E. 
That the request for a hearing must be made in person or in writing and received by the police chief within 10 days after receipt of the notice;
F. 
That failure to appear in person or mail a letter within 10 days after receipt of the notice or by its return by the Postal Service shall act as a waiver of the right to a hearing and the revocation or suspension will, if applicable, become effective on the date included in the notice.
(S.G.C. 11.56.210; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
Upon request for a hearing, as provided above, a hearing shall be held before the chief of police. The hearing shall be set and conducted within 48 hours of receipt of the request, holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays not to be included. The hearing can be set for a later date if the applicant, licensee or permittee so requests.
B. 
At the hearing the applicant, licensee or permittee may contest the denial, revocation or suspension of the license or permit.
C. 
If the police chief finds that the applicant, licensee or permit holder is not eligible for a license or permit, the chief of police may declare the license or permit denied, revoked or suspended. The action of the chief of police is appealable to the assembly of the city and borough of Sitka. The decision of the assembly is final.
D. 
If the applicant, licensee or permittee does not appear at the scheduled hearing, the police chief shall enter an order supporting the denial, revocation or suspension of the license or permit.
(S.G.C. 11.56.220; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
The police chief shall have the right, at any time, after notice to license holders and public hearing, to approve the maximum rates to be charged by taxicabs in the municipality, and no operator shall thereafter charge any passenger a rate higher than those approved by the police chief.
B. 
The driver or operator of any taxicab shall post in a conspicuous place on such vehicle, and keep posted, a copy of such rates in accordance with the rates approved by the police chief.
(S.G.C. 11.56.230; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
The driver of a taxicab shall, upon demand by the passenger, render to such passenger a receipt for the amount charged, either by a mechanically printed receipt or by a specially prepared receipt, on which shall be the name of the owner, license number, charges, and the date of transaction.
(S.G.C. 11.56.240; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
Drivers of taxicabs shall not receive or discharge passengers in the roadway, but shall pull up to the right-hand side as nearly as possible or, in the absence of a sidewalk, to the extreme right-hand side of the road and there receive or discharge passengers, except upon one-way streets, where passengers may be discharged at either the right-hand or left-hand sidewalk or side of the roadway in the absence of a sidewalk.
(S.G.C. 11.56.250; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
A. 
Vehicles must be kept in clean and sanitary condition and shall be inspected by the Sitka police department prior to being used as a taxicab and each year upon renewal of the operator’s license or permit or periodically as determined by the police chief. There will be a fee for each inspection.
B. 
All vehicles belonging to, or operated by, a particular operator shall be designated by an insignia or logo sufficient to identify that operator’s taxicabs to the public.
C. 
Smoking in the vehicle is prohibited under SGC § 9.20.015(L), entitled “Prohibition of smoking in public places.”
(S.G.C. 11.56.260; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986; Ord. 87-787 § 4, 1987; Ord. 09-59 § 4, 2009)
Any accidents arising from or in connection with the operation of taxicabs which result in death or injury to any person or in damage to any vehicle or to any property in an amount exceeding the sum of $500.00 shall be reported within 24 hours from the time of occurrence to the police chief.
(S.G.C. 11.56.270; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
All operator licenses and taxicab driver permits valid on January 15, 1986, the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall be and remain valid until their normal expiration dates, unless revoked or suspended in accordance with the provisions of SGC § 6.30.080, 6.30.150 or 6.30.290.
(S.G.C. 11.56.280; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(S.G.C. 11.56.290; Ord. 85-679 § 4, 1986)