No person shall operate any vehicle for hire in the City, without first having obtained a business license from the City Clerk authorizing such operation. The licensee must be the owner or lessee of all vehicles for hire operated under its authority.
A. 
All persons applying for a business license for one or more vehicles for hire shall file with the City Clerk a sworn application therefor on forms provided by the City Clerk stating as follows:
(1) 
The name and address of the owner or owners. In the event that the owner is a copartnership or a corporation, a certified copy of the certificate of a copartnership or the articles of incorporation must accompany the application.
(2) 
The number of vehicles for hire actually owned or leased and operated by such owner on the date of such application.
(3) 
The number of vehicles for which a vehicle for hire business license is desired.
(4) 
Such other information as the City Clerk may require.
A. 
The City Commission may establish, by resolution or motion, license fees for business licenses, vehicle licenses and license tags in such amounts as they shall deem appropriate from time-to-time to defray the reasonable costs of supervision regulation and control connected with the issuance of these licenses. No such licenses shall be issued unless and until the prescribed fee therefor has been paid.
B. 
If any person holding a business license shall have such license revoked for any reason whatsoever, and other holders of business licenses shall, during the same license year in which such revocation is effected, place additional vehicles for hire in operation on the streets of the City, such vehicles for hire so placed in operation, not exceeding the number authorized under the business license so revoked, shall be authorized to operate without the payment of additional fees, until the expiration of such license year.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
For each person who files a properly completed application for a business license, the Clerk, upon approval by the Chief of Public Safety, shall issue a business license, provided the applicant has complied with all the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
Every vehicle for hire owner shall maintain on file, with the City Clerk, his or her name, business address, garage address, and all business telephone numbers listed in his or her name, and shall, within 48 hours after any change therein, report such change to the City Clerk.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
Any change of ownership of, or title to, any vehicle for hire shall automatically revoke any license previously granted for the operation of such vehicle for hire unless the purchaser shall obtain the approval of the City Clerk for assignment or transfer of the license to him or her. Such approval shall be granted only upon a written application signed by the vendor and proposed vendee, setting forth the purpose, terms, conditions, and all of the facts of such assignment or transfer. The purchaser shall provide to the City Clerk, prior to the approval of such assignment or transfer, such other information as the Clerk may require consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
A. 
Whenever an owner sells or transfers title to a vehicle for hire for which a vehicle license or license tag has been issued, and within 30 days after such sale or transfer, purchases other vehicles for hire, the City Clerk, as a matter of right, upon written application within 30 days of such purchase, shall issue a new vehicle license or license tag for the operation of no greater number of vehicles for hire than those so sold or transferred, provided such owner has complied with all of the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Any owner whose vehicle for hire for which a vehicle license or license tag has been issued, destroys involuntarily or who voluntarily destroys any such vehicle for hire will, as a matter of right, upon written application to the City Clerk, within 30 days after such destruction, be issued a new vehicle license or license tag for the operation of no greater number of vehicles for hire than those so destroyed, upon satisfactory evidence presented to the City Clerk of such destruction, and provided the owner has complied with all provisions of this chapter.
An owner who shall permanently retire any vehicle for hire from service, and not replace the same within 30 days thereof, shall immediately surrender the vehicle license or license tag issued for the operation of such vehicle for hire to the City Clerk.
All business licenses, vehicle licenses, and license tags shall expire at midnight on the April 30 following the issuance thereof.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
Upon application, at least 30 days prior to the expiration of any valid business license, the City Clerk may renew said license, or cause a new business license to be issued to the owner so licensed upon continued compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Once a new business license has been issued, new vehicle licenses or license tags may be issued upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 9-30-1996 by Ord. No. 1623]
A. 
Business licenses may be suspended or revoked by the City Commission at any time in the event:
(1) 
The owner fails to operate a vehicle for hire in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
A vehicle for hire operated under said business license is used in an illegal business or in violation of any ordinance of the City or state or federal law.
B. 
No business license shall be revoked unless or until notice and opportunity to be heard has been given to the licensee and until a hearing is duly held and the licensee is given an opportunity to appear and be heard in his or her own defense. The City Commission may designate a hearing officer to hear the evidence submitted and to make a report of findings and recommendation thereon to the commission. The licensee may, at his or her expense, employ a reporter to transcribe the testimony given at the hearing. Following the hearing, the City Commission shall submit to the licensee a written statement of its findings and determination.
C. 
When a business license has been suspended or revoked, the licensee shall surrender such license, together with all vehicle licenses and license tags issued to him or her under this chapter, to the City Clerk, and the operation of any vehicle for hire covered by such license shall cease.