124.01 DEFINITIONS.
For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
- “Operator” means any person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity that engages in the commercial business of operating a taxi, but does not include a person hired to drive a taxi.
- “Taxi” means any motor vehicle that is used on the streets of the City for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire.
124.02 LICENSE REQUIRED.
It is unlawful to operate a taxi without a valid taxi license issued by the City under this chapter and without first having complied with all other provisions of this chapter.
124.03 APPLICATION FOR LICENSE.
A taxi operator shall apply in writing to the Clerk for a license for each taxi. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the City and shall include the name, residential and business addresses, and telephone number of the operator and the make, model, serial number, motor number and State license plate number of each taxi. If the operator is conducting the business as a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, the application shall set forth the name, address and telephone number of the registered agent of the entity and the name, address and telephone number of the entity’s officers, members or shareholders.
124.04 FEE.
The application shall be accompanied by a license fee of $100.00 for each taxi which shall be nonrefundable. The nonrefundable license fee of $100.00 per taxi shall be paid to the Clerk on or before the anniversary date of each license issued for each taxi.
124.05 INVESTIGATION AND REPORT.
Before the Council acts on the issuance of a license, the Police Chief shall investigate the character of the applicant and shall inspect the taxis to be licensed for possible violations of the State motor vehicle law or of this chapter, and shall report on these matters to the Council.
124.06 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.
The Clerk shall refer all applications to the Council and the Council shall issue a license if it finds that the issuance will be consistent with public convenience, health, safety and welfare The license shall contain the signatures of the Mayor and Clerk, the date of issuance, the period for which the license is valid, the passenger seating capacity of the taxi and the information contained in the application.
124.07 DISPOSITION OF FEE.
The Clerk shall transmit the license fee to the Finance Officer.
124.08 TRANSFER OF LICENSE PROHIBITED.
Each taxi license shall be issued for one specific taxi only and shall not be transferable from taxi to taxi or to a different operator.
124.09 REVOCATION OF LICENSE.
The Council may revoke or suspend any license issued under this chapter for the following reasons:
- Fraudulent Statements. The operator has made fraudulent statements in the application for the license or in the conduct of the business.
- Violation of Law. The operator has violated the requirements of this chapter or of the State motor vehicle laws.
- Endangered Public Welfare, Health or Safety. The operator has conducted the business in such a manner as to endanger the public welfare, health or safety.
124.10 NOTICE AND HEARING.
The Clerk shall send a notice to the licensee not less than ten (10) days before the date set for a hearing on the possible revocation of a license. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be served personally or as required for personal service by the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the reasons for the intended revocation or suspension. The Council shall conduct the hearing on the possible revocation of the license. Should the licensee, or authorized representative, fail to appear, the Council may proceed to a determination of the complaint.
124.11 APPEAL.
If the Council revokes or refuses to issue a license, the Council shall make a part of the record the reasons therefor. The licensee or the applicant shall have the right to a hearing before the Council at its next regular meeting. The Council may reverse, modify or affirm its prior decision by a majority vote of the Council members present.
124.12 SUPERVISION.
The Police Chief has the power at any time to investigate the conduct of any taxi business and the operation of a licensed taxi and to inspect a licensed taxi for possible violations of the State motor vehicle laws or this chapter, and shall report on these matters to the Council. The Police Chief shall inspect all taxis at least once every two (2) months.
124.13 DISPLAY OF LICENSE AND RATES.
Operators shall display within the taxi, in full view of the passengers, the taxi license and a schedule of rates.
124.14 LIABILITY INSURANCE.
Before beginning operation of any taxi, the operator shall file with the Clerk evidence of liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.00 to cover possible liabilities arising out of the operation of each licensed taxi.
124.15 DRIVER’S QUALIFICATIONS.
Every driver of a licensed taxi shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and shall possess a valid Iowa commercial driver’s license.
124.16 MAXIMUM WORKING HOURS.
No operator shall require or permit any person to drive a taxi in excess of these maximum periods:
- No more than twelve (12) consecutive hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period except that, after completing such period of work, a driver may begin work again if he or she has been off duty for ten (10) hours.
- No more than twelve (12) non-consecutive hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period except that, after completing such a period of work, a driver may begin work again if he or she has been off duty for eight (8) hours.
124.17 SOLICITING BUSINESS.
Taxi drivers shall not stop, park or drive about the City streets or public places to solicit passengers by words, signs or signals, but they may take a passenger anywhere in the City at the passenger’s request.
124.18 RESTRICTION ON NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.
No driver shall permit more passengers to be carried in a taxi than the rated seating capacity of the taxi as fixed by the Council and stated in the license.
124.19 DUTY TO CARRY.
No driver shall refuse or neglect to convey any orderly person or persons, upon request, unless previously engaged, or unless the driver is unable or forbidden to do so by the provisions of this chapter.
124.20 TAXI REQUIREMENTS.
In order for a taxi to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter, the taxi must have at least four doors (not including hatchback). No license under the provisions of this chapter will be issued to any taxi that is a convertible. All taxis licensed under the provisions of this chapter must be less than five years old.
(Ch. 124 – Ord. 604 – May 06 Supp.)