§ 42-695. REQUIRED.

   The operation of taxicabs upon the streets of the city is hereby found to be a matter affecting the public interest and welfare. It is unlawful for any person, either acting as an owner, principal, agent, employee, lessee, or licensee, to operate or permit to be operated upon the streets of the city any taxicab without first having procured a license therefor from the city as hereinafter provided.

(Prior Code, § 42-695)

§ 42-696. APPLICATION.

   In order to apply for such a license, as herein provided for the operation of a taxicab for the carriage of persons for hire in the city, a written application, verified by the applicant or his or her duly authorized agent, shall be filed with the City Clerk on a blank form to be provided by the City Clerk. The application shall contain the following information and any other necessary and appropriate information as may be required by the City Clerk:

   (A)   Full name, address, and age of the applicant; and his or her permanent business location; if a partnership, the name and address of all of the partners; if a corporation, the names and addresses of the officers and directors thereof;

   (B)   A complete description of each vehicle to be used, including the model motor number; state license number; the seating capacity of each vehicle proposed to be used; and a statement of the ownership of each vehicle;

   (C)   The trade name under which the applicant does or proposes to do business;

   (D)   Property damage insurance and public liability insurance has or will be secured to cover each vehicle proposed to be used upon the streets of the city; and

   (E)   A written statement of the rates proposed to be charged, showing a maximum rate by blocks and distances or zones.

(Prior Code, § 42-696)

§ 42-697. PAYMENT OF FEES; TRANSFERABILITY; EXPIRATION.

   (A)   No license shall be issued and delivered until the applicant shall have paid to the City Clerk the following amounts:

      (1)   For the first taxicab or other vehicle used as a taxicab in the transportation of passengers for hire: $10; and

      (2)   For each additional taxicab: the sum of $5 each.

   (B)   No refund of license fees shall be made for any reason.

   (C)   No license shall be transferable.

   (D)   All licenses shall expire on June 30 in each year.

(Prior Code, § 42-697)

§ 42-698. LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY OR BOND.

   (A)   Before any license is issued for a taxicab, the owner or operator thereof shall file with the City Clerk, to be approved by the City Council, an insurance policy as follows:

      (1)   Issued by an insurance company licensed and authorized to do business in the state;

      (2)   Provides liability insurance coverage for each and every taxicab owned, operated, or leased by the applicant;

      (3)   Has liability coverage not less than $25,000 for one injury or death; not less than $50,000 for each accident, and no less than $10,000 for property damage in any one accident;

      (4)   Coverage effective whether the taxicab was, at the time of the accident, driven by the owner, his or her agent, employee, lessee, or licensee;

      (5)   Endorsed thereon and on a form approved by the City Attorney;

      (6)   Provides that the policy cannot be canceled until written notice of the proposed cancellation is filed with the City Clerk; and

      (7)   Provides that the policy is made for the use, benefit, and protection of the city and for the use and benefit of any person who may suffer injury, either to his or her person or property by reason of any accident or omission of any applicant or his or her employees in the operation of any taxicab or other vehicle used in the transportation of passengers for hire in the city.

   (B)   The policy must be approved by the City Council and, if approved, remain in full force and effect during the life of any such license issued.

   (C)   If, after the approval of the policy and after the issuance of a license, such policy shall be allowed to lapse or shall not be renewed by the payment of premiums, the City Council may cancel any license under the provisions of this article after notice to the licensee and after an opportunity to be heard.

(Prior Code, § 42-698)

§ 42-699. LICENSE TO BE ISSUED.

   (A)   Upon the filing of the application for such license, paying the required fees, and filing the required insurance policy, the matter of the hearing of the application shall come before the City Council at a regular meeting within a reasonable time, at which the applicant shall:

      (1)   Show by proper proof of necessity, convenience, and requirement for such license; and

      (2)   Furnish satisfactory information and proof that all taxicabs or vehicles proposed to be licensed are in first class mechanical condition.

   (B)   In the event that the City Council determines that issuance of the requested license or any of the units is in the public interest, necessity, and convenience, an order shall be entered in the minutes to that effect, directing the City Clerk to issue a license.

(Prior Code, § 42-699)