(a) It is hereby determined that two taxicab companies shall adequately serve the need for taxi service in the City. No license for the operation of taxicabs in excess of the limitation herein prescribed shall be issued unless and until Council, by resolution, declares that public convenience and necessity require the issuance of additional taxicab licenses in the number set forth in such resolution. Upon the passage of such resolution, the City Manager shall be authorized to issue the specified additional number of licenses. All applications must be approved by the City Manager.
(b) The applicant shall file the proper evidence of insurance coverage, which shall include a copy of the policy, showing that the applicant has procured insurance from an insurance company permitted to do business in the State, which insurance contract guarantees the payment of any judgment against the applicant or an individual driver of a taxicab up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for any one person and one million dollars ($1,000,000) for any one accident, which insurance contract shall cover any liability for bodily injuries or death occurring from the negligent operation of any such taxicab.
(c) The applicant shall file a description of the taxicab to be operated under such license if granted, including the maker's name, serial or vehicle identification number (vin) number, model and year. A separate nontransferable license shall be granted for each taxicab to be used.
(d) The holder of a taxicab license must maintain at least a twelve-hour service from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Taxicab service must be given to any caller who desires such service between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; during other hours of the day and night the license holder may furnish such taxi service if he or she is able to do so.
(e) The name of each taxicab driver and his/her current, valid motor vehicle driver's/operator's license issued by any state within the United States of America must be registered with the City Manager or his/her authorized agent. Any vehicle operated as a taxicab shall be equipped with two-way radio communication equipment. Each taxicab must be radio dispatched from its base of operation. In addition, the taxicab company employing any taxicab driver in any capacity shall furnish to the City Manager or his/her authorized agent a current driver's record report from the State of Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles or similar state agency, for the purpose of obtaining/securing a license in accordance with subsection (a) above.
(f) Any vehicle operating as a taxicab must be properly marked including, at minimum, the company's name and telephone number and identification number.
(g) The fees for taxicab licenses shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first taxi licensed by any person or legal entity and thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each and every cab thereafter licensed by the same person or legal entity. All licenses issued in accordance with this chapter shall be issued/renewed annually commencing January 1 and expire December 31 of each year.
(Ord. 2009-123. Passed 8-17-09.)