(A) The Town Manager shall consider the application and the results of the investigation and shall issue the permit unless he or she concludes that there is reliable information justifying rejection of the application. The following factors shall be deemed sufficient grounds for refusing to issue a permit or for revoking a permit already issued:
(1) Conviction of a felony against the state, or conviction of any offense against another state which would have been a felony if committed in this state;
(2) Violation of any federal or state law relating to the use, possession or sale of alcoholic beverages or narcotic or barbiturate drugs;
(3) Addiction to or a habitual use of alcoholic beverages or narcotic or barbiturate drugs;
(4) Violation of any federal or state law relating to prostitution;
(5) Lack of United States citizenship or permanent resident alien status; or
(6) Habitual violation of traffic laws or ordinances.
(B) Upon the Town Manager’s approval of the issuance of a permit to the applicant, a permit may be issued upon completion of all of the following:
(1) The applicant has paid a permit fee in the amount of $15;
(2) The applicant has paid all fees due in connection with the investigation of the application;
(3) With respect to the vehicle-for-hire business for whom the driver works (whether as an employee, independent contractor, or principal), the operator has:
(a) Demonstrated that the operator has policies in place by which the operator will maintain control over each driver working in the business with respect to the fares to be charged and the driver’s behavior while transporting passengers;
(b) Signed a consent for periodic and random inspections of taxicabs and/or other vehicles for hire for safety and compliance with this chapter;
(c) Filed with the town proof of financial responsibility maintained on all taxicabs or other vehicles to be used for hire, such proof of financial responsibility having the meaning set forth at G.S. § 20-280(b) for taxicabs and/or other applicable state law; and
(d) Demonstrated that the operator maintains all vehicles for hire which are currently available for hire and within his or her control in a safe and sanitary condition and maintains current state safety inspections on all vehicles for hire within his or her control.
(Ord. passed 9-17-2009; Ord. passed 4-19-2011; Ord. passed 6-21-2011; Ord. passed --)