(1) Before any person, firm, or corporation may conduct an on-call wrecker service in the City of Cookeville, he or she shall file with the Cookeville Police Department an application for a permit. Applicants and all partners shall also meet the driver's permit qualifications outlined in § 15-809. The application shall include the name of the on-call wrecker service, address and phone number; applicant name, home address and phone number; whether the applicant is an individual, firm, or corporation, and if a firm, the name, home address and phone number of each member thereof. The applicant will also be responsible for any other fees that are associated with the application or background investigation process. The application shall also include the following: the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license number of all vehicles proposed to be used by the on-call wrecker service; the color scheme or insignia to be used to designate the vehicle or vehicles; experience of the applicant in the transportation or towing of vehicles; certification of the mechanical reliability and cleanliness of the vehicles by a Cookeville Police Department approved inspector; certification of liability insurance; and such other pertinent information as may be required on said form, which application shall be sworn to by the applicant and notarized.
(2) All permits for conducting an on-call wrecker service shall be issued and signed by a representative designated by the Cookeville Police Department. No on-call wrecker service permits shall be issued for a longer period than one (1) calendar year. The designated representative of the Cookeville Police Department may issue a permit for a shorter or probationary period if the designee deemed it proper. All on-call wrecker service permits are subject to cancellation at any time by the Cookeville Police Department. Permits issued under this section are nontransferable.
(3) All permits heretofore issued shall expire annually. The applicant must file a renewal application and ensure that all fees have been paid and all vehicles have been inspected consistent with the administrative regulations of the Cookeville Police Department so that the application for renewal can be acted upon by the Cookeville Police Department. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall result in immediate suspension of all permits held by the on-call wrecker service owner.
(4) No permits, initial or renewal, for an on-call wrecker service shall be issued unless a current business license has been obtained from the City of Cookeville. Any on-call wrecker service that conducts regular business within the Cookeville city limits must have their office located within the Cookeville city limits in an area zoned for such a business.
(5) Every on-call wrecker service permitted under this chapter shall post the permit in such a place in each wrecker as to be in full view while such wrecker is in operation.
(6) The Cookeville Police Department shall have authority to issue administrative regulations that are not in conflict with this chapter governing the use and operation of wreckers. Provided, however, that any owner of an on-call wrecker service, as of the effective date of this chapter, that does not meet the requirement of § 15-809 may continue to be an owner unless (1) the owner is convicted of a felony; pleads guilty to a felony; or pleads "no contest" (nolo contendere) to a felony; or (2) ceases to be an owner. In the event of (1) the owner immediately forfeits the permit. In the event of (2) the owner must meet all criteria set forth in § 15-809 to obtain a new permit to be an owner. Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to permit an owner under this exception to be a driver. (Ord. #O17-10-19, Dec. 2017)