SEC. 15D-9.2. LICENSE ISSUANCE; FEE; DISPLAY; TRANSFERABILITY.

   (a)   The director shall, within a reasonable time after the date of application, issue a private ambulance

service license to an applicant who complies with the provisions of this article.

   (b)   A license issued to a private ambulance service authorizes the licensee and the licensee’s bona fide employees to engage in private ambulance service.

   (c)   The annual fee for a private ambulance service license is $445. The fee for issuing a duplicate license for one lost, destroyed, or mutilated is $5. The fee is payable to the director upon issuance of a license. No refund of a license fee will be made.

   (d)   A private ambulance service license issued under this article must be conspicuously displayed in the private ambulance service’s business establishment.

   (e)   A private ambulance service license, or any accompanying permit, badge, sticker, ticket, or emblem, is not assignable or transferable. (Ord. Nos. 21861; 30215)

SEC. 15D-9.3. EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF LICENSE.

   (a)   A private ambulance service license expires one year from the date of issuance. A licensee shall apply for a renewal at least 30 days before the expiration of the license. The director shall renew a license without a public hearing if, after investigation, the director determines that:

      (1)   the licensee has performed satisfactorily under the terms of the license;

      (2)   the service provided continues to be necessary and desirable; and

      (3)   the licensee continues to comply with all requirements of this article.

   (b)   If, after investigation of a renewal application, the director determines that a statement in Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) is not true, the director shall call a public hearing and consider the renewal in the same manner as an original application. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.4. REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW LICENSE.

   (a)   The director shall refuse to issue or renew a private ambulance service license if the director determines that the applicant or licensee:

      (1)   made a false statement as to a material matter in an application for a license or license renewal, or in a hearing concerning the license;

      (2)   was convicted twice within a 12-month period or three times within a 24-month period for violation of this article;

      (3)   had a private ambulance service license suspended two times within the preceding 12 months or three times within the preceding 24 months, or revoked within the preceding 24 months;

      (4)   failed to comply with any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation established by the director under this article;

      (5)   was convicted for a violation of another city, state, or federal law or regulation that indicates lack of fitness of the applicant or licensee to operate a private ambulance service;

      (6)   was convicted of any felony offense while holding a private ambulance service license;

      (7)   used a trade name for a private ambulance service other than the one registered with the director; or

      (8)   is not fit, willing, or able to operate a private ambulance service in accordance with the license, this article, rules and regulations established by the director under this article, and other applicable state and federal laws.

   (b)   If the director determines that a license should be denied the applicant or licensee, the director shall notify the applicant or licensee in writing that the application is denied and include in the notice the reason for denial and a statement informing the applicant or licensee of the right of appeal. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.5. SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF LICENSE.

   (a)   The director may suspend or revoke a private ambulance service license if the director determines that the licensee:

      (1)   made a false statement as to a material matter in an application for a license or license renewal, or in a hearing concerning a license;

      (2)   failed to comply with any provision of this article or any rule or regulation established by the director under this article;

      (3)   was convicted for a violation of another city, state, or federal law or regulation that indicates lack of fitness of the licensee to operate a private ambulance service;

      (4)   is under indictment for or was convicted of any felony offense while holding a private ambulance service license;

      (5)   used a trade name for a private ambulance service other than the one registered for that service with the director;

      (6)   is not fit, willing, or able to continue to operate a private ambulance service in accordance with the license, this article, rules and regulations established by the director under this article, and other applicable state and federal laws; or

      (7)   failed to pay all fees required by this article.

   (b)   The director may suspend a private ambulance service license for a period not to exceed 60 days. At the end of the suspension period, the licensee may file with the director a written request for reinstatement of the license. The director shall determine if the deficiency causing the suspension has been corrected by the licensee and approve or deny reinstatement.

   (c)   The director shall notify the licensee in writing of a suspension or revocation under this section and include in the notice:

      (1)   the reason for the suspension or revocation;

      (2)   the date the suspension or revocation becomes effective;

      (3)   the duration of a suspension; and

      (4)   a statement informing the licensee of the right of appeal.

   (d)   After receipt of a notice of suspension or revocation, the licensee shall, on the date specified in the notice, surrender the license to the director and discontinue operating a private ambulance service inside the city.

   (e)   Notwithstanding Subsection (d), if the licensee appeals a suspension or revocation under this section, the licensee may continue to operate a private ambulance service pending the appeal unless:

      (1)   the licensee fails to meet the minimum insurance requirements of Section 15D-9.26 of this article; or

      (2)   the director determines that continued operation by the licensee would impose a serious and imminent threat to the public safety.

   (f)   A person whose private ambulance service license is revoked shall not, before the expiration of 24 months from the date the director revokes the license or, in the case of an appeal, the date the permit and license appeal board affirms the revocation:

      (1)   apply for another private ambulance service license; or

      (2)   perform as an employee, representative, or ambulance personnel for a private ambulance service licensee. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.6. APPEAL FROM LICENSE SUSPENSION.

   (a)   If the director suspends a private ambulance service license, the action is final unless the licensee files an appeal, in writing, with the city manager within 10 business days after notice of suspension.

   (b)   The city manager or the city manager’s designated representative shall act as the appeal hearing officer in an appeal hearing under this section. The hearing officer shall give the appealing party an opportunity to present evidence and make argument. The formal rules of evidence do not apply to an appeal hearing under this section, and the hearing officer shall make a ruling on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing.

   (c)   The hearing officer may affirm, modify, or reverse all or part of the action of the director being appealed. The decision of the hearing officer is final. (Ord. 21861)

SEC. 15D-9.7. APPEAL FROM LICENSE DENIAL OR REVOCATION.

   If the director denies an application for a license or license renewal, or revokes a license, the action is final unless the applicant or licensee files an appeal with the permit and license appeal board in accordance with Section 2-96 of this code. (Ord. 21861)

Division 4. Ambulance Personnel Permit.