751.13 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.

   (a) If the Safety-Service Director is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable and proper person to drive a vehicle for hire and the applicant's examination discloses no matter which in the opinion of the Safety-Service Director should be called to the attention of the Mayor, then the Safety-Service Director shall have the authority to issue the license upon payment of the proper fee as provided.

   (b)   It shall be within the discretion of the Safety-Service Director to refer his/her findings to the Mayor which shall then investigate and hold a hearing as to such application for a license. No such license shall be issued until the payment of the proper taxicab driver's license fee and upon compliance with all other requirements of Chapter 751 and the rules and regulations adopted by the Safety-Service Director for the issuance of a license. The applicant shall be notified of the Mayor's findings.

   (c)   A license to drive a taxicab may not be issued to any applicant that has been convicted of the following offenses:

      (1)   Manslaughter or homicide of any degree;

      (2)   Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within the past three years;

      (3)   Any felony in which physical violence was used in the past five years;

      (4)   Any state offense described below or its equivalent in a city code.

         A.    Rape

         B.    Sexual Battery

         C.    Corruption of a minor

         D.    Gross sexual imposition

         E.    Sexual imposition

          F.   Any drug or drug related offense within the past three years

   (d)   Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Safety- Service Director, regardless of time limit stated, to refuse to issue a license for these or other background related issues. Additionally, the Safety-Service Director shall have the discretion to waive any background or time related issues and allow for the issuance of a license.

   (e)   Any applicant who has accumulated eight (8) or more points on his or her Ohio Driver's License within the two year period preceding the date of application may be required to appear before the Safety-Service Director who shall determine if such license should be issued.

   (f)   A Taxicab drivers license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall expire annually on January 1st of each year. A taxicab drivers license may be renewed each year upon payment of $20.00 fee and complying with the provisions of Section 751.08 to 751.12 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 16-269. Passed 2-7-17.)