(A) Taxicab inspection sticker.
(1) The certificate holder is responsible to obtain a taxicab inspection sticker. The sticker must be displayed on the taxicab as prescribed by the City Clerk.
(2) An application for a taxicab inspection sticker shall be filed with the City Clerk on forms provided by the city, shall be verified by the certificate holder of the taxicab to be covered by the inspection sticker and shall contain the following information:
(a) The legal name, including the registered trade name, of the certificate holder of the taxicab or taxicabs;
(b) The business address of the certificate holder;
(c) If a corporation, the name and address of the designated agent for service of process;
(d) The designation of the taxicab as required herein;
(e) The amount of coverage provided by an indemnity bond, liability insurance policy or approved plan of self-insurance required by this chapter for each taxicab for which application is made;
(f) The number of taxicabs for which the certificate holder is making application;
(g) The make, type, year of manufacture and passenger seating capacity of each taxicab for which application is made;
(h) The company number, vehicle identification number and license plate number of each taxicab for which application is made; and
(i) Any other information required by the Mayor.
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by the following:
(a) A copy of the taxicab certificate or certificates or a letter issued by the state’s Transportation Cabinet authorizing the applicant to operate taxicabs at or from the city and its suburban area;
(b) For each taxicab for which application is made a certificate of insurance, copy of an indemnity bond or in the case of a self-insured company, a copy of the plan of self-insurance approved by the state’s Department of Insurance and the state’s Transportation Cabinet; and
(c) Any other information required by the Mayor.
(4) Each applicant and certificate holder shall inform the City Clerk immediately whenever the information required by this division (A) changes.
(B) Inspection of taxicabs.
(1) Each taxicab for which application for a taxicab inspection sticker is made shall be inspected by the city’s Police Department before the inspection sticker is issued. The inspection shall verify that each taxicab conforms to the following requirements including, but not limited to:
(a) A cash box securely installed in interior of the vehicle within normal view of all passengers which cash box shall be the repository for such cash as may be received by the driver during his operation of the vehicle. The type construction, operation, placement, installation and securing of the cash box shall comply with such reasonable regulations as may be prescribed by the Mayor;
(b) Conspicuous notice visible on both sides of the vehicle and to passengers inside the vehicle to the effect that the driver cannot carry more than $20 for the purpose of making change;
(c) For taxicabs providing wheelchair service, a lift device to provide easy access for those confined to wheelchairs and with clamps or other similar devices to keep wheelchairs in place while the taxicab is in motion and such equipment necessary to provide two-way radio communication;
(d) The proper designation as provided herein; and
(e) A taximeter fastened so that is shall be visible to the passengers at all times of day and night which taximeter is operated electronically or mechanically by a mechanism of standard design and construction driven either from the transmission or from one of the front wheels by a flexible and permanently attached driving mechanism. Each taximeter shall be sealed at all points and connections which, if manipulated, would affect their correct reading and recording. Each taximeter shall have thereon a flag or light to denote when the vehicle is employed and when it is not employed.
(2) Every vehicle operating under an inspection sticker issued pursuant to this chapter shall be reinspected at six-month intervals or at such shorter interval as may be prescribed by the Mayor. The tuning and requirements for shorter intervals deemed necessary may be based on a regular lapse of time or miles driven between reinspections or the occurrence of certain incidents.
(3) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the Mayor, or any city police officer, from inspecting a taxicab at any time with or without a complaint filed by any person.
(4) Each taxicab for which application for a taxicab inspection sticker is made shall submit proof that a mechanical safety inspection has been conducted by a qualified mechanic.
(C) Issuance of inspection sticker.
(1) The Mayor, or his or her designee, shall, on consideration of the application and the items attached thereto, approve the application for a taxicab inspection sticker whenever the following findings are made:
(a) The applicant has provided the information and items established herein;
(b) The statements made or information provided by the applicant are true and correct;
(c) The applicant has been granted a taxicab certificate or certificates or issued a letter by the commonwealth’s Bureau of Vehicle Regulation, authorizing the applicant to operate the designated number of taxicabs at, from or within the city and its suburban area;
(d) There is in full force and effect an indemnity bond or liability insurance policy as required by this chapter for each taxicab for which application is made; and
(e) Each taxicab for which application is made has been inspected and met the requirements of this chapter and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(2) On approval of an application for a taxicab inspection sticker, the City Clerk shall issue the sticker to the applicant. The license shall be in effect for a six-month period designated by the City Clerk.
(3) A renewal inspection sticker for each six-month period thereafter shall be issued on compliance by the holder with the requirements of this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(4) The Mayor, or his or her designee, shall prescribe the size, form and content of each inspection sticker or renewal sticker issued and shall prescribe the manner in which the sticker shall be displayed.
(D) Suspension or revocation of inspection sticker.
(1) Violation of this chapter or the regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of the inspection sticker or driver’s permit. Upon learning of a violation for which the Mayor proposes to suspend or revoke a sticker or permit, the Mayor will give written notification of the alleged violation to the driver and the certificate holder, and of the manner in which a hearing on the manner may be requested.
(2) The Mayor may immediately suspend an inspection sticker or driver’s permit for serious violations of applicable ordinances or regulations when such action is deemed warranted by the Mayor for reasons of public health and safety. At the time of such action, the driver and the certificate holder against whom such action is taken shall be notified in writing of the manner in which a hearing on the matter may be requested.
(3) Upon notice of suspension or intended suspension or revocation of a sticker or permit, the driver or certificate holder shall be provided an opportunity for a hearing before the Mayor. A request for a hearing shall be made in writing and within five days of the notice of suspension. If a hearing is requested, it shall be provided within ten days of the Mayor’s receipt of the request. The driver or certificate holder may be represented by counsel and may call witnesses to testify on his or her behalf. The City Attorney shall prescribe by regulation fair and reasonable hearing procedures, a copy of which shall be provided to any person against whom such action is taken.
(4) An order of revocation or suspension in excess of ten days shall be approved and signed by the Mayor.
(Ord. 997-416, passed 11-10-1997)