(a) The Public Improvements Committee of Council shall investigate and hold a hearing upon each application for a license. If the Committee finds upon the investigation and hearing that the public convenience and necessity do not justify the operation of the vehicle for which a license is desired, it shall forthwith notify the applicant of its findings and report such findings to Council If the Committee finds upon the investigation and hearing that the public convenience and necessity do justify the operation of the vehicle for which a license is desired, it shall forthwith notify the applicant. Within sixty days thereafter, the applicant shall furnish and file with the Department of Public Service the following:
(1) A full transcript of the information appearing on the certificate of title of each vehicle for which a license is desired and the state license number of each such vehicle.
(2) An official, unexpired certificate from the Chief of Police stating that each vehicle for which a license is desired has been annually inspected and tested and found to meet the standards fixed by statute and that each such vehicle is roadworthy and safe for operation as a taxicab.
A. The report of any municipal police department which has similarly inspected the vehicle may be accepted by the Chief of Police as being in compliance with this subsection (a)(2) hereof, in the event the report is no older than thirty days.
B. A report from the State Highway Patrol regarding the inspection and approval of such vehicle may also be accepted by the Chief of Police as being in compliance with this subsection (a)(2) hereof, in the event the report is no older than thirty days.
C. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Chief of Police from requiring commercial, computerized or other scientific evaluation of the vehicle, at the applicant's cost, to assure that all mechanical systems are roadworthy and safe for operation as a taxicab.
(3) The name of each person who will or may operate the taxicab in the City and the driver's license number of such person.
(4) A policy of liability insurance issued for the life of the license applied for or longer by a responsible insurance company.
The policy shall be approved as to sufficiency by the Director of Finance and as to legality by the Law Director and shall provide indemnity for or protection to the applicant against losses resulting from the operation of each such taxicab to the extent of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the injury or death of one person in any one accident, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the injury or death of more than one person in any one accident and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for property damage caused in any one accident. In lieu of the insurance policy described herein the applicant may furnish a bond binding the principal and sureties to liability for payment of a judgment to the extent of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) respectively as set forth above with at least two approved persons as sureties or one approved corporate surety. The bond shall be approved as to sufficiency by the Director of Finance and as to legality by the Law Director.
(5) The schedule of rates and rates to be charged passengers for transportation during the period of the license.
(6) A record of all transports originating in the City or terminating within the City for the year immediately preceding the application.
(b) Thereupon, Council as a whole may examine the supporting information and documents or receive a report thereon from the City Administration. Upon satisfaction that the applicant is the owner of any such vehicle, that the vehicle is a safe and fit conveyance, the drivers to be authorized under the permit have satisfactory driving histories as certified by the Chief of Police, and that a satisfactory insurance policy or bond has been issued and is in force thereon, it shall, upon payment of the prescribed license fee, authorize the issuance of a license to the applicant by the Department of Public Service. A certified copy of the license shall be exhibited in a prominent place in each taxicab at all times.
(1985 -155. Passed 4-25-85.)