(A) The number of taxicab permits issued under this Chapter shall not exceed eighteen (18). Only one vehicle may be assigned per permit at any time. The City Council may increase or decrease the number of taxicab permits as it, from time to time, determines to be necessary to meet the needs of the citizens. A decision by the City Council to decrease the maximum number of permits shall not, however, automatically constitute a cause for a revocation or for a denial of renewal of any existing taxicab permit being actively operated in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(Ordinance No. 94-33; Am. Ord. No. 2000-20, passed 12-14-00; Am. Ord. No. 2002-17, passed 8-26-02)
(B) The City Council may at any time consider an ordinance calling for an increase in the maximum number of taxicab permits that the City Clerk may issue. If the Council decides that the number of authorized permits is to be increased, the City Clerk shall publish notice that applications for a taxicab permit are being accepted by the City and the time by which application must be made. If more eligible persons apply than there are taxicab permits available, the City will select the new permit holder(s) by lot from among those applicants meeting the qualifications set forth in § 9.12.050 of this Chapter, and who has submitted a complete application for a permit under § 9.12.040 of this Chapter.
(C) Upon lapse or revocation of a permit, the Council shall schedule a public hearing on the question of whether the maximum number of taxicab permits should be maintained. After the hearing, if the Council decides that the number of authorized permits is to be maintained, the City Clerk shall publish notice that applications for a taxicab permit are being accepted by the City and the time by which application must be made. If more eligible persons apply than there are taxicab permits available, the City will select the new permit holder(s) by lot from among those applicants meeting the qualifications set forth in
§ 9.12.050 of this Chapter, and who has submitted a complete application for a permit under § 9.12.040 of this Chapter. A person whose permit has been revoked or non- renewed by the City shall not be eligible to apply for a new permit or to obtain a taxicab permit by transfer or by lease for a period of one (1) year from the date of revocation or non-renewal (lapse) of the person's previous permit lapsed.
(D) No person may have a direct or indirect financial or management interest in more than one-fourth (1/4), increased to the nearest whole number, of the maximum number of taxicab permits authorized to be issued at any one time. For purposes of this division, a person has an indirect financial or management interest in a taxicab permit or vehicle assigned to the permit if the permit is held or owned by a member of the immediate family of that person, or if a person is a shareholder, officer, director, general partner, limited partner, member, economic interest holder, or holder of management rights (other than as a mere employee) of any person which holds or owns a taxicab permit issued by the City or which holds or owns a vehicle assigned to a taxicab permit. Nothing in this division requires divestment of ownership or management interests where a person owns an interest otherwise prohibited hereunder as a result of a decision of the City to decrease the number of authorized permits.
(Am. Ord. 2003-14, passed 10-28-03; Am. Ord. 2004-03, passed 2-24-04; Am. Ord. 2005-15, passed 7- 16-05; Am. Ord. 2006-15, passed 9-12-06; Am. Ord. No. 2011-01, passed 2-22-11; Am. Ord. 2015-23, passed 11-24-15)