Columbus, Georgia

16



AN ORDINANCE



No.



An Ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Columbus Code so as to revise the

regulation of Taxicab businesses in Columbus, Georgia; to provide for licensing

of Taxicab businesses; to provide for criminal background checks of Taxicab

company owners and drivers; to provide for Taxicab driver permits; to provide

for revocation of business licenses and permits; to increase rates; to provide

insurance requirements and for inspection of Taxicabs; and, for other purposes.





THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:



SECTION 1.



Chapter 21 of the Columbus Code is hereby repealed in its entirety and

there is substituted a new Chapter 21 to read as follows:



Section 21-1 Declaration of Policy.



The Council of Columbus, Georgia, hereby declares its concern with the

public welfare and safety with regard to the usage and operation of Taxicabs

within Columbus and hereby declares its policy to be to allow the use of

Taxicabs on the public streets, and adopts this chapter with concern for the

quality of service to be offered to the general public by Taxicab Company

Owners and Drivers.



Section 21-2 Definitions.



The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Chapter, shall have

the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context

indicates a different meaning:



Chairperson means the Chairperson, Columbus Taxicab Commission.

Chief of Police means the Chief of Police for the Columbus, Georgia Police

Department or designee.

Commission means the Columbus Taxicab Commission as defined under Section 21-11

of the Columbus Code.



Company means any person(s), association, corporation or other organization

operating or intending to engage in the business of operating vehicles for hire.



Company lot means the lot maintained by a Company for the purpose of parking

vehicles and other functions in the operation of vehicles for hire business.



Controlled substance means those narcotics, drugs or other compounds as defined

by state or federal Law.



Conviction includes bond forfeitures, guilty pleas and pleas of nolo contendere

and is dated from the time a sentence, including probation, is completed.

Dispatch Log means a daily record, prepared by the Taxicab Company Owner, of

all trips made by the Taxicab(s) operated by the Company, showing time and

place of origin and destination of each trip and the amount of fare.

Driver?s Permit means the license issued by the Chief of Police to any person

to enable that person to drive a Taxicab and pick up passengers upon the

streets of Columbus.

Driver shall mean a permitted Taxicab driver.

Fees means nonrefundable payments required by this chapter.



Highways means any of the public streets, roads, boulevards, avenues, drives or

alleys of Columbus, Georgia.



Limousine means any motor vehicle that meets the manufacturer's specifications

for luxury limousine with a minimum of five seats located behind the operator

of the vehicle and which does not have a door at the rear of the vehicle

designed to allow passenger entry or exit; further, no vehicle shall be

permitted to be operated both as a Taxicab and a Limousine.



Limousine service means the service regularly rendered to the public by

furnishing transportation for hire, not over fixed routes, by means of

Limousines operated by chauffeurs, on the basis of telephone contract, written

contract or other prearrangement.

Moral Turpitude means an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private

and social duties that a person owes to fellow persons, or to society in

general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between

persons, but does not include the crime of writing bad checks.

Taxicab Safety Certification means the Safety Certification received from a

licensed garage, contracted with the City, certifying that the Taxicab is

mechanically safe and in compliance with state laws regarding vehicle safety

including emission control, tires, brakes, wipers, lights, safety belts and

airbags, windshields, air conditioning and all other factory equipment and

mechanical systems.

Taxicab means a motor vehicle for hire, including Vans, with 3 or more

passenger doors, that seats 15 or fewer passengers, that operates on call or

demand and transports passengers and their luggage, if any, between two (2)

points designated by the passenger and that calculates the fare by means of a

taximeter.



Taxicab Company Owner means an individual, partnership, or corporation that

owns the trade name for a Taxicab Company and has purchased the necessary

business license(s) from Columbus, Georgia, to operate such Taxicab Company.

Taxicab Owner?s Business License means a license approved by the Chief of

Police and the Columbus Council authorizing the holder thereof to operate a

Taxicab Company in Columbus, Georgia.

Taximeter means an instrument or device attached to a vehicle and designed to

measure mechanically or electronically the distance traveled by such vehicle,

to record the times the vehicle travels or is in waiting and to indicate the

fares to be charged.



Use of narcotic drugs means compounds defined as a controlled substance by

state or federal law, with or without medical need or authority or prescription.



Van means any vehicle other than a sedan-type vehicle with a designed seating

capacity of not less than seven and not more than 15 passengers.



Vehicle for hire means any motor vehicle, or other vehicle or device designed

or used for the transportation of passengers for hire, the charges for use of

which are determined by agreement, mileage or by length of time for which the

vehicle is engaged. Excluded from this definition are interurban buses and

vehicles regulated by the state public service commission.



Waiting time means the time during which a Taxicab interrupts its journey at

the request of a passenger so as to allow the passenger to conduct necessary

business by either remaining with the Taxicab or disembarking from the Taxicab.



Section 21-3 Taxicab Owner's Business License.



(1) No Company owner shall operate, or permit a Taxicab owned or controlled by

the owner to be operated, on the streets of Columbus, Georgia, without first

obtaining a Taxicab Company Owner's Business License for the location from

which that Taxicab operates. The Taxicab Company Owner's Business License

application form shall be obtained from the Chief of Police. The application

form shall require the following information and documents:



(a) Trade name of Taxicab Company to be operated.



(b) Owner's name and home address, if an individual.



(c) Names and addresses of all partners, if a partnership.



(d) Name and address of corporation president, and shareholders holding

twenty-five percent or more stock, if a corporation.



(e) Business address of Taxicab Company from which Taxicabs will operate and

the location of the off street parking lot for the Taxicabs.



(f) Assurance of ability to provide dispatch taxi service twenty-four (24)

hours per day, 365 days a year.



(g) General description of identifying words and color scheme of the Taxicab(s).

(h) Certificate of occupancy, if Company is located within Columbus, Georgia or

if the Company is located outside of Columbus a business license issued by the

appropriate authority of that jurisdiction;

(i) An assurance that the telephone number of the Taxicab Company will be

listed in the next Columbus, Georgia telephone directory issued;

(j) An assurance that the applicant will meet the insurance requirements of

Code Section 21-3.3.

(k) The applicant's complete record of criminal arrests and convictions,

including those for traffic violations, during the past five years. If an

applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, the criminal record of

the officers, directors, partners and supervising employees thereof, including

general manager, if any;



(l) Signed waiver(s) for a criminal background check from all persons listed

in subparagraph (k).



(2) The Chief of Police shall recommend approval or disapproval of all

applications for a Taxicab Company Owner?s Business License to the Columbus

Council. A recommendation of disapproval shall be accompanied by a written

explanation. Columbus Council has the authority to approve or deny the

application, subject to the later payment of licensing fees, acquisition of

insurance and telephone listing.

(3) Upon the Council?s approval of the Taxicab Company Owner?s Business

License, the Taxicab Company Owner may proceed to the Occupational Tax Division

of the Finance Department where upon payment of the licensing fee and proof of

insurance in accordance with Section 21-3.3 and Georgia state law, the Taxicab

Company Owner?s Business License shall be issued.

Section 21-3.1 Renewals



Taxicab Company Owner?s Business Licenses expire December 31 of each

year. Taxicab Company Owner shall submit renewal application, fees, insurance

information and signed waiver for criminal background check to the Office of

Revenue Collection division of Columbus, Georgia. Licenses not renewed by

April 1 of that year, are subject to revocation and nonrenewal.

21-3.2 Persons Prohibited

(a) No person who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to,

or forfeited bond on any federal or state felony offense within five years of

the application for a Taxicab Company Owner?s Business License shall be issued

such a license, nor shall such license be renewed.

(b) No person who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to,

or forfeited bond on any federal or state misdemeanor offense or ordinance

violation involving moral turpitude or alcohol or drugs or prostitution or

pimping or other sexual matters within three years of application for Taxicab

Company Owner?s Business License shall be issued such a license, nor shall any

such license be renewed; except, for renewal purposes only, two alcohol

offenses shall be required to prohibit renewal.

(c) No person who has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to or

forfeited bond on five ordinance violations involving Taxicabs in Columbus,

Georgia, or any other political subdivision within one year of the application

for Taxicab Company Owner?s Business License shall be issued such a license,

nor shall any such license be renewed.

21-3.3 Insurance

(a) Every Company owner of every Taxicab engaged in the business of

transporting passengers in Columbus shall secure and keep in effect for each

Taxicab operated a policy of liability and property damage insurance with a

company duly authorized to do business in Georgia in an amount not less than

that required by Georgia law. Such policy shall inure to the benefit of any

person who shall be injured or who shall sustain damage to property proximately

caused by the negligence of a holder, his servants or agents. A certificate of

insurance certifying such coverage shall be filed with the Finance Department

and in the office of Chief of Police at the time of licensing.

(b) The certificate of insurance shall provide that the insurance company

issuing the policy required by this section shall give the Taxicab inspector

not less than 30 days' advance written notice of any cancellation, reduction in

coverage or other material change in the policy.

(c) Every certificate holder shall, upon the receipt of any notice of

cancellation of the insurance required by this section, immediately notify the

Chief of Police of such cancellation. Continued operation of the Taxicab

associated with the cancelled insurance shall result in the immediate

suspension of the owner's certificate.

21-3.4 Registration/Inspection of Vehicles Required.

Taxicab Company Owners shall be responsible for registering their Taxicabs

with the Columbus Police Department and must obtain a registration/inspection

permit. The following procedures shall apply:



(a) The Taxicab Company Owner shall be responsible for submitting a completed

registration application, in a form supplied by the Columbus Police Department,

to the Columbus Police Department each year:



(1) Taxicab Company Owner's name and address and identifying information for

each Taxicab owned to include make, model, tag, VIN, Taxicab Company Vehicle

Number, insurance).



(2) Safety Certification from a licensed garage approved and recorded with the

Columbus Police Department.



(b) After submission of a completed registration application, Columbus Police

Department, or its designee, shall inspect interior and exterior of Taxicab(s)

for cleanliness, body damage, proper identification numbers, proper display of

rates of fare, and inspection of the taximeter for accuracy and proper

operation. For each Taxicab of the Taxicab Company Owner?s that pass

inspection and the registration application and safety certification are

complete, the Columbus Police Department shall issue a Registration/Inspection

Permit, valid for one year.

(c) The Taxicab Company Owner shall be responsible for properly installing and

displaying the annual Columbus Police Department Registration / Inspection

Permit on the left rear bumper area of each Taxicab. Permits are not

transferable from one Taxicab to another.

21-3.5 Grounds for Revocation.



The following shall be grounds for revocation of a Taxicab Company Owner?s

Business License:



(a) Failure to maintain telephone service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to

handle requests for Taxicab service from the general public.



(b) Failure to maintain Taxicab service availability in Columbus, 24 hours a

day, seven days a week.



(c) Failure to maintain a dispatch log of all calls for Taxicab service, which

includes information concerning dates, times and locations of each pick up and

their drop times and areas.



(d) Failure to maintain the same general identifying words, numbers, and color

schemes, listed in the Taxicab Business License application, on all Taxicabs in

operation of the business.



(e) Failure to notify the Columbus Police Department, in writing, of the

dismissal of any Driver from employment/contract with the Taxicab Company

within 48 hours.



(f) Failure to notify the Columbus Police Department, in writing, of the

removal of a Taxicab from service with the Taxicab Company within 48 hours.



(g) Failure to obtain and display an annual Taxicab Registration / Inspection

Permit from the Columbus Police Department on each vehicle that is utilized by

the Taxicab Company as a Taxicab.



(h) Failure to train and test each new Driver under the guidelines established

by the Taxicab Commission and Section 21-4(b).



(i) Running a Taxicab Company where violations of federal law, state law or

Columbus ordinances frequently or regularly occur so as to cause the Chief of

Police to recommend a revocation of the license.

(j) Commission of any act in violation of federal law, state law or Columbus

ordinances that would disqualify a person from obtaining a license under 21-3.2.

21-3.6 Revocation Procedure



The following procedures shall be followed in revoking a Taxicab

Company Owner's Business License:



(a) Notice shall be given to the holder of a license at least two weeks in

advance that the Columbus Council will hear a recommendation that the license

be revoked, and this notice shall include the specific grounds on which this

recommendation to Council will be made.



(b) The Clerk of Council shall notify the license holder, the Director of

Finance and the Chief of Police or Director of Public Safety as to the time

that a recommendation will be heard.



(c) The Columbus Council shall hear a recommendation for revocation before or

during one of its regular meetings at which time the holder of a license and

any other interested parties will be heard.



(d) No license shall be revoked until a majority of the Council so decides at

the time of, or subsequent to the hearing on the recommendation for revocation.



(e) After Council takes action to revoke, licensee will surrender the Taxicab

Company Owner's Business Licenses to the issuing authority.



(f) The procedures for revoking a Taxicab Company Owner's Business License

shall also apply to non-renewals of Taxicab Company Owner?s Business Licenses.

Hearings before the Columbus Council on revocations shall be held within 30

days from the date of a decision to recommend revocation, while Council

hearings on non-renewals shall be held 30 days from the receipt of an appeal by

a licensee of a decision not to renew. Hearings on non-renewals shall be held

no earlier than one week from the date an appeal is received, and licensees

shall be notified in writing in advance of the date of said hearing.

(7) Taxicab Company Owners wishing to appeal the decision of the Columbus

Council shall file a petition for certiorari in Muscogee County Superior Court.

(8) If a Taxicab Company Owner?s Business License is either revoked or

nonrenewed under this section, no such license shall be issued to the same

licensee until the expiration of the applicable time periods set forth in

Section 21-3.2, Persons Prohibited. The term ?same licensee? includes the

revoked or nonrenewed licensee?s spouse or cohabitant, and any relative of the

original licensee within the second degree of consanguinity, which term

includes a step, adopted, or foster, parent, sibling, grandparent, uncle, aunt,

niece, nephew, and first cousin. The term ?same licensee? also includes any

partner or stockholder of the original licensee?s partnership or corporation,

or any person who has acquired the original licensee?s business other than

through a bona fide sale. The burden is upon the new owner to prove that the

sale of the business is bona fide.



Section 21-4. Taxicab Driver Permit



(a) In order to obtain a Taxicab Driver Permit, an applicant must submit to the

Chief of Police each year a signed application form provided by the Columbus

Police Department. The initial application shall require the following

information and documents:



(1) Name and address of applicant;



(2) Name and address of the Taxicab Company employing the applicant;



(3) Written statement from a Taxicab Company Owner that the applicant

will be affiliated as a Driver with the Company upon issuance of a permit and

that the applicant exhibits a proficiency with the English language so as to be

able to comprehend and interpret traffic signs, issue written receipts to

passengers and obey lawful orders from police and others in lawful authority.



(4) A written statement dated within 30 days of application from a licensed

physician certifying that the applicant has no physical infirmities that would

adversely affect the applicant?s ability to drive.



(5) Proof of a valid state driver's license, which is not to be limited

as defined in O.C.G.A. ? 40-5-64.



(6) Proof that the Driver is at least 18 years of age.



(7) Proof that the applicant is a citizen of the United States or an

alien admitted for permanent residence or otherwise granted employment

authorization by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.



(8) Proof that the applicant successfully completed a driver?s training

course, which is approved by the Commission, for new applicants administered by

a Taxicab Company.



(b) The Driver?s training course shall include but not be limited to

information on laws and sections of this Code and other ordinances governing

the operation of vehicles for hire including the location of streets,

landmarks, institutions, driver courtesy, driving safety, and attractions

within the metropolitan area. The Commission shall provide training materials

in these subjects to instructors employed by the companies for the purpose of

teaching driver?s training courses. Receiving a passing score of at least 70

percent shall indicate successful completion of the course. The examination

may be administered orally, but any applicant who fails three times may not

take it again for a period of 30 days.



(c) Failure to provide correct information shall result in denial of the

license and may result in criminal prosecution for false swearing.



(d) Columbus Police Department shall provide a copy of Chapter 21 of the

Columbus Code to each Driver at the time a Driver receives an original Taxicab

Driver Permit.



Section 21-4.1 Taxicab Driver Permit Renewals



(a) Taxicab Driver Permits are valid for a period of one year following the

birth date of the Driver. Renewals may be accomplished up to 30 days prior to

the birth date of the Driver and are delinquent on the birth date if not

renewed. The cost of a Driver?s Permit shall be ten dollars ($10.00). Permits

are purchased from the Columbus Police Department. Delinquent or expired

permits may be renewed upon payment of $15.00. The reissuance of a Driver?s

Permit for any reason will require payment of a ten-dollar ($10.00) fee.



(b) Every fourth year after obtaining the initial Driver?s Permit, the Driver

shall submit with the application for renewal a physician's written statement

certifying that the Driver has no disease or mental or physical infirmity that

adversely affects the Driver's ability to drive.



Section 21-5. Criminal Record of Driver Applicant.



(1) Before issuing any driver permit to a Taxicab driver applicant, the Chief

of Police shall make a background check of the applicant to determine whether

or not the applicant has a criminal record.



(2) No permit shall be issued nor renewed to any applicant who has:



(a) Within the last five (5) years received a conviction for a federal or state

felony.

(b) Within the last three (3) years received a conviction for misdemeanor or

ordinance violation relating to immoral purposes to include but not limited to:



1. prostitution;

2. soliciting for prostitution;

3. any sex related offense;

4. alcohol offense;

5. drug offense;

6. fraud; and

7. gambling.



(c) Within the last three (3) years received a conviction for any of the

following offenses (unless the five year felony rule applies):



1. DUI;

2. reckless driving;

3. hit and run;

4. vehicular homicide;

5. serious injury by vehicle;

6. suspended driver's license;

7. road rage; and,

8. overcharging a passenger.



(d) Within one (1) year of the application for a Driver?s Permit received a

conviction for either bad checks or four (4) or more moving traffic violations

under either state or local or federal law.





Section 21-6. Denials, Revocations, Nonrenewals and Suspensions.



(1) The Chief of Police shall have the power to suspend, deny, revoke, or

refuse to renew any Driver?s Permit as a result of violations of this chapter

or as a result of any occurrence which would make the driver ineligible for a

permit under Section 21-5, but no such suspension, denial, revocation or

nonrenewal shall be made without first informing the Driver and the Company

Owner of the reasons therefore and without first giving such Driver an

opportunity to respond.



(2) A denial, revocation, nonrenewal or suspension of a permit by the Chief of

Police shall not be subject to direct appeal to the Columbus Council, but must

first go before the Columbus Taxicab Commission for a recommendation to the

Columbus Council.



(3) Drivers shall have ten (10) days from the receipt of the written decision

of the Chief of Police to file a written application with the Clerk of Council

for a hearing with the Commission. The Commission shall hold a hearing at its

next scheduled meeting. Within ten (10) days of hearing the appeal, the

Commission shall issue a written recommendation to the Driver and the Columbus

Council either supporting or objecting to the Chief of Police's action. The

Driver may then appeal the Chief of Police's decision within twenty (20) days

of the issuance of the Commission's decision. If the Commission takes no

action within ten (10) days from the date of the hearing, then the Driver may

appeal, in a writing filed with the Clerk of Council, to the Columbus Council

within thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing.



(4) Appeal from the decision of Council shall be by petition for certiorari in

Muscogee County Superior Court.



(5) Denials, revocations and nonrenewals of permits shall be effective for a

period of one (1) year, unless a longer period is required by Section 21-5, but

the Chief of Police, as an alternative to revocation, may suspend permits for a

period of less than one (1) year; and such suspensions will be subject to the

same reasons and procedures as those governing denials, revocations or

nonrenewals.



Section 21-7. Duties of Taxicab drivers.



(1) Transportation for illegal activities. No Driver shall knowingly solicit

or transport persons for the purpose of illegal activity.



(2) Refusal to carry orderly persons. No Driver shall refuse or neglect to

transport any orderly person upon request, unless Driver is previously engaged

or is unable or forbidden to do so by provisions of Columbus ordinance or state

law. If a person requesting taxi service is drunk or disorderly and the Driver

has reason to believe such person may do the Driver bodily harm, the Driver may

refuse service to that person. No Driver shall be obligated to transport

anyone under the age of twelve (12), unless such person is accompanied by

another person who is twelve (12) years of age, or older.



(3) Theft of calls. No Driver or Company shall monitor the dispatch of any

other Company for the purpose of stealing their business.



(4) Number of passengers. No Driver shall carry passengers in excess of

Taxicab?s seating capacity, but infants in arms shall not be counted as

passengers either for the purpose of collection of additional fares or for the

purpose of counting seating capacity.



(5) Inspection of Taxicabs. Drivers shall maintain Taxicabs in proper

mechanical condition so as to be safe and shall also maintain Taxicabs in a

state of cleanliness in conformance with Section 21-8.



(6) Boarding and discharging passengers.



(a) Drivers shall not receive or discharge passengers in the roadway

but shall pull up to the sidewalk or curb on the right-hand side of the

roadway, and there receive or discharge passengers.



(b) Drivers shall receive and discharge passengers through the door or

doors away from the vehicular portion of the streets.



(7) Soliciting patronage. Drivers shall not leave their vehicles for the

purpose of soliciting patronage at any public place.



(8) Dress code. Drivers shall be clean in person and dress at all times. The

following standards apply:



(a) Drivers must wear shoes, sneakers, or

sandals but no flip-flops or shower shoes.



(b) Shirts and dresses must have either short or

long sleeves and cover the torso so that the

breast, buttock and stomach are covered.



(c) Pants, skirts, dresses and shorts shall be

no shorter than two inches above the knee

and any slits on such clothing shall reach

no further up the leg.



(d) All clothing shall be opaque such that no

body part required to be covered by

subparagraphs (b) and (c) will be visible.



(9) Display of permit. Drivers shall display their Drivers? permits by

affixing the permit to the interior of their Taxicabs in a manner and location

so that the permit remains in view of the passenger at all times.



(10) Deceiving of passengers prohibited. Drivers shall not deceive or attempt

to deceive any passenger who may desire to ride in their Taxicabs as to the

destination or the rate of fare to be charged, nor shall Drivers convey or

cause to be conveyed any passenger to a place other than the one designated by

the passenger. Drivers shall comply with all reasonable and lawful requests of

their passengers as to the speed of travel and the route to be taken. Drivers

shall maintain the rate card in plain view at all times in their Taxicabs.



(11) Property left in Taxicab. Drivers shall thoroughly search the interior of

their Taxicabs at the termination of each trip for any articles that may be

left in such Taxicabs by a passenger. Any articles found therein shall be

immediately returned to the passenger owning it, if such be known, otherwise

the Driver shall deposit it with the Taxicab company as soon as discovered.



(12) Logs. Drivers shall report all trips carrying passengers to the Taxicab

company dispatcher and include pickup time, location of pickup and destination.



(13) Map of the metropolitan area. Drivers shall maintain in each Taxicab a

suitable map or street guide of the Columbus metropolitan area.



(14) Receipts. Drivers shall, upon demand by the passenger, render to such

passenger a receipt for the amount charged, either by a mechanically printed

receipt or by a specially prepared receipt, on which shall be the name of the

Taxicab company, cab number, date of transaction, and Driver's signature.



(15) Non-paying passengers. Drivers shall not transport non-paying passengers

while transporting a paying passenger except for the purpose of driver training.



(16) Drivers shall not smoke or play a radio, tape player, CD player, DVD

player, or TV VCR if objected to by the passenger.



(17) Drivers shall provide the Columbus Police Department with written notice

of any change in address within five days of such change.



Section 21-8. Inspection/Registration of Taxicabs



(a) Taxicabs shall be registered with the Columbus Police Department, must

pass an annual safety inspection by a licensed garage approved and recorded by

said Department, and pass an annual cosmetic and meter inspection provided by

the Columbus Police Department. Upon passing said inspection(s), the Columbus

Police Department shall issue an inspection sticker to be valid from January 1

through May 31 of the following year. This sticker shall be displayed on the

left hand side of the Taxicab's rear bumper. Both Drivers and Taxicab Company

Owners are responsible for complying with the above requirements. Inspections

for Taxicabs being newly placed into service may be accomplished at any time as

set forth by the Columbus Police Department. If the inspection occurs prior to

December 31, then the inspection sticker shall expire on May 31 of the

following year, regardless of the initial inspection date. Renewal inspections

for Taxicabs already in service may be accomplished during the expiration year

between January 1 and May 31.



(b) Drivers shall maintain Taxicabs in proper mechanical condition so as to be

safe and shall also maintain Taxicabs in a state of cleanliness, to include but

not be limited to:



(1) Exterior. Drivers and Taxicab Company Owners shall maintain Taxicabs in a

state of cleanliness and proper mechanical condition to include: headlights,

tail lights, brake lights, directional signal lights, license plate lights,

windshield, vent glass, windshield wipers, all other vehicle glass, glass

window raisers, doors and door locks, trunk lid, trunk, hood, interior door

handles, exhaust system, splash shields, hubcaps, bumpers, fenders, body and

tires.



(2) Interior. Drivers and Taxicab Company Owners shall maintain in proper

mechanical condition and cleanliness: the rearview mirror, steering wheel, foot

brakes, parking brakes and air conditioning and heating systems to ascertain

that each is functioning properly. They shall maintain the upholstery, floor

mats, headlining, door panels and the trunk compartments to determine whether

they are clean, free of tears, and that the trunk has sufficient space for

passenger's luggage. They shall ensure that Taxicabs shall contain a fire

extinguisher, a spare tire, a jack, and a functional communications device

(i.e. two-way radio, cellular phone) that shall serve as a means of

communicating between the Company and the Driver.



(3) No Driver shall operate a Taxicab without a valid inspection / registration

sticker issued by the Columbus Police Department, and affixed to the left rear

bumper



(4) Correction Slip. If a Taxicab fails to pass the requirements of either

inspection, a correction slip shall be issued to the Driver listing the items

that need correction, and showing the status of the inspection. The vehicle

shall not be operated as a Taxicab until it has successfully passed inspection.



(5) Willful failure to have a Taxicab inspected as required under this section

shall be grounds for suspension of the Driver?s Permit.



Section 21-8.1 Identification of Taxicabs



The Chief of Police shall have the power to revoke or deny the

registration / inspection of a Taxicab where the color scheme or Company name

is deemed similar to the color scheme or name of another Taxicab Company so as

to confuse the public as to the identity of the different Taxicab Companies.

The Taxicab Company name shall be affixed on the Taxicab's right and left front

doors and rear trunk area in letters no less than three (3) inches in height,

and in a contrasting color to the background color. The fares set forth in

paragraphs (a) and (d) of Section 21-9 shall be displayed on the left and right

rear sides of the Taxicab, in letters no less than one (1) inch in height, and

in contrasting colors different than the background. Additionally, identifying

numbers assigned by a Taxicab Company shall be affixed on the left and right

front fenders and rear trunk area, in numbers no less than three (3) inches in

height, in a contrasting color to the background color. When a Taxicab is

removed from service with a Taxicab Company, the owner of the Taxicab shall

remove or permanently cover all Taxicab signs, rate signs, and company pickup

tags from such Taxicab before the owner can operate such vehicle on the streets

of Columbus. The Chief of Police shall have the power to revoke or to deny the

registration / inspection of a Taxicab for failing to meet any of the above

requirements.



Section 21-8.2. Taximeters and Exterior Dome Lights.



Drivers and Taxicab Company Owners shall equip all Taxicabs with a

Taximeter fastened in front of the passengers, visible to them at all times,

with the face of the Taximeter to be illuminated after sunset. The Taximeter

shall be operated mechanically by a mechanism of standard design and

construction, driven either from the flexible or permanently attached driving

mechanism. They shall be sealed at all points and connections that, if

manipulated, would affect their correct reading and recording. Each Taximeter

shall be equipped with an on-off switch denoting when the Taxicab is employed

and when it is not employed; and it shall be the duty of the Driver to throw

the switch of such Taximeter into a nonrecording position at the termination of

each trip. Taximeters shall be subject to inspection from time to time by the

Columbus Police Department. Additionally, all Taxicabs shall be equipped with

a permanently mounted exterior roof dome light not less than six (6) inches in

height bearing the term "taxi" or the name of the Taxicab Company. Said dome

light shall be connected to an on-off switch so that during the hours of

darkness, it will denote when on, that the vehicle is not employed but

available for hire and when off, that it is not available for hire. Both

Drivers and Taxicab Company Owners are responsible for complying with the

requirements of this subsection.



Section 21-9. Maximum Rates of Fare



The maximum allowable rates of fare are as follows:



(a) Each Taximeter shall provide for a maximum rate for one passenger of $2.00

for the first one-third mile (1/3) or fraction thereof, and $0.60 for each

additional one-third mile or fraction thereof.



(b) Any flat rate fare must be equal to or less than the shown metered fare

upon arrival at the passenger's destination.



(c) Waiting time shall not be more than $0.30 per minute.



(d) Every Taxicab shall be private except that, with the consent of passengers

occupying the Taxicab, additional passengers may be conveyed for a portion, or

the entire trip desired by the passenger first occupying such Taxicab. When

additional passengers are picked up, no more than $1.00 shall be added for each

additional passenger so picked up.



(e) For the delivery of food or merchandise unaccompanied by passengers, $3.00

plus the cab fare from the point of picking up the food or merchandise to the

point of delivery may be charged.



(f) The pullout fee from the Columbus Metropolitan Airport shall not exceed the

amount set forth by the Columbus Airport Commission.



(g) The fares set forth in paragraphs (a) and (d) of this section shall be

displayed on the left and right rear sides of the Taxicab, in letters no less

than one (1) inch in height, and in contrasting colors different than the

background.



(h) A Driver?s Permit shall be automatically revoked for three (3) years upon

the conviction of a Driver for overcharging a passenger or customer.



Section 21-10. Penalty for violation of Chapter provisions.



No Taxicab Company Owner shall allow, and no employee, contractor or

Driver thereof shall engage in any activity that violates any provision of

Chapter 21 of the Columbus Code of Ordinances. Any person violating the

provisions of Chapter 21 shall be guilty of an ordinance violation, punishable

as set forth in Section 1-8 of this Code, or by both fine and imprisonment. In

addition to such fine and imprisonment, any violation of Chapter 21 shall also

be grounds for suspension or revocation of all licenses by the Columbus Council

under procedures contained in Columbus Code Section 21-3.6. Upon the license

of any Taxicab Company Owner being revoked by the Council, the license shall be

surrendered to the issuing authority. No Taxicab business license will be

issued to any owner, employee, relative, or partner of the same Company or any

location with the same Company name for a period of two years after the

revocation or non-renewal.



Section 21-11 Columbus Taxicab Commission.



There is hereby created a Columbus Taxicab Commission to be composed of

nine commissioners appointed by the Columbus Council and consisting of two

Taxicab Company Owners, one Driver, one representative selected by the Columbus

Chamber of Commerce, one representative selected by the Chief of Police, one

representative of the Columbus Airport, one of the hotel/motel industry, and

two at large commissioners. The term of office for members of the Commission

shall be four years and members shall be eligible to serve two consecutive full

terms; provided, however, the Columbus Council may allow an extension of two

additional full terms for members of this Commission. The first three members

of the Commission appointed after January 1, 2003 shall serve an initial term

of two years. The fourth, fifth, and sixth members of the Commission appointed

after January 1, 2003 shall serve an initial term of three years. The seventh,

eighth and ninth members of the Commission appointed after January 1, 2003

shall serve an initial term of four years. After service of these initial

terms, members of the Commission may serve two additional full terms upon

approval of the Columbus Council for each term of office. The Commission shall

ensure that Drivers are properly educated as to serving the public and shall

ensure that Drivers are courteous to citizens, are familiar with the territory

of Columbus, Georgia, shall ensure that Taxicab Company Owners and Drivers

maintain cleanliness and safety of all Taxicabs and shall ensure that ordinance

provisions including regulations governing Taxicab fees and charges are

followed by all Drivers and Taxicab Company Owners. The Commission will also

hear appeals based upon written application due to a denial, revocation,

nonrenewal or suspension of a permit by the Chief of Police. Within ten (10)

days of hearing the appeal, the Commission shall issue a written recommendation

to the Columbus Council, with a copy to each of the parties, either supporting

or objecting to the action of the Chief of Police. The applicant may then file

a written appeal of the Chief of Police's decision with the Clerk of Council,

within twenty (20) days of the issuance of the Commission's decision. If the

Commission takes no action within ten (10) days from the date of the hearing,

the applicant may then file a written appeal to the Columbus Council with the

Clerk of Council within thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing.



SECTION 2.



All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance

are hereby repealed.



------------------------------------------



Introduced at a meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held on the ______

day of ____________, 2004; introduced a second time at a regular meeting of

said Council held on the ______ day of __________, 2004, and adopted at said

meeting by the affirmative vote of ______ members of said Council.





Councilor Anthony voting _______

Councilor Davis voting _______

Councilor Allen voting _______

Councilor Henderson voting _______

Councilor Hunter voting _______

Councilor McDaniel voting _______

Councilor Rodgers voting _______

Councilor Suber voting _______

Councilor Pugh voting _______

Councilor Woodson voting _______





__________________________ ________________________

Tiny B. Washington Robert S. Poydasheff

Clerk Mayor