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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 5987: TAXICAB DRIVERS PERMITS (ISSUANCE)Interoffice MEMORANDUM To: Mayor, City Council, and City Manager y y~,(~^ From: Valecia R. Tizeno, First Assistant Cit Attorne ~(~, Date: April 16, 2009 Subject: P. 0. No. 5987; Council Meeting April 21, 2009 Attached is P. O. No. 5987 amending Section 114-76 of the Code of Ordinances as it pertains to the issuance of taxicab drivers permits. VRT:ts Attachment cc: Chief Blanton Director of Human Resources z.pc998~_memo P. O. No. 5987 04/16/09 is ORDINANCE N0. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 114-76 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ISSUANCE OF TAXICAB DRIVERS PERMITS WHEREAS, Section 114-76 delineates the City's requirements for the issuance of permits for taxicab drivers; and WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of the citizens of Port Arthur to revise the requirements for issuance of permits in order to further consider the criminal record of applicants and current permit holders. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That Section 114-76 of the Code of Ordinances is herein amended, as delineated in Exhibit "A", attached hereto. Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Ordinance be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. Section 4. That this being an Ordinance amending an Ordinance which does not carry a penalty, and does not require publication, it shall take effect immediately from and after its passage. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D., 2009, at a Council Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: z.po598i AYES: Mayor City Council NOES: MAYOR ATTEST: CITY SECRETARY APPROVED AS TO FORM: V CITY ATTORNEY (2R,{/~ @~, APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: CITY MANAGER z.po59e'J EXHIBIT "A" Sec. 114-76. Taxicab Driver's Permits. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a taxicab unless they have a taxicab driver's permit issued by the director. (b) A person desiring the issuance of a taxicab driver's permit shall make written application to the director upon a form furnished by the director, which form shall contain the following information: (1) Full name, social security number and date of birth. (2) Residence address and telephone number. (3) The length of present residence of the applicant. (4) State driver's license number and expiration date. (5) Name of the taxicab business at which the applicant proposes to be employed. (6) The experience the applicant has had in driving a taxicab. (7) Whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. (8) Whether the applicant has read in full and understands all applicable provisions of this article. (9) Signature of applicant asserting the above information to be true and correct. (c) The director shall make an investigation of the character, experience and qualifications of an applicant for a taxicab driver's permit. Such investigation shall contain, but is not limited to, the following: (1) Full name, residence address, height, weight, eye color, hair color, body and facial marks, physical defects. (2) Full fingerprints. (3) Photograph, both front and side view. (4) Driver's license record. z.pa9987 (5) Local criminal record check. (6) Current criminal history report. (d) Any of the following criteria shall require denial or revocation of a taxicab driver's permit: (1) The applicant has made any materially false or inaccurate statement on the application for such permit; (2) The applicant has three or more final convictions for violation of any class C misdemeanor traffic laws or ordinances (not to include parking violations) within a 12-month period immediately preceding the date of application or during the term of the permit; (3) The applicant has been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude. (4) The applicant has been convicted of any crime pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle, within the three years immediately preceding the date of the application or during the term of the permit; or (5) Whether the applicant now stands charged with the commission of a felony or misdemeanor; (6) The applicant has had a taxicab driver's permit revoked within the two years immediately preceding the date of application or during the term of the permit. (e) If the director determines that the applicant is qualified to drive or operate a taxicab within the city consistent with such requirements, he shall issue a taxicab driver's permit upon payment of fees as set forth in section 114-77. {f) If the director verifies that an applicant has been convicted of an offense which requires him to register as a sex offender pursuant to Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, he shall immediately disqualify said applicant from consideration. {g) Once a permit has been issued, the director is required to perform an annual criminal background check on all taxicab permit holders. (h) If the director verifies that a current permit holder has z.po598~ been convicted of an offense which requires him to register as a sex offender pursuant to Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, he shall immediately notify the city manager and conduct a hearing in connection with the suspension or revocation of the existing taxicab permit. (i) Appeal from an adverse decision by the director shall be made in writing to the city manager within ten days of such decision. The city manager shall review the investigation made by the director. He may, in his discretion, hold a hearing upon written notice to the appealing party. The city manager shall make a written decision upholding or reversing the decision of the director. The decision of the city manager shall be final. z.po5'87