HomeMy WebLinkAbout1257ti 1
%1 ORDINANCE NO.
a� 2
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Kent, Washington, regula-
3 ting and licensing certain motor vehicles and drivers
for -hire; fixing rates; providing for the issuance and
4 suspension or revocation of for -hire licenses; defin-
ing offenses and prescribing penalties; and repealing
5 Kent City Ordinance 0.749 sections 1, 2, 8 and 9--
1945; repealing Kent City Ordinance 0.749 s. 7, as
6 amended by 0.989--1958.
7 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT DO ORDAIN as follows:
8 Section 1. The following Kent City Ordinance and sub-sec-
9 tions thereof are hereby repealed: Ordinance 0.749 sections 1, 21
10 8 and 9--1945, and Ordinance 0.749, s. 7, as amended by 0.989--
11 1958.
12 Section 2. DEFINITIONS: The following terms for the pur-
13 pose of this Ordinance shall mean:
14 A. CITY CLERK, CHIEF OF POLICE, or any of his or their
15 duly authorized representatives.
16 B. "FOR -HIRE DRIVER" means any person in charge of or
17 driving a taxicab carrying passengers or baggage for
18 hire, as hereinafter further defined; provided, however,
19 that the provisions of this ordinance shall not apply
20 to drivers of motor vehicles used in interstate com-
21 merce nor to drivers of motor vehicles operated by any
22 municipal or privately owred, licensed transit system.
23 C. "PERSON" means wherever used in this ordinance to in-
24 clude natural persons of either sex, firms, co-partner-
25 ships, associations and corporations, whether acting
26 by themselves, by servant, agent or employee. The
27 singular number shall include the plural and the mas-
28 culine pronoun shall include the feminine and the
29 neuter.
30 D. "TAXICAB" means every motor vehicle having capacity of
31 seven (7) passengers or less, used for the transporta-
32 tion of passengers for hire, and not operated over a
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fixed or definite route.
E. "TAXIMETER" means any instrument or device by which the,
charge for hire of a passenger carrying vehicle is
mechanically measured or calculated either_ for the dis-
tance traveled by such vehicle or for waiting time, or
for both, and upon which such calculated charges shall
be indicated by means of figures.
F. "MOTOR VEHICLE" means every self-propelled vehicle by
or upon which any person may be transported or carried
upon a public street, highway or alley; provided that
vehicles used exclusively upon stationary rail, tracks
or propelled by the use of overhead electric wires, or
for hotel or motel keepers conveying their guests to
and from hotels or motels free of charge or reward and
used exclusively for that purpose only, shall not come
under the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 3. LICENSE - APPLICATIONS: It shall be uniawtul
Ito engage in the business of operating any taxicab or any vehicle
for hire without first obtaining a license so to do from the City
Clerk, which shall be obtained in the following manner:
A. The applicant for such license, in a manner approved by
the City Clerk, shall show in his application, the classification
under which the vehicle will be operated, whether as a taxicab or
other vehicle for hire, the calendar year for which the license
is sought and shall furnish full, true and accurate information
concerning the ownership, identification, company vehicle number,
the name of the business, fictitious or otherwise under which the
vehicle is to be operated, the distinguishing color scheme, design
or dress, including any monogram or insignia being requested of the
City to be used on such vehicle or vehicles, the number of days
and the mileage for each day of operation for any or all vehicles
operated by the applicant under any license issued under the
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provisions of this ordinance or any prior ordinance of the City
of Kent regulating taxicabs and for -hire vehicles for the year
preceding the yearly period specified in the application for a
license. The applicant shall also show in this application
whether he has been convicted of any violation within ten (10)
years preceding the date of application relating to the sale or
possession of intoxicating liquor, gambling, or any law or ordi-
nance relating to public morality and decency, or for violating
any law or ordinance involving an intent to defraud, or whether
the applicant has ever been convicted of any law or ordinance
relating to the use, sale or possession of narcotic drugs or bar
bituates, or any such other information the City Clerk may require,
which he deems reasonably necessary to aid in the enforcement of
this ordinance.
B. The Clerk shall inquire into the correctness of the
information furnished, and if he is so satisfied, after due in-
vestigation, that the applicant is the reliable and bona fide
owner of the motor vehicle, has met the name under which the
applicant is to operate and the color scheme used upon the motor
vehicle does not conflict with others so used, or tend to deceive
the public, that the motor vehicle is equipped with proper State
license and is properly bonded for the protection of the public
as required by law, a license may thereupon be issued in accord-
ance with the provisions of this ordinance, authorizing the opera-
tion of said motor vehicle under the classification applied for,
either for the next succeeding calendar year or for the remainder
of the current year, as requested by the applicant.
C. No application for a license issued under the provi-
sions of this ordinance shall be granted to any person if the
City Clerk after due investigation has good reason to believe
that the applicant is dishonest or immoral, and desires such
license to enable him to engage in a dishonest, unlawful or
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immoral act, practice or enterprise; provided, however, that no
license shall be issued in the event the applicant, and if a cor-
poration, any of its principal officers, has been convicted of
any offense involvin- moral turpitude or an intent to defraud
during the ten (10) years prior to such application.
D. The City Clerk shall not grant any license issued
under the provisions of this ordinance where the consent and
approval of the City Council is required, as hereinbelow specified.
E. No license shall be transferable to any person except
in case of a bona fide sale of the business of the owner or opera -I
for of the motor vehicle, and then only with the prior consent of
the City Council; and no license shall be transferred to any other'.
motor vehicle without approval of the City Clerk, and then only
in cases where the motor vehicle for which the license is issued
shall be sold, become obselete, unsafe or unfit for further use,
which such determination shall be made by the Chief of Police
and his determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the City
Council consents to such transfer in case of sale, thereupon the
new owner shall promptly apply for the proper licenses as set
forth in this ordinance and pay the fees specified in Section 34
hereof.
F. Each application for a taxicab, vehicle -for -hire
license, or renewal or transfer thereof made by or on behalf of a
corporation under this ordinance shall include a list of the names
residence addresses and telephone numbers of all the shareholders
of such corporation, and no change in the controlling interest of
said corporation shall be made without the filing of a request for
transfer, and payment of the transfer fee with the City Clerk,
which transfer shall have the prior approval of the City Council.
Failure to comply with this provision shall be grounds for revo-
cation of such license.
Section 4. TAXICABS, MAXIMUM NUMBER: The number of
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taxicabs authorized to operate and for which licenses may be
issued shall be based upon the population of the City, as deter-
mined by the last preceding official state census, at the ratio
of one (1) taxicab to each two thousand one hundred (2,100)
inhabitants.
Section 5. UNLAWFUL TO SUBLET: It shall be unlawful for
the holder of a taxicab license to directly or indirectly lease
or sublet his business and license to another person or persons
for use or operation and any such action shall be grounds for
revocation of said license; provided, however, that nothing here-
in contained shall prevent the holder of a valid taxicab license
from employing drivers for his taxicabs.
Section 6. COLOR SCHEME: The City Clerk shall, in the
interest of protecting the public from being deceived or confused,
have the exclusive control in the granting of permission to use
any color scheme, design or monogram by any taxicab or vehicle
for hire. It shall be unlawful to use or change any color, de-
sign, monogram or insignia on any taxicab or vehicle for hire,
without the prior permission and approval of the City Clerk.
Failure to comply with this provision shall be grounds for revo-
cation of any vehicle for -hire license.
No taxicab license shall be issued for a second or succeed-
ing year for the same taxicab or for any other taxicab under the
same license, unless the taxicab and any other taxicab for which
the license has been transferred as herein authorized, has during
the calendar year covered by the license been operative .for at
least ten (10) miles per day for two hundred and forty (240) days
of said year, nor shall any new taxicab license be issued to any
person holding a license which lapses because of failure to meet
the foregoing requirements in the next preceding year.
Section 7. EXPIRATION OF LICENSES AND LICENSE FEES: All
licenses issued under this ordinance shall expire on the last day
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of December of each calendar year. Such licenses may be renewed
by the license holder for the succeeding year by making applica-
tion therefor with the City Clerk at least ten (10) days prior to
I the expiration date.
Section 8. UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE FOR -HIRE VEHICLES IaMOUT
LICENSE: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, operate or
drive a vehicle for hire within the City of Kent without having
first taken out for each and every vehicle so used, a license so
to do, to be known as "Vehicle License".
Section 9. KENT VEHICLE LICENSE TAG: The City Clerk
shall furnish each vehicle license issued, one or more tags, to
be known as Kent Vehicle License Tags. Each such tag; shall bear
the number of such vehicle license and the year for which said
license was issued, togeher with the words "Kent Vehicle Tag".
The form, material and positioning on the vehicle of each such
license tag shall be as prescribed by the Chief of Police. It
shall be unlawful for any owner, operator or driver of a vehicle
for hire to operate such vehicle without having conspicuously
displayed thereon such vehicle license tag, furnished and author-
ized by the City Clerk, or to operate such vehicle with expired
or illegible Kent Vehicle License Tags thereon, or to fail to
comply with any regulation of the City Clerk and Chief of Police
relating to such tags.
Such tags shall be and remain the property of the City of
Kent and upon the revocation, surrender, suspension or expiration
of a vehicle license, or if found in the possession of any person
other than to whom the license was issued, such tags shall be
picked un by any Police Officer and returned to the City Clerk.
Section 10. DUPLICATE LICENSE TAGS: Ighenever a Kent
Vehicle License Tag becomes lost, destroyed or stolen, a dupli-
cate may be authorized by the City Clerk at the expense of the
licensee. Should the original of the ordered duplicate be later
found, such original shall be promptly returned to the City Clerk,
it shall be unlawful_ to manufacture or produce any such Vehicle
License Tag or duplicates thereof herein provided except by order
of the Citv Clerk.
Section 11. RATE SCHEDULE: The fees for transporting
persons and their bagg=age from one point in the City to any other
point in the Cite shall be as .follows: For one passenger for the
first 1/5 mile, or fraction thereof, 50�. Thereafter, for each
additional one-quarter (1/4) mile, or fraction thereof, 10�. For
every one and one-half minutes of waiting time, 10�. For each
additional passenger, 20�. IIo additional passenger shall be
picked up without the express consent of the original passenger.
Section 12. DISPLAY OF TAXICAB idUMBER: It shall be unlaw-
ful for any taxicab to fail to have conspicuously displayed on the
left inside center door post where it is readily discernible by
the Dassen?er, the name and number of the taxicab, which informa-
tion shall be contained on a elastic sealed card attached to a
-petal holder; the size and ^crm thereo5 to be deterj:dned and
approved by the Ci-ty Clerk. It shall be unlawful during the hours
of darkness to fail to sufficiently illuT�inate such name and
number. Ti.kecaise, each licensee shall adequately illuminate the
rate schedule information hereinabove referred to, during the
hours of darkness so -that such information is readil�T available
to anv-)assenger.
Section 13. TAXIMETER: It shall be unlawful for anv
person to drive, operate or end_=a %e in the business o_C oDeratin ,
taxicab unless said taxicab is equi.Dped with a. taxi meter which
has been inspected and ae?rovec._ by the Chief of Police.
It shall be the duty of the owner, driver of any other
person having- eossessi_on or control of a taxicab to at all times
ICeee such taximeter accurate and in mood wor-ldn - condition. _'rior
to the installation o:^ such taximeter, the same shall be approved
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for operation by the Chief of Police or the Chief of Police may
require the licensee to have such meter tested and inspected by
another municipal agency or independent testing laboratory and
upon such approval, a written notice and lead wire seal shall be
plainly posted and attached to the taximeter for the information
of the public. Such taximeter shall be recnecxeu cuiu
at least semi-annually in the same manner as the original inspec-
tion.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, operate or
engage in the business of operating a taxicab whenever the Chief
of Police ascertains that said. seal of approval has been broken,
cut, removed or is missing.
It shall be unlawful .for any person to fail, resist or
refuse the Chief of Police or his duly authorized agent or repre-
sentative to test and reinspect the taximeter at any time when
so ordered.
Section 14. FARES CHARGED: It shall be unlawful for any
person to drive or operate, or engage in the business of operat-
ing a taxicab unless a taximeter is at all times used on each of
such taxicabs in determining the fare or the rate to be charged
and collected; and in compliance with the rate schedule filed
with the City Clerk and posted inside the cab. It shall be un-
lawful for any person operating or driving, or engaged in the
business of operating a taxicab to charge, demand, collect or
receive any fare, rate or charge which is not directly based,
measured or computed upon the record on the reading face of the
taximeter used on such taxicab. It shall be unlawful for any
person to use or employ any other or different method of comput-
ing or measuring such distance or time charges than the methods
hereinabove specifically provided.
Section 15. INSTALLATION OF TAXIMETER: Every taximeter
shall be installed at the riIM
ght side of the driver, either
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adjoining the cowl or dashboard of the taxicab, and at such height
that the flag thereof may be readily seen by observers on the
street. The reading face of the taximeter shall at all times be
well lighted and distinctly readable to the passengers within the
taxicab. It shall be unlawful to change the size of the wheels
or tires of any taxicab or the gears operating the taximeter or
to change the taximeter from one taxicab to another unless such
taximeter is reinspected and approved by the Chief of Police or
his duly authorized agent or representative before it is so used.
Section 16. FLAG TO BE IN PROPER POSITION: It shall be
unlawful for any driver of a taxicab while carrying passengers
or under employment to display the flag attached to the taximeter
at such a position as to denote that such taxicab is not employed,
or to throw the flag of the taximeter at a recording position
when such vehicle is not actually employed, or to fail to throw
the flag of such taximeter at a non -recording position at the
termination of each and every service.
It shall be unlawful for any person to change, alter, ad-
just, modify or in any manner tamper with any taximeter so as to
cause the same to register a fare other than prescribed by this
ordinance.
Section 179 DRIVER'S LICENSE: It shall be unlawful for
any person owning, controlling, or engaged in the business of
operating taxicabs or for -hire vehicles to employ as the driver
of any such vehicle, or permit any such vehicle to be operated
by a driver who does not have in his possession a valid and sub-
sisting For -Hire Driver's License, and a valid and subsisting
Washington State vehicle driver's license.
Section 18. SUSPENSION -REVOCATION OF FOR -HIRE DRIVER'S
LICENSE: Any driver of a taxicab or for -hire vehicle who shall
charge any passenger a rate or fare other than that provided for
in this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof be punished, in
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addition to any other penalties provided by law, by having his
For -Hire Driver's License suspended for a period of not less than
thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year.
Section 19. TRIP SHEETS: It shall be unlawful for any
person owning or operating any taxicab or for -hire vehicles, to
fail to keep an accurate daily record on a trip sheet, the form
and size to be determined and approved by the City Clerk for each
shift such equipment is operated. All daily trip sheets shall be
kept on file for a period of five (5) years at the address for
which the vehicle for -hire license is issued, unless otherwise
specified or directed by the City Clerk. All daily trip sheets
shall be open for inspection by the City Clerk or Chief of. Police
at any time either while carried in the vehicle for hire or at the
address of the licensee. It shall be unlawful for anyone to fail
to make available any trip sheet for inspection upon request by
the City Clerk or Chief of Police.
It shall be unlawful for any for -hire driver to fail or
refuse to turn in his trip sheet or moneys collected from taxi -
trip fares to his employer or his duly authorized agent at the
end of each shift worked.
II sheet:
The following information shall be contained on each trip
1. The driver's name as licensed and For -Hire Driver's
License number.
2. The driver's residence address and telephone number.
3. The company name and vehicle number.
4. The date, time and place of origin and dismissal of
each trip. (Including trips where the passenger did not complete
an actual trip.)
S. The fare paid.
6. The number of passengers paying or not paying and any
other items for which a charge was or was not made.
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7. The beginning and ending speedometer mileage of the
vehicle for each shift worked.
(worked.
B. The beginning and ending time for each shift worked.
9. The beginning and ending meter readings for each shift
The driver of any taxicab or for -hire vehicle shall, on
request of any passenger paying him a fare for any trip, issue a
receipt showing such information for said trip.
Failure to keen an accurate daily trip sheet or the with-
holding of a trip sheet or fare moneys collected by a for -hire
driver from his employer or his duly authorized agent, shall be
grounds for suspension or revocation of his for -Hire Driver's
]License.
Section 20. DISPLAY OF LICENSES: Every owner or operator
of any taxicab or for -hire vehicle shall at all times carry -.in
such vehicle permits issued by the Department of Licenses of the
State of Washington showing such vehicle to be properly bonded for
the protection of the public, and also the licenses and permits
issued pursuant to this City ordinance.
Section 21. CONDITION OF DRIVER: It shall be unlawful for
any for -hire driver to consume any alcoholic beverage at any time
within eight (8) hours of reporting for duty, or while on duty as
a driver to operate any for -hire vehicle while under the influence
of or affected by intoxicating liquors, narcotics, barbituates, or
any medicine that shall impair his ability to drive.
It shall be unlawful for any for -hire driver to drive, oper-
ate or be in a vehicle for hire in a position to drive or operate
for longer than ten (10) hours in any one twenty-four (24) hour
period.
Each driver shall be neatly and cleanly attired and shall
present a clean and neat appearance pertaining to his clothes,
shoes, physical body, head and face care. The Chief of Police
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shall have the right to order any for -hire driver to cease opera-
ting or driving a vehicle for hire if in his determination the
for -hire driver's appearance and condition would be offensive to
a passenger or detrimental to the traveling public and such
driver shall cease such operation until the condition or appear-
ance complained of has been properly corrected.
Section 22. INSPECTION OF VEHICLES: All vehicles operated
under the authority of this ordinance shall be available for in-
spection at any time, at any place by the Chief of Police. The
Chief of Police shall inspect a vehicle for hire to determine
cleanliness, proper equipment, good appearance, safe operating
condition and shall in all cases be the sole judge in this deter-
mination.
If the Chief of Police determines during his inspection:
that the condition of any taxicab or vehicle for hire needs cor-
rection, he shall issue to the operator or driver thereof a notice
in writing, specifying such defects and same shall be remedied
immediately or at a later date to be fixed by the Chief of. Police
in such notice.
The Chief of Police shall order any vehicle for hire to
cease operation immediately if in his determination the vehicle
is in an unsafe condition and shall notify the operator or driver
in writing and shall remove the seal of approval from the vehicle.
It shall be unlawful for any operator or driver to drive
or operate a vehicle for hire in an unsafe condition or without
proper equipment, as determined by the Chief of Police.
It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with any written
notice by the Chief of Police to make certain corrections on a
vehicle for hire.
Section 23. DIRECT ROUTE OF TRAVEL: Any driver of a taxi-
cab or for -hire vehicle employed to carry passengers to a definite
point shall take the most direct route possible that will carry
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the passenger safely and expeditiously to his destination.
Section 24. UNAUTHORIZED DRIVERS: It shall be unlawful
for anyone engaged in the business of operating a taxicab or
vehicle for -hire to knowingly employ a driver who has within one
(1) year prior thereto been convicted of driving any motor vehicle
while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquors,
narcotics or barbituates.
If any driver of a taxicab or vehicle for hire shall be
convicted of driving such vehicle while under the influence of or
affected by liquor or narcotics, the Fors -Mire Driver's License
of such driver shall be revoked and he shall not be granted a
For -Hire Driver's License for a period of at least one (1) year
from the date of such conviction.
Section 25. UNLAWFUL NOT TO PAY FARE: It is unlawful for
any driver of a taxicab to refuse to accept as a passenger any
person of proper deportment who requests a ride when the taxicab
is unemployed, and it is unlawful for any person to refuse to pay
the regular fare for a taxicab or for -hire vehicle after having
hired the same.
Section 26. LEAVING TAXICAB UNATTENDED: It shall be un-
lawful for any driver of a taxicab or for -hire vehicle to leave
the same unattended, or to make repairs thereto or wash such
vehicle while in a taxicab zone; except that a period of not to
exceed sixty (60) minutes is allowed such driver for the purpose
of taking his meals or shopping,during which time such taxicab
may be left unattended as long as same does not interfere with
other taxicabs within such zone.
Section 27. BAGS` Persons served with a taxicab here-
under shall be entitled to have with them their valises or small
hand baggage as can be conveniently carried within the vehicle,
loaded, conveyed and unloaded without charge. Persons cancelling
calls for taxicabs or for -hire vehicles after dispatch in answer
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thereto,.maq be 'charged the same rate as if used.
Section 28. TWO-WAY
RADIO
DISPATCH:
It
shall
be unlawful
for any for -hire driver to
fail to
respond
to a
call
from the dis-I
patcher to pick up a passenger when so requested or to fail to
keep the radio in the taximb or for -hire vehicle operating at all
times during the shift the taxicab or for -hire vehicle is operated
All taxicabs or for -hire vehicles shall have conspicuously placed
on the vehicle by the name of the cab, the telephone number where
the taxicab or for -hire vehicle may be radio dispatched from.
Section 29. DISCONTINUED USE AS TAXICAB: All taxicabs
licensed under this ordinance when discontinued for use as a
vehicle for -hire shall be sufficiently repainted forthwith with
a color that will not tend to confuse or lead the public to be-
lieve the vehicle may still be a taxicab and said vehicle may not
be used on the street for private transportation until the repaint
inc; has been completed. Failure to comply with the provisions
of this section will be grounds for revocation of such license.
Section 30. UNLAWFUL TO SOLICIT FARES: It shall be unlaw-
ful for any for -hire driver to cruise, drive, or operate a taxi-
cab repeatedly and persistently to and fro upon a public street
or to solicit thereon, or on private property, or to haul any ad-
ditional passengers when his taxicab has been en,gaged for -hire and
is occupied already by a passenger or passengers, except with the
permission of such occupying passenger or passengers. It shall
also be unlawful to carry or transport any person other than the
driver of the vehicle in the front seat of any taxicab except in
cases where the rear seat thereof is occupied, in which case ad-
ditional passengers not exceeding; two in number, may be carried
in the front seat.
Section 31. IDENTIFICATION OF DRIVERS: Every for -hire
driver shall wear a badge of identification, the size, .form and
placement to be determined and approved by the Citv Clerk, and
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1 such badge shall be worn by such driver at all times while he is
2 operating a vehicle for hire; such badge will show, among others,
3 the name of the licensed for -hire driver, and the name and tele-
4 phone number of the company employing-such driver.
5 Section 32. QUALIFICATIONS FOR A FOR -HIRE DRIVER'S
6 LICENSE: No person shall be issued a For-dire Driver's License
7 unless he possesses the following qualifications:
8 (A) Must be at least 21 years of age.
9 (B) Must be a bona fide resident of the State of Washing-
ton for at least six months prior to filing applica-
10 tion.
11 (C) Must possess a valid State of Washington Motor Vehicle
Operator's License.
12
(D) Must be free from any infirmity of body or mind which
13 would render the applicant unfit for safe operation ofl
a motor vehicle and shall have submitted to a medical
14 examination and have obtained a certificate which is
satisfactory to and approved by the Kent City Health
15 Officer certifying his fitness as such for -hire
driver. Proof of such a satisfactory medical examina-
16 tion and physical fitness shall be required once every
three years to be submitted to the City Clerk.
17(E) must (E) Must not be addicted to the use of
18 liauor, dangerous drugs or narcotics.
19 (F) Must not have bean convicted of any offense involving
moral turpitude or intent to defraud within the past
20 ten (10) years prior to application.
21 Section 33. PERSONAL HISTORY OF APPLICANT: The applicant
22 shall file with the City Clerk an application on a form furnished
23 by the City Clerk, which shall be signed and sworn to by the
24 applicant and which shall set forth the following facts concern-
25 ing the applicant: Name, hei?ht, weight, color of hair and eyes,
26 residence address, place and date of birth, length of time a resi-
27 dent of the State of Washington$ whether a citizen or non-citizen
28 last place of employment, whether previously licensed and if so
29 where, and whether or not the license was ever suspended or re-
30 voked and for what cause, and such other information as the City
31 Clerk may reasonably require. The applicant shall on the appli-
32 cation give the names and mailing addresses of four persons, not
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relatives, who have known the applicant for at least two years
last past.
Section 34. HEALTH OFFICER: Any applicant who fails to
pass a satisfactory medical examination may be re-examined after
thirty (30) days after the original examination and if following
such re-examination the certificate herein required for the ap-
proval of the City Eealth Officer is issued, the applicant may be
licensed in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 35.
FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO ACCOMPANY
APPLICATION: Each anplication for a For -Hire Driver's License
shall be accompanied by a complete set of fin?erprints of the
applicant, and also by three (3) recent duplicate photographs of
the applicant of the size to be determined by the Chief of Police.
One photograph shall be retained in the records of the Chief of
Police and the second attached to the license in such manner that
it cannot be removed and another photo¢ranh substituted therefor
without detection; the third photograph, together with the name,
address and telephone number shall be prominently displayed inside
the taxicab so as to be readily discernible to any passenger.
Section 36.
CHIEF OF
POLICE TO
INVESTIGATE APPLICANTS FOR
DRIVER'S LICENSES:
,,,Then an
application
for a For. -Hire Driver's
License, duly signed and sworn to and accompanied by the required
certificate of the Health Officer has been received by the Chief
of Police, he shall investigate the statements contained therein,
and may obtain such other information concerning the applicant's
character, integrity, personal habits, past conduct and general
qualifications as will show the applicant's ability and skill as
a driver of a motor vehicle for -hire, and his honesty, integrity
and character for the purpose of determining whether the appli-
cant is a suitable person to drive a motor vehicle for -hire with-
in the City of hent. All applications for For -Hire Driver's
Licenses shall become null and void after sixty (60) days from
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the date of filing, if the applicant for any reason fails or neg-
lects to obtain a license.
Section 37. TEMPORARY LICENSE: Upon application for a
For -Hire Driver's License, the City Clerk may, pending the require
examination and investigation of the qualifications of the appli-
cant and upon recommendation of the Chief of Police after his pre-
liminary investigation, issue a temporary For -Hire Driver's Permit
which shall entitle the applicant to operate a taxicab or other
for -hire vehicle pending final action upon his application, for a
period not to exceed twenty (20) days. Such temporary permit
shall not be transferable or assignable and shall be valid only
with the taxicab company to which it was originally issued. Iahen-
lever the holder of such a temporary permit leaves the original
employment, the employer shall notify the City Clerk within twenty
Four (24) hours thereof. Such permit may also be revoked by the
City Clerk or the Chief of Police .for failure to report for examin -
tion pursuant to his application, or for any violation by,the per-
mitee of or failure to comply with the conditions under which such
permit is issued. Revocation or cancellation of said temporary
permit by the City Clerk or Chief of Police shall be final unless
appealed from by the permittee to the Citv Council within five (5)
days from such revocation.
Section 38. I S SUANCE OF FOR-hi?,h DK1 VL.K' bLJ Lr.1V J G : 11 111G
City Clerk is satisfied that the applicant for a for -hire driver's
license possesses the qualifications and is a suitable nerson to
drive a motor vehicle for -hire under the provisions of this ordi-
nance, he shall issue him a For -Hire Di iver's License which will
entitle him to drive and operate a motor chicle for -hire within
the City of hent.
The license shall be of such form and size as is required
by the City Clerk and on one side the photograph of the licensee
shall be attached as herein required, together with a fingerprint,
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the physical description of the licensee and the date of the
license and his signature. The other side of the license shall
contain the words "For -Hire Driver's License --City of Kent", and
also the number of the license, and the name of the licensee, and
date of expiration of the license. After the data haemin required
has been inserted on the license, it shall be enclosed and sealed
in a durable transparent material.
Section 39. EXPIRATION AND RENEWALS OF FOR -HIRE DRIVER'S
LICENSES: All For -Hire Driver's Licenses shall expire on the
31st day of December of each calendar year unless suspended or
revoked prior thereto. Each such license may be renewed annually
thereafter by the City Clerk for a period of four (4) successive
years. The City Clerk shall devise in the license form the methoc
by which renewals herein provided for may be indicated on the
license, without issuing another license. Upon expiration of the
license and all renewals authorized herein, a new license shall
be required, which shall be issued only upon application, together
with photographs supplied and examinations taken as in the case
of an original license application. All licenses must be renewed
within ten (10) days from the date of expiration except as other-
wise herein provided. Applications .for renewal shall be made
through the City Clerk on such forms as may be provided by his
office.
Section 40. DAMAGED OR WORN-OUT LICENSES TO BE REPLACED:
When the license is worn-out, damaged or otherwise unfit for use,
the City Clerk may require the license to be replaced in the same
form as the original license, at the expense of the licensee.
Section 41. DRIVER'S LICENSE CARRIED ON PERSON AND
EXHIBITED UPON REQUEST: The For -Hire Driver's License shall at
all times be carried on the person of the licensee; and shall on
request be exhibited by the licensee to any passenger or to any
police officer of license inspector.
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Section 42. ADDITIO14AL RULES AND REGULATIONS: The Chief
of Police is hereby authorized to make and enforce rules and
regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinan
and it shall be unlawful to violate or not to comply with any of
said rules and regulations. All of such rules and regulations as
promulgated by the Chief of Police from time to time shall be re-
duced to writing and mailed to each taxicab and for -hire vehicle
towner for his information and for distribution thereof unto his
employees.
Section 43. VIOLATIONS: The City Clerk and Chief of Police
are hereby authorized and directed to enforce the terms and pro-
visions of this ordinance. If it is determined that any licensee
has violated or failed to comply with any provision of this ordi-
nance, then the City Clerk of Chief of Police shall make a written
record of such findings, specifying therein the particulars of
anv such violation and thereupon the license of any such driver
may be suspended or revoked for a period to be fixed by the City
Clerk and Chief of Police, in which event the license shall be
surrendered unto the City Clerk. In case of revocation, such
license shall be cancelled, and in case of suspension, the same
shall be returned unto the licensee after expiration of the period
of suspension; provided, however, such revocation for violation of
any of the provisions of this ordinance shall not relieve the
licensee of the penalties otherwise provided for in this ordinance
Any licensee whose license is revoked or suspended by the City
Clerk or Chief of Police shall have the right to appeal to the
City Council from any such order by filing with the City Clerk a
written notice thereof within five (5) days after the entry of the
order of revocation or suspension. The notice of appealshall
specify an address at which the licensee may be given notice of
hearing on the appeal. After the filing of such appeal, the City
Clerk shall set a time and place, not more than thirty (34 days
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from such notice of appeal for hearing thereon, or such matter may
be referred to a Committee of the City Council for hearing. At
the hearing the licensee shall be entitled to appear in person
and be represented by counsel and offer such evidence pertinent
and material to the revocation or suspension. Upon filing of
notice of such appeal, the City Clerk and Chief of Police shall
immediately submit unto the City Council or its Committee, such
records, data, reports and information as they have in their pos-
session supporting their order of suspension or revocation. Im-
mediately after such hearing, the City Council shall determine
whether the revocation or suspension shall be sustained, and its
action in that respect shall be final and conclusive in all re-
spects. From the time of filing the written notice of appeal by
the licensee and until the hearing and action thereon by the City
Council, the order of the City Clerk and Chief of Police relative
to such suspension or revocation shall be stayed.
Section 44. TAXICAB STANDS:
(a) Every person licensed to engage in the business of
operating one or more taxicabs under the provisions of this ordi-
nance shall, upon obtaining said license, designate in writing at
that time with the City Clerk, one parking space located on the
city streets where said person desires to have his taxicab stand
located.
(b) If the City Clerk shall approve such location, he
shall cause any parking meters or restrictive signs thereon to be
removed and shall cause a sign to be placed at said location de-
signating, it as a "Taxicab Stand".
(c) If the City Clerk shall disapprove of such location,
said person shall designate alternative locations until a satis-
factory and safe location can be agreed upon.
(d) Each person shall reimburse the City the sum of $50.00
per year for the privilege of designating? and using a parking
IRE
space as a taxicab stand as set forth in this ordinance, saidsum
shall be raid at the time of anplicati_on for said space and
annually thereafter on the last day of December o2 each gear and
the sums paid therefor shall be paid into the City of Kent parking
meter fund..
(e) io person shall use a. taxicab stand of another except
for the purpose of unloadim7, passengers in such a manner as to not
inter: ere with the licensee or: said taxicab stand:
Section 45. PTSURANCE REQUIRED: every person licensed to
enure in the business of operating one or more taxicabs under the
provisions of this ordinance shall, prior to being issued said
license, and annually on the last day of December of each year
thereafter, furnish proof to the City Cleric of having covered him-
self, his vehicles, his agents and employees with liability insur-
ance in the followin,a amounts:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000.00 each person and
$50,000.00 each occurrence
Medical payments: $5,000.00 each person
Property damage liability: $5,000.00 each occurrence.
Section 46. VIOLATIOINS LIND PENALTIES: Any person violating
or failing; to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance
shall be deemed 7uilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction there-
of shall be punished by a fine in any sum not exceeding $300.00,
or by imnrisonr^ent in the city -fail for a period not exceeding
ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 47. Any person feeling himself aggrieved through
the applications of the provisions of this ordinance shall have
the richt, in addition to those appellate procedures set forth in
Section 43 hereof, -to appeal to the City Council following the
procedures set forth in section 43 of this Ordinance.
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Section 48: The Chief of Police and the City Clerk
may jointly waive any of the provisions of this Ordinance where,
in their collective opinion, an applicant presents proof of sub-
stantial compliance with one or more sections hereof.
Section 49:
SAVING CLAUSE:
If any section, sub -section,
subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for
any reason held to be unconstitutional or void, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance.
Section 50: This ordinance shall take effect and be in
force five (5) days from and after its passage, approval and
publication as provided by law.
Attest: ALEX '
MAYOR
CR%RLES BRIDGES, City Cie^
Approved as to Form:
City Attorney
PASSED the 1-;161day of
APPROVED the moi./ day of
PUBLISHED the / 9't4, day of
1964
1964
1964.