The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the operation of taxis for the protection of the public convenience, health, safety and welfare. (Added during 1976 codification)

For use in this chapter the following terms are defined:
A. "Operator" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other association, whether or not he or it be the owner or owners of a taxi, that will profit financially by the operation of a taxi, but does not include a person hired to drive a taxi.
B. "Taxi" means any motor vehicle that is used on the streets of Decorah for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, and that follows no regular route or time schedule. (Added during 1976 codification)

It is unlawful to operate a taxi without a valid taxi license issued under this chapter. Taxis that are operated principally in other cities that use the streets of Decorah only temporarily and on isolated occasions, need not have a license under this chapter. (Added during 1976 codification)

A taxi operator shall apply in writing to the council for a license for each taxi. The application shall include the name, residential and business addresses of the operator, and the make, model, serial number, motor number and state license plate number of each taxi. The application shall be accompanied by a five dollar license fee for each vehicle. (Added during 1976 codification)

Before the council’s hearing on the issuance of the license, the chief of police shall investigate the character of the applicant and shall inspect the taxis to be licensed for possible violations of the state motor vehicle law or of this chapter, and shall report on these matters to the council. (Added during 1976 codification)

The council shall review each application promptly and shall issue a license if it finds that issuance will be consistent with the safety, health, welfare, comfort and convenience of its residents. (Ord. 780 (part), 1983)

A license shall contain the signatures of the mayor and city clerk-treasurer, the date of issuance, the period for which the license is valid, the passenger seating capacity of the taxi, and the information contained in the application. (Added during 1976 codification)

Immediately after acting on a license application, the clerk-treasurer shall deposit the license fee in the city treasury or he shall return the disapproved application and fee to the applicant. (Added during 1976 codification)

Taxi licenses shall be valid for one year from the date of issue. (Added during 1976 codification)

Each taxi license shall be issued for one specific taxi only and shall not be transferable from taxi to taxi or to a different operator. The operator shall notify the council when a licensed taxi is withdrawn from service, and the city clerk-treasurer shall refund a pro rata share of the license fee when a license is surrendered. (Added during 1976 codification)

The council may revoke or suspend any license issued under this chapter for the following reasons:
1. The operator has made fraudulent statements in his application for the license or in the conduct of his business.
2. The operator has substantially violated the requirements of this chapter or the state motor vehicle laws.
3. The operator has conducted his business in a manner that substantially endangers the public safety, health, welfare, order or morals.
B. The council must conduct a hearing before revoking or suspending a license. The operator shall be given notice of the hearing at least five and not more than thirty days before the date of the hearing. The notice shall be in writing and shall be served personally or as required for personal service by the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the reasons for the intended revocation or suspension. (Added during 1976 codification)

The chief of police shall have the power at any time to investigate the conduct of any taxi business and the operation of the licensed taxis, and to inspect the licensed taxis for possible violations of the state motor vehicle law or of this chapter, and shall report on these matters to the council. (Added during 1976 codification)

Operators shall display within the taxi, in full view of passengers, the taxi license and a schedule of rates. (Added during 1976 codification)

Before beginning operation of any taxi, the operator shall file with the city clerk-treasurer evidence of financial responsibility in the minimum amount of not less than five hundred dollars liability to any one person or one hundred thousand dollars liability on account of any one accident and ten thousand dollars property damage. (Added during 1976 codification)

Every driver of a licensed taxi shall be at least eighteen years of age and shall possess a valid Iowa chauffeur’s license. (Added during 1976 codification)

No operator shall require or permit any person to drive a taxi in excess of these maximum periods:
A. Not more than twelve consecutive hours in any twenty-four hour period except that a driver may begin work again after he has been off duty for ten hours;
B. Not more than twelve nonconsecutive hours in any twenty-four hour period. (Added during 1976 codification)

Taxi drivers shall not stop, park or drive about the city streets or public places to solicit passengers by words, signs, or signals, but they may take on a passenger anywhere in the city at the passenger’s request. (Added during 1976 codification)

No driver shall permit more passengers to be carried in a taxi than the rated seating capacity of the taxi as fixed by the council and stated in the license. (Added during 1976 codification)

No driver shall refuse or neglect to convey an orderly person or persons, upon request, unless previously engaged, or unless he is unable or forbidden to do so by the provisions of this chapter. (Added during 1976 codification)