HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.F.6. Amendments to Taxicab Regulations-Ord. No. 812
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CITY OF SHAKOPEE
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TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Judith S. Cox, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Amendments to Taxicab Regulations
DATE: January 29,2009
Introduction:
City Council is asked to consider adopting the attached Ordinance No. 812, Fourth Series,
amending regulations relating to the taxicab ordinance.
A] TAXICAB RATES.
Background:
At the council meeting on December 16, 2008, staffwas directed to look into whether or not to
allow a flat rate fee for taxicab service.
Current city code requires: Prior to issuance of a taxicab license, the applicant shall submit the
applicant's rate schedule to the Council. These rates shall be uniform to all passengers. Any
increases in the rates shall be subject of approval by the Council. Every taxicab operated under
this Section shall have a rate card setting forth the authorized rates of fare which shall be
displayed in such a place as to be in view of all passengers.
City codes from eight municipalities were reviewed pertaining to taxicab rates. Only one city,
the City of Minneapolis, actually sets a maximum fare. The City of Minneapolis also allows for
special rates lower than otherwise required, i.e. discount to a senior citizen, discount on ride
originating in Minneapolis, special flat rate from point to point, special flat rates or discount from
the metered fare, from any point within Minneapolis to a particular destination, and special event
rates. (Exhibit A)
The rates contained in the applications from the three Shakopee licensees include a minimum
fare and one licensee has an additional late night minimum fare. None of the licensees have
identified a "flat rate" fee.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council not adopt a maximum rate of fare based upon mileage
for taxicabs. It is also recommended that the city code be amended to require that the applicant
submit his rate schedule to the City Administrator and also to remove language that requires City
Council approval of any increase in rates to those that are provided. Seven of the eight
municipalities reviewed do not set rates for their taxicab licensees: Richfield, Bloomington,
Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Woodbury, Prior Lake, and Savage.
B] PENALTIES.
Background:
At the council meeting on January 6,2009, staff was directed to look at the taxicab ordinance and
come up with penalties for violations.
Current city code provides that: A license issued under the provisions of this Section may be
revoked or suspended by the Council in accordance with the procedures outlined if the holder
thereof has violated any of the provisions of this Section; discontinued operations for more than
sixty (60) days, or has violated any City Code provisions or any law of the United States or State
of Minnesota, which violation reflects unfavorable on the fitness of the holder to offer public
transportation. Similar language is also included in the city codes ofthe other cities that were
reviewed. None of these city codes address more specific penalties.
Recommendation:
Attached is a comparison of the penalties in the Shakopee City Code for alcohol violations and
for tobacco violations. (Exhibit B) If Council desires to set penalties for taxicab violations, it is
recommended that the penalties for taxicab violations be considered as those set for the tobacco
violations, except that reinstatement after revocation be allowed after 30 days as opposed to 12
months. The attached draft ordinance has been prepared accordingly.
Alternatives:
A] Discuss the draft ordinance and direct staff to make desired changes and bring the
ordinance back for Council consideration.
B] Adopt the ordinance as drafted.
C] Table consideration of the draft ordinance for additional information.
Relationship to Visioning:
The proposed ordinance sets forth uniform penalties for violations and is considered
housekeeping.
Recommended Action:
If Council concurs, it should offer Ordinance No. 812, Fourth Series, An Ordinance of the City of
Shakopee, Minnesota, Amending City Code Chapter 6, Other Business Regulations and
Licensing, Subdivision 6.22, Taxicabs and Drivers, and move its adoption.
h:\judy\Taxicab Rates and Penalties 09
ORDINANCE NO. 812, FOURTH SERIES
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITYOF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA,
AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 6, OTHER BUSINESS REGULATIONS AND
LICENSING, SUBDIVISION 6.22 TAXICABS AND DRIVERS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNSOTA, DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1 - The City Code Chapter 6, Section 6.22, Taxicabs and Drivers, is hereby
amended by adding the language, which is underlined and deleting the language that is stffiek
through.
Subd.9. Suspension. and Revocation.. and Administrative Penalties of Taxicab License.
A. A license issued under the provisions of this Section may be revoked or
suspended by the Council in accordance with the procedures outlined if the holder
thereof has violated any of the provisions of this Section; discontinued operations
for more than sixty (60) days, or has violated any City Code provisions or any law
of the United States or State of Minnesota, which violation reflects unfavorable
on the fitness of the holder to offer public transportation.
B. Licensees. Any taxicab licensee who.violates any part of City Code Section 6.22
or whose taxicab driver violates any part of City Code Section 6.22, the said
taxicab licensee shall be penalized as follows:
First Incident $200 fine + 2 day license suspension
Second Incident Within 36 Months
Of the First Incident $500 fine + 5 day license suspension
Third or Subsequent Incident
Within 36 Months of First
Incident $ 1,000 fine + 30 day license
Suspension or revocation
The penalty for a first or second incident shall be imposed and administered by
the City Administrator upon an admission by the licensee that the licensee
violated any part of City Code Section 6.22. The penalties for a third or
subsequent incident may only be imposed by the City Council.
Any revoked license shall not be eligible for reinstatement for at least thirty (30)
days after the effective date of the revocation.;
C. All multiple-day license suspensions shall run consecutively beginning at 12:01
a.m. on the first day of the suspension period and ending at midnight on the last
day of the suspension period.
D. No suspension or revocation shall be imposed by either the City Councilor the
City Administrator until the licensee has been afforded an opportunity for a
hearing in accordance with Section 6.03, Subdivision 5 of this Chapter.
Subd. 20. Rate Schedule and Cards.
A. Prior to issuance of a taxicab license, the applicant shall submit the applicant's
rate schedule to the Council City Administrator. These rates shall be uniform to
all passengers. Any increases in the rates shall be filed with the City
Administrator. subject of uppro'lal by the Council.
B. Every taxicab operator under this Section shall have a rate card setting forth the
authorized rates of fare which shall be displayed in such a place as to be in view
of all passengers.
SECTION 2. - Effective Date. This ordinance becomes effective from and after its
passage and publication.
Adopted in session of the City Council of the City of Shakopee,
Minnesota, held this day of ,2009.
Mayor of the City of Shakopee
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Published in the Shakopee Valley News on the _ day of ,2009.
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TAXICAB RATE SCHEDULE AND CARDS
Richfield - The rates, fares and charges being charged by the licensee shall, at all
times, be kept on file by the licensee with the city clerk. No changes may be made without first
filing such revisions with the city clerk at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the changes.
Bloomington - Prior to issuance of a taxicab license, the applicant shall submit his rate
schedule to the city clerk. These rates shall be uniform to all passengers. Any changes in the
rates shall be filed with the city clerk. Every taxicab operated under this Division shall have the
authorized rates of fare prominently displayed on the exterior of the vehicle on both the driver
and passenger sides of said vehicle.
Brooklyn Park- Every taxicab operated under this chapter must have a rate card setting
forth the authorized rates of fare displayed in such a place as to be in view of all passengers, rates
charged may not exceed taxicab rates which are lawful in the City of Minneapolis.
Coon Rapids - Each taxicab operated under this Chapter must have a rate card setting
forth the authorized rates of fare displayed in such a place as to be in view of all passengers.
Woodbury - The council may by resolution regulate the minimum and maximum
taxicab fares for all taxicabs licensed under this article and such regulated fares shall take effect
ten days after the finance director/deputy clerk has mailed copies of the resolution to all taxicab
licenses. (No resolution has been adopted as of 01-29-09)
Prior Lake - A schedule of the rates to be charged by the taxicab owners or operators
must be filed with the City Manager at the time of obtaining the license, and such rates shall not
be changed without notices to and approval of the City Council. No person shall charge or
attempt to charge any passenger a rate of fare greater than that authorized in the fee schedule
filed pursuant to this subsection.
Savage - Every taxicab operated under this Chapter shall have a rate card setting
forth the authorized rates or fares displayed in such a place as to be visible to all passengers.
Every operator licensed to operate a taxicab or taxicabs in the City shall submit to the Council
for approval, the rates to be charged, and no other rates may be charged without the approval of
the Council.
Minneapolis - Minneapolis sets maximum rates of fare based upon mileage, plus
a driver may require a five-dollar ($5.00) minimum charge to employ any taxicab in
Minneapolis. The minimum charge shall be displayed on both sides and the rear of each vehicle
and posted inside in a manner clearly legible to passengers. No operator is barred from offering
a discount to a senior citizen who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years of age.
The director may authorize special rates lower than otherwise required in
this chapter, including: (a) a discount applicable to all metered fares on all rides originating in
the City of Minneapolis, (b) special flat rates from point to point, (c) special flat rates, or a
discount from the metered fare, from any point within the City of Minneapolis to a particular
destination, (d) special event rates.
If E X H I f6 / T (j I'
City Code Penalties
Alcohol Violations Tobacco Violations
1 st incident* $1,000 fine and one-day suspension, $200 fine + 2 day suspension.
and suspension of $500 and one day
suspension if no further incidents
occur within one year.
2nd incident* $1,500 fine and five-day suspension, $500 fine + 5 day suspension
if violation is within three years of if violation is within 36 mos.
the previous incident. of the 18t incident.
3rd incident** $2,000 fine and a ten-day suspension, $1,000 fine + 30 day
If violation is within three years of suspension or revocation if
the dates of the previous 2 incidents. violation is within 36 months
of the 18t violation.
4th incident** $2,000 fine and suspension oflicense Subsequent incidents within
for a minimum of 30 days or revocation 36 months of first incident
if violation is within three years of the penalty is the same as for
the dates of the previous incidents. the third incident.
When revocation May not apply for a new license for Not eligible for reinstatement
at least 30 days. for at least 12 months.
*The penalty for a first or second incident shall be imposed and administered by the City
Administrator upon an admission by the licensee that the licensee ... p,ue;p to tt m.izJ.0J'. . .
**The penalties for a third or fourth incident may only be imposed by the City Council.
h:\judy\Alcohol and tobacco penalties