HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.F.5. Amendment to Taxicab Drivers License Requirements-Ord. No. 851CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Judith S. Cox, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Taxicab Drivers' License Requirements — Physician's Certificate
DATE: December 16, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
BACKGROUND:
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COQ T
Attached for council consideration is Ordinance No. 851, Fourth Series, which ordinance
expands on the application requirements for obtaining a license to operate a taxicab in the City
of Shakopee.
A current taxicab licensee has asked if the city would consider amending its requirements
pertaining to the submission of a certificate from a licensed physician stating "that, in the
physician's opinion, the applicant is not afflicted with any disease or infirmity which might
make the applicant an unsafe or unsatisfactory driver ". This is part of the application for
renewal of a taxicab driver's license each year and the request is to also accept a current DOT
medical card.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) requires a current DOT medical card when
operating a commercial motor vehicle and the card is good for two years. Both the city of
Minneapolis and the city of St. Paul accept a current DOT medical card for licensing taxicab
drivers in their cities. The DOT physical examination may be conducted by a licensed "medical
examiner" which includes doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants,
advanced practice nurses and doctors of chiropractic.
Seven cities have been contacted regarding their requirements for a taxicab driver's license.
Savage, Prior Lake, Bloomington, and Coon Rapids do not require a medical statement from a
physician. The city of Richfield accepts a statement from the applicant attesting that he is in
good physical condition, etc. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul require a copy of a current DOT
medical card.
Taxicab Drivers License Application — Physician's Certificate
December 16, 2011
Page 2
Continuing to require evidence from a medical professional that a taxicab driver is a safe and
satisfactory driver would be consistent with past practice and would provide a level of safety
for patrons. Accepting a current DOT medical card from an applicant to operate a taxicab
would provide an applicant with an additional option for compliance of the city code.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Status quo - continue to require a certificate from a physician
2. Add, as an additional option, a current DOT medical card
3. Accept a certificate from a" physician that is no more than two years old
4. Other
RECOMMENDATION:
Alternative No. 2, add to the city code an additional option to accept a current DOT medical
card with an application for a taxicab drivers license.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
h: \licenses \Taxicab - physicals
Offer Ordinance No. 851, Fourth Series, An Ordinance of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota
Amending City Code Section 6.22, Taxicabs and Drivers, and move its adoption.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
Section 1. City Code Section 6.22, Taxicabs and Drivers, Subd. 11, B. is amended to read as
follows:
SECTION 6.22. TAXICABS AND DRIVERS, SUBD. 11. B.:
Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after the date of its
passage and publication.
Adopted in session of the City Council of the City of Shakopee, held
this day of , 2011.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 851, FOURTH SERIES
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA
AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 6.22, Taxicabs and Drivers
B. Each application shall include al a certificate from a physician licensed by the
State of Minnesota that, in the physician's opinion, the applicant is not afflicted
with any disease or infirmity which might make the applicant an unsafe or
unsatisfactory driver, or b) a copy of a current D.O.T. medical card.
Mayor
(New language is indicated by underlining and deleted language is indicated by strikcthroughs)
Published in the Shakopee Valley News on the day of , 2011.