Ordinance 2773-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

, iiii Ordinance No. 2773-04 An Ordinance relating to taxicab rates and number of allowable licenses, amending Section 30 of Ordinance No. 2297-98, as amended by Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2306-98 (EMC 5.68.290), and adding a new section, and declaring an emergency. Whereas, the City Council has considered the request of for-hire vehicle business owners to increase the rate for flag drop and per-mile by twenty cents, to one dollar and eighty cents; and Whereas, the City Council finds that the one dollar and eighty cent rate is just and reasonable considering the public's need for adequate taxi service at the lowest level of charges consistent with the provision, maintenance and continuation of such service; and Whereas, the one dollar and eighty cent rate is consistent with the rates of other licensees operating in similar areas; and Whereas, the City Council does find that the Council has enacted for-hire vehicle regulations to provide that such businesses are adequately regulated to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to promote safe, reliable and economically viable and stable taxicab transportation service; and Whereas, the City Council is concerned that an impact on this service to the community may result from an increase in licensed taxicabs in the City following a rate increase; and Whereas, the City Council wishes to establish a 90-day period during which no new applications for taxicab licenses shall be processed or issued to preserve the status quo to allow time to determine whether a cap should be placed on the number of taxicab licenses issued by the City and, if so, to research and evaluate the number of taxicab licenses that would best promote the goals herein stated; and Whereas, the City Council does conclude that it is necessary for the 90-day period, during which new taxicab licenses will not be accepted, processed or issued, to begin immediately upon passage of this ordinance in order to act as a stop-gap meaure to provide the City an opportunity to: study the issues concerning the number of taxicab licenses that should be allowed and prepare appropriate revisision to the City's regulations, and avoid applicants establishing possible rights contraty to and inconsistent with any revisions the City may make to its regulatory scheme as a result of the City's study of this matter; and Whereas, an emergency does exist to protect the public health, safety and welfare; 1