2017/01/25 Council Agenda Packet

ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE Regulating For-Hire Vehicles and Repealing the Existing For- Hire Ordinance Under Section 17. Whereas, current for-hire regulations (chapter 5.68 EMC)heavily regulate the taxicab industry with a framework focused on the safety and welfare of the general public; and Whereas,the for-hire industry is rapidly changing with the introduction of transportation network companies (TNCs), a business model focused on transportation services that pairs riders with drivers through digital networks; and Whereas,the city's for-hire regulations do not regulate TNCs; and Whereas,the City Council finds that the city's for-hire regulations should be revised in a manner that TNCs and taxicab companies operate under an equivalent regulatory framework; and Whereas,current regulations require significant hands-on regulation that, if they included TNCs, would substantially burden city resources without substantially improving public safety; and Whereas, with the entry of TNCs into the for-hire market,the need for substantial city hands-on regulation has diminished and it is appropriate for the city to reduce its role in enforcing regulations of the for-hire industry and to largely shift the responsibility for regulatory compliance to the for-hire industry by requiring the for-hire industry to comply with and certify their compliance with a regulatory framework focused on safety; and Whereas, City Council finds it appropriate to repeal chapter 5.68 EMC and adopt a new for-hire ordinance that will regulate taxicab companies and TNCs, and reduce industry-wide city regulatory requirements while maintaining a strong focus on the health, safety, and welfare of the general public; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Page 1 of 13 2