2018/01/17 Council Agenda Packet

ORDINANCE No. AN ORDINANCE Relating to For-Hire Vehicles, Amending Ordinance No. 3553-17 (chapter 5.68 EMC). WHEREAS, City Council recently adopted a for-hire ordinance (Ord.No. 3553-17) with the goals of leveling the playing field between the taxi business model and transportation network company("TNC")business model,placing the onus on the for-hire industry to operate consistent with the City's regulations, and maintaining a focus on the safety and welfare of the general public; and WHEREAS, Uber and Lyft(both TNCs)have indicated that certain regulations in the for-hire ordinance make it impossible for them to operate in Everett; and WHEREAS,Everett residents have expressed a strong desire to have TNCs, including Uber and Lyft, operate in Everett; and WHEREAS,the regulations that would cause Uber and Lyft to cease operations in Everett can be modified without a significant cost to City Council's goal to adopt regulations with a focus on safety; and WHEREAS, City Council finds that it is appropriate to amend certain provisions of the for-hire ordinance to make Everett a desirable city for TNCs to operate in, while maintaining regulations that focus on the safety and welfare of the general public; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1. Section 2 of Ordinance No. 3553-17 (EMC 5.68.020),which reads as follows: Definitions The following words and phrases when used in this chapter have the meanings as set forth herein: A. "City" means the city of Everett, a municipal corporation. B. "City clerk"means the city clerk for the city of Everett or the city clerk's designee. C. "EMC"means the Everett Municipal Code as enacted or subsequently amended. D. "Operating a taxicab company in the city"means a taxicab company connects a taxicab driver to a passenger by any means, including without limitation,through a dispatch Page of 15