AN ORDINANCE
NO. _________
An ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Columbus Code revising procedures for the inspection and registration of taxicabs in Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes.
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THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1.
Section 21-2 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding a new definition and revising another definition to read as follows:
Licensed Garage
means a validly licensed garage under contract with the City to perform Taxicab Safety and Taximeter Inspections and certify the results.
Taxicab Safety and Taximeter Inspection Certification
means the certification received from a Licensed Garage, certifying that the taxicab is mechanically safe in compliance with state laws regarding vehicle safety including emission control, tires, brakes, wipers, lights, safety belts and airbags, windshields, air conditioning and all other factory equipment and mechanical systems and that the taximeter is calibrated and accurate.
SECTION 2.
Section 21-3.4 of the Columbus Code is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced by a new Section 21-3.4 to read as follows:
Taxicab company owners shall be responsible for registering their taxicabs with the Columbus Police Department and must obtain a registration/inspection permit. The following procedures shall apply:
(a) The taxicab company owner shall be responsible for submitting a completed registration application, in a form supplied by the Columbus Police Department, to the Columbus Police Department each year:
(1) Taxicab company owner's name and address and identifying information for each taxicab owned to include make, model, tag, VIN, taxicab company vehicle number, insurance).
(2) Safety and taximeter inspection certification from a licensed garage with the Columbus Police Department.
(b) After submission of a completed registration application and a satisfactory taxicab safety and taximeter certification, the Columbus Police Department, or its designee, shall inspect interior and exterior of taxicab(s) for cleanliness, body damage, proper identification numbers, and proper display of rates of fare. For each taxicab of the taxicab company owner's that pass inspection and the registration application and safety certification are complete, the Columbus Police Department shall issue a registration/inspection permit, valid for one year.
(c) The taxicab company owner shall be responsible for properly installing and displaying the annual Columbus Police Department registration/inspection permit on the left rear bumper area of each taxicab. Permits are not transferable from one taxicab to another.
SECTION 3.
Paragraph (a) of Section 21-8 of the Columbus Code is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced by a new Paragraph 21-8(a) to read as follows:
(a) All operating taxicabs shall display a current registration/inspection permit obtained from the Columbus Police Department, in accordance with the procedures set for in section 21-3.4 above on the left hand side of the taxicab’s rear bumper. Each registration/inspection permit issued by the Columbus Police Department shall be valid from the inspection date through May 31 of the following calendar year. Both drivers and taxicab owners are responsible for complying with the above requirements. Inspections for taxicabs being newly placed into service may be accomplished at any time as set forth by the Columbus Police Department. Renewal inspections for existing taxicabs already in service may be accomplished during the expiration year between January 1 and May 31.
SECTION 4.
Section 21-8.2 of the Columbus Code is hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced by a new Section 21-8.2 to read as follows:
Drivers and taxicab company owners shall equip all taxicabs with a taximeter fastened in front of the passengers, visible to them at all times, with the face of the taximeter to be illuminated after sunset. The taximeter shall be operated mechanically by a mechanism of standard design and construction, driven either from the flexible or permanently attached driving mechanism. They shall be sealed at all points and connections that, if manipulated, would affect their correct reading and recording. Each taximeter shall be equipped with an on-off switch denoting when the taxicab is employed and when it is not employed; and it shall be the duty of the driver to throw the switch of such taximeter into a nonrecording position at the termination of each trip. Taximeters may be subject to inspection from time to time by the Columbus Police Department. Additionally, all taxicabs shall be equipped with a permanently mounted exterior roof dome light not less than five inches in height bearing the term "taxi" or the name of the taxicab company. Said dome light shall be connected to an on-off switch so that during the hours of darkness, it will denote when on, that the vehicle is not employed but available for hire and when off, that it is not available for hire. Both drivers and taxicab company owners are responsible for complying with the requirements of this subsection.
SECTION 5.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the 4
th
day of December, 2012, introduced a second time at a regular meeting of said Council held on the ______ day of ________, 2012, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting ____________.
Councilor Baker voting ____________.
Councilor Barnes voting ___________.
Councilor Davis voting ____________.
Councilor Henderson voting _________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor McDaniel voting _________.
Councilor Pugh voting ______________.
Councilor Thomas voting ___________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
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TINY B. WASHINGTON, CLERK TERESA PIKE TOMLINSON, MAYOR