Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council is considering an update to its taxi cab ordinance.
City Attorney Robert Snyder on March 26 submitted a proposed revised ordinance during the council’s regular meeting that would add four major provisions.
First, it allows the council to set its fee schedule by resolution, without going through the ordinance revision process.
Second, it sets for the reasons for denying, not renewing or revoking a taxi cab license, so that applicants can review them and ascertain whether they would be eligible to receive a license from the city and what the city expects in a taxi business, Snyder said.
Third, the ordinance adds exceptions to existing transportation services, including Linn County Shuttle, Dial-A-Bus, ambulances, medical transports contracted through the state of Oregon and tour buses that require the driver to have a commercial license.
It also provides an exception for vehicles hired where the owner has a written agreement with the customer prior to pickup, Snyder said. This is because the customer can investigate on his or her own, prior to pickup, whether to use the carrier.
Fourth, the ordinance uses the word “violation” instead of “infraction,” Snyder said. The word “infraction” is no longer used under state law. The state now uses the word “violation.”
The ordinance won’t apply to pedal services, such as those used last year during the Oregon Jamboree, Snyder said, but he would check into whether the Jamboree shuttle service is exempt or would need to be added to the exemptions.
Snyder told the council that he reviews the applications for taxi licenses. He looks at the applicant’s bank records and criminal history, and he can have the vehicles inspected.
Over time, if the city receives complaints, the city can bring an operator back before the council for possible revocation, Snyder said. The city might respond, for example, to complaints of bald tires and bad brakes.
The city derives its authority to regulate taxi services based on the state’s policy, Snyder said. Oregon law declares that privately owned taxi cabs and other vehicles for hire are a vital part of the transportation system within the state and provide necessary services in response to the needs of state residents, tourists and business representatives from outside the state.
Consequently, Snyder said, the safety and reliability of such vehicles, and the economic well-being and stability of their owners and operators are matters of public concern. The regulation of such vehicles is an essential government function.
Sweet Home currently has no taxi service.
The council held the first reading of the proposed ordinance. It will hold two more readings at upcoming meetings. The council may act on the ordinance after the third reading, which will likely be held during the council’s regular meeting on April 23.
Present at the meeting were councilors Craig Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley, Greg Mahler, Scott McKee Jr. and Dave Trask. Bruce Hobbs and Marybeth Angulo were absent.
In other business, the council:
n Adopted its 2013 goals.
n Appointed Nicholas Richard, 14, to the Youth Advisory Council as an at-large youth. Two positions remain open, one high school junior seat and an at-large junior high position.
The Youth Advisory Council advises the City Council on matters of interest to youths and has organized several activities over the years, including a running event.
n Appointed Nick Augsburger to the Tree Commission following the resignation of Bill Marshall of Cascade Timber Consulting. Augsberger is a forester with CTC, and he will serve until Dec. 31, 2016.
n Heard Gourley proclaim April as Sweet Home Arbor Month, a part of National Arbor Month.