File #: 2010-0214    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 4/5/2010 In control: Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
On agenda: 5/10/2010 Final action: 5/10/2010
Enactment date: 5/20/2010 Enactment #: 16824
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to taxicab licenses; regulating wheelchair accessible taxicab licenses; making technical corrections; and amending Ordinance 10498, Section 89, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.700 and Ordinance 10498, Section 90, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.710.
Sponsors: Jan Drago, Kathy Lambert, Larry Phillips, Larry Gossett, Bob Ferguson
Indexes: Licensing, Taxicabs
Code sections: 6.64.700 - , 6.64.710 -
Attachments: 1. 16824.pdf, 2. 2010-0214 Transmittal Letter.doc, 3. 2010-0214 fiscal note.xls, 4. 2010-0214 Staff Report WAT Taxi Licenses, 5. 2010-0214 Striking Amendment S3 Bruce Ritzen edits 04-19-10, 6. 2010-0214 Title Amendment 2 04-20-10 BR, 7. 2010-0214 hearing notice.doc, 8. 2010-0214 Revised SR WAT Taxi Licenses, 9. Amendment Package 5-10-10.pdf
Drafter
Clerk 05/10/2010
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to taxicab licenses; regulating wheelchair accessible taxicab licenses; making technical corrections; and amending Ordinance 10498, Section 89, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.700 and Ordinance 10498, Section 90, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.710.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. There is an unmet need for taxicab services for individuals that rely on mobility devices such as manual and motorized wheelchairs.
2. King County and Seattle collaborated on the Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Project that demonstrated the need for as well as the viability of wheelchair accessible taxicabs in Seattle and King County.
3. Individuals who require mobility devices have the right to expect highly qualified taxicab drivers and appropriate vehicles that can provide safe, quality and timely service.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. The safety, reliability and economic viability of privately operated taxi transportation is a matter of county concern and regulation of that type of transportation is an essential government function.
B. The maximum number of taxicab licenses sufficient to provide the public adequate taxicab service is five hundred sixty-one.
C. Some previously issued licenses have reverted to the county and the demand for service has grown to the extent that the issuance of additional taxicab licenses from within the number of reverted licenses may be justified.
D. The escalating cost of a taxicab license as it is transferred between parties may be reflected in higher costs to the customer and may diminish the owner's ability to maintain and upgrade the owner's vehicle.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 10498, Section 89, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.700 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. ((The King County council finds that the safety, reliability and economic viability of privately operated taxi transportation is a matter of county concern and regulation of that type o...

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