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File #: Ord. 2015-14(b)    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 4/29/2015 In control: City Council
On agenda: 5/5/2015 Final action: 5/5/2015
Title: Consider approval of Ordinance 2015-14, on the second of two readings, amending Chapter 90, Article 3 of the San Marcos City Code Governing Taxicabs by modifying inspection and application requirements, requiring criminal background checks for drivers, and increasing rates of fare; further amending said Chapter 90 by adding a new Article 6 that establishes regulations for Transportation Network Companies; providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date.
Attachments: 1. Final 2015 Ordinance
AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2015-14, on the second of two readings, amending Chapter 90, Article 3 of the San Marcos City Code Governing Taxicabs by modifying inspection and application requirements, requiring criminal background checks for drivers, and increasing rates of fare; further amending said Chapter 90 by adding a new Article 6 that establishes regulations for Transportation Network Companies; providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date.

Body
Meeting date: May 5, 2015

Department: Police

Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A

CITY COUNCIL GOAL:
Quality of Life and Place

BACKGROUND:

The attached ordinance includes amendments made by the city council on April 7, 2015 when it was approved on first reading.

Chapter 90 of the City Code governs vehicles for hire and currently addresses limousine services, taxicabs and pedicabs, wreckers, and river shuttles. Recently, a new business model has emerged around the country which uses digital networking and software applications to connect would-be passengers to transportation networking company services provided by TNC drivers. This model, also called "ride sharing" in some jurisdictions, operates differently in many instances than that of the traditional taxicab model. As a result, most jurisdictions have found that existing ordinances in place to regulate taxis do not work well when applied to TNCs. During a presentation to council on January 20 related to the existing taxicab ordinance, council provided direction to the Chief of Police to draft an ordinance which would allow TNCs to operate in San Marcos legally and would also serve to allow appropriate oversight by the city. The proposed addition of Article 6 to Chapter 90 of the city code will apply directly to TNCs. This draft ordinance language is the product of meeting with rep...

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