Chapter 5.50
DISPATCH SERVICE
Sections:
5.50.010 Dispatch service permit required.
5.50.020 Dispatch service permit application.
5.50.030 Dispatch service permit transfer.
5.50.040 Provision of service.
5.50.050 Dispatch service operation.
5.50.060 Communication requirement between dispatchers and taxicab chauffeurs.
5.50.070 Compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.
5.50.080 Records.
5.50.010 Dispatch service permit required.
No person may dispatch taxicabs who did not have a dispatch service permit on December 31, 2000, unless the transportation inspector has approved the transfer of a dispatch service permit issued prior to December 31, 2000, to another person in accordance with BMC 5.50.030. A person authorized to dispatch taxicabs under this section may not dispatch taxicabs without renewing the dispatch service permit on an annual basis in accordance with Chapters 5.20 through 5.50 BMC. Additionally, no person may dispatch taxicabs who does not have current city and state business licenses, and a current FCC frequency license. [Ord. 01-47 § 3; Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.020 Dispatch service permit application.
A. An application for annual renewal of a dispatch service permit shall be made to the transportation inspector.
B. An application for annual renewal of a dispatch service permit shall be submitted on a form approved by the transportation inspector and shall be accompanied by:
1. The fee specified in BMC 5.20.160;
2. Proof that the applicant has obtained and still possesses a valid FCC frequency license and identification of those frequencies authorized to be used in the dispatch service;
3. A list of the name, address and telephone number of every person who will have a financial, proprietary, security or other interest in the license;
4. A proposed color scheme, name and markings to be used by taxicabs dispatched by the applicant which is substantially different from the color scheme, name and markings used or proposed for use by any other dispatch company licensed under Chapters 5.20 through 5.50 BMC; and
5. Proof that the applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
C. A dispatch service permit shall be issued by the commission if the applicant complies with this section, is certified as required in BMC 5.20.150, and has not had a felony or misdemeanor conviction entered by a court of competent jurisdiction within five (5) years of the date of the renewal application for:
1. Assignation, prostitution, solicitation for the purpose of prostitution, offering to secure another for the purpose of prostitution, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of prostitution or accepting money from a prostitute for the aforementioned purposes; or
2. Sale, transportation, possession or use of any controlled substance as defined in AS 11.71 or any similar law of another jurisdiction or engaging in an act prohibited under AS 04.11, 04.16 or 04.17. [Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.030 Dispatch service permit transfer.
A. No person may transfer any interest in a dispatch service permit or any interest in the corporation, joint venture, association, partnership or other entity which owns an interest in a dispatch service permit unless that person obtains the prior approval of the transportation inspector.
B. An application for transfer of a dispatch service permit in accordance with subsection A of this section shall be made to the transportation inspector on forms approved by the transportation inspector and shall be accompanied by the proposed contract for sale or other interest transfer which states the specific consideration to be paid by the transferee, as well as all other material conditions of the sale or other transfer of interest. The application for transfer shall also identify all parties who have or are proposed to have a financial, proprietary, security or other interest in the permit. The application may request other information necessary to determine if the transfer is in the best interests of the public, including but not limited to evidence of the financial ability to meet the consideration requirements of the contract for sale or other interest transfer. If the transferee meets the requirements of this section and all other requirements for obtaining a dispatch permit contained in Chapters 5.20 through 5.50 BMC, and the transportation inspector approves the language of the contract for sale or other interest transfer, the transportation inspector may approve the transfer.
C. A decision of the transportation inspector with respect to transfer of an interest under this section may be appealed to the commission in accordance with BMC 5.20.100. [Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.040 Provision of service.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a dispatch service shall serve all taxicab permittees and their chauffeurs who request dispatch service and meet the requirements of this section so long as the fee for such service has been paid.
B. A dispatch service shall promulgate reasonable internal rules and regulations and shall supply the transportation inspector with a current copy thereof at all times. If a dispatch service executes one (1) or more types of written contracts pertaining to dispatch of taxicabs, the dispatch service shall supply the transportation inspector with one (1) copy of each such current contract form at all times.
C. A dispatch service may only provide dispatch service to a permitted taxicab.
D. Each dispatch service shall establish a system for identifying radio transmissions from each taxicab which is dispatched through the dispatch service.
E. A dispatch service company may operate out of a taxicab. [Ord. 01-20 § 3; Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.050 Dispatch service operation.
Every dispatch service shall respond to telephone calls, maintain radio communications with every taxicab subscribing to its service, and have a dispatcher on duty at least twenty (20) hours during every twenty-four- (24-) hour period. [Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.060 Communication requirement between dispatchers and taxicab chauffeurs.
Each dispatch company licensed under Chapters 5.20 through 5.50 BMC must operate and maintain a two-way communications system between dispatchers and taxicab chauffeurs. The two-way communications system shall allow each chauffeur on a dispatch company radio frequency to monitor dispatcher transmissions and transmissions from other chauffeurs on that dispatch company radio frequency. [Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.070 Compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.
Each dispatch service shall take steps to ensure that dispatchers and chauffeurs comply with FCC regulations with respect to operation of radios. [Ord. 01-02 § 3.]
5.50.080 Records.
A. Every dispatch service shall maintain a current and accurate list of:
1. Daily dispatch activity, including the taxicab numbers, the permit number pursuant to which the taxicab is operated, the time of calls for service, and the place of passenger pickup.
B. The records maintained pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be retained by the dispatch permittee for at least two (2) years and shall be made available upon request by the commission, the transportation inspector or a police officer. The transportation inspector may request that a dispatch service forward the records to him or her on a monthly basis. [Ord. 01-20 § 3; Ord. 01-02 § 3.]