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HomeMy WebLinkAbout46-26 Amending Section 4-61 of the South Bend Municipal Code Regarding Taxicab Licensing and Operations and Providing for the Extension of Current LicensesCity of South Bend Common Council 300 Ciu I Lill • 21,i S. \Lu-tin Luther King,jr. l hcl. South Bend, Indiana UI601 Filed in Clerk's Office Camel l Let: Karen White Jul 8, 2026 President Chairperson CommunityInvestment Committee Bianca Tirado Sheila Niczgodski South Bend Common Council City Clerk, South Bend, IN Vice President 3rd Floor, City Hall Opllclia G(xxien-Rodgers South Bend, IN 46601 Chairperson,Committee of the\'hole RE:AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY Caui eth Lee OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING SECTION 4-61 OF THE First District SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TAXICAB phelia (:oodcn-Rodgers LICENSING AND OPERATIONS AND PROVIDING FORTHE Second District EXTENSION OF CURRENT LICENSES Sharon L. McBride Third District Dear Chairperson White: 1)r. Heidi Beidiliger Chapter 4 Section 4-61 of the Municipal Code addresses licenses for taxicab Fourth District companies,vehicles and drivers.This is a very in-depth ordinance first enacted Sherry Bol(Icll-Simpson in 1981 with parts of the ordinance amended in 1986, 1993, 1999, and 2011. I Filth District believe that current conditions in the City, changing technology and the Sheila Niezgodski prevalence of services such as Uber and Lyft support a comprehensive review Sixth District and revision of the ordinance to meet current needs. 1)r.OIn er Davis Such a complete review and revision may take some time before passing by At Large the Council. In the meantime, there are limited amendments that can be made Rachel Tomas Morg.ul to improve administration of the taxicab licensing program. These At I..,,ge amendments support continued taxicab service within the City by reducing Karen L. ‘t'hitc unnecessary regulatory burdens,accommodating modern dispatch operations, At Large and providing greater administrative efficiency in the licensing process. Additionally, the clarification of the definition of "taxicab" will promote consistency with applicable state law and assist in distinguishing locally regulated taxicab operations from transportation network companies governed by state law. I ask that this proposed ordinance amendment by placed on the agenda for the July 27, 2026, Community Investment Committee meeting with second and third readings at the full Council meeting later that evening. Sincerely, 4.(0. Va Rachel Tomas Morgan At-Large Common Council Member 57 t)235-9321• Fay (37 t) 23.;-9173•TI)I)(.5711 23.5-.554;7 • Imp: "W%c.sOuthlxuditt.gov Filed in Clerk's Office Jul 8, 2026 BILL NO. 46-26 Bianca Tirado ORDINANCE NO. City Clerk, South Bend, IN AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING SECTION 4-61 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TAXICAB LICENSING AND OPERATIONS AND PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF CURRENT LICENSES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The City of South Bend("City")regulates taxicab companies, vehicles, and drivers pursuant to Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 4-61 of the South Bend Municipal Code; and The City will be undertaking a comprehensive review of Section 4-61 to evaluate opportunities to modernize, simplify,and clarify the City's taxicab regulations; and Key provisions have already been identified within the local industry that do not reflect current business practices and operational realities; and The Common Council finds that limited amendments are warranted at this time to improve administration of the taxicab licensing program in these areas while the broader review of Section 4-61 continues; and These preliminary amendments are intended to support continued taxicab service within the City by reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, accommodating modern dispatch operations, and providing greater administrative efficiency in the licensing process;and Clarification of definitions will promote consistency with applicable state law and assist in distinguishing locally regulated taxicab operations from transportation network companies governed by state law; and The Common Council finds that these preliminary amendments are in the best interests of the City to facilitate administration of the City's taxicab licensing program pending consideration of more comprehensive revisions to Section 4-61. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 4-61 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 4-61.Taxicabs; companies,vehicles and drivers. a) Definitions: As used in this section: 9) Taxicab shall have the meaning set forth in I.C. 8-2.1-17-16,as amended. d) License and overall service required of taxicab companies; manifest required; refusal deemed a violation; revocation: Page 1 of 3 2) Holders of taxicab company licenses may maintain a properly zoned physical office with a telephone line for the purpose of receiving calls and dispatching cabs or may receive calls and dispatch cabs from a mobile location. The telephone line must be answered by a dispatcher or other person who is not operating a taxicab at the time he or she is answering the telephone or dispatching taxicabs. No taxi company may accept calls or dispatch taxicabs from a taxicab or from a property that is not properly zoned. Licensees shall answer all calls received by them for services inside the corporate limits of the City as soon as they can do so. If the services cannot be rendered within a reasonable time, licensees shall notify the prospective passengers how long it will be before the call can be answered and give the reason therefor. The failure of a company license holder to have a telephone call for service answered within a reasonable time shall result in the issuance of fines, license suspension or revocation, or other sanctions as provided in this chapter. Said provision notwithstanding, a taxicab company may close between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and neither take calls nor dispatch cabs.. 4) All companies shall register, maintain, license and insure at least four(4)taxicabs in order to obtain taxi company licenses, and shall have in service at all times, at least two 2)taxicabs licensed under this section. 5) All companies shall list on their application and at all times have registered to drive their company taxicabs at least four(4)drivers in order to obtain company licenses, with at least two (2)of those drivers operating at all times. 6) If a company operating a lawful taxicab business at the time of passage of this section does not have at least four(4) taxicabs in service, and at least four(4)company drivers as required by this section, that company shall have until January 2,2027, to meet such requirements and to submit proof of compliance to the Controller. SECTION II. Any license issued under Section 4-61 which expires on September 30, 2026 shall be extended to an expiration date of September 30,2027. SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. Canneth J. Lee, Council President South Bend Common Council Page 2 of 3 Attest: Bianca L. Tirado,City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2026, at o'clock .m. Bianca L. Tirado,City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the day of 2026, at o'clock m. James Mueller,Mayor. City of South Bend, Indiana Page 3 of 3 Filed in Clerk's Office Jul 8, 2026 BILL NO. 46-26 Bianca Tirado City Clerk. South Bend, [N ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING SECTION 4-61 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TAXICAB LICENSING AND OPERATIONS AND PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF CURRENT LICENSES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The City of South Bend("City") regulates taxicab companies,vehicles, and drivers pursuant to Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 4-61 of the South Bend Municipal Code; and The City will be undertaking a comprehensive review of Section 4-61 to evaluate opportunities to modernize, simplify,and clarify the City's taxicab regulations; and Key provisions have already been identified within the local industry that do not reflect current business practices and operational realities; and The Common Council finds that limited amendments are warranted at this time to improve administration of the taxicab licensing program in these areas while the broader review of Section 4-61 continues; and These preliminary amendments are intended to support continued taxicab service within the City by reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, accommodating modern dispatch operations, and providing greater administrative efficiency in the licensing process; and Clarification of definitions will promote consistency with applicable state law and assist in distinguishing locally regulated taxicab operations from transportation network companies governed by state law; and The Common Council finds that these preliminary amendments are in the best interests of the City to facilitate administration of the City's taxicab licensing program pending consideration of more comprehensive revisions to Section 4-61. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 4,Article 4, Section 4-61 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 4-61. Taxicabs; companies,vehicles and drivers. a) Definitions: As used in this section: 9) Taxicab passengers fer hire,having;a-seating-ems ', (twelve (I2)s en(7) including the driver nd not ^ rated^ a fixed f uteshall have the meaning set forth in I.C. 8-2.1-17-1 6, as amended. Page 1 of 3 d) License and overall service required of taxicab companies; manifest required; refusal deemed a violation; revocation: 2) Holders of taxicab company licenses slhal4-may maintain a properly zoned physical office with a telephone line for the purpose of receiving calls and dispatching cabs or may receive calls and dispatch cabs from a mobile location. The telephone line must be answered by a dispatcher or other person who is not operating a taxicab at the time r h i n w rin h l h n r i in, xi N xi accept calls or dispatch taxicabs from a taxicab or from a property that is not properly zoned. They'Licensees shall answer all calls received by them for services inside the corporate limits of the City as soon as they can do so. If the services cannot be rendered within a reasonable time,theylicensees shall then-notify the prospective passengers how long it will be before the call can be answered and give the reason therefor. The failure of a company license holder to have a telephone call for service answered withina reasonable time shall result in the issuance of fines, license suspension or revocation,or other sanctions as provided in this chapter. Said provision notwithstanding, a taxicab company may close between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and neither take calls nor dispatch cabs. 4) All companies shall register,maintain, license and insure at least six-four(64) taxicabs in order to obtain taxi company licenses,and shall have in service at all times, at least two(2) taxicabs licensed under this section. 5) All companies shall list on their application and at all times have registered to drive their company taxicabs at least six-four(64) drivers in order to obtain company licenses,with at least two (2) of those drivers operating at all times. 6) If a company operating a lawful taxicab business at the time of passage of this section does not have at least six-four(64)taxicabs in service,and at least six-four(64) company drivers as required by this section, that company shall have until 27 2013January 2,2027, to meet such requirements and to submit proof of compliance to the Controller. SECTION II. Any license issued under Section 4-61 which expires on September 30, 2026 shall be extended to an expiration date of September 30, 2027. Page 2 of 3 SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. Canneth J. Lee, Council President South Bend Common Council Attest: Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of 2026, at o'clock .m. Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the day of 2026, at o'clock m. James Mueller, Mayor City of South Bend. Indiana Page 3 of 3