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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of Application from United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc. to Obtain Taxicab Business Operating Permit in Culver City.
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Meeting Date: January 22, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Lisa Soghor /Finance Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5865
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/17/2024)
Department Approval: Lisa Soghor, Chief Financial Officer (01/10/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the application of United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc. to obtain taxicab business operating permit in Culver City.
BACKGROUND
The Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Chapter 11.10 provides the regulations and requirements for taxi businesses providing services within the City. In order to pick up passengers within Culver City, a taxicab company must obtain a Taxicab Business Permit. Once the Taxicab Business Permit is obtained, all drivers for that company that will operate within the City must obtain a Taxicab Driver Permit annually. In addition to the Taxi Business Permit and Driver Permit, each taxi vehicle operated within the City is required to obtain and display a valid City Decal. Currently, the Finance and Police Departments coordinate the annual renewal and issuance of the Taxicab Business Permits, Driver Permits, and City Decals.
Once issued, a Taxicab Business Permit is automatically renewed each year as long as
the company pays its annual fees. To be granted an initial Taxicab Business Permit, the CCMC requires that a completed application be submitted, and presented to City Council for approval, at which time the City Council may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. Approval of the application requires the City Council to make findings as to whether the public convenience and necessity require additional taxicab service.
At the time of consideration of the Taxicab Business Permit application, the City Council
may also decide how many taxicabs the company may operate in the City. This is done by issuing each company a specific number of City Decals.
The number of Taxicab Business Permits in Culver City has had a decline since 2015 due to the rise of rideshare companies. The COVID-19 pandemic further depressed the number of Taxicab Permits issued. The City currently has no taxicab companies with a valid Taxicab Business Permit.
DISCUSSION
The Finance department has received an application for a Taxicab Business Permit from United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc. The application is for a change in ownership and submitted all the requested information stated in the CCMC Section 11.10.015. The company plans to operate two taxicab vehicles in the City. The Culver City Police Department has confirmed that the owner/drivers have submitted applications for Livescan. The United Independent Taxi informed the City about the change in ownership in early 2023. Due to staff turnover, there was a delay in bringing the application to City Council.
United Independent Taxi Cooperative Inc is a franchised taxicab business operating in the greater Los Angeles area since 1977. United Independent Taxi Cooperative Inc offers a fast and convenient taxi service. United Independent Taxi Cooperative Inc follows safety standards, has a computerized dispatch system, and credit card convenience in each vehicle. The business also offers services to corporate businesses and finer hotels with full wheelchair accessible services.
Since the application is for a change in ownership rather than the initiation of a new service, the City Council need not make specific findings about public convenience and necessity. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the application for United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Upon approval of the application, the applicant will pay $1,554 application fee for the processing and consideration of their Taxicab Business Permit application. Annually, each taxicab company must pay $250 to maintain their Taxicab Business Permit. Additionally, for each City Decal the following fees must be paid:
• $400 per year for annual taxicab inspection and licensing (per cab)
• $30 per year annual taxicab driver licensing fee (per driver)
• $300 per year annual business license tax (per business)
• $72 per year livescan fee (per driver)
If the United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc. application is approved, and permits for two vehicles are issued City Decals, the City would receive revenue of $1,554 annually.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
Approve the application of United Independent Taxi Cooperative, Inc. to obtain taxi business operating permit in Culver City.