ORDINANCE NO. 2024-142
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GONZALES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4.56 TAXICABS OF TITLE 4
BUSINESS AND LICENSE REGULATIONS OF THE GONZALES CITY CODE WHEREAS, the City of Gonzales (“City”) is authorized by the California Constitution, Article XI, Section 7 to make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary, and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws; and WHEREAS, the City regulates taxicabs operating within the City to protect public health, welfare and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority administers and enforces comparable regulations on behalf of a portion of Monterey County; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to coordinate with the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority on the regulation and oversight of taxicab services in order to attract increased transit services to the City in order to increase mobility for the public.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GONZALES FINDS AND ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are all true and correct and are hereby adopted as findings.
SECTION 2. The Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15061(b)(3).) Further, the adoption and implementation of this Ordinance is not a project, as defined in CEQA Guidelines section 15378, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly, and is therefore not subject to environmental review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
SECTION 3. Section 4.56.020 of Chapter 4.56-Taxicabs, of Title 4-Business and License Regulations of the Gonzales City Code is hereby amended to read as follows; all other portions of Chapter 4.56 remain in full force and effect:
Section 4.56.020 OWNER AND DRIVER PERMITS REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated at any point in the city any taxicab or limousine unless there shall have been issued by the city an owner’s permit to the owner and a driver’s permit to the driver thereof, and unless such permit shall be in full force and effect except:
A. When a vehicle which is lawfully transporting a passenger, or passengers, from a point outside to a destination within the city, provided that no such vehicle shall, without such permit, solicit or accept a passenger or passengers from within the city for transportation to any destination whatsoever;
B. When a vehicle is being operated pursuant to a franchise issued by the city or pursuant to authority of the railroad commission of the state of California; C. When a vehicle is being operated for the purpose of transporting bona fide pupils attending an institution of learning between their home and such institutions; D. When a vehicle is being operated by taxicab owners and drivers who have been issued and maintained in full force and effect a valid taxicab permit by the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority.
a. Any such person operating under a valid Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority permit shall be exempt from requirements set forth in this chapter for issuance of a city permit, vehicle inspections and rates charged, but shall be required to comply with all regulations and requirements set forth as conditions of the permit issued by the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority while operating within the city, including the rates charged and regular inspections conducted by the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority.
b. Any such person authorized to operate public transit services without a city permit under the exemption set forth in this subsection shall comply with all other provisions set forth in this chapter regarding the operation of public transit vehicles within the city and shall be required to apply for, obtain and maintain in full force and effect a city business license prior to operation within the city. c. Failure to comply with any regulations or requirements for operation of a public transit vehicle set forth by the city or Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority shall be grounds for revocation of the business license and termination of future operation within the city.
SECTION 4: EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) calendar days after its final passage and adoption. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after its adoption, the Ordinance, or a summary of the Ordinance, shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation.
This Ordinance was introduced and first read by the City Council of the City of Gonzales at a regular meeting on the 18th of March, 2024, and
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gonzales at a regular meeting on by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
_______________________________
Jose L. Rios, The Honorable Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk