ORDINANCE NO. BL2017-737

An ordinance amending Title 6 and Title 12 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, concerning the regulation and permitting of passenger vehicles for hire.

WHEREAS, the Transportation Licensing Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over the licensing and regulation of all vehicles for hire, including horse drawn carriages, taxicabs, low speed vehicles, sedans, limousines, pedicabs, pedal carriages, wreckers, and vehicles engaged in the practice of “booting” vehicles; and,

WHEREAS, the Transportation Licensing Commission has the authority, power, and duty to adopt, promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of Chapters 12.54 – Horse Drawn Carriages, 6.72 - Taxicabs, 6.73 – Low Speed Vehicles, 6.74 – Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire, 6.75 – Pedicabs and Pedal Carriages, 6.80 – Wrecker and Towing Services and 6.81 – Booting Services that the Commission deems necessary for the proper and safe operation of any business providing vehicle-for-hire services; and,

WHEREAS, currently there are numerous types of motor vehicles (“Platform Vehicles”) operating as vehicles for hire in the downtown area that are not regulated by the Transportation Licensing Commission; and,

WHEREAS, the Platform Vehicles pose a danger to public safety and to the welfare of their passengers by, among other things, permitting passengers to stand, walk, consume alcohol, and dance on open-air elevated platforms while the unregulated vehicles are in motion and without adequate safety equipment to safeguard passengers from injury in the event of an abrupt turn, stop, or accident; and,

WHEREAS, Platform Vehicles operate at such low speeds as to cause congestion throughout the downtown area, distraction to motorists, and delays in commuting; and,

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of and visitors to Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan Code be amended to prohibit the operation of any vehicle that is not specifically listed in Title 6 or Title 12.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Title 6, Chapter 6.74.010 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be amended by deleting the word “fifteen” from the “Passenger vehicle for hire” definition and substituting in lieu thereof the word, “twenty one.”

Section 2. That Title 6, Chapter 6.74, of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be amended by addition section 6.74.020 and the following, “No other motor vehicle not specifically listed in this Title 6 or Title 12 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws may operate as a passenger vehicle for hire within the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.”

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Doug Pardue, Jeremy Elrod, Freddie O'Connell

Amendment No. 1
to
Ordinance No. BL2017-737

Mr. President:

I move to amend Section 2 of Ordinance No. BL2017-737 as follows:

“Section 2. That Title 6, Chapter 6.74, of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be amended by addingtion to section 6.74.020 and the following, “No other motor vehicle not specifically listed in this Title 6 or Title 12 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws may operate as a passenger vehicle for hire within the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.”

Sponsored by: Jeremy Elrod

AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
ORDINANCE NO. BL2017-737

Mr. President –

I move to amend Ordinance No. BL2017-737 as follows:

I. By amending Section 3 by deleting it in its entirety and substituting therefore the following:

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect from and 90 days after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jeremy Elrod

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	June 6, 2017
Passed First Reading:	June 6, 2017
Referred to:	Convention, Tourism, and Public Entertainment Facilities Committee Public Safety, Beer, and Regulated Beverages Committee Traffic, Parking & Transportation Committee
Amended:	June 20, 2017
Passed Second Reading:	June 20, 2017
Amended:	July 6, 2017
Passed Third Reading:	July 6, 2017
Approved:	July 10, 2017
By: