Fiscal Note
No significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Title
Amending Sections 11.02(1), 11.05(1), 11.06(3)(r) and 12.915(2) of the Madison General Ordinances to create exceptions in the definitions of "common motor carriers" and "public passenger vehicles", to permit certain amphibious motor vehicles to operate on city streets between lake access points.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance creates exceptions to several existing ordinances, in order to allow amphibious motor vehicles, if licensed as a motor bus by the state DOT, to operate on city streets on a route between lake access points, including State Street.
Sections 11.02 and 11.05 currently require a city license to operate "common motor carriers" on fixed routes between fixed locations. Motor buses are considered "common motor carriers" if they transport passengers for hire, over fixed, regular routes. Sections 11.02 and 11.05 require City Council approval of the license and the specific routes. This ordinance creates an exception so that amphibious vehicles are not considered "common motor carriers" and therefore not required to obtain a city license or approval of the routes.
This ordinance also creates an exception to the definition of "public passenger vehicles" for purposes of driving on State Street. Sec. 12.915 establishes State Street as a "mass transit way" under state law, and describes the types of vehicles which may be operated on State Street. Motor buses are allowed to drive on State Street but 12.915 is currently unclear as to what kind of "motor buses" are allowed. The current ordinance specifically allows buses operating over fixed routes pursuant to authority granted by the City (i.e. approval under 11.02 or 11.05.) Because an amphibious bus would not need city approval of its route under 11.02 or 11.05, this change to 12.915 makes it clear that they are exempt from the State Street vehicle restrictions, and therefore may drive on State Street if regist...
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