§ 31-84. Duties of the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.

(a)

In addition to the duties and responsibilities specified in this article, the RER shall be charged with the following duties and responsibilities:

(1)

Process, investigate and prepare all reports required by this article.

(2)

Investigate and prepare reports on alleged violations of this article.

(3)

Enforce the provisions of this article.

(4)

Attempt to resolve complaints received from any source concerning the industry.

(5)

Issue, deny, suspend and revoke all for-hire licenses, passenger service company registrations and chauffeurs' registrations pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and maintain appropriate files regarding same.

(6)

Reserved.

(7)

Reserved.

(8)

Provide technical assistance to the industry.

(9)

Create and render technical assistance to a for-hire vehicle advisory group comprised of representatives from consumers, the industry, transportation-related interests, municipalities and public interest organizations.

(10)

Develop a standardized reporting technique for operators after consultation with a for-hire vehicle advisory group.

(11)

Assign an exclusive number to be displayed on each for-hire vehicle operating in Miami-Dade County.

(12)

Provide a system to handle complaints of municipal officials relating to for-hire service within such municipalities and expedite the solution of same.

(13)

Perform any other functions assigned by the County Mayor.

(14)

Coordinate cooperative enforcement activities with municipalities, including implementing procedures for the disposition of fine revenues collected.

(15)

Prepare and implement, in coordination and after consultation with the industry, changes, amendments or modifications to administrative orders establishing fees pursuant to this article and provide the industry with at least ten (10) days notice prior to consideration of such changes, amendments or modifications by the Board of County Commissioners.

(16)

Upon court order have closed and sealed unlicensed service provider establishments in accordance with this article.

(17)

Develop and implement a Taxicab Driver Incentive Program. The Driver Incentive Program shall be subject to approval of the Board of County Commissioners by resolution. The incentive program shall be developed to reward, among other things:

(a)

Driver courtesy and professionalism;

(b)

Customer service;

(c)

Knowledge of the community and historic landmarks;

(d)

Cleanliness of the vehicle; and

(e)

Professional attire.

(b)

The Director may propose and the County Mayor may promulgate further rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article, which rules and regulations, when approved by the Board of County Commissioners, shall have the force and effect of the law.

(c)

Except for the fees established by the County Mayor and approved by the Commission for for-hire vehicles providing transportation of persons and their baggage from Miami International Airport and from the Port of Miami, whenever in this article a fee is charged or is required to be paid, the amount of such fee shall be established by implementing order of the Mayor and approved by the commission. Such fees shall be deposited in a separate Miami-Dade County fund and shall be used exclusively to accomplish the regulatory purposes of this article. The amount of each fee established hereunder shall be reasonably related to the cost of the services and regulation provided therefor.

(Ord. No. 81-85, § 3, 7-21-81; Ord. No. 82-114, § 1, 12-21-82; Ord. No. 87-12, § 2, 3-17-87; Ord. No. 88-118, § 2, 12-6-88; Ord. No. 88-126, § 1, 12-20-88; Ord. No. 98-105, § 1, 7-9-98; Ord. No. 16-43, § 1, 5-3-16)