HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1984/05/08 Item 12a-c a '
COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 12 a,b,c
Meeting Date 5/8/84
ITEM TITLE: (A) Resolution /I Adopting Policies for the Selection of Tow Companies
_ for Police Requested Towing Service
(B) Resolution// /7 Approving Rate Increase for the Police Requested Towing
Service
(C) Ordinance - Amending City Code Section 5.58.060 - Clarifying that the
•
Notice Requirement does not Apply to Emergency Tows -
First Reading
;UBMI'r1' ) BY: Director o�ic Safety - (4/5th Vote: Yes No x )
tEVIEWED BY: City Manager(Lf
Lt the Council meeting of September 13, 1983, Butler's Bestway Towing Service requested that
heir company be added to the Police Emergency Towing List. Staff was directed to prepare a
yid procedure or Request for Proposals Procedure to process Butler's request, as well as
equests from other companies who may want to participate in providing this service.
tECDTION:
A) Adopt resolution establishing selection procedures.
;B) Adopt resolution approving tow rate increases.
C) Place ordinance on first reading.
DARDS/COMMISSION RECONMENIDATION: Not applicable.
)ISCUSSION:
urrently, we utilize four taw companies to provide for police emergency towing requirements.
.hese four companies are Arnold's, Paxton's, South Bay_ and Anthony's. We have been utilizing
these four companies since May of 1973. The-tows are rotated evenly between the four companies
iith each company having a ten day cycle of towing. At the September 13, 1983 Council meeting,
Ir. Charles Butler of Butler's Yawing Service .requested that his company be added to the
otation list. In considering this request, .staff has concluded that the antitrust cases
stemming from the Boulder decision requires the.City to accept bids from any interested tow
service provider.
:stablishing Selection.Procedures
since the September 13, 1984 Council meeting, we have held a number of meetings with these
`our companies plus Butler's Bestway lbw and Abre Towing. We considered two methods of
selecting tow companies to bid for the emergency taw service. One method would involve
he tow rate itself as the basic determinate. This could be done by awarding all of the tow
)usiness to the low bidder with the provision that other companies who were willing to meet
that low bid could share in the service. The other method would require the acceptance of
soy tow company that met•minimuM qualifications as adopted by the City. In either method,
the companies would participate on a.rotating basis.
'orm A-113 (Rev. 11/79)
//l//
12 a,b,c
Page 2, Item
•
Meeting Date 5/8/84
he tow companies and staff were unanimous in favoring the "minimum qualifications" method.
:n San Diego- County the "minimum qualifications" method is being utilized by El Cajon, Ocean-
side, Escondido, and the California Highway Patrol. A potential disadvantage of this method
could be that- the service level might diminish if too many companies become involved. At
his point, none of the jurisdictions have reported a problem.
he minimum qualifications and procedures are set forth in Appendix A. The key minimum \
pa1ifications are as follows:.
1. Companies shall locate equipment and pPr_sonnel. so that they will .be able to
arrive at the location prescribed by.the Police Department within 15 minutes
from-receipt of order from the Police Department.
2. There shall be an attendant on call, capable of responding to police requests
for towing as well as be present or available for.the release of vehicles to
the public, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Each tow company will have• at leat two rigs of one-ton capacity with dual rear
wheels, twin booms with at least five-ton capacity each. The winch must be
power-driven by power take-off from transmission equipped with power-up and
power-down.
4. Each tow truck shall be equipped with radio communications equipment capable of
two-way radio communications between the tow company's dispatching office and
the tow truck.
5. Open storage areas - All open storage areas shall be screened from public view,
except for necessary gates, with a solid wall or fence or cyclone fence with
wood or metal slats inserted in all spaces, along all perimeters of the storage
area unless such storage area directly abuts an associated storage building or
an existing blank wall or fence at least 6 feet in height, in which case such
screening will not be required along those. segments of the perimeter. Gates
shall be at least 6 feet in height and may be of, solid material, cyclone fence
with trod or metal slats or cyclone fence without such slats. Screening and
gates shall be maintained in good condition.
There shall be no advertising signs on storage facility properties except •
suitable signs identifying ownership.
All storage facilities visible from the street or- from abutting properties at
grade level shall be maintained in a clean, neat and visually presentable manner.
>taff recommends that we enter into a ,two-year agreement with any.tow company that meets
hese qualifications. At the end of the year, we would consider any additional companies
rho meet the minimum qualifications.
ate Review Analysis
?uring these recent meetings with the tow companies, a tow rate adjustment was requested.
he current rate schedule was adopted 'January 2, 1980.' Table A indicates the current tow
i •
Page 3, Item 12 a,b,c
Meeting Date 5/8/84
ates in several San Diego County cities and the dates when these rates were adopted. National
ity has advised that they are now performing a rate study. In Table B the current tow
ompanies have presented a comparison of their operating costs in 1979 versus 1984.
he last column of TableA presents the staff recom endation •for rate increases. These
ecomrendations are based primarily on an analysis of those rates that have been adopted in
he last two years as well as the increases in operational costs. • These increases range
rom 22% to 33%.
mendment of Ordinance •
n reviewing the current towing ordinance, staff recommends. that Section 5.58.060 be amended.
his section'now' reads as follows:
"Prior to. towing away or removing a vehicle from public or private premises, the
licensee shall make a reasonable effort to. locate and advise the owner or operator
of the unauthorized vehicle of his intentions to remove the vehicle from the
premises. Such notice Shall be given as soon as practicable; and upon failure to
locate the owner or operator, a written notice shall be placed upon the unauthorized
vehicle advising that if the offending vehicle is not removed within two hours, it
shall be towed away forthwith. After said notice is placed upon the vehicle window
for at least two hours, the licensee shall be permitted to remove the car, subject
to the conditions of this code."
taff feels that police requests for emergency tow service are an exception to this requirement
n that these incidents involve either an accident, an arrest or a public danger and as such,
two hour notice is inappropriate. Therefore, language should be placed in this section
hat would acknowledge this exception.
'ISCAL IMPACT:
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COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 12 a,b,c
Meeting Date 5/8/84
ITEM TITLE: (A) Resolution /4/442.- Adopting Policies for the Selection of Tow Companies
for Police Requested Towing Service
'(B) Resolution llb/ Approving Rate Increase for the Police Requested Towing
Service
(C) Ordinance - Amending City Code Section 5.58.060 - Clarifying that the
• Notice Requirement does not Apply to Emergency Tows -
First Reading
'OMITTED BY: Director (2tioWic Safety. (4/5th Vote: Yes No x )
REVIEWED BY: City Manager,
kt the Council meeting of September 13,. 1983, Butler's Bestway Towing Service requested that
`heir company be added to the Police Emergency Towing List. Staff was directed to prepare a
Did procedure or Request for Proposals Procedure to process Butler's request, as well as
requests from other companies who may want to participate in providing this service.
RECOMMENDATION:
(A) Adopt resolution establishing selection procedures.
(B) Adopt resolution approving tow rate increases.
(C) Place ordinance on first reading.
30ARDS/COIvMtSSION RE7C)M4ENDATION: Not applicable.
)ISCUSSION:
.irrently, we utilize four tow companies to provide for police emergency towing requirements.
Chese four companies are Arnold's, Paxton's, South Bay and Anthony's. We have been utilizing
these four companies since May of 1973. The.taws are rotated evenly between the four companies
with each company having a ten day cycle of towing. At the September 13, 1983 Council meeting,
4r. Charles Butler of Butler's Towing Service requested that his company be added to the
rotation list. In considering this request, .staff has concluded that the antitrust cases
stemming from the Boulder decision requires the.City to accept bids from any interested tow
service provider.
Establishing Selection.Procedures
Since the September 13, 1984 Council meeting, we have held a number of meetings with these
[our companies plus Butler's Bestway 'lbw and Abre Towing. We considered two methods of
selecting tow companies to bid for the emergency tow service. One method would involve
the tow rate itself as the basic determinate. This could be done by awarding all of the tow
business to the low bidder with the provision that other companies who were willing to meet
that low bid could share in the service. The other method would require the acceptance of
any tow company that met minimum qualifications as adopted by the City. In either method,
the companies would participate on a-rotating basis.
Form A-113 (Rev. 11/79)
12 a,b,c
Page 2, Item
Meeting Date 5/8/84
the tow companies and staff were unanimous in favoring the "minimum qualifications" method.
In San Diego .County the "minimum qualifications" method is being utilized by El Cajon, Ocean-
side, Escondido, and the California Highway Patrol. A potential disadvantage of this method
would be that: the service level might diminish if too many companies become involved. At
this point, none of the jurisdictions have reported a problem.
the minimum qualifications and procedures are set forth in Appendix A. The key minimum
qualifications are as follows:.
1. Companies shall locate equipment and personnel. so that they will be able to
arrive at the location prescribed by.the Police Department within 15 minutes
from'receipt of order from the Police Department.
2. There shall be an attendant on call, capable of responding to police requests
for towing as well as be present or available for.the release of vehicles to
the public, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Each tow company will have-at leat two rigs of one-ton capacity with dual rear
wheels, twin booms with at least five-ton capacity each. The winch must be
power-driven by power take-off from transmission equipped with power-up and
power-down.
4. Each tow truck shall be equipped with radio communications equipment capable of
two-way radio communications between the tow company's dispatching office and
the tow truck.
5. Open storage areas - All open storage areas shall be screened from public view,
except for necessary gates, •with a solid wall or fence or cyclone fence with
wood or metal slats inserted in all spaces, along all perimeters of the storage
area unless such_ storage area directly abuts a.n associated storage building or
an existing blank wall or fence at least 6 feet in height, in which case such
screening will not be required along those. segments of the perimeter. Gates
shall' be at least 6 feet in height and may be of, solid material, cyclone fence
with wood or metal slats or cyclone fence without such slats. Screening and
gates shall be maintained in good condition.
There shall be no advertising signs on storage facility properties except •
suitable signs identifying ownership. •
All storage facilities visible from the street or. from abutting properties at
grade level shall be maintained in a clean, neat and visually presentable manner.
Staff recommends that we enter into atwo-year agreement with any.tow company that meets
these qualifications. At the end of the year, we would consider any additional companies
who meet the minimum qualifications.
Rate Review Analysis
During these recent meetings with the tow companies, a tow rate adjustment was requested.
the current rate schedule was adopted January 2, 1980.- Table A indicates the current tow
Page 3, Item 12 a,b,c
Meeting Date 5/8/84
:ates in several San Diego County cities and the dates when these rates were adopted. National
:ity has advised that they are now performing a rate study. In Table B the current tow
ompanies have presented a comparison of their operating costs in 1979 versus 1984.
Phe last column of Table A presents the staff reconmendation .for rate increases. These
:ecom endationsare based primarily on.an analysis of. those rates that have been adopted in
the last two years as well as the increases in operational costs. • These increases range
from 22% to 33%.
mnendment of Ordinance •
Da reviewing the current towing ordinance, staff recommends that Section 5.58.060 be amended.
Phis section now' reads as follows:
"Prior to towing away or removing a vehicle from public or private premises, the
licensee shall make a reasonable effort to locate and advise the owner or operator
of the unauthorized vehicle of his intentions to remove the vehicle from the
premises. Such notice Shall be given as soon as practicable, and upon failure to
locate the owner or operator, a written notice shall be placed upon the unauthorized
vehicle advising that if the offending vehicle is not removed within two hours, it
shall be towed away forthwith. After said notice is placed upon the vehicle window
for at least two hours, the licensee shall be permitted to remove the car, subject
to the conditions of this code."
Staff feels that police requests for emergency tow service are an exception to this requirement
in that these incidents involve either an accident, an arrest or a public danger and as such,
I. two hour notice is inappropriate. Therefore, language should be placed in this section
that would acknowledge this exception.
ISCAL IMPACT:
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