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CITY OF SAN BER.RDINO - REQUEST ~R COUNCIL ACTION
From: FRED WILSON
Assistant City Administrator
Dept:
Subject: Agreement with towing companies
Date: June 28, 1995
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
None
Recommended motion:
1. Adopt resolution;
2. That the Mayor be authorized to execute agreements for
towing services with the five towing carriers on the
existing police rotation list.
~"
Contact person:
Fred Wilson
Phone:
Supporting data attached: Yes
Ward:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
N/A
Source: (Acct. No.)
(Acct. DescriPtion)
Finance:
Council Notes:
ke5 9.5-dLfI
75-0262
Agenda Item No.
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STAFF REPORT
The Police Department maintains a list of towing companies that are
used when a car is used in a crime, drivers are arrested, stolen
vehicles are recovered, or in other similar situations. The
regulation of these companies was previously set forth in the
municipal code. As a result of new federal law, towing can no
longer be regulated in this manner.
staff has worked with the City Attorney's Office and
representatives of several tow companies to develop a tow service
agreement. This agreement contains the essential provisions that
were in the City ordinance, including:
a description of the minimum size and security required
at the vehicle storage facility;
a requirement of public liability and damage insurance
for $1 million;
regulations regarding maximum towing charge allowed; and
a 30 day cancellation clause.
The agreement also states that the number of tow companies on the
Police tow rotation cannot exceed 1 per 40,000 City residents.
There are now 5 tow companies on the rotation list which is the
maximum that can currently be accommodated. They are: Tri city
Towing; Big Z Towing; Wilson Towing; city Towing and Loma Linda
Towing. No new companies will be allowed to enter the rotation,
unless the City population exceeds 200,000 in the future.
In addition, the towing agreement includes some other requirements
requested by the Police Department. Each tow company must:
conform to the standards set forth in the CHP's tow
service agreement;
agree to be dispatched on a "tow by incident" basis; and
remit to the City 100% of the net proceeds of any vehicle
forfeitures.
The agreement also allows the City to collect a franchise fee from
the tow companies, which covers the administrative costs associated
with each tow. The proposed amount of this fee is $25.00. Given
the current number of police tows per month, this franchise fee
will generate $50,000 in revenue annually.