Agenda - Council - 09/08/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I ;I ,i I I I I I I I I DATE: TO: CC: FROM: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM september 1, 1992 MaYor and City Council Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Saffdra Ashley Helling, Finance Officer Michael Auspos, Police Chief Request for Bids for City Towing The City has never, had any contractual arrangement with any towing agency to do police initiated tows. We have, roi' many years, used North Star Towing in Anoka for these services. In the past, several other businesses that have towing rigs have asked for towing calls but none of them have been willing tO corfie forth claiming to meet the specs we have set forth, such as insurance, storage yard, radio/t¢l~phohe communication, etc. Recently I had an inquiry from a person who says that he would like to bill for the chance to do the towing for police needs and will meet required specs. I told him that I woBld research and develop a spec sheet and approach the City Council about it. Many communities in our area do have a contract for towing services for police initiated calls. By contracting, you eliD~inate having to set up schedules for who is doing the towing on a certain date, you get better~reli~tbility, costs to the person(s) being towed are competitive and fly-by-night contractors arelikely not going to be involved. I have no record of the numbers involved in towing since we do not make a separate report for each tow. Towing 6alls come from accidents, arrests, abandoned vehicles, immobilized squad cars and other sources. ',Accidents are not really police tows, as such, since we are just calling a tow for the persons inv, olvad and they can have the tow of their choice respond unless there is a need for immediate removall for safety purposes. Cost for towing is not a factor for the City unless it is a City vehicle or-if tile vehicle is being put under police hold as evidence. In all other cases, the vehicle owner Paysithe tow bill. You will note in the specs that rates are a part of the bid process and that the bidder agrees to make all collection of fees on their own. Because we have b~en asked to open the towing process up to bids, and the person making the inquiry appears to be fully capable of meeting the requirements, I feel we should do this. /jmt