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<br />corrected. The impounding of vehicles is a complaint generating business; people are usually <br />not happy when their vehicles are towed without their consent, and sometimes people will even <br />complain when there is nothing to complain about. He does not like doing this, but his company <br />is being unjustly singled out. Chief Way has said there have been complaints against them, but <br />has never voiced anything to them, and they have never had a discussion with him. He tows for <br />other cities, and if there is a complaint the Chief will call and they discuss it and fix it. Mr. <br />Bowtan stated he has some knowledge about Northstar Towing that he believes is very damaging <br />to towing as an industry, and possibly to the City. For instance, this winter First Choice Towing, <br />a company they contract with on occasion, was called out by an auto club for a vehicle in the <br />ditch on Highway 10. When the driver arrived Northstar Towing was there and was telling the <br />owner of the vehicle that the state patrol is authorized to tell people they have to use Northstar <br />Towing. This is not uncommon; Northstar Towing does a lot of towing in the area and acts like <br />they own it all. Mr. Bowtan stated there is currently a bill being proposed regarding impounding <br />vehicles and the contents therein. The bill was authorized by Senator Jungbauer and was brought <br />about by a local towing company. He asked Senator Jungbauer what he knew about the bill and <br />he said that over the years there had been small complaints here and there, but more recently <br />there was a bigger complaint. That complaint was about a vehicle that had been impounded and <br />the towing company would not release the wheelchair and medicine to a handicapped person. <br />Senator Jungbauer had said that towing company was Northstar Towing. Mr. Bowtan stated in <br />the eyes of his company and in the eyes of the state, this is the granddaddy of complaints. They <br />are all aware as towing companies what the laws are. As the owner of his company he would <br />never tell someone they could not have their wheelchair or their medicine. Currently they are <br />required to give back tools regarding to the owner's type of business without questions. Mr. <br />Bowtan stated he owns a towing company in town, he pays high property taxes, and he deserves <br />to have the right to bid for this towing. He would like the Council to table this consent agenda in <br />regards to awarding the towing contract tonight. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich advised if it is the determination of the Council they can pull this item <br />from the consent agenda and consider it as a case or table the item and put it on a future age,nda. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson indicated she would like to see this item tabled. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked ifthere would be any impact by tabling this item. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way indicated the contract may run out, but they can continue without a contract. It <br />is not required that the City have a towing contract, it is something that allows the citizens to <br />know what rate they will be paying. It could be pulled from the consent agenda tonight or <br />moved to the next meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Bowtan stated he currently has a contract with the City of Champlin and they invited four or <br />five other towing companies to bid. One of those companies was Northstar and their bids were <br />within about one dollar; these bids are pretty competitive. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Elvig indicated this item will be dealt with during approval of the consent agenda. <br /> <br />City Council / April 24, 2007 <br />Page 3 of 38 <br />