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<br />remembers concerns they had about Champlin Towing, and that Chief Way was very frustrated. <br />The truck had to come across the bridge during traffic hours and could not get here, and people <br />had to pick up his loads. The fact that it is a Ramsey business does not give him a leg up on <br />lousy service. If this is brought back he would like staff to pull the tax records for Champlin <br />Towing due to the comments that the gentleman received a 32% tax increase. There is also this <br />legislation coming forward, and he would like to understand what is going on with North Star <br />Towing. There should be an equal field. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he is not advocating for either business. The thing is to level the <br />playing field so everyone can be included in this process. Regarding the past conduct of <br />Champlin Towing, he may have had less employees and may be staffed appropriately now. <br />They cannot say that bad conduct in the past is a guarantee that there is bad conduct now; that is <br />defamation to his business character. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated he works under State guidelines where they RFP almost <br />everything. He is not opposed to an RFP for this service, but if they do he would like to hear the <br />recommendation of Chief Way. It is his officers on the street that will need to work with the <br />towing company. There should also be performance standards and if the expectations are not <br />met the business should be out. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she is not opposed to going out for RFP if that is what the <br />Council wants to do. She would also like a recommendation from Chief Way; it is his officers <br />that have to work with this company day in and day out. Council's role is to determine whether <br />staff and the citizens are getting the service they need, and whether they are getting it at a <br />reasonable cost. Chief Way has indicated that the North Star proposal was at a similar cost to the <br />cities of Coon Rapids and Anoka, and Anoka County. She has not heard any complaints service <br />wise, and that will mean a lot. She does not know how they can throwaway the old track record, <br />although she agrees businesses change and things improve. The recommendation will be what <br />she values, as long as the price seems fair and the service is good. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec pointed out that North Star Towing has a handicap in having showed their rates, <br />so it is not a level playing field anymore. From what he has heard from the Chief at this time he <br />would recommend going with North Star Towing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen replied it is true there is some disadvantage to North Star Towing, but <br />there is also the appearance of impropriety to the public in what they are currently doing, so that <br />has significant value in his opinion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she does not think there is the appearance of impropriety; the <br />City awards contracts for professional service all the time without going out for bid. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated the League of Minnesota Cities says if the City has gone out for <br />RFP on a contract in the past and then switched they have set a precedent at that point. The <br />bottom line is that opens it up to a possible contest legally because this service was RFP'd in the <br />past. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / May 8, 2007 <br />Page 4 of8 <br />