From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
One-year Wrecker/Towing Service Contract, which is the fifth of ten available one-year renewals with the current wrecker contractor, Dave's Hi-Way Wrecker Service
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye and Assistant Chief Mike Taylor, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City's wrecker service contractor is responsible for moving privately owned vehicles to the City Auto Pound at the request of a police officer, or other City official, usually as the result of an accident or an arrest. When needed, the contractor will perform other services, such as street clean-up after auto collisions and off-road recovery of vehicles. The contractor will also change tires on City vehicles and tow inoperable City vehicles to any location designated by City staff.
The City pays the contractor for all services pertaining to privately owned vehicles and passes the fee, plus a surcharge, to the owner of a vehicle when the vehicle is recovered from the City's Auto Pound. The City has had a contract with Dave's Hi-Way Wrecker Service since 2005 and has been very satisfied with their service. Their average response times are normally well within the acceptable parameter of 30 minutes or less.
On December 18, 2009 the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a one-year Wrecker/Towing Service Contract, with options to renew annually up to ten years, with the current wrecker service contractor.
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on August 5, 2014 and the Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee will be briefed on August 20, 2014 (unable to meet with this committee prior to the Council meeting since their August meeting was rescheduled after the 19th). The Finance and Government Committee recommended this item be forwarded to the City Council for review.
Financial Consideration
Vehicle owners are charged $140.00 per tow regardless of vehicle type (higher fee charged for towing of large trucks). The City receives an administrative fee of $53.00 from each tow fee and Dave's Hi-Way Wrecker Service retains the remainder. In the last full fiscal year (October 1, 2012-September 30, 2013), the City collected $793,652 in wrecker/administrative fees and paid Dave's Hi-Way Wrecker $630,910.