PREPARED BY: LT. SHAWN RAY DATE OF MEETING: 02/05/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION AWARDING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENTS WITH (1) OLIVER’S TOW, INC., (2) CERTIFIED TOW, (3) CHECKERS GROUP, INC., AND (4) CIVIC CENTER TOWING FOR POLICE TOWING SERVICE.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Conduct public hearing; adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Improve Public Safety is a major policy goal contained in the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective May 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
On October 3, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-146 approving the maximum standard towing rates and associated fees that can be charged by contracting towing operations. The San Pablo Police Department contracts with multiple local tow companies to provide tow services for our community as well as the San Pablo Police Department. Tow services include, but are not limited to, response to traffic collisions to remove inoperable vehicles, police impound of abandoned or unsafe parked vehicles, request from residents for tow services, recovery of stolen vehicles, vehicle impound for evidence purposes, city vehicle tows for mechanical issues or city vehicle tire change. In conformance with San Pablo Municipal Code (SPMC) 2.60.080, the contract for official Police towing service was advertised and the City received five proposals from the following:
Company Location
Oliver’s Tow, Inc. 2800 Radiant Ave, Richmond
Certified Tow 2777 Giant Rd., Richmond
Civic Center Towing 1880 Garden Tract, Richmond
Bay Area Tow Inc. 525 South 12th St., Richmond
Checkers Group Inc. 2280 Giant Rd., San Pablo
Findings:
• Oliver’s Tow Inc., Certified Tow, Civic Center Tow Inc., and, Checkers Group Inc., all provided the information requested and required per SPMC Section 2.60.
• Bay Area Tow Inc. does not have towing capacity for large vehicles such as big rig trucks or large recreational vehicles Class A & B. Bay Area Tow is unable to tow vehicles greater than 20 feet in length.
On December 19, 2023, site inspections were conducted at each tow company’s place of business. Each tow company was evaluated for compliance with the guidelines established by SPMC Section 2.60. All four eligible tow companies passed inspection.
Following a public hearing conducted by the City Council on February 5, 2024 pursuant to SPMC Section 2.60.090, the City Council may award and authorize agreements for police towing service.
Staff recommends awarding and authorizing the City Manager to enter into five-year agreements with all of the above listed companies above with the exception of Bay Area Tow Inc.
Due to the volume of large-scale vehicles (big rig vehicles and recreational vehicles) that San Pablo Police Department tows on a regular basis, Bay Area Tow does not provide adequate towing services to meet the needs of our police department.
FISCAL IMPACT
All tow fees are paid by individuals whose vehicles are towed at the direction of the San Pablo Police Department or the request of the vehicle owner/agent; Tow fees do not result in a fiscal impact to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Att A - Resolution
Att B - Tow Inspections Report
Att C - 2024 Police Tow Agreement