Title
Resolution to Approve Public Towing Dispatch and Administrative Services Agreement with Washtenaw County
Memorandum
Municipalities and counties periodically have the need to have vehicles towed for legal violations, court orders, evidence collection, or other circumstances. These public tows are typically administered through a contract with private party tow companies. Ann Arbor's public tows are administered through three districts that cover the city, and the existing contracts that cover these districts expire December 31, 2012.
Over the past two years, the city has been looking for ways to improve customer service and reduce costs to individuals who are subject to public tows. Much of this evaluation has been done in conjunction with Sheriff's office and significant opportunities for improvement have been found via modified internal policies and procedures as well as new contract provisions. For example:
· Outside storage fees ($20/day) are presently assessed immediately when the vehicle hits the storage lot. The proposed city/county fee structure would not permit the storage fee unless the vehicle has been stored for at least 8 hours. (see attached for complete fee schedule)
· Persons who have their vehicles towed must visit the Police front desk and pay an administration fee, then go to the tow company to pay for the tow and retrieve their vehicle. The proposed process would permit individuals to go directly to the tow yard where their vehicle is stored, pay all fees, and retrieve their vehicle.
· The existing process for the city is very manual and paper based. The revised process utilizes CLEMIS and e-impound which the city & county already have access to in order to eliminate almost all of the paperwork.
The review also led to a conclusion that some aspects of towing could be managed most efficiently with the Sheriff's office while others are best to remain with the city. The attached matrix highlights the division of responsibilities between the City and the County proposed.
In addition, when the city prepared its filing for the State' Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP), contracting with the county for towing administration was listed as an effort being investigated and helped the city qualify for the collaboration portion of the incentive last year. Council's approval of this contract would also assist this year's EVIP application.
Staff recommends Council approve the contract with the county to administer public towing services for the City of Ann Arbor and include this action on its EVIP application for incentive funding.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney and Tom Crawford, CFO/Finance and Administrative Services Area Administrator
Reviewed by: Chief John Seto, Safety Services Area Administrator
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Kunselman and Taylor
Body
Whereas, Municipalities and counties periodically have the need to have vehicles towed for legal violations, court orders, evidence collection, and a variety of other circumstances;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor's public tows are administered through contracts with private tow companies, with the City divided into three districts, and the existing contracts that cover these districts expire December 31, 2012;
Whereas, The City and Washtenaw County and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office have worked cooperatively over the last two years to identify common processes and procedures in order to identify improvements internally and collectively related to public property tows;
Whereas, Towing administered county-wide under a single contract were present the greatest efficiencies for the municipalities as well as presently a clear, transparent process to the public; and
Whereas, The City listed in its State' Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP), contracting with the county for towing administration as an effort being investigated and helped the city qualify for the collaboration portion of the incentive last year and Council's approval of this contract would also assist this year's EVIP application;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a contract with the County of Washtenaw for Public Towing Dispatch and Administrative Services for a period of 5 years with an option to renew the contract for one additional 5-yr period;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the contract with the County of Washtenaw after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this Resolution.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Kunselman and Taylor