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 responsibiliti...
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