Title
An Ordinance to Amend Section 10:176 of Chapter 127 (Bicyclists) of Article III (Impounding) of Title X (Traffic) of the Ann Arbor City Code (ORD 23-16)
Memorandum
The proposed amendment modifies section 10:176 to allow impounded bicycles to be donated to a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c)(3). The current City Code requires that impounded bicycles be sold by the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) notwithstanding AAPD policy 084-003 which allows the department to donate bicycles to a charitable organization.
Currently, the AAPD uses propertyroom.com to sell impounded bicycles. That company employs a truck to periodically drive across the United States to pick up impounded property from police departments, including the AAPD. The impounded bicycles are driven to Farmingdale, NY then grouped together and sold as lots. Not much money is realized from the sale of most impounded bicycles. Examples of current bids for used bicycles are: 15 bicycles for $1, 11 for $4, 5 for $1, and several individual bicycles for $1. Winning bidders must pick up purchased bicycles at a warehouse in Farmingdale, NY. Propertyroom.com deducts 30% of the sale price for their services.
From 1/1/20 through 1/25/2023, AAPD impounded 24 bicycles. Four were released to their owners, eight were sold at auction, six are awaiting the 6-month hold (per AAPD policy) before being auctioned off. The remaining six are logged in as evidence in criminal matters.
An example of a local 501(c)(3) organization that could be the recipient of donated bicycles would be Common Cycle Community Bicycle Repair which is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering Ann Arbor to ride bicycles. One of their programs is to repair donated bicycles and distribute them to local residents for use in the community. They are a collaborator with the City of Ann Arbor's A2ZERO program and are located near the Delonis Shelter on West Huron St.
Budget or Fiscal Impact: None. Although the City receives...
Click here for full text