Minutes 09/09/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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201 Sentember 9. 1975 Motion of Mr. Wentz and seconded by Mr. Early, that authorization be granted as request was adopted by unanimous vote. 75-344 The following report from the City Manager on the wrecker policy of the City in response to Mr. Dave Blechman's appearance before the City Council in August was presented "Mr. Dave Blechman recently appeared before tile City Council and requested changes in the Code pertaining to wrecker service furnished by private operators. Mr. Blechman complained that fees were inadequate and that shiftoff should be allowed. The Council instructed the City Manager to have members of his staff meet with all wrecker opera- tors in the City to discuss Mr. Blechman's complaints. 1. Shift~ff formerly occurred when the dispatcher called one wrecker to respond, and that wrecker shifted the call, with- out notifying the dispatcher, to another wrecker service. The shift~ff was eliminated because of the following problems: Some wrecker operators would not tow any vehicle at night, weekends, and holidays. They had someone else do their towing for them. When dis- patch called a wrecker they would call someone else and we had no idea who was to tow the vehicle, who to expect at the scene, etc. There was a time element involved with keeping a police unit tied up at the scene waiting for shift~ff wrecker service to arrive. We found that when a wrecker was called they stated it was on the way or that the wrecker was on a call for Someone else, thus again tying up a unit and congesting traffic much longer than necessary. Since the towing policy has been in effect and there has been no shift~f$,we have had very few problems with getting a wrecker and clearing the street. This has greatly reduced time spent at accident scene by units. On Friday, August 29, a meeting was held with the ma3ority of the wrecker operators and was attended by the Assistant City Manager, Chief of Police and officers assigned to the Traffic Patrol. All wrecker operators were invited to attend this meeting. Each operator-was requested to comment on the complaints voiced by Mr. Blechman and to advise the staff as to their preference for use of shirt-off rather than the procedure now in effect. Fifteen operators were present of which 10 were opposed to shift~ff and 5 were in favor. Those present were also asked to comment on adequacy of present fees. Many of those present feel that due to increased, co.st ~of fuel, parts, etc., that an increase in fees to $25 during d~i~ght ~ours and $'3~'~uring~ nigH~ time"' ~'hours;~"~o"~s needed. Those present were requested to furnish the Chief of Police with statistics from their records indicating that costs had increased to the point where lar~er fees were necessary. Since the majority of the operators in the City favor continued operation under present Cod,e, -~t is my recommendation that Mr. Blechman's request of shift-off be denied. It would also be my recommendation that upon receipt by the Chief of Police of the necessary information concerning increased costs that a recommendation be made at that time relative to increased fees." Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Blliott, to be received as information, was adopted by unanimous vote. 75-30:3 -.Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Elliott, pursuant to Section this Council reconsider matter 75-303 on the Council Agenda on August 12, 1975, was by S-1 (Wentz-abstaining) vote. Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Elliott, to amend Agenda matter 75-303 rea~ as follows; and was adopted by 5-1 (Wentz-abstaining) vote: "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING ~472,455 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SEVEN ACRE SITE BETWEEN THE CITIZEN TRUST BUILDING AND THE HOLIDAY INN WHICH IS A PART OF THE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT." 2-61, that adopted to The ordinance, as amended, was adopted on final reading, and Ayes: Barn~, Early-, E~l-'~iOtt, Holley, Davis ~Nays: None Ab'~taining: Wentz by the following vote: