04/23/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The public hearing was opened. ~ No testimony was presented in favor of the ordinances. Speaking in opposition to the proposed ordinances: Leon J. swafer, 527 Fillmore, owner and general manager of Emerald Towing Company, fe t that the ordinances would unjustly act against his towing company because it performed 90 percent of the impounding in Eugene. He stressed that his company would not impound any vehicle unless the private property owner did not want the vehicle removed. He questioned the results of the committee report, stating that none of the members was experienced in private property impounding. He stated that one of his major concerns was whether the ordinances would be equally applied to all towing companies. He related an incident in which only the Emerald Towing Company was sent a letter in September 1982 by then Assistant City Prosecutor Kit Leonard requiring more specific language on its signs, although the company's signs had been approved based on the September 1981 ordinance. He said the signs were changed to comply with the letter's request for increased specifity. Subsequent to this incident, he stated that he was taken to court over an impounded vehicle in September 1983. He stated that he submitted photographs of other towing company signs, illustrating that these other companies were not complying with the September 1982 letter. While Mr. Swager was fined and required to repay the impound fee, he said he was satisfied that the judge required the City Prosecutor to notify all towing companies of the required language. However, Mr. Swager stated that the City Prosector only notified those companies for which photographs were submitted in the trial. Mr. Swager said he wanted to ensure that the proposed ordinances would be equally applied to all towing companies. He then related another incident in November 1983 when he notifed the Eugene Police Department of another towing operator illegally impounding a vehicle but the police officer at the scene authorized the impound. In response to a letter to Police Chief James Packard, Mr. Swager received a letter stating that Chief Packard believed his integrity to have been maligned. Mr. Swager stated that he was visited by Sergeants Mann and Jordan who suggested that he write a 1 etter of apology to Chief Packard. Although he did write the letter, he said nothing to date has been done about the illegal impounding, adding that he has heard rumors that nothing would be done because the complaint had come from Emerald Towing Company. e Mr. Swager stated that the property owners should be held responsible for any impounding rather than placing the blame on the towing companies. He said the towing companies merely work for the property owners. He added that the property owners and managers inform the towing companies of illegally parked vehicles. Mr. Swager stressed that these property owners have taken steps to stop illegal parking, calling Emerald Towing as a last resort to get results. He felt the ordinance should require that any signs identify the property owners as being responsible for any towed vehicles and that any complaints should be made against the property owners. Mr. Swager stated that his company charged a flat fee of $70. He said Chief Packard had commented that he approved of a flat fee which included the charges for towing, the dolly, and the first day storage for the vehicle. He then e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 23, 1984 Page 2