09/09/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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W. G. Sullivan, 1526 West 2nd Avenue, represented J and W Towing Company. He . said that the Public Utilities Commission formerly regulated the towing industry, and that there were none of the problems then that existed today. He felt that signing of lots is necessary, but that signing of fees on tow trucks is not necessary. He said that his firm only does towing of illegally parked cars as a small percent of its business, and therefore did not want fees for such towing permanently affixed to its trucks. He felt there is a need for regulation of towing fees. Quito Smith, 1157 Monroe, said he had driven for a number of towers. He sa i d that towers are subjected to verbal and physical abuse. He said fees go up during periods of abuse and debate, not because they are negotiated, but because businesses want to be compensated for the time their vehicles sit idle. Mr. Smith invited the City Manager, councilors, and staff to attend a meeting of the McKenzie Chapter of the Oregon Tow Truck Association on October 13, 1981, at George's Restaurant to discuss the ordinance and ways the towers can work with the City. Regarding earlier discussion of "cruising," Mr. Smith said that this practice is no different than that performed by a "meter maid" who goes out looking for violators. There being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. Responding to questions from Councilor Wooten, Chief Packard said that the term "crui sing" refers to patro 11 ing lots under a contract agreement. He said that tow companies have recently been informing the Police Department before cars are towed. e' Mr. Swanson responded to remarks made in public testimony. He said that Mr. Ludwick had made some reasonable suggestions, but Mr. Swanson did not feel that the suggestions outweighed the reasons for retaining the wording originally proposed. Mr. Swanson did believe that the word "owner" should possibly be replaced with the words "owner's agent" or "driver." Chief Packard referred to testimony regarding posting of fees on trucks. He agreed that towers take pride in their trucks and that perhaps the requirement should be for a printed schedule of fees to be posted in a window of the truck while towing of illegally parked cars was being done. Councilor Miller pointed out, however, that the law requires that windshields of cars be unobstructed. Councilor Obie suggested that the fee schedule be posted on the sign in the parking lot. Mr. Packard responded that this had been considered, but that it would mean frequent expense to change the information each time the fees are changed. Councilor Obie questioned Chief Packard about allegations that some tow truck drivers carry firearms. Mr. Packard said this is sometimes done. He said that City police can cite those carrying firearms in violation of the law, but that some drivers do have permits to carry concealed weapons. He added that the Eugene Police Department is not responsible for issuing such permits. Mr. Obie asked if the ordinance could be written to outlaw the carrying of weapons in tow . MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 9, 1981 Page 13