Report Prepared by: Nathan McKinnon, Sergeant, Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval and Establish the 2024-2025 Master Tow Service Agreement
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the 2024-2025 Merced Police Department Tow Service Agreement that will go into effect August 1, 2024, and expire July 31, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Establishing and approving the 2024-2025 Master Tow Service Agreement; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Return to staff for further follow up; or,
3. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024-25 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The fiscal year 2023-2024 Tow Service Agreement expired on June 30, 2024. The 2023-2024 Tow Service Agreement has worked out well for both the City of Merced and the rotational tow companies. The City’s current Agreement was primarily based on the approved Tow Services Agreement used by the California Highway Patrol for their tow rotation program.
The 2024-2025 Tow Service Agreement will be effective from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025 (Attachments 1). The Tow Service Agreement was updated to reflect the current California Vehicle Code changes and the term of the agreement from the version approved by the City Council for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Currently, there are eight (8) tow companies on the Merced Police Department rotational tow list that have been operating under the 2023-2024 Tow Service Agreement. These companies are: AG towing, Allways Towing, Pete’s Auto Body, P&G Towing, Merced City Tow, TNB Towing, Bills Towing, and Freitas Auto Wrecking.
Additionally, there is one (1) additional tow company that applied and completed the application process during open enrollment. That company is Bear Towing and Recovery.
All of the tow companies listed above have participated in the Merced Area California Highway Patrol open enrollment inspections. This was done to ensure all equipment that will be used on the Merced Police Department Tow Rotation is safe.
There is a need for a Tow Service Agreement to be in place between the City of Merced and the tow companies on the Merced Police Department rotational tow list. By having this Agreement in place, it allows the City of Merced Police Department to oversee the tow companies providing services for the Department’s tow rotational list. This helps ensure that the residents of Merced are being treated fairly and professionally.
Specifically, the 2024-2025 Tow Service Agreement allows for the Merced Police Department to inspect the tow companies’ equipment and facilities to ensure they are being kept up to the standards outlined in the 2024-2025 Tow Service Agreement. By inspecting the tow companies’ equipment and facilities, the Merced Police Department can ensure the safety and fair treatment of the residents of Merced.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No funding is needed. Vehicle owners pay the tow fee to the tow companies.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024-2025 Master Tow Agreement