HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. Towing EvalutationMEMORANDUM
DATE: January 6, 2000
TO: Mayor Busho
Council Members Caspar, Cisewski, Edwards, and Klassen
City Administrator Burt
FROM: Gary Kalstabakken, Chief o2is
SUBJECT: Police Tow and Impound Se Update
2,.A.
On January 1, 1999, the Police Department switched to a different provider for vehicle
towing and impounding services. The services were also changed from being provided
on a contractual basis to being provided without a contract. The Council requested at the
time that the changes were discussed and approved, that an evaluation of the services be
conducted after the first year.
BACKGROUND
Magnum Towing, Eagan, provided tow /impound services under contract from July 1992
until the contract was terminated on December 31, 1998. The contract did not have an
end date, which allowed Magnum to be the sole service provider until either the city or
Magnum took action to terminate the contract.
Termination was recommended for two primary reasons. First, at least two other tow
companies had inquired about providing services for the City of Rosemount. It was felt
that proposals should be solicited from interested companies to ensure that the city and
citizens were being provided the best services. Second, the owner of Magnum had been
charged with a felony level crime that was directly related to towing and impounding of
vehicles. He ultimately entered a diversion program as a result of the charges.
Informational letters were sent to five area tow companies, including Magnum Towing.
Four letters of interest were received from the companies; however, one company later
asked to be dropped from consideration. After reviewing the proposals, Dick's Apple
Valley Service and Phil's Auto Body Shop were selected.
REVIEW OF SERVICES
Towing - Dick's Apple Valley Service has provided good service throughout the year.
Initially, the response time to our calls for tows was occasionally taking in excess of the
desired 20 minute maximum. Dick's was advised of this problem and took steps to
correct it by regularly staging a driver near or in Rosemount.
Dick's has more equipment and a larger staff than the previous provider does. This has
resulted in Dick's being able to more quickly respond to requests for multiple tows at
accident scenes. Multiple tows are also frequently needed during inclement winter
weather.
Impound Services - Phil's has also provided good service throughout the year. Their staff
is available to assist officers and citizens during regular business hours. They have also
been willing to assist officers during off -hours in retrieving items from vehicles.
Citizen Complaints There have not been any complaints received in our office from
citizens concerning the services provided by Dick's or Phil's.
Overall, Dick's and Phil's have provided good services to the Department. There still are
times that responses take more than 20 minutes, but these occurrences are infrequent and
would most likely occur with any tow company. Operating without a contract has not
been an issue. The providers know our expectations and have worked to correct any
problems. They realize that we are able to change providers at any time if the service is
not satisfactory. Any changes in fees, hours, etc. will be communicated to our
Department so that we can accurately inform the public.