A set of documents that were recently released to InstantNewsBellaire from the city regarding the possibility of an exclusive towing contract shed light on who approached the city with the idea.
Mayor Cindy Siegel was approached by a towing company that suggested that the city might receive a more favorable rate by entering into an exclusive towing service franchise for the towing of disabled vehicles.
Council discussed the possibility of an exclusive towing contract on Nov. 15. Council unanimously approved directing staff to gather more information about actions it can take in regards to an exclusive towing service. The name of the towing company that approached the city about the contract was not mentioned during the meeting.
InstantNewsBellaire filed a public information request with City Clerk Tracy Dutton on Nov. 19 to view documents relating to the issue. The City of Bellaire released 49 documents on Nov. 24.
The public documents included a proposal from a towing company named Reliant Collision, Inc. to enter into an agreement with the city for a three-year contract period.
The proposed contract would provide “towing and recovery for all vehicles types (light duty, medium duty, and heavy duty vehicles) in the City limits of Bellaire, including all vehicles owned by the City of Bellaire.”
Bellaire would receive $100,000 over a three-year period for exclusive rights to towing operations within city limits as well as 25 percent of each $140 towing charge on non-heavy vehicles.
The city would be able to extend the contract for another three-year period for $100,000 after the first three-year period.
If council approved the contract, all 75 towing permits issued by the City of Bellaire “will be declared null and void at the expiration of their time period when this exclusive towing contract has been fully executed.”
To view the proposed contract, click here.
In an e-mail to City Manager Bernie Satterwhite and City Clerk Tracy Dutton on Nov. 4, Mayor Cindy Siegel asked for the exclusive towing contract item to be put on an agenda.
“I would like to put an item on our agenda for either the next meeting or first meeting in December to discuss with possible action to direct City staff to look at entering into some sort of licensing agreement with a tow truck company to handle tows within the City limits,” Siegel said in her e-mail. “Given the economic situation facing the City, I think we need to at least look at and discuss any options that might bring additional revenues to the City.”
Council discussed the possibility of an exclusive towing franchise during its Nov. 15 meeting and directed city staff to gather more information and report back at a future meeting.
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