city of Chula Vista

File #: 17-0531    Name: 2018 Tow Rate Schedule and Tow License Fee
Type: Consent Item Status: Passed
In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/19/2017 Final action: 12/19/2017
Title: RESOLUTION 2017-245 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE CITY-INITIATED TOW AND STORAGE RATE SCHEDULE AND THE TOW LICENSE FEE
Attachments: 1. RESOLUTION
Related files: 16-0574, 18-0550
Title
RESOLUTION 2017-245 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING THE CITY-INITIATED TOW AND STORAGE RATE SCHEDULE AND THE TOW LICENSE FEE

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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.

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SUMMARY
On February 7, 2017, City Council approved the tow license fee and tow and storage rates for 2017. The Police Department is requesting Council approval to update these fees for 2018.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.

DISCUSSION
The Police Department administers the City's program for City-initiated tows. Examples of City-initiated tows include vehicles impounded after an arrest or blocking a city street after a collision. The Department reviews tow fees annually for currency. The tow license fee (TLF) is for program costs and is apportioned equally among the City's tow contractors. Towing and storage fees are fees the City's tow contractors charge members of the public for City-initiated tows and impounds.

TOW LICENSE FEE UPDATE

California Vehicle Code Section 12110 authorizes the City to assess a TLF in connection with an award of a franchise to tow companies for City-initiated tows "to reimburse the public entity for its actual and reasonable costs incurred in connection with the towing program." The TLF relates to staff recovery costs for requesting a tow call for service, from the start time a police employee calls for a tow request to the end time that the tow company leaves the scene. The computation of the City's TLF is detailed below:

(Annual estimate of police-initiated tows) x (Estimated time spent per tow) x (Fully burdened hourly rate) = Tow License Fee
Position
Annual Estimate of
Police-In...

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