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<br />179. <br /> <br />Regular Meeting <br /> <br />December 10, 2001 <br /> <br />Page 5 <br /> <br />Mr. Taylor stated he could check into it. Ms. Hughson stated one of the <br />requirements for wreckers is labeling that is permanently affixed on both <br />sides and legible for at least 100 feet. Ms. Hughson questioned cleary <br />legible by whom, and suggested the use of "one inch, green letters" or <br />whatever is determined to be required, so that it can easily be <br />interpreted. Ms. Hughson noted the requirement of one operating tow light <br />by the company, but the ordinance wording does not allow it to be used for <br />the towed vehicle. Mr. Taylor stated the lights are for assistance when <br />towing, and Ms. Hughson stated it should state that. Ms. Hughson stated <br />the insurance for wrecker services that is filed annually should be <br />required from all wrecker services at the same time, and Mr. Taylor <br />agreed. Ms. Hughson asked if the response time of the wreckers needed to <br />be changed since the City has annexed a large area. Mr. Mihalkanin asked <br />the wrecker companies to provide the Council times of response by the next <br />meeting. Mayor Chiu inquired if the wrecker companies were aware of this <br />Ordinance, and Kyle Maysel advised the Council he had called them all <br />today. Ms. Hughson asked the meaning of being removed from the rotation <br />system. Mr. Taylor stated they are taken off the rotation list, and then <br />automatically put back on the list in 90 days. Ms. Hughson indicated that <br />is suspension rather than removal, and Mr. Taylor agreed. Ms. Hughson <br />asked for clarification of towing a vehicle from a police scene and if a <br />police officer was required to be present. Mr. Taylor responded this <br />section integrates with State laws that require reporting certain levels <br />of damage or from any kind of personal injury. Mr. Taylor stated when an <br />accident is reportable and subject to investigation by the Police <br />Department, those are the ones defined as police scene. When it is a <br />police scene, we do not want the wrecker towing until the Police <br />Department has come and performed their obligation under State law. Mr. <br />Mihalkanin and Ms. Hughson acknowledged this would not apply to every <br />accident. Ms. Hughson inquired about the storage facilities where <br />vehicles are towed. Mr. Taylor stated the vehicle owners need to call the <br />Police Department to ask where the vehicle was taken. Ms. Hughson stated <br />there have been complaints regarding damage the wreckers may have done to <br />vehicles towed. She asked if anything else was covered during or after <br />the vehicle was towed, including the storage facility. Mr. Taylor stated <br />that was not part of the Ordinance amended by the Police Department. The <br />current Ordinance provides authority to the Chief of Police to require <br />paying damages, and that was an area the Police Department wanted to <br />retain. Ms. Hughson discussed storage facility insurance listed as being <br />paid annually and then stated the storage facilities used should be <br />required to state the name of their company and phone number on an <br />exterior sign so someone trying to locate the facility can do so. Mr. <br />Mayhew suggested language for amendment to Section 90.252(b) that a <br />wrecker service either file with their insurance carrier within one day <br />and payment be made within 30 days. Mr. Mayhew stated if the damages were <br />minor, it might be better to payout of pocket rather than filing a claim. <br />Mr. New of Doherty's Wrecker Service stated many concerns raised were <br />addressed by State law, such as signs at the vehicle storage facility, <br />licensing, insurance, and the requirement for at least 2-inch letters on <br />wreckers. Ms. Hughson stated we need to have the same language or <br />