(A) Request for proposals. Unless a determination has been made pursuant to § 5.52.050(C) that the current number of authorized towing contractors is sufficient or that fewer authorized towing contractors are needed and thus the towing service agreements with some or all of the existing authorized towing contractors are extended, once the Police Chief, or the City Manager or hearing officer in the case of an appeal, has determined the appropriate number of authorized towing contractors needed to provide non-consensual towing services to the city, the Police Chief shall prepare and advertise a request for proposals for qualified towing companies to perform and provide non-consensual towing services to the city. The content of the request for proposals, the process for selecting qualified towing companies and the process for awarding a towing service agreement to qualified towing companies shall be set forth in the rules and specifications. The Police Chief may select one or more qualified towing companies as authorized towing contractors in accordance with the procedures set forth in the rules and specifications.
(B) Appeal to City Manager. The Police Chiefs decision with respect to the selection of one or more authorized towing contractors may be appealed in writing to the City Manager within ten calendar days of the decision. The appeal shall contain a statement of the reasons for the appeal. Upon receipt of a timely appeal, the City Manager shall review the statement of reasons contained in the appeal and hold an appeal hearing to determine whether the Police Chiefs decision comports with all requirements for selection contained in the rules and specifications. The City Manager, in his sole discretion, may refer such appeal hearing and decision to an impartial hearing officer, provided the hearing officer follows all provisions of this chapter for the conduct of such hearing. All existing authorized towing contractors shall be notified by letter at least five days prior to any such hearing. No selection of authorized towing contractors shall be implemented until the City Manager or hearing officer have heard the appeal and rendered a decision. The City Manager or hearing officer shall render a written decision within ten calendar days of the receipt of an appeal. The City Manager's or hearing officer's decision shall be in writing and shall be final.
(C) Commencement of services. All towing companies selected to be authorized towing contractors shall assume such duties on January 1 of the year following the year in which they are selected, or as otherwise determined by the Police Chief and set forth in the towing service agreement.
(Ord. 3194 § 1 (part), 2015.)