(A) City Council finds in many instances when a vehicle is towed from private property without the owners knowledge or consent that vehicle owners are at the complete mercy of the tow truck operators and as such, are subjected to instances of price gouging and other overly stringent requirements for the return of their vehicles.
(B) City Council finds that due to the parking of vehicles in the commercial area and some unique circumstances, laws and regulations are needed to control how towing is performed.
(C) City Council finds that there is often inadequate signage, indicating the times when a car may be towed or of the price of a non-consensual tow, thereby inadequately apprising the public of the maximum risks of imprudent parking.
(D) Further, City Council intends to exercise its police powers to ensure that the public security, general welfare, health and order of the city are adequately protected from price gouging and unscrupulous towing carriers.
(Ord. 12-09, passed 8-25-09)