A. The police tow operator’s rates for towing and storage of vehicles under the agreement with the city shall not exceed the rates established by City Council resolution, and shall be incorporated into the agreement. The police tow operator’s rates shall be subject to periodic increases, as determined by the agreement.
B. The police tow operator shall not charge for services not performed, service or equipment not employed, used or needed, or otherwise materially misstate the nature of any service performed or equipment used.
C. The police tow operator shall maintain on file with the Police Department a current schedule of rates and charges
for each offered service. No charge other than the rates and charges specified in such schedule shall be made.
D. A police tow operator shall make available for inspection and copying his or her rate schedule within 24 hours of a request without a warrant to any law enforcement agency or officer, the Attorney General, district attorney, or the city attorney.
E. A police tow operator shall post and maintain, conspicuously, in the operator’s business office and/or at any location where customers’ financial transactions take place, a list of the rates and charges for all services offered.
F. Each tow unit shall carry a printed copy of the current rate schedule, listing the charge rates for each service provided by the tow operator for the general public.
G. When requested, the tow truck driver shall allow a citizen whose car is being towed, or a police officer or other designated employee of the city, to review the rate list.
H. Rates for lien fees are to comply with Vehicle Code Section 22851.12.
I. Payment of tow fees shall be accepted as prescribed within Vehicle Code 22651.07 by cash, insurer’s check or a valid bank card, or, at the option of the tow operator, by check or other acceptable form of payment.
J. 1. A police tow operator shall accept a valid credit card or cash for payment of towing and storage by a registered owner or the owner’s agent claiming the vehicle. “Credit card” means “credit card” as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1747.02 of the Civil Code, except for the purposes of this section, credit card does not include a credit card issued by a retail seller.
2. A police tow operator shall conspicuously display, in that portion of the storage facility office where business is conducted with the public, the notice required by Vehicle Code Section 22561.07(e).
3. Credit charges for towing and storage services shall comply with Section 1748.1 of the Civil Code.
K. The police tow operator shall keep a reasonable amount of cash on hand to make change for cash transactions during normal business hours.
L. The police tow operator shall not condition the release of personal property in any manner unless expressly authorized to do so by Vehicle Code Section 22651.07.
(Ord. 3282 § 1(part), 2020)