Any towing company engaged in the business of towing vehicles at the request of the city from highways, public rights-of-way, or other public property in the city shall be licensed annually in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(a) Applications For License. Applications for license shall be submitted to the Finance Department upon forms prepared and made available by the city. The application form shall be properly completed, signed and made available by the city. Upon receipt, the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall review and inspect the required storage facility and towing equipment and all applications for compliance with the terms of this chapter. Following completion of said review and inspection; the Chief of Police shall forward correspondence which includes the application to the City Manager for final approval. Said correspondence shall contain recommendations for approval or rejection.
(b) Application/License Fee. The non-refundable application/license fee shall be in the amount as established by resolution of the City Council and payable to the City of Johnstown.
(1) Approved Towing Services; Fee. Those garages or towing services desiring to be designated as approved towing services for use by the Department of Police, in exercising the authority granted under § 422.04
shall pay an annual fee established by ordinance of City Council and amended from time to time, submitted at the time of application.
(2) Approved Storage Garage; Fee. Those garages or towing services desiring to be designated as approved storage garages (pounds) for the storage of impounded vehicles by the Department of Police, in exercising the authority granted under § 422.04
shall pay an annual fee established by ordinance of City Council and amended from time to time, submitted at the time of application.
(c) Issuance of License. A towing license shall be issued only to towing companies that comply with the provisions of this chapter. The issuance of a towing license shall not create a property right for the towing company.
(d) License Renewal. All licenses, except those terminated for just cause as provided herein, are subject to an annual renewal fee as established by resolution of the City Council to be paid to the city each January. This fee is imposed to cover the cost of reinspection and license renewal document processing.
(Ord. 5279. Passed 12-11-19; Ord. 5353. Passed 5-31-23.)