Basic requirements are hereby established for wrecker service companies when called by the city.
(A) The requirements for city towing shall be as follows:
(1) Towers must be DOT compliant:
(a) Equipment and rigging (overhead lifting);
(b) Drivers pre-employment and random drug screening and drivers files) including medical card;
(c) Technique (4-point securing, vests).
(2) Towers must provide the city with a written training program for all drivers covering:
(a) DOT compliant hook-up (carrier and tow);
(b) Up righting with one piece of equipment;
(c) Proper rigging and technique for winching.
(3) Towers must provide the city with a list of their drivers.
(a) It is the tower’s responsibility to keep the list current.
(b) All drivers are to be trained.
(c) Tower will provide the city with signed documentation the driver has been trained.
(4) Towers must follow all state, federal, and local laws.
(a) All towers will treat everyone working for them as employees for income tax withholding purposes. They will be required to withhold and pay federal income tax, social security and medicare taxes as required by federal law. They will also be required to withhold and pay state income taxes based on state regulations.
(b) Also, they will be required to withhold and pay city income taxes based on local regulations.
(c) The city Employer's Quarterly Return of License Fee Withheld will be filed on a timely basis and the year end report will include the annual summary.
(5) Towers must provide the city with a list of equipment on a quarterly basis:
(a) Detailed description of the truck and bed;
(b) Inspection of equipment may be required at the city's discretion.
(6) Towers must own and have at their disposal 24 hours per day:
(a) One twin line hydraulic tow truck with a minimum tow capacity of 4,000 lbs.
(b) One rollback with a minimum haul capacity of 8,000 lbs.
(7) Vehicle equipment and standards. All tow trucks under this agreement shall have, at a minimum, the following equipment:
(a) Every tow truck shall display lettering on both sides of the vehicle that indicates the name or trade name of the towing service, the city and state in which the tow truck is customarily based, the business telephone number, and their DOT or IFTA number. Said lettering shall contrast sharply in color with the background and be a minimum of two inches in height. NOTE: Magnetic signs are allowed on a temporary basis only not to exceed 30 days from deployment of the vehicle into operational status.
(b) Minimum of one light mounted behind the cab of the tow truck which is capable of illuminating the area of the tow under darkened, foggy or dangerous conditions;
(c) An FCC licensed two-way radio for communications. A radio telephone or cellular is acceptable. Citizen band radios are not acceptable. Hands-free devices must be compliant with federal guidelines;
(d) Cables or wire ropes as specified below:
1. Each cable shall be capable of being fully extended from and fully wound onto its drum with a minimum length of 75 feet and be 3/8 inch in diameter;
2. Cables or wire ropes shall be free from the following defects or conditions:
a. There shall be no more than six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or more than three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay;
b. There shall be no evidence of any heat damage from any cause;
c. There shall be no end attachments that are cracked, deformed, worn or loosened.
(e) A fully functioning light bar with amber lamps at 360-degree visibility. The truck may also be equipped with flashing amber lights. Such lighting shall not be used when responding to a call, but only at the scene when necessary to warn approaching traffic of impending danger and during actual transport of a vehicle;
(f) A broom and a shovel. The broom shall be at least 18 inches wide and have a handle at least four feet long. The shovel shall be a flat scoop type with a minimum width of seven inches and overall length of at least three feet;
(g) A wheel lift, car carrier or other comparable device made of a material designed to protect vehicles and motorcycles while being towed. A Tow Sling alone will not qualify. In addition, all HD wreckers must be equipped with an under-reach device;
(h) One five-pound fire extinguisher, 25 BC rating or equivalent;
(i) Two snatch blocks for each tow line or their equivalent in good working condition; Snatch block requirements are as follows:
1. Four-ton block for 8,000 pound winch (LD);
2. Eight-ton block for 25,000 pound winch (HD);
3. Ten-ton block for40,000 to 50,000 pound winch (HD).
(j) One portable dolly or its equivalent for hauling vehicles that are not towable;
(k) One pry bar at least three (3) feet long;
(l) Portable lights for the unit being towed including, but not limited to, tail lights, stop lights tow light bar, and directional signals;
(m) One flashlight;
(n) A tire pump or air tank;
(o) Battery jumper cables;
(p) A standard first aid kit;
(q) Five-gallon bucket filled with absorbent;
(r) Compliant Level II reflective safety vest(s) NOTE: Must be worn on all calls.
(s) A standard tow truck (LD) as necessary to recover passenger cars, pickup trucks and their loads, small trailers or equivalent vehicles shall be equipped as follows:
1. All equipment used in conjunction with the tow truck must be compatible with the manufacturer’s recommendations for its installation and maintenance. Additionally, all equipment must comply with current state and federal laws and regulations;
2. 10,001 Lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or greater;
3. Dual tires on the rear axle;
4. Six-ton boom rating, dual or single boom with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable, except a car carrier which by its nature does not utilize a boom. NOTE: All booms and winches must be operated by hydraulics. May include wheel lift or roll back tow trucks for this class of tow truck.
(8) Tower must have a storage lot.
(a) The lot must be owned or leased for use only by the tower.
(b) The lot must be large enough to hold at least ten vehicles.
(c) Lot must be located within one mile of city limits.
(9) Tower must respond to all calls within 30 minutes, 24 hours per day 7 days a week.
(10) Tower will have at minimum the insurance amounts listed.
(a) Workers compensation: State minimum.
(b) Garage liability, bodily injury and property damage: $750,000 each occurrence.
(c) Contractual bodily injury and property damage: $750,000 each occurrence.
(d) Garage keepers legal liability: $300,000 each occurrence.
1. Including coverage for vehicles while being towed: $300,000 each occurrence.
(e) Automobile bodily injury and property damage: $1,000,000 each occurrence.
(11) Rates. Class A towing and recovery cars, pick-ups and motorcycles- minimum prices.
Standard tow $125
Motorcycle tow $225
Dolly charge $50
Mileage outside city limits $4 one way per mile
Winching (first ½ hour) $100
Winching (after first ½ hour) $50
Tire change $75
Standby time (first ½ hour) $50
Standby time (after first ½ hour) $50
Show-up fee $50
Collision Clean -up (first ½ hour) $50
Collision Clean-up (after first ½ hour) $40
Additional Oil Dry (one bag included in initial clean-up) $15
Lockout Charge $50
No Key Fee $50
Storage
Cars, pick-ups, motorcycles (outside) $75 per day
Cars, pick-ups, motorcycles (inside) $100 per day
Vehicle release charge (after regular hours, weekends and holidays) $50
Gate fee $75
Admin fee (3rd party pickups and/or assessments at towers discretion $75
(B) The owner of the vehicle will have the right to call a wrecker company of their choice if they so desire.
(C) A copy of the rates shall be posted at the Police Department and the Dispatch Center.
(D) These requirements shall become effective on June 1, 2007 and all necessary information required by this chapter shall be given to the Police Department by that time.
(E) Any wrecker service wishing to be placed on the city’s towing list shall abide by these requirements at all times and shall be solely responsible for the requirements of this chapter. The wrecker service shall complete the city “Towing Service Rotation Application” which can be obtained and filed with the Police Department. If at anytime the information changes, it is the companies responsibility to update the information on the application.
(Ord. 07-14, passed 5-8-07; Am. Ord. 22-11, passed 4-12-22)