(A) Generally. The governing body of the Township, at the beginning of the assigned period, shall appoint a maximum of five towers to be called by the Police Department on a biweekly basis (first and 15th of each month). In the event more than five compliant towers apply, priority will be given to full capacity towers over limited capacity towers. Each two-week period shall be assigned to the next tower on the primary rotation list. A nonrefundable $500 application fee shall be paid to the Township by each applicant. Each tower receiving appointment shall be granted exclusive towing rights during their rotation period. In the event that the tower assigned to a particular rotation is unavailable, then the next tower on the primary rotation shall be called during said rotation, but only for that particular incident. In the event that the tower assigned cannot handle a heavy duty tow, the next eligible heavy duty tow operator on the secondary tow list shall be called for that particular incident.
(B) Application process. Any person interested in being placed on the aforementioned rotation list, by way of a contract award, shall apply by providing a cover letter on company letterhead with the materials outlined in division (D) of this section. A towing service that has met all the specifications and requirements of this chapter, and has applied to the Township, shall be placed on the towing list; however, to minimize the inconvenience to the Police Department in investigating matters, the maximum number of towing services on the Township towing list shall be five such services.
(C) The initial application under the chapter shall be due with an expected contract period of to . Thereafter, applications shall be due on or before of the last year of the contract for a three year contract commencing the following .
(D) The application shall contain at a minimum the information specified herein:
(1) Proof that the applicant's business is within five miles of the geographic center of the Township.
(2) Request must indicate which category (full or limited capacity) the tower is seeking.
(3) List of required equipment and proof of ownership.
(4) Experience of applicant in regards to municipal towing, providing at least three references.
(5) Available personnel (employees) including a copy of each driver/operator's motor vehicle abstract and authorization to perform criminal background checks.
(6) Proper business and trade licenses and license of vehicles.
(7) Proper proof that the tow trucks have the capability of communicating with dispatch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, either by cellular telephones, beepers, two-way radios, or other comparable equipment.
(8) Proof that the storage location for all towed vehicles is located within the Township as noted on the Township's Tax Maps and meets the standards established by this chapter.
(9) Insurance and proofs of coverage as required by this chapter.
(10) List of stockholders (form available from Township Clerk).
(11) Non-collusion affidavit (form available from Township Clerk).
(12) Affirmative action affidavit (form available from Township Clerk).
(13) Hold-harmless agreement (form available from Township Clerk).
(14) Certification that the applicant is able to provide towing services anywhere in the Township in accordance with the response times within this chapter.
(15) Certification that the applicant will be available for service, and police inspection of vehicles on business premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will abide by the fees set forth in this chapter.
(16) Certification that the applicant shall consent to the appointment of the Township Administrator as the applicant's true and lawful attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service out of any court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the applicant.
(17) New Jersey Business Registration Certificate.
(E) Review of application. The Chief of Police shall conduct a background check of the applicant and any employees to be utilized in the towing and storage operation. The background check is to determine if either the applicant or its employees have been convicted of a criminal offense within the last ten years or have had their drivers' licenses suspended or revoked within the past year. Conviction of a criminal offense or suspension of a driver's license as noted shall be an incurable cause for the disqualification from being awarded the contract. The Chief of Police shall conduct an inspection of the employees, vehicles, equipment and storage area proposed to be utilized by the applicant to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the application and to determine compliance with the applicable laws, regulations and standards of performance required by this chapter. The Township may, at an additional cost to the applicant, obtain a Better Business Service Bureau Report and any other reports that the Chief of Police may deem necessary. After a thorough investigation, the Chief of Police shall recommend to the Township Administrator whether an applicant has met the requirements of this chapter and be awarded the appropriate contract to provide towing services to the Township of Voorhees in accordance with the terms and conditions of this chapter.
(F) Township Committee decision. The Chief of Police shall conduct the aforementioned review and investigation and render a report to the Township Administrator recommending either approval or denial of the application. The Township Committee shall take action with regard to the application and award or not award a contract. The Township shall issue a license to any qualifying and approved tower and said tower shall become part of the towing rotation up to a maximum of five towers giving preference to qualifying full capacity towers.
(G) Rejection of application. If any applicant is rejected based upon the background investigation, equipment or storage requirements, said applicant shall have the opportunity to appeal the recommendation of the Township Administrator to the Township Council according to the procedures established at § 76.07.
(Ord. 247-14, passed 5-12-14)