Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-06 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing CITY OF LA PORTE WRECKER COMMITTEE MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2006 Committee Members Present: Wayne Sabo, Planning Director (designated representative of the City MaBager); Martha Gillett, City Secretary; and Aaron Corrales, Assistant Police Chief. (designated representative of the Police Chief) Staff Members Present: Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney and Peggy Lee, Office Coordinator 1 CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Chairman Wayne Sabo at 2:03 PM. 2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MARCH 15,2006, MINUTES. Motion by Martha Gillett to approve the minutes of March 15,2006. Second by Aaron Corrales. Minutes approved as presented. 3. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARlNG TO DISCUSS AN APPLICATION BY RICHARD B. MORRIS, H.K. COMPANIES, FOR AN EMERGENCY AUTO WRECKER PERMIT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 78-297 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. A. OPEN PUBLIC HEARlNG Chairman Wayne Sabo opened the public hearing at 2:04 p.m. B. STAFF COMMENTS Martha Gillett, City Secretary, reported she was contacted by Mr. Morris, who wanted to apply for a wrecker permit. City ordinance dictates that the business must be located within the City limits. Although Mr. Morris's business is not within the city limits, he requested the Committee consider his request. Mr. Morris has submitted a filing fee and a completed application with attachments; copies of same were included in the Committee's packet. Also included was a copy of Section 78-297(5)e, ofthe Code of Ordinances. Assistant City Attorney, Clark Askins, concurred that the applicant has a right to request the Committee consider whether he has met all of the requirements of Section 78-297(5) a through k of the Code of Ordinances. C. PUBLIC COMMENTS Richard Morris, owner ofH.K. Companies, 8075 Spencer, addressed the Committee. Mr. Morris believes it is necessary to expand the wrecker service for La Porte, due to growth and expansion of the City. He noted the following: Wrecker Committee Minutes of April 25, 2006 Page 2 00 . storage yard is located approximately 120 yards from the City limits of La Porte · hires only qualified drivers . operates quality equipment and offers quality service · names of personal associations/affiliations given . not asking for a new rotation spot; asking to be allowed to fill the current vacant spot Mr. Morris responded to questions from the Committee: . currently holds emergency permits with Harris County Sheriff's Dept., the Cities of Deer Park and Webster (with Deer Park since October), and previously with the City of Houston . worked in the wrecker business for 14 years . previously worked a La Porte rotation spot for Joe Camp . not currently looking for a business location inside the city limits In opposition to the request, Deborah Meade, Body Shop Manager for Alliance Chevrolet, addressed the Committee. Ms. Meade stated Alliance Chevrolet is a current tag holder. She is opposed to adding another permit because there is not a need/necessity. In opposition to the request, Tim DeWalt, of DeWalt's Towing, addressed the Committee. Mr. DeWalt's company operates the permit for Alliance Chevrolet. Mr. DeWalt responded to questions from the Committee: . his trucks run an average of four tows per week each for the police rotation . able to respond approximately 98% of the time; if unable, the next company in the rotation would be called · an additional wrecker would cut into his profits In opposition to the request, Bobby Slocum, owner of La Porte Towing for approximately five years, 202 N. 11th, addressed the Committee. Mr. Slocum stated that calls from the Police Department are down. Better roads are leading to fewer accidents. Mr. Morris concluded by stating he would like to service the entire city, not just DWIlDUI and accidents. D. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Sabo closed the public hearing at 2:30 p.m 4. CONSIDER APPLICA nON BY RICHARD B. MORRIS, H.K. COMPANIES, FOR AN EMERGENCY AUTO WRECKER PERMIT. The Committee discussed the fact that provisions of the ordinance prohibit the issuance of wrecker permits to businesses located outside the city limits of La Porte. Wrecker Committee Minutes of April 25, 2006 Page 3 00 Motion by Martha Gillett to deny an emergency auto wrecker permit for Richard B. Morris, H.K Companies. Second by Mr. Corrales. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING A REVISION OF PERMISSABLE FEES AND CHARGES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 78-329 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. Mr. Sabo reported the City had received a request to have the wrecker fees reviewed for a possible increase. Mr. DeWalt responded to questions from the Committee. · a reasonable tow rate would be $100, based on increases for fuel and insurance · fees charged by other cities include Baytown $110, Pasadena $115, Seabrook $100 · other fees may be increased accordingly · State regulates storage fees; previously $15 recently increased to $20 Motion by Martha Gillett to direct City Staff to conduct a study and forward a recommendation to City Council for possible rate increases. Second by Aaron Corrales. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS There were no administrative reports. 7. COMMITTEE COMMENTS There were no committee comments. 8. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned by Mr. Sabo at 2:40 p.m. Prepared by Peggy Lee, Office Coordinator