HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-10 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Wrecker Committe City of La Porte
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of September 21, 2010
Committee Members Present: Tim Tietjens, Planning Director (designated representative of the City
Manager); Martha Gillett, City Secretary; and Lt. Gary Rice (designated
representative of the Police Chief)
Staff Members Present: Clark Askins, Assistant City Attorney; Sherry Jennings, Inspection
Services Coordinator; Kyle Jones, Police Officer; and Peggy Lee, Office
Coordinator
1. Call to order.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Tim Tietjens at 2:04 p.m.
2. Roll call of members.
Tim Tietjens, Martha Gillett, and Lt. Gary Rice were present for roll call.
3. Consider approval of May 25, 2010, meeting minutes.
Motion by Martha Gillett to approve the Minutes of May 25, 2010. Second by Gary Rice. The
motion carried unanimously.
4. Conduct workshop on possible amendments to the Code of Ordinances Chapter 78 Vehicles for
Hire, Article III Automobile Wreckers and Towing Vehicles.
The following items were discussed and will be used to help draft the ordinance amendments
that will be considered at the next meeting:
o Remove the word "without" from the definition of auto wrecker — Auto wrecker means
a towing vehicle which may lawfully appear at the scene of an accident where a vehicle
has collided with another vehicle or other object or which has been wrecked or disabled
in any manner for the purpose or expectation of towing, removing or hauling away the
wrecked vehicle from the scene of the accident without having been expressly
summoned there by the police department or the owner of one of the vehicles involved
in the accident.
o Restructure call out rotation list so that each auto wrecker company, regardless of the
number of vehicles, has only one rotation on the list. When called, a company could
send any available wrecker that has been issued a permit by the City to operate.
Additionally, the rotation list maintained by the Police Department shall contain the
names and addresses of each wrecker service.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of September 21, 2010
Page 2 of 2
o Unnecessary to maintain a separate heavy duty wrecker rotation list.
o Change ordinance language to require the applicant to provide proof of ownership of a
storage facility within the city limits (would no longer be able to lease from someone
else).
o Change the minimum size of the letters for the signage on the wrecker as follows: there
shall be a permanently affixed sign, with a minimum 1" lettering identifying the owner
name and phone number of the emergency auto wrecker (if applicable), 3" lettering
identifying the permit holder's name, and 2" letter identifying such permit holders
phone number, address and the name of his business.
o Amend ordinance to prohibit the subcontracting of wreckers.
5. Administrative Reports
There were no administrative reports.
6. Committee Comments
A. Matters appearing on agenda.
None.
B. Inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy.
None.
7. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
Prepared by Peggy Lee, Planning Department Office Coordinator