HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-28-10 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Wrecker Committe City of La Porte
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of December 28, 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; Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building
Official; Shannon Green, Planning Assistant; and Jeff Tippit, DOT Officer
1. Call to order.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Tim Tietjens at 3:07 p.m.
2. Roll call of members.
Tim Tietjens, Martha Gillett, and Lt. Gary Rice were present for roll call.
3. Consider approval of November 30, 2010, meeting minutes.
Motion by Lt. Gary Rice to approve the Minutes of November 30, 2010. Second by Martha
Gillett. The motion carried.
4. Conduct public hearing to receive public input on a request by RBEX, Inc. D /B /A Apple Towing
Co. for issuance of ten (10) emergency auto wrecker permits, under section 78 -297 of the La
Porte Code of Ordinances.
A. Open public hearing
Chairman Tietjens opened the public hearing at 3:09 p.m.
B. Staff comments
Chief Building Official, Debbie Wilmore, reminded the committee of a letter
dated August 31, 2009, to permit Apple Towing Company a heavy duty wrecker
permit with the following conditions:
• Applicant shall submit by Tuesday, September 1, 2009, an amended
vehicle storage permit letter that allows Apple towing to utilize
Dewalt Towing's storage yard for a period ending December 31,
2009. If for any reason the property closing does not occur, the
permit shall become null and void.
• Application shall be amended to show the correct address as 400 E.
Main.
• Meet all ordinance required site plan criteria, including all
improvements noted during the hearing.
• Install new factory painted sheet metal privacy fencing along
perimeter of property or where setbacks allow.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of December 28, 2010
Page 2 of 3
• Install landscaping in accordance with an approved landscaping
plan.
• Coordinate with utility company to correct leaning poles /lines
• Submit Phase 1 Environmental report
• I nstall full cut -off lighting
• Install new asphalt parking spaces.
C. Public comments
Proponents
(a) Michael Skully, Apple Towing, spoke in favor of issuing the permits.
(b) Charlie Hinds of 11521 N "L" Street, spoke in favor of issuing the permits.
(c) Bobby Slocum of 1039 Mulberry, spoke in favor of issuing the permits.
Opponents
There were none.
D. Close public hearing
The public hearing was closed at 3:18 pm.
5. Consider action to grant or deny ten (10) emergency auto wrecker permits to RBEX, Inc. D /B /A
Apple Towing Co., under section 78 -297 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances.
Motion by Lt. Rice to approve ten (10) emergency auto wrecker permits to RBEX, Inc. D /B /A/
Apple Towing Co. with the following conditions:
• Temporary lease agreement dated 12 -1 -2010, has been received.
• If for any reason, the property closing does not occur, the permit shall become
null and void.
• Meet all ordinance required site plan criteria, including all improvements noted
during the hearing.
• Install new wood privacy fencing along perimeter of property or where setbacks
allow.
• Install landscaping in accordance with an approved landscaping plan.
• Coordinate with utility company to correct leaning poles /lines.
• Install full cut -off lighting.
• Install new asphalt parking spaces.
Second by Martha Gillett. The motion carried unanimously.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of December 28, 2010
Page 3of3
6. Close Regular Meeting and Open Workshop Meeting.
Chairman Tietjens closed the regular meeting and opened the workshop meeting at 3:21 p.m. to
discuss emergency auto wrecker inspections and heavy duty towing.
Jeff Tippit, DOT Officer, had several recommendations for the Committee. The Committee
discussed the recommendations and agreed upon the following administrative changes:
• Issuance of annual windshield stickers in various colors to distinguish between years;
sticker will show the permit number and expiration date. Police Department will issue
stickers during annual vehicle inspection.
• Annual inspection of vehicle shall be a Level I CDSA inspection.
• Amendment to Chapter 78, Appendix A — Fees, of the Code of Ordinances, to include
additional language for the maximum charge for a non - consent tow is $145, which
includes a non - consent tow of a non -heavy duty vehicle by a heavy duty wrecker.
7. Close Workshop Meeting and Open Regular Meeting
Chairman Tietjens closed the workshop meeting and opened the regular meeting at 3:48 p.m.
8. Administrative Reports
There were no administrative reports.
9. Committee Comments
There were no committee comments.
A. Matters appearing on agenda.
There were no comments.
B. Inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy.
There were no comments.
10. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m.
Prepared by Shannon Green, Planning Assistant