HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-12 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Wrecker CommitteeCity of La Porte
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of February 7, 2012
Committee Members Present: Tim Tietjens, Planning Director (designated representative of the City
Manager); Patrice Fogarty, 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; and Peggy Lee, Office Coordinator
1. Call to order.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Tim Tietjens at 3:09 p.m.
2. Roll call of members.
Tim Tietjens, Patrice Fogarty, and Lt. Gary Rice were present for roll call.
3. Consider approval of December 20, 2011, meeting minutes.
Motion by Patrice Fogarty to approve the Minutes of December 20, 2011. Second by Lt. Gary Rice.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. Conduct public hearing on possible action with respect to Wrecker Permit Number 60 Issued to LaPorte
automotive, Inc.
A. Open public hearing
Chairman Tietjens opened the public hearing at 3:11 p.m.
B. Staff comments
The Committee received staff comments from Chief Building Official Debbie Wilmore.
C. Public comments
Charlie Hinds of Hinds Paint and Body expressed concerns that La Porte Towing and La Porte
Automotive are the same company so they shouldn't have two different permits and should
have two separate slots on the City's wrecker rotation list. Charlie Hinds also expressed concern
over required state licenses for the employees of La Porte Towing and La Porte Automotive.
Todd Johnston of Apple Towing advised the Committee he doesn't believe La Porte Towing and
La Porte Automotive are in compliance with City regulations.
Walter Jones of A&W Jones Collision/Storage Lot informed the Committee he was initially
denied a wrecker permit because he didn't own a yard. He doesn't understand why La Porte
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of February 7, 2012
Page 2 of 3
Towing and La Porte Automotive could share a yard without it being In violation of City
regulations. Mr. Jones asked the Committee to research the actions on his denied application.
Anita Jones of A&W Jones Collision/Storage Lot stated that she understood they couldn't lease a
wrecker, you had to "own" the wrecker to get a permit.
Keith Mainor of La Porte Automotive informed the Committee he has compiled with all City
permit requirements and utilizes a "grandfathered" storage lot. In regards to the recent
wrecker situation, he advised that the answering service accidentally dispatched the wrong
company wrecker and that situation could have been resolved by the Police Department
refusing the wrecker when it arrived on the scene. Mr. Mainor said the answering service has
been instructed to be more careful. Mr. Mainor said his employees meet state requirements
and he is not violating City regulations since they do not regulate that portion of his business.
Patrice Fogarty requested specific information from Mr. Mainor (La Porte Automotive) and
Bobby Slocum (La Porte Towing). In addition, Ms. Fogarty had Clark Askins provide the
Committee with clarification and guidance based on the comments received.
D. Close public hearing
Chairman Tietjens closed the public hearing at 5:00 pm.
5. Consider action to suspend, cancel or revoke Wrecker Permit Numbers 60 issued to La Porte
Automotive, Inc., or take other action.
Motion #1 - Mr. Slocum was asked to eliminate the joint reference to La Porte Automotive and La
Porte Towing on the TDLR paperwork. Ms. Wilmore was asked to confirm that change was made.
Motion #2 — Gary Rice found La Porte Automotive had met all City regulations and state requirements,
so he moved that the Committee take no action against Wrecker Permit Number 60. Second by Tim
Tietjens. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Tim Tietjens, and Gary Rice.
Nays: Patrice Fogarty.
Abstain: None.
6. Administrative Reports
There were no administrative reports.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of February 7, 2012
Page 3 of 3
7. Committee comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific
factual information or existing policy.
Chairman Tietjens suggests the Officer on site turn away towing respondents not called.
Chairman Tietjens asked Debbie Wilmore to research Mr. Jones denied wrecker permit and provide
him with the written findings.
Lt. Gary Rice suggested incorporating TDLR requirements into City ordinance.
8. Adjourn
Chairman Tietjens adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Prepared by Shannon Green, Planning Assistant