HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-12 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Wrecker CommitteeCity of La Porte
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of July 10, 2012
Committee Members Present: Planning Director Tim Tietjens (designated representative of the City
Manager), Lt. Gary Rice (designated representative of the Police Chief), and
City Secretary Patrice Fogarty
Staff Members Present: Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins and Chief Building Official Debbie Wilmore
1. Call to order.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Tim Tietjens at 3:08 p.m.
2. Roll call of members.
Committee Members Tim Tietjens, Patrice Fogarty, and Gary Rice were present for roll call.
3. Consider approval of March 27, 2012, meeting minutes.
Motion by Gary Rice to approve the Minutes of March 27, 2012. Second by Patrice Fogarty. Motion
carried unanimously.
4. Conduct public hearing to receive input on a request by Taylor Towing for issuance of four (4) 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 presented the staff report. In response to questions from the
Committee, Mrs. Wilmore confirmed the vehicle information provided by the applicant has been
reviewed and found to be in proper order, and noted drivers for Taylor Towing would be operating out
of Deer Park, Shoreacres, and if approved, La Porte.
C. Public comments
Charlie Hinds, Charlie Hinds Paint & Body, addressed the Committee. Mr. Hinds stated that in the past,
the Ford dealership discontinued using Taylor Towing because they were not making their calls. Mr.
Hinds would not be opposed to Walter Jones operating his own trucks, but is opposed to the
Committee granting permits to Taylor Towing to tow for Mr. Jones.
Paul Taylor, 323 Meadow Wood Court, League City, addressed the Committee. Mr. Taylor stated he
has drivers in Deer Park and Shoreacres that would be available during the day and on -call at night.
Mr. Taylor will have an office at A & W Jones Collision. He has been in business for 22 years and meets
all insurance requirements.
Todd Johnston, Apple Towing, addressed the Committee. Mr. Johnston spoke in opposition to
additional towing permits being issued due to there not being enough work.
Wrecker Committee
Minutes of July 10, 2012
Page 2 of 2
Walt Jones, A & W Jones Collision & Storage Facility, addressed the Committee. Mr. Jones wants to
bring in Taylor Towing because he wants things done right. Mr. Jones questioned the opposition from
Mr. Hinds and Mr. Johnston, since he lives and has a business in La Porte.
Anita Jones, A & W Jones Collision, addressed the Committee. Ms. Jones agreed with Mr. Jones's
statements and added they are trying to provide better service by bringing in Taylor Towing, having
had to release McGinty Wrecker Service for non -responsiveness to call -outs.
D. Close public hearing
Chairman Tietjens closed the public hearing at 3:23 p.m.
5. Consider action to grant or deny four (4) emergency auto wrecker permits to Taylor Towing under
Section 78-297 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances.
Gary Rice spoke of a Better Business Bureau report showing an "F" rating for Taylor Towing. Committee
Members discussed the report.
Motion by Patrice Fogarty to grant four (4) emergency auto wrecker permits to Taylor Towing. Second
by Tim Tietjens. Motion carried 2-1 with Gary Rice voting in opposition.
6. Administrative Reports
There were no Administrative Reports.
Committee comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual
information or existing policy.
Patrice Fogarty commented to tow company representatives in the audience to please pass early on call -
outs, if known that a 20-minute response time is not likely. An email/letter was previously sent, and will
be resent to all wrecker permit holders, containing information on the procedure police dispatch is using
for call -outs.
In order to ensure the Police Department is getting the appropriate level of service they need, Gary Rice
will ask Dispatch to keep detailed call -out records that may be reviewed by the Committee quarterly.
Chairman Tietjens allowed a question from a member of the audience, Todd Johnston, regarding a
warning ticket Apple Towing received for having an auto wrecker in a residential zone. Building Official
Debbie Wilmore described current ordinance provisions on the subject and the City's plans to review the
Zoning Ordinance section dealing with one -ton and larger trucks (including auto wreckers) currently
prohibited in residential zones.
8. Adjourn.
Motion by Patrice Fogarty to adjourn. Second by Gary Rice. Chairman Tietjens adjourned the meeting at
4:00 p.m.
Prepared by Peggy Lee, Office Coordinator