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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Sgt. Dan Woods #456
DATE: May 16, 2018
SUBJECT:
A Resolution amending R08-250, regarding maximum tow and storage charges for the City of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 46 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances calls for the city to maintain a “Tow Roster” (Sec. 46.4) of firms who have been selected and designated to provide services for the Aurora Police Department. Firms are required to apply and meet specific requirements in order to work with the city. The city in turn is responsible for setting and maintaining the fees firms are allowed to charge for services.
In May of 2008, the City of Aurora passed Resolution R08-250 (attached), amending the maximum fees which may be charged by any tow company permitted to tow for the City of Aurora. Resolution R08-250 commits to reviewing the fees every two years and changing when appropriate. The fees have not been adjusted since the 2008 adjustment.
DISCUSSION:
Given the passage of time since the last review, the Traffic Division of the Aurora Police Department conducted a survey of tow fees of neighboring and similarly-sized communities. The findings (attached) indicated Aurora’s fees to be lower than most other communities.
The city’s requirements for firms requesting to serve on the “Tow List” are stringent, and the list is reviewed every two years. As noted above, the amount they are able to charge for services has not been adjusted since 2008. The request is to adjust the tow fees as follows:
Proposed Tow Rates and Storage Fees
The increase in fees are appropriate for several reasons including:
• Rates of comparable municipalities
• Length of time since the last amendment (10 years)
• Increased costs incurred by tow companies due to mandates over the last several years including:
o Employee background checks
o Certified notification to lien holders
o Insurance requirements
Furthermore, I would propose these fees be reviewed every two years to ensure they remain appropriate with current trends.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This proposed amendment, if passed, would have a positive impact on the businesses who provide towing services for the City of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I respectfully request this resolution be approved.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Amending All Fees Pertaining to Chapter 46 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances Entitled "Towing Services".
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the City of Aurora to amend the fees related to the tow list and the maximum tow fees charged by any towing operator in the City of Aurora, when removing a vehicle from the street in response to a police call, as well as the maximum storage charges for any such towed vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: upon passage of this Resolution, pursuant to Chapter 46, Sec. 46-2. "Fees", shall be established by "Exhibit A" and R08-250 is hereby repealed and replaced with "Exhibit B" pursuant to Chapter 46, Sec. 46.65., all previous rates pertaining to Sec. 46.65 are hereby repealed and replaced with “Exhibit A” effective January 1, 2019.