Explanation
The Recreation and Parks Department has had problems when non-park users occupy parking spaces and perform illegal activities within their vehicles. Further, many of the vehicles are parked after hours and are trespassing within the park. The director has issued a policy prohibiting parking in park or other Recreation and Parks facility parking lots when the parks are closed. This ordinance authorizes the director to enter into an agreement with ProTow to allow ProTow to patrol and remove vehicles left within specified parks after the parks are closed or when a vehicle is not parked in a designated parking spot per park signage.
ProTow will provide and install signage regarding towing.
Proposals were solicited from towing companies in the Columbus, Ohio area. ProTow was selected for this project for various reasons including experience, location, availability, and familiarity and expertise with towing vehicles in the City of Columbus. There will be no cost to the City associated with this contract.
Principal Parties:
James Whittredge
ProTow
30 W. Lawn Avenue
Cols., OH 43207
614-419-1917Aremedy this situation by authorizing the vehicles to be towed; and
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a contract with ProTow to provide towing services at designated City owned properties that are managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks; and to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enforce parking restrictions at such sites by causing the removal of vehicles. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, ProTow's bid was received and evaluated by the Recreation and Parks Department for towing enforcement at designated City owned properties managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks, as authorized by the Director; and
WHEREAS, there will be no cost to the City of Columbus for the towing of vehicles as the owner of vehicle will be responsible for payment to retrieve their vehicle; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to enforce parking restrictions at designated City properties that are managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks by causing the removal of vehicles that are in violation of said restrictions, provided notice is clearly provided by signage approved by the Director as required by Section 3 of this ordinance
Section 2. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into a two-year contract with ProTow to provide towing services necessary to enforce parking restrictions at designated City properties that are managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Section 3. That the contract authorized by this ordinance shall contain a provision requiring ProTow to install and maintain signage at all sites described in Section 1 of this ordinance providing both notice of the parking restrictions and that vehicles parked in violation of such restrictions shall be towed. The Director shall approve all signage language prior to its installation by ProTow.
Section 4. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.