Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes an amendment to the Columbus City Code Chapter 2107, Section 2107.06 pertaining to vehicles that are towed and stored at the City of Columbus Impound Lot. After reviewing the existing fee structure and expenses associated with the towing and storage of vehicles, the Division of Police is requesting an amendment to the Columbus City Code to include an administrative processing fee of $30.00 to the owner or lien holder of a towed vehicle prior to releasing the vehicle. This fee will not apply to vehicles that are stolen and recovered or vehicles that are held for various reasons by the Division of Police. The Division of Police requests this amendment in order to reflect costs associated with these services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Towing and storage fees generated approximately $3,379,874 in revenue in 2013 and $2,965,387.00 so far in 2014. This amendment will generate approximately $500,000.00 annually in additional revenue to the general fund.
Title
To amend Section 2107.06 of the Columbus City Code in order to include an administrative processing fee for the towing and storage of vehicles.
Body
WHEREAS, this ordinance is to amend Section 2107.06 of the Columbus City Code to add an administrative processing fee to the owner or lien holder of a vehicle towed and stored at the Columbus Division of Police Impound Lot; and
WHEREAS, this amendment will not apply to vehicles that are stolen and recovered by the Division of Police or vehicles that are held for various reasons by the Division; and
WHEREAS, this amendment is introduced after reviewing the fee structure and expenses incurred in the towing and storage of vehicles by the Division of Police; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 2107.06 of the Columbus City Code be and hereby is amended to read as follows:
2107.06 Impounding fee and storage charge-Exceptions.
(a) No vehicle impounded under the provisions of this chapter, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) hereof, shall be removed from such vehicle pound except upon the payment by the owner, chauffeur, driver or other person in charge of such vehicle, of a service charge of one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars to the parking violations bureau for any motor vehicle weighing not more than seven thousand (7,000) pounds. There is no additional fee charged if a dolly or rollback is required to tow said motor vehicle to the vehicle pound. A service charge of one hundred fifty-five ($155.00) dollars shall be paid to the parking violations bureau for any motor vehicle weighing more than seven thousand (7,000) pounds but not more than ten thousand fifty (10,050) pounds. A service charge of two hundred ($200.00) dollars shall be paid to the parking violations bureau for any motor vehicle weighing more than ten thousand fifty (10,050) pounds but not more than fourteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (14,999) pounds. A service charge of two hundred eighty ($280.00) dollars shall be paid to the parking violations bureau for any motor vehicle weighing more than fourteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (14,999) pounds. In addition to the rate set forth above for all motor vehicles, an additional hourly fee may be charged for extra services that are required in connection with towing said motor vehicles such as to upright an overturned vehicle, clean excessive debris from the roadway, recover a vehicle not on the traveled portion or berm of a highway, or to separate vehicle or pull a vehicle from an obstruction, an additional hourly rate will be charged. This additional charge will be at the following rates:
1. One hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars per hour for vehicles weighing seven thousand (7,000) pounds or less.
2. One hundred fifty-five ($155.00) dollars per hour for vehicles weighing more than seven thousand (7,000) pounds, but not more than ten thousand fifty (10,050) pounds.
3. Two hundred seventy ($200.00) dollars per hour for vehicles weighing ten thousand fifty (10,050) pounds but not more than fourteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (14,999) pounds.
4. Fees for vehicles weighing over fourteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (14,999) pounds are as follows:
Hourly charge after thirty (30) minutes is sixty-three ($63.00) dollars per quarter hour.
Extra manpower fee is forty-five ($45.00) dollars per hour per worker.
Four-wheel drive wrecker fee is one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars per hour.
Crane fee is two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars per hour.
Heavy duty service truck fee is one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars per hour.
5. A fee of one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars may be added if a trailer dolly is required due to the trailer not being attached to a tractor.
A storage fee of eighteen ($18.00) dollars per day for each twenty-four (24) hours, or fraction thereof, shall be charged for vehicles with a (24) hours, or fraction thereof shall be charged per vehicle and per trailer with a gross vehicle rating of ten thousand fifty (10,050) pounds or more. (Ord. 2808-90; Ord. 80-02 ยง 4 <>.)
(b) Any stolen vehicles that have been recovered and impounded by the police pending notification of the legal owner or agent shall be subject to a reduced impounding fee of fifty-five ($55.00) dollars and/or the applicable storage charge. However, the storage shall be charged beginning the fourth day after impoundment, provided the legal owner or agent has been notified, or notification has been sent to the last known address of the owner or agent. The reduced impounding fee of fifty-five ($55.00) dollars for a stolen vehicle is a one-time reduction per owner. Subsequent impounding fees related to stolen vehicles shall be at the normal impounding rate.
(c) Any vehicle weighing less than seven thousand (7,000) pounds of which has been impounded for the sole purpose of "safekeeping" and from which the driver or operator has been removed due to illness or injury shall be subject to the impounding fee and storage charge. However, the storage fee shall be charged beginning the fourth day after the date of impoundment. Any vehicle weighing seven thousand (7,000) pounds or more and/or a commercially registered vehicle which has been impounded for the sole purpose of "safekeeping" which the driver or operator has been removed due to illness or injury shall be subject to the impounding fee and storage charges. Additional service fees incurred for all vehicles other than towing and storage will be assessed the owner or agent thereof and shall be paid before the vehicle is released.
(d) The owner of a vehicle that has been removed from the streets, sidewalks or public grounds pursuant to Section 2107.01 of the city codes and that has been determined by the violations clerk to be a victim of violent crime against person or other special circumstance shall not be held liable for the payment of any fees associated with the towing and/or impounding of said vehicle.
(e) In addition to the towing charges or expenses incurred in the removal and storage of vehicles as listed above, the owner or lienholder shall pay an additional administrative processing fee of $30.00.
SECTION 2. That prior existing Section 2107.06 of the Columbus City Code is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.