Explanation
The Recreation and Parks Department has had problems when non-park users occupy parking spaces and perform illegal activities within or nearby their vehicles. Further, many of the vehicles are parked after hours and are trespassing within the park. The director had issued a policy prohibiting parking in parks or other Recreation and Parks facility parking lots when the parks are closed. This ordinance would provide a modification and extension to the current contract for one additional year, authorized by ordinance 2418-2013, 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
614-419-1917
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify and extend the existing contract with ProTow for one year 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, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify and extend the existing contract with ProTow for one year to provide towing services at designated City-owned properties that are managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enforce parking restrictions at such sites by causing the removal of vehicles;
WHEREAS, it hsa become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks to authorize the Director to modiy the contract; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to modify and extend the contract with ProTow for one-year to provide towing services necessary to enforce parking restrictions at designated City properties that are managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
SECTION 2. That ProTow shall be required to install and maintain signage at all designated sites 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 3. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enforce parking restrictions at such sites by causing the removal of vehicles.
SECTION 4. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.