ANALYSIS:
In 2012, the Administration and Towing Permittees held extensive negotiations and the following enhancements and amendments to the towing permits were approved:
Enhancements:
a. Uniforms - Permittees to provide all employees with uniforms, which shall be approved by the City Manager or his designee.
b. Employee Drug Screening - Permittee to perform drug test screening on all employees, and provide pass/fail results to the City Manager or his designee, upon request.
c. Driver's License Screening - Permittee to perform driver's license screening on all employees with driving responsibilities.
d. Reduce the storage requirement within the City limits, from seven (7) days to one (1) day.
Technological Improvements:
GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking devices on all vehicles. Any such GPS tracking devices must be accessible to the City for monitoring purposes.
Maximum Allowable Towing Rates:
Fees Non-Resident CMB Resident
Class “A” Tow $140.00 $115.00
Administrative Fee $35.00 $30.00
Labor $30.00 $25.00
Dollies/Flat Bed Service $40.00 $35.00
After Hour Fee $30.00* $25.00
Storage Fees (after 8 Hours): $30.00 $25.00
Mileage: $6.00 per mile $5.00 per mile
* if retrieved 8:00 pm to 8:00 am
Resident Discount:
As noted above, the maximum allowable towing rates approved in 2012 are not applicable to Miami Beach residents. Residents are assessed towing rates in place prior to the 2012 increase. This exemption is referred to as the Miami Beach Resident Discount. The resident discount yields a 20%-22% discount in towing fees for residents, contingent upon the applicable fee.
Stronger Audit Rights:
The City's Auditor and Towing Permittees developed and implement systems, procedures, and controls for the City's financial audits of Permittees' operations pursuant to the Permit.
Other Enhancements:
• Waiver of “DROP FEES”
Drop fees occur when a vehicle owner (or other legally authorized person in control of the vehicle) arrives on the scene of a tow, prior to the removal of the vehicle from the scene, and the vehicle has been engaged (hooked) by the tow truck.
Although Florida Law and Section 106-261 of the City Code allows Permittees to assess a “drop fee” (of not more than 50% of the posted towing rates), both Permittees agreed to voluntarily waive assessment of “drop fees”.
• In-Vehicle Cameras
Please note in-vehicle cameras to record the vehicle tow and customer interaction were discussed but not implemented in 2012 as it was not practical in achieving the desired results.
This was subsequently accomplished in the City's deployment of body worn cameras to parking enforcement specialists who are required to activate and record all tows from wrecker arrival to departure.
Towing Yard Enclosure
In regard to enclosures for towing storage facilities, the Permittees provided the following response:
Beach Towing is in the process of exploring design concepts and related costs to build a garage on its site. At this time they are not prepared to discuss any details concerning same or necessary contract terms related to a development the City is asking for to serve a public purpose.