City Council Meeting Date: January 7, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Jeff Schroepfer, Chief of Police
Title
Consider approval of a one year towing agreement contract extension between the City of Northfield and Raider Automotive LLC dba Valley Autohaus.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to consider at Motion approving the attached extension of and first amendment to towing service contract between the City of Northfield and Raider Automotive LLC dba Valley Autohaus and authorizing the Mayor, and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
Summary Report:
The Council is asked to approve the extension of and first amendment to towing service contract between the City of Northfield and Raider Automotive LLC dba Valley Autohaus for Raider Automotive to provide towing services to the city as described in the agreement.
The agreement extension has a duration of one year, expiring December 31, 2025. Payments will be made monthly on an as needed basis. Many of the payments are made by vehicle owners who have their vehicle towed as a result of police action, some examples are an impaired driving arrest, a vehicle blocking traffic as the result of a crash, a snow emergency, or other parking restriction.
General tows such as those of a motorist assist are handled according to the business’s general towing fee schedule and there is no expense to the city.
This agreement extension is essentially a continuation of the prior contract services Raider Automotive has been providing. The police department has worked closely with Raider Automotive in routine operations and is pleased with the owner’s responsiveness to concerns from the City and from vehicle owners that have used their services. Raider Automotive also provides mechanical and auto body repair services and is an AAA service provider. The Northfield City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement extension. City staff recommends approval of this agreement.
Alternative Options:
The alternative to this option is to not enter into a contract extension and reopen the contract for RFP. Staff does not recommend this course of action as it is detrimental organizational operational efficiency, as the City does not have towing equipment or an impound facility.
Financial Impacts:
Towing services are already included in annual department budgeting, and are generally just a few thousand dollars. Some of these expenses for forfeiture vehicles are offset by forfeited vehicle sale proceeds, and some of these expenses are paid for by the vehicle owners.
Tentative Timelines:
After approval, the agreement extension will be effective January 7, 2025.