City Council Meeting Date: January 4, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mark Elliott, Chief of Police
Title
Consider approval of a new three-year towing agreement 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 towing agreement 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 agreement 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.
This agreement is the result of a Request For Proposal (RFP) process that was conducted this fall. The city posted the RFP and contacted 5 area towing companies requesting response for towing service proposals. Raider Automotive was the only respondent.
The agreement has a duration of three years, January 4, 2022 to December 31, 2024. 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 is essentially a continuation of the prior non-contract services Raider Automotive has been providing over the past three years when the new owners took over operations of the business. 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. City staff recommends approval of this agreement.
Alternative Options:
The alternative to this option is to not enter into a contract. 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 will be effective January 4, 2022.