Towing Ordinance Update Board of County Commissioners Discussion August 4, 2015

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Purpose Evaluate recent changes to Chapter 35 regarding trespass towing Assess impacts to various multifamily housing types

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Property owner or agent must provide authorization for each vehicle towed  Agents must be listed in towing agreement

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  For student housing facilities  Towing from midnight to 7 a.m. without individual authorization  Photographs required  Signage notice

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Tow signage required by Florida Statutes  Requirements added to code (including consumer information)

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Liability and cargo coverage required  Insurance certificate filed with Sheriff’s Office

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Fencing  Lighting  Signage  Must meet all other code requirements

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Increase storage rate for Class A/B vehicles by $5 per day  Research fee of $5 for ownership search (expired tag)  Rates must be posted, along with other consumer information

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Accept credit and debit cards  Provide change for cash payment

Ordinance Change Overview  Authorization for each tow  Roam towing  Signage  Insurance  Storage sites  Rates  Payment options  Prohibitions  Employing spotters  Demanding drop fee if tow truck is not capable of towing vehicle  Requiring registration renewal before releasing vehicle  Providing false information

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Towing Results  Towing By Category November 2013 – March 2014 November 2014 – March 2015

Towing Results  Towing Locations Before Adoption

Towing Results  Towing Locations After Adoption

Towing Results  Contract Locations

Towing Results  Contract Locations – International Drive

Towing Results  Contract Locations – UCF Area

Towing Results  Top 10 Towing Locations by Contracted Tows Property NameCountRoam Towing UNIVERSITY HOUSE279Yes STERLING UNIVERSITY APARTMENTS168Yes THE EDGE153Yes MYSTIC POINTE APARTMENTS121 ARDEN VILLAS UNIVERSITY APARTMENTS116 PLAZA ON UNIVERSITY113Yes CAMPUS CROSSINGS90Yes COLLEGE STATION APARTMENTS66Yes VILLAGE AT SCIENCE DRIVE60Yes UNIVERSAL SUITES54

Towing Results  Top 10 Towing Locations by Contracted Tows

Towing Results  Total Number of Student Housing Tows – 30% of All Tows after Adoption

Towing Results  Student Housing Roam Tows (midnight – 7 a.m.) – 77% of All Roam Tows

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Compliance Issues  Monthly Towing Totals After Adoption

Compliance Issues  Data review – Top Ten sites with no contract ~ 180 unauthorized tows – Top Ten towing companies ~ 500 unauthorized tows  Set priority schedule of inspections – Tow yards – Contracted properties – New contract reviews

Compliance Issues  Compliance assistance/outreach  Enforcement – Special Magistrate – Court

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Stakeholder Engagement  Multifamily property owners/managers  Homeowners Associations  Towing industry  I-Drive representatives

Stakeholder Engagement Feedback:  Supported roam towing  Described difficulties with individual authorizations  Contract process is cumbersome  Photos are valuable  Recoup process fees

Presentation Outline  Purpose  Ordinance Change Overview  Towing Results  Compliance Issues  Stakeholder Engagement  Summary

Summary  Stress compliance  Pursue worst offenders  Continue monitoring  Bring back clean-up at future date

Towing Ordinance Update Board of County Commissioners Discussion August 4, 2015