Authorize Request for Proposal and contract agreements for the Vehicle Towing and Storage Services and Abandoned Vehicle Towing and Storage Services
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- Through Intergovernmental Agreements with the City, local agencies including but not limited to Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Fleet Services Oregon Department of Transportation, Port of Portland, Tri-Met, and Portland Streetcar utilize towing services through these contracts.
- These contracts are necessary to effectively serve our communities and promote a safe public right of way.
- The Portland metropolitan area has several qualified and privately-owned towing companies that are equipped to provide the required vehicle towing and storage services.
- The Bureau has made an assertive effort to contact and inform smaller tow service providers with the support of a consultant who contacted every tow provider registered with the State of Oregon that serves the Portland region to inform them of the City’s intent to advertise a request for proposals (RFP) for vehicle towing and storage and abandon vehicle towing services and to provide information regarding the program and the RFP process. The list included companies that operate and provide service in marginalized communities and communities of color.
- The services provided by city tow contractors include accident recovery, towing hazards from the right of way, towing broken down or damaged city equipment and vehicles, transporting vehicles that are evidence in a crime, towing abandoned vehicles from the right of way, and removing dangerous RVs from the public right of way.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to facilitate a competitive solicitation process for vehicle towing and storage services and abandoned vehicle towing services in accordance with City Code 5.33.
- Upon the Council’s acceptance of the Chief Procurement Officer’s report recommending the selected proposers, the Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to award, negotiate, execute, and amend contracts with the selected proposers provided that the total amount of each contract does not exceed $5 million.
- The Mayor and Auditor to draw and deliver warrants when demand is presented and approved by the proper authority.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The City contracts with several local tow companies to provide towing and storage services for various City agencies. Agencies other than the City that also utilize the contract include but are not limited to the Multnomah County Sherriff’s Office, Multnomah County Fleet Services, Oregon Department of Transportation, Tri-Met, Portland Streetcar, and the Port of Portland. The services provided by our Tow Contractors include accident recovery, towing hazards from the right of way, towing broken down or damaged city equipment and vehicles, transporting vehicles that are evidence in a crime, towing abandoned vehicles from the right of way, and removing dangerous RVs from the public right of way. The purpose of this legislation is to request Council approval to publish a solicitation (RFP) and enter into contract agreements with tow companies to provide the services listed above.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
Collectively, the fiscal impact is estimated at $950,000 annually paid to contracted tow providers for tow services. Tow contract values will range from $300,000 to $1,000,000 over 5 years, depending on the size of the company and estimated capacity. However, Towing Administration recovers this cost through tow dispatch fees and city service fees.
All expenses and revenues associated with these contracts are budgeted in the Adopted FY 2022-23 budget.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
The program provides valuable services that improve the safety of our streets, support Vision Zero, and help maintain the safety of our neighborhoods by removing vehicles leaking hazardous waste and causing unsafe conditions. The program also provides roadside service to the City’s fleet vehicles, and clears vehicles from collisions on freeways, local streets, transit lanes, and railroads to help reduce delays on our roadways.
The Towing Administration Advisory Committee provides a forum where administrators receive important feedback from the community, agency partners, and tow partners.
Agenda Items
187 Time Certain in March 8, 2023 Council Agenda
Passed to second reading
221 Regular Agenda in March 15, 2023 Council Agenda
Passed
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
- Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
- Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Yea
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
- Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea