HomeMy WebLinkAbout3226 ORDINANCE NO. 3226
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A WRECKER QUALIFICATIONS AND ALLOCATION
SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Sanford and the Sanford Police Department wish to
assist and protect the public as much as possible to control fees charged to all
citizens and protect against overcharging for wrecker services rendered and
eliminate any additional charges;' and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles Division of Florida Highway Patrol has adopted a Wrecker Qualifications and
Allocation System in Chapter 15B-9 of the Florida Administrative Rules; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission authorized that these procedures be
implemented for the City of Sanford.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF
SANFORD, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1: SCOPE AND PURPOSE.
(1 ) These rules apply to those wrecker operators who participate in the City of
Sanford Police Department's call allocation system established in this rule.
(2) These rules are designed to assist private and commercial users of the roads
of the City of Sanford by insuring that only qualified, reputable wrecker
operators and equipment are provided for removal of wrecked, disabled,
stolen, or abandoned motor vehicles in the event the owner or operator is
incapacitated, unavailable or leaves the procurement of wrecker service to the
discretion of the Sanford Police Officer at the scene.
(3) These rules do not apply to a vehicle owner's request for utilization of a
specific wrecker operator, whether or not such operator is qualified under
these rules. In such event, the owner's request will be honored without
resort to these rules unless there will be an unreasonable time delay or a
traffic problem exists.
SECTION 2: Definitions.
(1) Abandoned Vehicle - An unattended vehicle which is directed by the Sanford
Police Department to be removed because it is improperly parked in violation
of the City of Sanford Parking Ordinance.
(2) Answering Service - A commercial enterprise, which pursuant to a contract
or agreement, receives calls and relays messages to the wrecker service such
that the calls are answered by persons other than the owner or an employee
of the wrecker service.
(3) Commercially manufactured wrecker - A tow truck that is:
(A) Designed and constructed by a wrecker manufacturer which offers its
wreckers for sale, or
( B ) Assembled by a business licensed and approved to assemble and certify
wreckers according to manufacturer's specifications.
(4) The Department: City of Sanford Police Department.
(5) Failure to answer a call for service:
(A) Failure to answer the telephone when called by the Sanford Police
Communications Center, or
(B) Failure to arrive at the scene after accepting a call.
(6) Roll-back or slide-back carrier: A vehicle transporter, including trailer,
designed to carry passenger cars, light trucks, small trailers, burned
vehicles, sports cars, boats and other cargo without causing further damage.
It shall consist of a flat bed-type which hydraulically slides back on the frame
until it reaches ground level to facilitate loading by use of a winch which is
used to pull or slide the vehiole on the transporter.
(7) Solicitation - Conduct of an owner, employee or agent of a wrecker service
which tempts, entices, suggests, offers services to, or makes requests of any
persons regarding removal of a vehicle involved in an acci.dent or a disabled
vehicle without authority of the Sanford Police Department.
(8) Wrecker Operator or Operator - The individual, partnership, corporation or
business entity engaged for hire in the recovery, towing or removal of
wrecked, disabled, stolen or abandoned motor vehicles. For the purpose of
these rules, a hired driver or employee shall be governed by these rules and,
unless otherwise stated, shall be considered an agent of the wrecker
operator.
(9) Zone - The City Limits of The City of Sanford.
SECTION 3: Call Allocation System.
(1) Each group commander shall divide his group into zones with clearly defined
boundaries for the purpose of establishing wrecker rotation lists. The group
commander's decision shall be reviewable by the Chief of Police or his
designee.
( 2 ) Each wrecker operator must make application to the Sanford Police Department
for inclusion on the wrecker rotation list.
(A) Each application for inclusion shall be completed, and signed and shall
ordinance No. 3226
be filed with the Sanford Police Department. The application shall be
made on forms as required by the Sanford Police Department.
(B) A Police Department representative shall investigate each application.
The investigation will include the following: background checks;
criminal history checks; driver's license status/record checks; and
inspection of the applicant's wrecker(s), equipment and facilities. The
investigator will, at the conclusion of his investigation, report the
findings and make a recommendation to the Chief of Police in writing.
The Chief of Police will decide on the wrecker operator is approved or
denied inclusion on the wrecker rotation list. The Chief of Police's
decision may be reviewed by the City Manager.
(C) The Police Department shall deny the applicant's inclusion on the
wrecker rotation list if the wrecker operator:
(1) Fails to meet or comply with the provisions of these rules, or
(2) Fails to maintain any local or state license required for the operation of
a wrecker service.
(3) To be eligible for inclusion on the wrecker rotation list to tow in the
City of Sanford, the wrecker operator's place of business must be
located in the City of Sanford.
(a) An operator's place of business must have the following:
(1) The business must have a sign that identifies it to the
public as a wrecker establishment. The sign must be
painted with letters of at least (4) inches in height and
placed so that it is clearly visible to the public.
(2) The place of business must maintain office space.
(3) The office must have personnel on duty from at least 8:00
AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday to answer calls
from the Police Communications Center and to serve the
public. However, on the following holidays observed by
the City, no personnel are required to be on duty at the
office to serve the public: New Years Day, January 1;
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., third Monday in
January; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence
Day, July 4; Labor Day, fist Monday in September;
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday and fourth Friday;
Ordinance No. 3226
Christmas Day, December 24 and 25; if any of these
holidays fall on Saturday, the preceding Friday, shall be
observed as the holiday; if any other holiday falls on
Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as then
holiday.
(4) The place of business must maintain a telephone
communications system to answer calls from the Sanford
Police or from the public, twenty-four hours a day.
(5) The wrecker operator must maintain at least one tow truck
and one qualified driver for the place of business.
(b) Any tow truck(s) operating within the City of Sanford shall have
the address, telephone number and other information on the side
of the truck clearly visible to the public as provided in Section
(c) If there is not a qualified operator in the City of Sanford the
Chief of Police or his designee may designate out of the City of
Sanford wrecker operators to be called in the City of Sanford.
(4) Wrecker operators located within the City of Sanford as defined heroin, shall
be called, by the Sanford Police Department, for the remo.val of a wrecked,
disabled, stolen or abandoned vehicle by the Police Department according to
the operator's placement on a Police Department's wrecker rotation list as
maintained for the City of Sanford by the Police Department and according to
the wrecker classification for the size of the vehicle to be towed. Wrecker
operators will be called in succession from the top of the list. Following each
call an operator will be rotated to the bottom of the list, except as provided
in paragraph (18) of the rule. An operator shall respond to a call with a tow
truck classified to meet or exceed the size of the vehicle to be towed.
(5) The wrecker operator may not lease, assign, transfer, pledge, surrender or
otherwise encumber or dispose of his approval under these rules or his place
on the rotation list. A replacement or successor operator must be approved
under these rules before being placed within the Police Department's call
system. If a wrecker operator currently participating in the rotation list
transfers ownership to another wrecker operator, the new owner may remain
in the rotation system provided that it otherwise qualifies pursuant to these
rules.
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Ordinance No. 3226
(6) Wrecker operators will be listed only once on each list and only in the name
under which they are qualified under the provision of this rule and
conducting business in this state. It is prohibited for a wrecker operator
conducting business at one location to receive multiple listings or
classifications by utilizing a different or fictitious name for trucks operating
out of the same location or out of different locations within the same zone.
When two or more corpora tions are owned by the same individual, partnership
or parent corporation, each may have a separate listing only when each has
a separate location and different corporate officers. It is prohibited for two
or more wrecker operators owned in whole or in part by the same individual,
partnership or parent corporation to be qualified to operate in the City of
Sanford.
( 7 ) Wrecker operators shall only respond to accidents or remove vehicles involved
in an accident within the Police Department's jurisdiction pursuant to a call
received directly from a law enforcement agency as set forth in these rules.
In the event of a call to a wrecker operator by someone other than a law
enforcement agency, such operator shall first clear the call through the
closest Police Communications Center before proceeding to the scene.
(8) Long distance calls between the Police Department*s duty officer dispatcher
and the wrecker operator's shall be without cost to the Police Department.
Wrecker operators shall have no more than one day and one night telephone
number. The wrecker operator will notify the Police Communications Center
at the time the call is received whether or not it will respond. The wrecker
operator shall notify the Police Department of any change of numbers.
(9) Wrecker operators shall be on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week. Except as provided in this subsection, answering services or beepets
are not permitted. The Chief of Police may approve the use of an answering
service by a wrecker operator if, due to the limited number of operators in the
City of Sanford, no undue burden is placed on the Police Department. The
wrecker must acknowledge the rotation call by contacting the Police
Communications Center within 5 minutes after the rotation call was received
by the answering service. If the wrecker operator does not acknowledge the
call as required by this subsection, the Police Communications Center shall
cancel the call, rotate the wrecker operator to the bottom of the list and
request the services Of the next available wrecker operator.
ordinance No. 3226
(10) Wrecker operators are prohibited from calling the Sanford Police Department
to ascertain their current placement on the rotation list.
(11 ) City of Sanford wrecker requests are permitted in the event of an emergency
or the absence of a wrecker of proper classification within the City of
Sanford.
(12) In the event of specialized recovery requirements nor otherwise met by the
wrecker operators within tl{e City of Sanford, the Police Department may call
specialized recovery equipment on a nearest available basis.
(13) For multiple car accidents involving multiple disabled vehicles, the wrecker
operator subject to call by class from the rotation list will be advised by the
Police Commun/cations Center of the number of tow trucks needed to
separately remove each vehicle. The wrecker operator will be ~iven the
option of removing all of the disabled vehicles to be removed if the operator
maintains the number of qual/fied drivers and trucks to accomplish removal
within the City of Sanford. If the wrecker operator in the City of Sanford
lacks the capacity to remove all of the vehicles, it shall nevertheless be called
and additional wrecker operators shall be called as needed form the rotation
list. Class C operators, which maintain one or more Class C units in the City
of Sanford, may respond to a Class C call by utilizin~ appro~ved Class C units
owned by that operator from the City of Sanford or by using approved Class
C units from another approved Class C operator located in the City of
Sanford, provided that the response can be made within a reasonable time
under existing conditions and circumstances. The first wrecker on the list
will have a choice of wrecked vehicles. If the first wrecker does not arrive
on the scene within a reasonable time, the Police Officer will assign vehicles
to available operators. The first wrecker on the scene may be required to
move vehicles form the roadway, and such movement will not affect the choice
of wrecked veMcles. No fee shall be char~ed for such service.
(14) Wrecker files and wrecker lo~s shall be maintained at the Sanford Police
Department.
(15) Wrecker operators may request in writin~ to the Chief of Police to be taken
temporarily off the list once within a 90-day period.
(16) The Chief o~ Police is authorized to limit the number of wrecker operators
participating in the City of Sanford. Wrecker operators currently
participatin~ in the system shall not be affected. The Chief of Police shall
Ordinance No. 3226
establish the number of operators for the City of Sanford based on maintaining
adequate and timely public service as well as minimizing the Police
Department's management of the rotation system. The number may be revised
if the Chief of Police finds that the public is not being adequately served as
a result of an insufficient number of qualified wrecker operators.
(17) If a wrecker responds to a call pursuant to these rules and removal of the
vehicle is not required, the wrecker operator may charge a reasonable fee for
services rendered, which shall include but not limited to changing a flat tire,
providing gas or use of battery jumper cables, assisting in starting a vehicle,
not to exceed $35.00. The fee does not include the cost of parts or labor
required for any authorized vehicle repairs made at roadside, which may be
charged by the wrecker operator in addition to the service fee. A wrecker
operator is prohibited from assessing a towing charge if the vehicle is not
removed. The wrecker operator which renders services rather than towing
a vehicle shall not be rotated to the bottom of the list but shall remain at the
top of the list for the next available call.
(18) For a period of at least one year from the date of the rendering of services to
a vehicle, the wrecker operator shall retain a record of the name, driver's
license number, address, and telephone number of the driver of the vehicle,
the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle if different form
the driver, and the make, model and vehicle identification number of the
vehicle which was assisted by the wrecker operator. This information shall
be provided to the Police Department upon request for verification. Providing
false information to the Police Department concerning the services rendered
to the vehicle or the identification of the driver of the owner shall result in
the removal of the wrecker operator from the rotation list pursuant to Section
7.
(19) When a wrecker responds to a call by the Police Department to remove an
abandoned vehicle, the wrecker shall not be rotated to the bottom of the
rotation list, but shall remain at the top of the list for the next available call.
SECTION 4: RESPONSE TO CALLS.
(1) The wrecker operator shall respond to all requests for service made through
the Sanford Police Communications duty officer within a reasonable time under
the existing conditions and circumstances. If response cannot be made within
a reasonable time, the wrecker operator shall notify the Sanford Police
Ordinance No. 3226
Communications duty officer of the estimated time of delay and the reasons for
the delay. The Police Communications duty officer may then cancel the
request for service, rotate the wrecker operator to the bottom of the list and
request the services of the next available wrecker operator.
(2) Unless authorized by the Sanford. Police Department duty officer, flashing
amber lights shall not be used while responding to a call for wrecker service.
(3) Flashing amber lights shall'be used in accordance with Section 316.2397(3)
Florida Statutes.
(4) When a vehicle is released at the scene by the investigating officer or
representative of the Sanford Police Department, the wrecker operator shall
not tow the vehicle to any location outside the City unless the owner so
requests.
(5) Any ancillary service, such as the use of dolly, dropping and hooking up
linkage, are to be performed only if required and appropriate.
(6) The motor vehicle owner or operator is responsible for payment of charges
imposed by the wrecker operator.
(7) The wrecker operator will forfeit a call if the wrecker operator or his
employees or agents respond to a call in a non-approved wrecker or in such
a condition that the officer on the scene reasonably believes that the vehicle
cannot be safely removed. An example of such condition includes being under
the influence of alcohol or any chemical substance or controlled substance.
SECTION 5: Wrecker Classification and Required Equipment.
(1) Each tow truck owned or maintained by a wrecker operator shall be
commercially manufactured and shall conform to the requirements of this rule.
The requirements for commercial manufacture of trucks and equipment are
wai~ed for those operators who have on the Police Department's rotation list
for one year prior to January 22, 1986. The wrecker and equipment shall be
operable.
(2) The tow truck and equipment shall be inspected by the Chief of Police or his
designee and approved by the Chief of Police before being placed on the
rotation list. Thereafter, trucks and equipment shall be subject to periodio
checks which shall include, but not limited to, annual inspections.
(3) Sirens on wreckers are prohibited.
(4) The wrecker operator shall not represent or imply on any vehicle, building or
correspondence an official relationship between the wrecker operator and the
Ordinance No. 3226
Police Department.
(5) It is prohibited for a tow truck or the business establishment'maintained by
the wrecker operator to have any equipment capable of monitoring messages
or signals or frequencies assigned to the Sanford Police Department.
(6) All trucks operated pursuant to this rule shall be equipped with a business-
type communication radio or mobile telephone or cellular telephone. There
shall be one radio or phone for each truck. Such equipment shall be licensed
and approved by the Federal Communications Commission. The mobile radio
or telephone shall enable the wrecker operator to communicate with his area
of operation from any point within the City of Sanford. A citizens band radio
does not meet the requirements of this section. The Chief of Police may waive
this requirement for all wrecker operators within the City of Sanford upon a
showing that due to the limited number of operators in the City that the
installation of Such communication devices is unnecessary or cost prohibitive
or that the service is not readily available.
(7) Specifications and required equipment shall be as follows:
(a) All wreckers (all classifications) shall include the following:
(1) A cradle, tow plate or tow sling to pick up vehicles. The cradle,
tow plate or tow sling shall be equipped with s.afety chains and
constructed in such a manner that it will not damage the vehicle
to be towed.
(2)Dual rear wheels.
(3) Clearance and marker lights and all other equipment as required
by Chapter 316, Florida Statutes.
(4) A rotor beam or strobe-type light, amber in color, mounted on
the wrecker in such a manner that it can be seen from the front,
rear, and both sides.
(5) The name, address and telephone number of the wrecker
operator for the City in which the operator is qualified must be
painted or permanently affixed in a conspicuous place on both
sides of the trucks as required by Section 713.78(6), F.S. A
unit number shall be painted on both sides of the cab of each
wrecker. The same unit number on two or more wreckers
qualified to tow within the City is prohibited. Multiple addresses
and telephone numbers are prohibited.
Ordinance No. 3226
(a) The name must be at least three (3) inches in height.
(b) The zone address and telephone number must be at least
one (1) inch in height.
(c) The unit number must be at least three (3) inches in
height and in contrasting color.
(d) Magnetic or removal signs or placards will not meet these
requirements.
(6) At least one heavy duty push broom with a minimum width of
twenty-four (24) inches.
(7)One square shovel.
(8)One
(9) One Crowbar or p~ybar with a minimum length of thirty (30)
inches.
(10) Minimum of one (1) five pound CO-2 or dry chemical fire
extinguisher or equivalent. Must be approved type and have a
current inspection tag attached.
(11) One pair of bolt cutters with a minimum opening of 1/2 inch.
(12) One set of jumper cables.
(13) One four-way lug wrench.
(14) One flashlight.
(15) Five thirty minute fuses.
(16) One snatch block for each winch with manufacturer's rating to
match winch.
(17) Extra towing chain six to eight feet in length with hooks.
(18) At least three (3) safety cones or triangle reflectors.
(19) Fifty pounds of sand or equivalent.
(b ) Class "A" wreckers - for the removal of cars or light duty trucks and
vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds gross veh/cle weight or less.
Specifications and equipment in addition to requirements outlined in
Rule 15B-9. 005 (7) (a), shall be as follows:
(1) A truck chassis with manufacturer's rated capacity of at least
10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. A complete, commercially
manufactured boom and winch(ca) having a manufacturer's
combined rating of at least 4 tons must be mounted on the
chassis. Hand crank winches do not satisfy these requirements
Ordinance No. 3226
and will not be approved.
(2) A minimum of one hundred feet of 3/8 - inch cable.
(3)Dollies.
(4)Flood lights on the hoist.
(5) Vehicles which are equipped with wheel lifts or the equivalent
may also qual/fy as Class A tow trucks so long as they are
equipped with ~ boom and all other applicable requirements are
met. Wheel lifts shall be rated at a minimum of 3,000 lbs. lift
capacity and must utilize wheel safety straps when Lifting
veh/cles by the wheels only.
(6) Operators who wish to remove cars and light trucks may have, in
addition, a roll-back or slide-back carrier truck/trailer with
specifications and equipment as provided in paragraph (c) of this
rule.
(7) Police Department Form No. 4 shall be used for the inspection of
Class "A" wreckers.
(c) Class "A" roll-back wreckers - for the removal of cars and light duty
trucks and vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or
less. Specifications and equipment for roll-back or slide-back carriers
in addition to the requirements outlined in Rule 15B-9.005 (7) (a) 2. -20
shall include the following.
(1 ) A truck chassis with a manufacture's rated capacity of at least
10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight with a minimum of sixteen
(16) foot bed, dual rear wheels and a winch with at least 8,000
pound capacity.
(2) A minimum of 50 feet of 3/8-inch cable.
(3) A minimum of two safety tie-down chains at least ten (10) feet
each in length.
(4) Two spot (flood) lights mounted on the rear of the carrier.
(5) A roll-back or slide-back carrier trailer shall meet the following
requirements:
(a) A commercially manufactured carrier trailer with a rated
capacity of at least 8,000 pounds gross vehicle weight with
a minimum sixteen (16) foot bed. A winch with at least
8,000 pound capacity.
Ord£nance No. 3226
(b) minimum of 50 feet of 3/8-inch cable.
(c) Brakes and trailer lights which meet the minimum statutory
requirements of Florida law.
(d)Safety chains.
(e) Must be towed by and used in conjunction with an
approved wrecker that meets or exceeds the class of the
vehicle to be towed.
(6) Police Department Form No. 1 shall be used for the inspection of
roll-back and slide-back carriers.
(d) Class "B" wreckers - for the removal of medium duty trucks or vehicles
weighing 20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less. Specifications
and equipment in addition to the requirements outlined in (7) (a) of the
is part, shall be as follows:
(1) A t~uck chassis with a manufacture's rated capacity of at least
20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. A complete, twin-winch,
commercially manufactured boom and winches having a
manufacture's combined rating of at least (10) ton capacity
mounted on the chassis. Class B wreckers that were previously
approved at 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weigh. t may continue in
use within this class, even if sold to another approved rotation
operator.
(2) A minimum of two hundred feet of at least 5/8-inch cable on each
drum.
(3) Air brakes so constructed as to look the rear wheel automatically
upon failure.
(4) External air hookup and hoses, to supply air to disabled
vehicles.
(5) One set of scotch blocks for wheels or hydraulic rear-extendable
scotch blocks.
(6)Flood lights on the hoist.
(7) Police Department Form No. 2 shall be used by the Police
Department for the inspection of Class "C" wreckers.
SECTION 6: Wrecker Operator Requirements.
(1) All wrecker operators and drivers must have in their possession a valid
Florida driver's license as required by Florida law for the operation of any
Ordinance No. 3226
vehicle to be driven. Prior to approval, the Police Department shall obtain
background information on each driver, including the driver history record.
Police Department Form No. 10 shall be used by the Police Department to
record such information.
(a) The wrecker operator shall immediately notify the Police Department of
any changes in wrecker driver(s), wreckers, wrecker unit members,
insurance coverage 6r any other changes relating to ownership or
management of the business.
(2) Wrecker operators and their drivers are required to comply and be familiar
with the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law, Chapter 316, Florida Statutes.
(3) Wrecker operators properly at the scene of an accident shall remove only the
vehicle involved at the direction of the investigating offleer.
(4) Wrecker operators shall sweep glass from the roadway and remove all debris
or hazards from the scene, and comply with the requirements of Section
316.2044 (2) F.S.
(5) Wrecker shall impound such vehicles as requested by the investigating officer
or the Police Department representative.
(6) Wrecker driver(s) shall be thoroughly familiar with the operation of the
wrecker.
(7) Except as provided in Section 3(14) for Class C wreckers, wrecker operators
who are called from the rotation shall not delegate or request assistance from
another wrecker operator to perform the services necessary to accomplish the
recovery or removal of vehicles in that class as defined pursuant to these
rules. A wrecker operator unable to perform the recovery or removal shall be
rotated and the next rotation wrecker on that list shall be called.
(8) Th~ City of Sanford is not responsible for any damage to a vehicle caused by
the wrecker operator.
(9) Insurance
(a) The wrecker operator shall maintain the following policies of insurance
according to the minimum limits set forth below. Each policy shall be in
the name of the wrecker operator and shall include coverage for towing
and storage. The policy shall be effective throughout the period that
the wrecker operator is qualified under these rules. It is not the intent
of this rule to limit the operator to the types of insurance 'required
herein.
"13'-
Ordinance NO. 3226
(1) Worker's compensation and employer's liability insurance as
required by statute.
(2) Garage liability in an amount not less than $300,000 combined
single limit liability.
(3) Garage keeper's legal liability insurance in an amount not less
than $50,000 for each loss, covering perils of fire and explosion,
theft of a vehicle, its parts or contents; riot and civil commotion;
vandalism; malicious mischief; and damage to a vehlele in tow.
(4) The following minimum levels of combined bodily injury liability
insurance and property damage liability insurance required by
section 69.7.7415, Florida Statutes, in addition to any other
insurance requirements as required by this rule.
(a) Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per occurrence for a
wrecker with a gross vehicle weight of less than $35,000
pounds.
(b ) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per occurrence
for a wrecker with a gross vehicle weight of 35,000 pounds
or more, but less than 44,000 pounds.
(c) Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per
occurrence for a wrecker with a gross vehicle weight of
44,000 pounds or more.
(b) The insurance coverage required shall include those classifications that
are listed in standard liability manuals, which most nearly reflect the
operations of wrecker operators.
(c) All insurance policies required above shall be issued by companies
authorized to do business in the State of Florida.
(d) The wrecker operator shall furnish certificates of insurance and a
"Wrecker Insurance Statement of Compliance", Police Department Form
No. 9, to the Chief of Police or his Designee prior to approval for
participation on the rotation list and thereafter thirty (30) days prior
to the expiration dates of the policies. The certificates shall clearly
indicate that the wrecker operator has obtained insurance of the type,
amount and classification required for compliance with this rule and that
no material change or cancellation of the insurance shall be effective
without thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Sanford Police
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O~dtnance No. 3226
Department. Upon failure of an approved wrecker operator to provide
proof of insurance, as required by this paragraph, the Police
Department shall provide notice to the wrecker operator, pursuant to
Police Department Form No. 7, of its non-compliance.
SECTION 7: Grounds for Denial of Inclusion on, or Removal or
Suspension from, the rotation list.
Violation of any provision of these rules by a wrecker operator shall be
grounds for denial for inclusion on or removal or suspension from, the
rotation list.
Violations of the following offenses shall result in a letter of warning from the
Chief of Police or his designee for the first offense, 30 days suspension for a
second offense within 3 years, and removal for a third or subsequent offense
within 5 years form the first offense:
(a) Chasing or running wrecks in the City of Sanford. without proper
call from the Police Department.
(b)Solicitation.
(c)Failure to answer a call three times within a calendar month.
(d) Inability to properly operate the tow truck in the removal of
disabled vehicles or to remove a vehicle .without causing
additional damage.
(e) Any charge, demand, or request by a wrecker operator of a rate
which exceeds the maximum rate established by the Police
Department.
(3) Removal of a wrecked, disabled or abandoned= vehicle without
investigation or clearance by a proper law enforcement agency shall
result in 30 days suspension for a first offense and removal for a second
or subsequent offense within 3 years.
(4) Lack of reputability of a wrecker operator shall result in removal from
the rotation wrecker list. For the purpose of this rule, lack of
reputability shall mean that the welfare and property of the public.
Lack of reputability shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Conviction of any felony without restoration'of the person's civil
rights.
(b) Conviction of any felony or first degree misdemeanor directly
related to the business or operating a wrecker, regardless of
ordinance No. 3226
whether civil rights have been restored. For the purpose of this
rule, any offense involving perjury or false statement shall be
considered to be directly related to the business of operating a
wrecker.
(c ) Responding to a call while under the influence of alcohol or any
controlled substance or chemical substance.
(5) If a wrecker unit is inspected and fails to meet the requirements of
Section 5, the following action shall be taken:
(a) The failed wrecker unit shall be immediately suspended from the
list by the Police Department pursuant to "Notice of Emergency
Suspension and Administrative Complaint (Inspection)" , Police
Department Form No. 6, until such time as it passes inspection
and is approved for use. The operation of a non-qualified
wrecker unit is declared to be an immediate serious danger to the
public health, safety or welfare requiring the immediate
suspension of the wrecker unit. The continued use of a
suspended wrecker unit shall constitute grounds for the
emergency suspension of the wrecker operator.
(b) In the event this is the only wrecker unit maintained by the
operator which has been approved by the Police Department for
its class and zone of operation, the wrecker operator shall be
suspended immediately by the Department from the list in the
City for the class. The Department shall issue a "Notice ef
Emergency Suspension and Administrative Complaint
(Inspection)", Police Department Form No. 6, to effect the
suspension. The suspension shall continue until such time as the
wrecker successfully passes inspection and is approved for use,
or the wrecker operator is removed from the list for failure to
pass inspection. The wrecker operator must correct the
deficiencies and request to have the wrecker unit re-inspected
within 30 days from the date of the suspension. If the wrecker
unit has not been re-inspected and approved within the 30 day
period, the wrecker operator shall be removed from the list.
(6) Insurance Coverage: If the wrecker operator's insurance policy is
canceled or not renewed according to the requirements of Section 6:
"16'-
Ordinance No. 3226
(a) The wrecker operator shall be immediately suspended from the
Hst by the Department. "Notice of Emergency and Administrative
Complaint (Insurance)", Sanford Police Department Form No. 5,
shall be issued by the Department. The use of wrecker by a
wrecker operator who does not maintain the insurance coverage
required by these rules is declared to be an immediate serious
danger to the public health, safety or welfare requiring the
immediate suspension of the wrecker operator.
(b ) If the required insurance coverage is not obtained and provided
to the Police Department on the Statement of Compliance, Police
Department Form No. 9, within 30 calendar days of the date of
cancellation or expiration, the wrecker operator shall be removed
from the list.
(7) Once a wrecker operator has been suspended for more than 30 days or
removed from the list the wrecker operator must make a new application
for retention or inclusion on the list.
(8) Wrecker operators are responsible for ecruplying with any applicable
federal, state, county or city laws, rules or regulations regarding the
removal, towing, recovery, storage and notification o,f owners and lien
holders. Wrecker operators shall maintain any lodal or state license
required for the operation of a wrecker service. If the required Hcense
is not obtained and provided to the Sanford Police Department within S0
days of the date of cancellation or expiration, the wrecker operator
shall be removed from the list.
SECTION 8: Procedure for Denial of Inclusion on, or Removal or Suspension
from Rotation List
( 1 ) The procedure for denial of inclusion on, or removal or suspension from
a rotation list shall be governed by Chapter 120 F.S., and Rule 15-
2. 001, F.A.C. Final agency action shall be taken by the Chief of Police
or his designco.
(2) Hearings held by the Police Department to deny, suspend, or remove
a wrecker operator from participating in the wrecker rotation system
shall be held by a hearing officer appointed by the Chief of Police.
(3) A final order of the department denying, suspending, or revoking a
wrecker operator's participation in the rotation system shall be
"17'-
Ordinance No. 3226
reviewable in the manner and within the time provided by the Florida
Rules of Appellate Procedure only by writ of certiorari issued by the
circuit court in the county wherein such wrecker operator shall reside.
SECTION 9: Wrecker Forms. The forms identified in this rule chapter are
listed below by number, title and effective date. Each form is incorporated by
reference. Copies may be obtained by contacting the Sanford Police Department.
(1) Roll-back or Slide-ba~k Carrier Wrecker Inspection Form.
(2) Class C Wrecker Inspection Form.
(3) Class B Wrecker Inspection Form.
(4) Class A Wrecker Inspection Form.
(5) Notice of Emergency Suspension and Administrative Complaint
( Insurance ).
(6) Notice or Emergency Suspension and Administrative Complaint
( Inspection ).
(7) Notice of Non-Compliance (Insurance Requirements).
(8) Wrecker Company Removal Request.
(9) Wrecker Insurance Statement of Compliance.
(10) Wrecker Driver Information.
(11) Application For Inclusion On The Wrecker Rotation List.
(12) Wrecker Log and Call Summary Report.
SECTION 10: Maximum Rates For Towin~ and Storage.
(1) Public Service Rates. Wrecker operators located in the City of Sanford
in which maximum rates for towing and storage of vehicles removed by
the Police Department's request have been established by the City
Commission pursuant to s. 166. 043, Florida Statute, or other applicable
authority, shall comply with those rates.
(2) Procedure for Setting Rates. The City of Sarrford shall establish
maximum towing and storage rates for each zone within the City which
is not otherwise covered by rates set by a county or municipality
according to paragraph (1) above. In determining such rates the City
of Sanford shall consider:
(a) costs incurred by the wrecker operator in the storage of
vehicles, including the rental or purchase of property,
insurance, premiums, and maintenance of storage facilities;
(b) costs incurred by the wrecker operator in the removal of vehicles
ordinance No. 3226
including maintenance and operation of wrecker units;
(c) prior or existing contracts between wrecker' services and
governmental agencies for the removal and storage of vehicles;
(d) towing and storage charges currently imposed by wrecker
services for rotation and owner's request calls.
(3) Rates set by the City of Sanford shall consist of the following rate
schedule. Separate rates may be established for each tow truck
classification (A.B.C, roll-back).
(a ) "Base Rate" - The basic charge for responding to a call within a
10-mile radius from the wrecker operator's place of business. It
includes attaching to the disabled vehicle and towing it to the
place of storage. It also includes no more than a 30-minute wait
at the accident scene before commencing actual retrieval. Any
waiting time at the scene beyond 30 minutes may be charged at
the hourly rate as defined below. Mileage traveled, in going to
the scene or in returning to the place of storage, which is
beyond the 10 mile radius from the operator's place of business
may be billed at the applicable mileage rate.
(b) "Hourly Rate" - The per hour charge for use of a wrecker in
retrieving submerged vehicles, upright overturned vehicles,
retrieval from ditches or the attachment of dollies. It does not
include travel time or the first 30 minutes of working or waiting
time on the scene. There shall be no separate charge for
winching.
(c) "Mileage" - The rate charged per mile for travel or towing
outside of the 10-mile radius from the wrecker operator's place
of business.
(d) "Daily Outside Storage Rate" - The daily' rate for storing a
vehicle in outside storage based on a 24-hour day, each day
starting at 12:01 a.m. The initial six hours of storage shall be
without charge pursuant to s. 713.78 (2) (c) , F. S, Thereafter,
the daily rate will apply and any fraction of a day will count as a
full day.
(e) "Daily Inside Storage Rate" - The separate rate charged for
inside storage according to the same criteria as that set forth
"19'-
Ordinance No. 3226
above for outside storaEe.
(4) A maximum of $30.00 may be charged to the owner/driver of a vehicle
towed or stored for the preparation, filing or mailing of any forms
required by Florida Statutes, City ordinance or the Sanford Police
Department, if a vehicle is in storage for more than 24 hours. This
paragraph does not apply to any action initiated by a wrecker operator
to foreclose a Hen recognized by Florida law.
(5) Any wrecker operator qualified under these rules who charges a fee for
a particular service or services in excess of the rates established by
this section will be subject to sanctions as set forth in Section 8. A
wrecker operator shall not charge the base towing rate fee for a call
resulting in service only to a disabled motorist which does not involve
towing the vehicle from the scene.
SECTION 11: Storage Facilities.
(1) Wrecker operator's shall provide storage facilities which shall be
maintained at the operator's place of business and located within the
City of Sanford. These facilities must be fenced and locked for the
protection of vehicles and property.
(2) The wrecker operator shall provide storage for all impounded/towed
vehicles in the outside storage area unless specific written instructions
are ~iven for inside storage by the impounding officer or the owner.
If required for investigative purposes, the wrecker operator shall move
the vehicle(s) to a designated area for processing prior to storage. In
such instance, the Police Department will not authorize release of the
vehicle until all outstanding charges by the operator, as authorized by
the Police Department, have been satisfied.
(3) The wrecker operator shall not change the type of storage facility
(inside or outside) afforded a vehicle without written permission from
the Chlef of Police or his Designee. The wrecker operator shall not
change the storage facility location without first obtainin~ written
permission from the CMef of Police or his Designee.
(4) If impractical because of zonin~ or other considerations such as lack of
space, storage facilities may be maintained within the City of Sanford
at a place other than a wrecker operator's place of business so lon~ as
the following requirements are met as to such storage facility:
Ordinance No. 3226
(a) The storage facility is located in the City of Sanford within 5
miles of the wrecker operator's place of business.
(b) The storage facility must be owned or leased solely by the
wrecker operator and vehicles stored by the operator must be
separately fenced and locked.
(5) The registered owner of a vehicle or the owner's representatives or
owner's insurance'adjusters, upon proper identification, shall be
permitted to inspect or photograph stored vehicles during the hours of
8: 00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The wrecker operator
shall not require the owner, adjuster or representative to pay any fee
in order to inspect or photograph the stored vehicle.
(6) All fencing sl{all be chain-link or solid-wall type, at least 6 feet high,
to discourage theft of any vehicle or any property being stored. All
storage facilities shall be illuminated with lighting or sufficient
intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 150 feet
during nighttime.
( 7 ) Permanent inside storage facilities must be available for 24-hour storage
when weather or other conditions require inside storage for protection
of the vehicle or personal property. A lean-to, tent or shed does not
meet the requirements of this section. Inside' storage must be a
weather-tight building.
(8) (a) A minimum of 25 storage spaces with 3 inside storage spaces must
be available. Wrecker operators who have been on the Police
Department's rotation system for six months prior to the effective
date of this rule may continue on the list without regard to the
minimum storage spaces required herein, so long as all other
applicable provisions of these rules are met.
· (b) Service bays or repair bays do not qualify as inside storage, nor
does any area that is utilized for any activity other than serving
as a permanent inside storage area, when vehicles are actually
stored inside at the request of a law enforcement agency or the
owner of a vehicle.
(9) Wrecker operators shall comply with hold orders placed by the Police
Department, including in a fatality and sealed by the traffic homicide
investigator shall remain intact until the seals are removed by the
"21'-
ordinance No. 3226
investigator. If no fatality occurred, then the vehicle and the property
may be released by the wrecker operator upon valid proof of ownership
once the hold is released.
(10) A copy of an inventory prepared by the Police Department, of all
personal property found in a wrecked, disabled or abandoned vehicle
shall be provided to the wrecker operator. The wrecker operator shall.
permit the removal of' such property by the vehicle owner or his agent
from a stored vehicle during normal business hours without charge.
The agent's authority shall be evidenced by a writing acknowledged by
the owner before a notary public or other person empowered by law to
administer oaths. A signed receipt for each article removed by the
owner or his agent shall be obtained. Personal property shall be
defined as any item not affixed to the vehicle which was in the vehicle
at the time of the tow. In case of vehioles stored where no "hold order"
has been placed, the wrecker operator will directly release any vehicle
upon presentation of proper proof of identification and ownership. If
these conditions cannot be met due to unusual or extraordinary
circumstances, the vehicle will be released only upon authorizatioil
obtained from the Police Department.
(ll) Wrecker operators handling the initial tow shall exercise reasonable
care and control of parts and contents located in vehicles while under
their protection or while in storage.
( 12 ) During the hours from 8: 00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m., Monday through Friday,
wrecker operators will provide adequate staffing at the storage facility
so that personal property may be removed from the vehicle or the
vehicle itself may be released without undue delay.
(13) Should it become necessary that personal property be removed from a
vehicle or a vehicle be released when the storage facility is not staffed,
the wrecker operator will be required to do so and allowed to charge a
reasonable fee.
SECTION 12: If any section or portion of a section of this ordinance proves
to be invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional, it shall not be held to impair the
validity, force or effect of any other section or part of this ordinance.
SECTION 13: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith
be and the same are hereby revoked.
"22'-
Ordinance NO. 3226
SECTION 14: That tMs ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this3~~ day of ~ , A.D. 1994.
MAYO~ ~ ~~
ATTEST: .~_~~~
of Sanford, Florida
CERTIFICATE
I, Janet R. Dougherty, City Clerk of the City of Sanford, Florida, do hereby
certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Ordinance No. 3226, PASSED
AND AD PTED by the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, on the~'V'j
f
of Sanford, Florida
--23--
Ordinance No. 3201
SANFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT ROTATION TOWING RATE STRUCTURE
CITY OF SANFORD
CLASS A WRECKERS ( INCLUDING ROLL-BACK OR SLIDE-BACK CARRIERS)
BASE RATE $ 85.00
MILAGE RATE - per mile charge beyond lO(ten)
mile radius $ 2.50
HOURLY RATE _ for waiting or working time on scene
after first 30 minutes
(Billed by 1/4 hour) $ 66.00
CLASS B WRECKERS
BASE RATE $ 95.00
MILAGE RATE _ per mile charge beyond 10(ten)
mile radius $ 3.00
HOURLY RATE for waiting or working time on scen.e
after first 30 minutes
(Billed by 1/4. hour) $ 80.00
CLASS C WRECKERS
BASE RATE $165.00
MILAGE RATE - per mile charge beyond 10(ten)
mile radius $ 4.00
HOURLY RATE- for waiting or working time on scene
after first 30 minutes
,.' (Billed by i/4 hour) S165.00
SEPARATE CHARGES
A, REMOVAL OF DRIVE SHAFT S 25.00
B. AIR HOOK-UP $ 25.00
C. REMOVE/PULL AXLE $ 25.00
D. REMOVE BUMPER S 25.00
E. REMOVE AIR FOILS $ 75.00
F. LANDOLL I'RAILER Semi roll back or drop
back trailer or truck $175.00
G. AIR BAGS $ 350.00 met hour 4hi. minimum
$ 2000.00 maximum
H. EXTRA MANPOWER - Per man hour charge
Skilled per hour $ 40.00
Un-skilled per hour $ 20.00
EXHIBIT "A"
SANFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT ROTATION TOWING RATE STRUCTURE PG.2
· CITY OF SANFORD
DAILY STORAGE FOR CLASS A SERVICE
INSIDE STORAGE - PER DAY RATE $ 20.00
OUTSIDE STORAGE - PER DATE RATE $ 15.00
DAILY STORAGE FOR CLASS B & C SERVICE
$ 15.00 FOR FIRST 20 FT.: $ 1.00 PER FT. THEREAFTER:
MAXIMUM $ 40.00 PER DAY
**** NOTE **** MILEAGE RATE OR TOWED MILES 0NE WAY
RATE STRUCTURE ADOPTED FROM FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL UNDER RULES OF
FLORIDA.ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: CHAPTER 15B-9 EFFECTIVE %2-1-92