HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2002-13 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-13
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, BY DELETING THEREFROM ALL
OF CHAPTER 82 AND SUBSTITUTING THEREFOR A NEW CHAPTER
82; PROVIDING RULE5 AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE
TOWING OF VEHICLES WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING OTHER
MATTERS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.00 FOR EACH DAY OF
VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN
CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
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WHEREAS, the United States Congress adopted certain deregulation measures
regarding motor carriers through the Federal Aviation Administration Act of 1994 (the "Act"),
which became effective on January 1, 1995; and
WHEREAS, the Act prohibits cities from enacting or enforcing laws or regulations
related to the prices, routes and services of motor carriers; and
WHEREAS, the Act includes auto wreckers within the definition of "motor carriers;"
and
WHEREAS, effective January 1, 1996, the Act was amended to authorize cities to
determine the price charged for towing a motor vehicle, if such tow is performed without the
prior consent or authorization of its owner or operator; and
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in restoring the safe and orderly flow of traffic as
soon as possible after an accident on public streets within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City often requires the services of private towing companies to assist
its officers, agents, and employees in clearing public streets following accidents by towing and,
if necessary, storing, damaged vehicles; and
WHEREAS, to assure reasonable and reliable wrecker and vehicle storage services, the
City Council deems it necessary to adopt certain rules and regulations relating to the
permitting, oversight, regulation, and conduct of towing operators and vehicle storage
facilities; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
STATE OF TEXAS:
Section 1. The facts and matters set forth in the preamble of this Ordinance are
found to be true and conect.
Section 2. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Friendswood, Texas, is hereby
amended by deleting therefrom all of Chapter 82 and substituting therefor a new Chapter 82 to
provide as follows:
"Article I. In General
5ecs. 82-1 -- 82-25. Reserved.
Article II. Wrecker Service
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 82-26. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings respectively ascribed to them, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise:
Auto wrecker shall mean any automobile, truck or other motor vehicle
used for the purpose of towing, carrying, pushing, or otherwise transporting any
wrecked or disabled motor vehicle from one place to another for any purpose,
including but not limited to the purpose of wrecking, storing or repairing the
vehicle. The term `auto wrecker' shall not be construed to include a service car
or other vehicle not equipped with mechanical devices for transporting wrecked
vehicles and not used for such purpose, such as service cars equipped with
compressed air containers and tools for performing minor repairs not involving
towing or transporting of wrecked or disabled vehicles or vehicles used by
citizens on rare occasions to push or pull other disabled vehicles. This
exception shall not authorize evasion of this chapter and if any vehicle, although
not equipped with devices primarily used for towing wrecked or disabled
vehicles, is actually used for such purposes through the means of ropes, chains
or otherwise, the same shall be considered an auto wrecker within the terms of
this chapter.
Consent tow shall mean any tow of a motor vehicle initiated by the
owner or operator of the vehicle or by a person who has possession, custody, or
control of the vehicle. The term does not include a tow of a motor vehicle
initiated by a peace officer investigating a traffic accident or a traffic incident
that involves the vehicle.
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Motor vehicle shall mean a vehicle subject to the registration
requirements of the Chapter 501 of the Texas Transportation Code, or any other
device designed to be self-propelled or transported on a public roadway.
Nonconsent tow shall mean any tow of a motor vehicle that is not a
consent tow.
Operate shall mean to use an auto wrecker to move a motor vehicle.
Police-authorized tow shall mean a nonconsent tow and shall mean the
towing of a motor vehicle when authorized by any police officer of the City
rather than by the owner or person in possession of such motor vehicle, under
circumstances of recovery of a stolen vehicle, removal of an abandoned,
wrecked, illegally parked, or disabled motor vehicle, a custodial arrest where
the owner or person in possession of the vehicle is incapable of making
arrangements for removal of the vehicle, or any other circumstance where a
police officer, in his official capacity, authorizes the towing of a motor vehicle
and the owner or person in possession is not present or is not capable of making
a determination with respect to such removaL
Permit holder shall mean any person, corporation, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership, partnership, or other entity created by the
State of Texas or any other state, which has been issued a valid wrecker service
permit from the City authorizing performance of nonconsent tows within the
corporate limits of the City in accordance with this Chapter.
Preservation shall mean the methods customarily used to protect the
interior of a motor vehicle from weather when the windows of such vehicle are
damaged.
Tow shall mean the act of transporting or moving an inoperable,
damaged, or otherwise disabled motor vehicle by means of hauling, pulling,
winching, or otherwise.
Vehicle storage facility shall mean a motor vehicle storage facility
situated within the City or within five (5) miles of the City, that is operating
under a current and valid license granted pursuant to the Vehicle Storage
Facility Act (TExAS REVisED CiviL STATUTES, art. 6687-9a), and that is in
compliance with all State rules and regulations governing vehicle storage
facilities, as well as all City ordinances affecting same.
Wrecker shall mean an auto wrecker.
Wrecker driver shall mean a person who operates an auto wrecker on
the streets of the City, whether on his own account or in the employ of another.
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Wrecker owner shall mean any person who is engaged in the operation
of an auto wrecker for hire and is the holder of a valid permit to operate such
auto wrecker within the Ciry.
Wrecker permit shall mean a permit to be issued annually by the City,
which authorizes the holder thereof to answer calls from the police department
for police-authorized tows pursuant to a police-authorized tow agreement and
nonconsent tows.
Sec. 82-27. Permit required for nonconsent tows.
All auto wrecker companies used for performing nonconsent tows within
the City shall have a valid Wrecker Pernut issued by the City and all auto
wrecker drivers must have a valid State wrecker operator's license.
5ec. 82-28. Nonconsent tows; notice.
(a) Whenever a person other than the registered owner or person in
possession of a motor vehicle authorizes the tow of a vehicle, that person or his
agent shall make an oral report to the City's police department within one (1)
hour of the time the vehicle was towed, which report shall include the following
information:
(1) The license plate of the towed vehicle;
(2) The vehicle identi�cation number of the towed vehicle;
(3) The year, make, model, and color of the towed vehicle;
(4) The name, address and telephone number of the person
authorizing the tow;
(5) The location from which the vehicle was towed, the date
and time of the tow, and the name, street address, and telephone number
of the vehicle storage facility to which the vehicle was taken; and
(6) The reason the vehicle was towed.
(b) In the case of a nonconsent tow, the wrecker driver shall, as soon as
reasonably possible, disclose in writing to an owner or his representative:
(1) The location to which the vehicle is being towed;
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(2) The telephone number at which information may be obtained
regarding the vehicle and any applicable storage fees; and
(3) The name of the person or persons to whom complaints against
the permitted auto wrecker drivers may be directed, if requested.
(c) The Chief of Police shall ensure that appropriate records are maintained
on vehicles taken in nonconsent tows so owners of such vehicles may obtain
information from the City's police department regarding the location of a towed
vehicle.
Sec. 82-29. Police-authorized tows.
(a) No auto wrecker company may perform police-authorized tows
unless authorized by a contract executed under this section.
(b) The Chief of Police may execute agreements to perform police-
authorized tows with persons or companies that hold wrecker permits. The
right to enter into such agreements shall be extended on a uniform basis to all
eligible persons who own or operate pernutted wrecker companies. Such
agreements shall be upon such terms and conditions as approved by the City
Council.
(c) The Chief of Police shall not enter into an agreement on behalf of
the City with any wrecker operator company if the company, or any employee
or owner of the permit holder (including partners of a partnership and
stockholders of a corporation), has had an agreement hereunder terminated for
cause within the preceding �ve (5) years. The foregoing provision shall apply
to agreements that are not renewed or are terminated by the operator under
threat of termination for cause in the same manner as those that have actually
been terminated for cause.
(d) The applicant for a police-authorized tow agreement under this
Section 82-29 shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Chief of Police
denying such application to the City Council within ten (10) days, which appeal
shall be perfected by delivering seven (7) copies of same, in writing, to the City
Council, stating that an appeal of the decision of the Chief of Police is desired
and the facts regarding same. The City Council will schedule a hearing as soon
as practicable after receiving the notice of appeal. After hearing the appeal the
City Council shall, within a period of five (5) days, sustain or reverse the
decision of the Chief of Police. If no appeal is taken from the findings made by
the Chief of Police within the time provided above, the decision of the Chief of
Police shall be final; otherwise, the decision of the City Council shall become
final.
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Sec. 82-30. Parking upon arrival.
Whenever an auto wrecker arrives at a place were a motor vehicle is
wrecked or disabled, the auto wrecker driver shall park his vehicle as close to
the street curb as possible and otherwise dispose of it in such a manner as not to
interfere with traffic. Once a police of�cer arrives on the scene, the auto
wrecker driver shall park his vehicle in the location directed by the officer.
The fact that a police officer is not present at the scene of an accident
when an auto wrecker driver arrives shall not constitute an exception to this
section nor any other section, and it shall be the duty of the wrecker owner or
driver desiring to tow or haul any wrecked or disabled vehicles from the scene
of an accident to cause the police to be notified of the occurrence of the accident
and to await the arrival of a police officer, if such accident resulted in injury or
death of a person, property damage to an apparent extent of at least $500, or
damage to public property.
Sec. 82-31. Designation of towing company.
(a) Upon arrival at the scene of a wrecked or disable vehicle the
police officer shall determine if a police-authorized tow is necessary. If a
police-authorized tow is necessary, the police officer shall advise dispatch and a
rotation list shall be utilized to dispatch the required number of wreckers to the
scene.
(b) If the owner or driver of a motor vehicle that is wrecked or
disabled has a wrecker preference, that request will be honored unless it would
cause undue delay and immediate towing is unnecessary. Any wrecker or
towing company may tow the vehicle at the owner or driver's request, as long
as such company has a valid State of Texas tow tag and cab card. If the
wrecked or disabled vehicle has any part or portion thereof upon the roadway,
the auto wrecker driver responding to the owner's or driver's request shall have
fifteen (15) minutes to arrive at the scene and remove such vehicle, or any part
thereof, or such shorter period of time if, in the discretion of the police officer
on the scene, such shorter period of time is necessary to protect the safety and
welfare of the public; otherwise, the vehicle may be towed pursuant to a police-
authorized tow.
Sec. 82-32. Required equipment.
The following equipment is required on every auto wrecker performing
nonconsent tows within the City:
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(a) Fire extinguisher(s), being defined as that piece of equipment
commonly carried to extinguish fires caused as a result of an auto accident or
collision. Such �re extinguisher shall be the standard BC type, either one 10-
pound or two 5-pound fire extinguishers with a gauge, properly filled and
readily accessible for use.
(b) Three (3) flares, each of which shall be capable of being seen and
distinguished at a distance of not less than six hundred feet (600') under normal
atmospheric conditions at nighttime.
(c) One broom of a type designed for pushing with an eighteen-inch
head and a handle of not less than thirty-six inches (36") in length.
(d) No less than five (5) gallons of dry sand or other absorbent which
is at least as effective as sand in absorbing liquid.
(e) One (1) five-gallon container to carry glass and debris cleaned
from streets when picking up a wrecked vehicle.
(� One (1) flat-edged shovel of at least nine inches (9") in width,
with a handle of not less than thirty-six inches (36") in length.
(g) One (1) wrecking bar of not less than thirty-six inches (36") in
length with a wedge head.
(h) At least one (1) flashing light visible within five hundred feet
(500') from a three hundred sixty degree (360°) radius.
(i) If the vehicle being towed does not have functional taillights,
temporary lighting must be provided.
(j) If the auto wrecker is a heavy-duty wrecker, it must be equipped
with a winch capable of lifting a minimum of thirty thousand (30,000) pounds.
If one (1) winch line is used it shall be at least three-fourths of an inch (3/4") in
diameter; if two (2) winch lines are used each shall be at least �ve-eighths inch
(5/8") in diameter. Additionally, a heavy duty wrecker shall be equipped with
an "A" frame capable of being used for lifting vehicles, trucks, trailers, or
equipment, air brakes and air lines, and must have a tow bar sufficient to
prevent the swinging of any vehicles or equipment being transported by such
heavy-duty wrecker.
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Sec. 82-33. Clearing debris.
(a) It shall be the duty of the wrecker driver of each auto wrecker
that picks up a wrecked or disabled vehicle for the purpose of towing, to clear
the street of any and all debris, parts, or glass. In the event two (2) or more
auto wreckers pick up vehicles for towing, it shall be the duty of each driver to
clear the street of debris, parts, or glass.
(b) Any other person who removes a wrecked or disabled vehicle
from a street shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon
the street from such vehicle.
Sec. 82-34. Charges, police-authorized and nonconsent tows.
(a) The maximum charges that an auto wrecker company may charge
for a police-authorized or nonconsent tow shall be set from time to time by
resolution adopted by the City Council.
(b) All charges shall be listed on the auto wrecker's invoice and the
permit holder shall maintain, at the permit holder's place of business, copies of
all invoices pertaining to nonconsent and police-authorized towing services for a
period of two (2) years from the invoice date. Any police officers may inspect
such invoice(s) during regular business hours. Every invoice required to be
kept under this section shall contain the towed vehicle's description by make,
model, year, license number, and name of the wrecker driver in addition to
charges incurred. Every invoice for a nonconsent tow shall include the above
information along with the name, address, and phone number of the person
authorizing the tow, and the reason the vehicle was towed, and the name, street
address, and telephone number where the vehicle was taken for storage. Every
invoice for police-authorized tows shall also include the name and badge number
of the police officer that authorized the tow.
Sec. 82-35 -- 82-50. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. AUTO WRECKER SERVICE PERMITS
Sec. 82-51. Application.
Any company desiring to perform nonconsent tows within the City shall
make application to the Chief of Police for a wrecker service permit, which
application shall be submitted on a form provided by the Chief of Police, and
signed an notarized. Each application shall contain the following information:
(a) A statement that the applicant is a citizen of the United States and
has attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
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(b) For each auto wrecker company for which a pernut is sought, the
applicant shall provide the following information:
(1) Year and make;
(2) Vehicle identification number;
(3) Current Texas license plate number;
(4) Name, address, and telephone number of the auto
wrecker's owner; and the name, address, and operator's license number
for each person who will be an operator of each such auto wrecker;
(5) A certificate of insurance evidencing the type and amounts
of coverage as required and specified by Section 82-60 of this
Ordinance;
(6) A signed statement agreeing to comply with the wrecker
service and vehicle storage fees established by the City;
(7) A signed statement disclosing what, if any, pecuniary
interest the auto wrecker operator may have in any person or entity that
repairs or sells motor vehicles within the City;
(8) A true and correct copy of the current auto wrecker
vehicle registration for each auto wrecker;
(9) If the applicant is a corporation, a certificate of good
standing issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas;
(10) A statement of the fees the applicant proposes to charge
for nonconsent tows, including fees, if any, for special towing services
or equipment;
(11) A copy of a valid license issued pursuant to the Texas
Vehicle Storage Facility Act for the storage facility the applicant
proposes to use.
(c) If an applicant is a corporation, limited liability corporation,
limited liability partnership, partnership, or any other entity created within the
State of Texas or any other state, or proposes to operate under a name other
than that of the applicant owner, the name(s) and address(es) of the corporate
officers, partners, or the true business owner. A wrecker service permit issued
to one such entity is not transferable to another without the written approval of
the Chief of Police.
Sec. 82-52. Fee.
(a) The application for a wrecker permit required by the provisions
of this article shall be accompanied by the first annual permit fee of fifteen and
no/100 dollars ($15.00). There shall be one fee paid by each auto wrecker
company that desires a permit, regardless of the number of auto wreckers such
company operates pursuant to the permit.
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(b) Each such permit fee shall be paid annually, and must be paid not
less than thirty (30) days prior to expiration of such permit.
Sec. 82-53. Permit application hearing; considerations as to public
convenience and necessity of applied for service.
(a) Each application filed shall be subject to review and public
hearing at a time and place to be determined by the Chief of Police. Notice of
such hearing shall be given to the applicant and to all persons to who permits
have already been issued. Notice to the general public shall be given by posting
such notice at City Hall not less than ten (10) days prior thereto.
(b) In determining whether a permit will issue to an applicant, the
Chief of Police shall consider whether public convenience and necessity require
the issuance of such pernut. The deternunation may take into consideration the
following:
(1) The demonstrated financial responsibility of the applicant;
(2) The number of vehicles applicant proposes to operate;
(3) Whether the applicant has ever been convicted of any
related felony or misdemeanor, as described in Sections 411.122 and
411.123 of the Texas Government Code;
(4) The make, model, and type of auto wrecker(s) and how
each such auto wrecker is to be equipped;
(5) The location, size, and security afforded to each such
vehicle storage facility to be used for towed vehicles;
(6) The reasonableness of fees proposed for towing and
storage services by the applicant, and whether such fees comply with the
schedule of fees therefore, as established from time to time by City
Council;
(7) Whether the auto wrecker company or the auto wrecker
for which a permit is sought will be operated by the owner or by his
employees, within the context of a bona-fide employment relationship;
(8) Whether the applicant proposes to own, rent, or lease the
auto wrecker to be used;
(9) Whether the applicant proposes to own, rent, or lease the
vehicle storage facility to be used; and
(10) Whether public convenience and necessity will be met by
issuance of an additional permit for the provision of auto wrecker
services within the City.
Sec. 82-54. Time limitation on new application after denial.
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An applicant denied a permit by the Chief of Police or by the City
Manager on appeal shall not be considered again for a permit for a period of one
(1) year from the date of the prior application.
Sec. 82-55. Special reporting requirements for created entities.
A permit holder doing business as a partnership, corporation, limited
liability partnership, limited liability company, or any other form of entity
created and recognized by Texas law, or by the law of any other state, shall be
required to report, in writing, to the Chief of Police of any change in the
ownership, directorship, or official management of such entity within ten (10)
days of such change. Failure to report any such changes shall be cause for
immediate suspension or revocation of the permit held by the entity.
Sec. 82-56. Immediate storage of vehicles required; exception.
All vehicles towed by an auto wrecker permit holder shall be taken
immediately to the permit holder's approved vehicle storage facility, unless
instructed by a police officer or the owner of the vehicle to deliver the vehicle to
another location.
Sec. 82-57. Hours of operation for vehicle storage facility.
A permit holder shall be responsible for maintaining and operating a
vehicle storage facility so that vehicles may be received and released during the
specified times required pursuant to the Texas Vehicle Storage Facility Act.
Sec. 82-58. Removal of vehicle from accident scene.
No damaged or inoperative motor vehicle shall be removed from the
scene of an accident by its owner or by an auto wrecker service, without first
notifying the Police Department.
Sec. 82-59. Solicitation.
No employee of the City shall recommend to any person, directly or
indirectly, either by word or gesture, sign, or otherwise, the name of any
particular auto wrecker service, nor shall any City employee influence or
attempt to influence in any manner a decision of a person in choosing or
selecting an auto wrecker service.
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Sec. 82-60. Insurance.
(a) Before any permit shall be issued under the provisions of this
article, or before any renewal of such pernut shall be granted, the applicant or
permittee shall be required to file with the Chief of Police, and keep in full force
and effect during the term of such permit, satisfactory evidence that the
applicant or permittee has provided proof of financial responsibility to the Texas
Department of Public Safety, as that term is defined in the Texas Motor Vehicle
Safety Responsibility Act (TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 601.002, et seq.,
Vernon 1996), and has complied with the provisions of such Act, as currently
enforced or hereafter amended. I
(b) The Chief of Police is authorized to promulgate reasonable
regulations as to the type and character of evidence that shall be required to
show that the applicant or permittee has provided proof of financial
responsibility to the Texas Department of Public Safety. If such proof of
financial responsibility is evidenced by an insurance policy, such policy shall be
carried with an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of
Texas and performable in Harris and Galveston Counties. The Chief of Police
shall suspend, cancel, or revoke any auto wrecker permit, without further notice
to the applicant or permittee, if financial responsibility is found to not be in full
force and effect at any time.
(c) The insurance required by this section shall be for limits of not
less the minimum required by State law. Proof of insurance shall be in the form
of a Certificate of Insurance issued to the City and must be attached to the auto
wrecker permit application.
Sec. 82-61. Issuance.
After the applicant has filed an auto wrecker permit application, permit
fee, and Certificate of Insurance, and the Chief of Police has examined same and
found them to be in compliance with the terms of this article, and such
application has been approved by the Chief of Police, the permit shall be issued
to the applicant the appropriate permit to operate an auto wrecker within the
City.
Sec. 82-62. Contents.
Every pernut issued under the provisions of this article shall be dated
and numbered, shall bear upon its face a notice that the same expires one (1)
year from the date of issuance, and shall show the make, model, motor number,
and state license number of each auto wrecker permitted to operate within the
City and, where the applicant has entered into a police-authorized tow
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agreement with the City, the wrecker decal or license tag given to it by the
Chief of Police.
Sec. 82-63. Replacement of vehicle.
Whenever a pernuttee wishes to discontinue the use of an auto wrecker
during the period covered by a permit and replace such auto wrecker with
another, the permittee shall file an affidavit stating that the use of the auto
wrecker covered by the permit has been discontinued, and that the wrecker
owner desires to use another auto wrecker in its place. A certificate from the
permit holder's surety or insurer shall be attached to the affidavit evidencing
that such surety or insurer has been notified thereof and agrees thereto. The
Chief of Police shall then issue to the permittee a supplemental permit covering
the new auto wrecker and cause the description of the old auto wrecker to be
canceled from the original permit. In the affidavit, the certificate from the
surety or insurer, and the supplemental permit, the old and new auto wreckers
shall be described by make, model, motor number, State tow tag number, State
license number, and decal or license tag, if applicable.
Sec. 82-64. Rules; regulations.
The Chief of Police is empowered to prescribe rules and regulations for
displaying signs on auto wreckers showing that the same have been licensed as
herein provided. The name, address, and telephone number of the permit
holder shall be clearly visible and shall, at a minimum, meet the following
requirements:
(a) The name and telephone number of the permit holder shall be in
letters not less than three inches (3") in height and located on all doors of the
auto wrecker.
(b) The address of the permit holder shall be in letters not less than
two inches (2") in height and located on the doors of the auto wrecker.
Sec. 82-65. Expiration.
All permits issued under the provisions of this article are nontransferable
and shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance.
Sec. 82-66. Revocation.
A pernut issued under the provisions of this article may be denied,
suspended, canceled, or revoked by order of the Chief of Police for any of the
following reasons:
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(a) The permit holder has not been in compliance with the
requirements of this article at any time since the permit has been issued;
(b) The permit holder has committed any violation of State law
regulating auto wreckers;
(c) The permit holder has committed any violation of City ordinances
regulating auto wreckers;
(d) The permit holder has violated any rules or regulations issued by
the authority of the Chief of Police;
(e) There have been three (3) or more violations of City ordinances
regulating auto wreckers within any one-year period by any one (1) auto
wrecker driver operating a wrecker of the permit holder or by any other agents
or employees of the permit holder;
(� There have been four (4) or more moving violations of the motor
vehicle laws of the State within any one (1) year by any one (1) driver while
operating a wrecker of the permit holder;
(g) The permit holder knowingly supplied false or incomplete
information to obtain or maintain a permit;
(h) The permit holder has been convicted of a felony or placed on
probation within the last three (3) years, or convicted of a crime involving moral
turpitude within the last ten (10) years; or
(i) The permit holder, or his agent or employee, fails to respond to
wrecker calls from the City's police department in such a manner as to create
unnecessary delays in the removal of wrecked or disabled vehicles from the
roadway.
Sec. 82-67. Appeal.
An applicant for a permit under this article shall have the right to appeal
the decision of the Chief of Police to the City Council within ten (10) days of
receipt of the notice denying such permit, which appeal shall be perfected by
delivering, in writing, seven (7) copies of same to the City Council, stating that
an appeal from the decision of the Chief of Police is desired and the facts
regarding same. The City Council will schedule a hearing as soon as
practicable after receiving such notice of appeal, grant a hearing thereon, and
after the hearing of the appeal, shall within a period of five (5) days, sustain or
reverse the decision of the Chief of Police. If no appeal is taken from the
findings made by the Chief of Police within the time provided above, the
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decision of the Chief of Police shall be final; otherwise the decision of the City
Council shall become final."
Section 3. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in an amount not
to exceed two thousand and no/100 dollars ($2,000.00). Each day in which any violation shall
occur, or each occurrence of any violation, shall constitute a separate offense.
5ection 4. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent or in conflict herewith
are, to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict, hereby repealed.
Section 5. In the event any clause phrase, provision, sentence, or part of this
Ordinance or the application of the same to any person or circumstances shall for any reason be
adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate this Ordinance as a whole or any part or provision hereof other than the part
declared to be invalid or unconstitutional; and the City Council of the City of Friendswood,
declares that it would have passed each and every part of the same notwithstanding the omission
of any such part thus declared to be invalid or unconstitutional, whether there be one or more
parts.
PASSED AND APPROVED on �rst reading this 17"' day of June, 2002.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on second and final reading this lst day of July,
2002.
�.,
�
Harold L. Whitaker
Mayor
ATTEST
Motion: Councilmember Kim Brizendine
2nd: Councilmember Kitten Brizendine
Delaris McKenzie, C Approved: 6-0
City Secretary
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