The meeting is only able to be attended in person. Here is a list of upcoming meetings and the meeting location

The meeting is yet to begin as there were a few technical difficulties

Meeting attendees have a large binder for the meeting there are no printed agendas or documents and there don’t seem to be many copies of the binders to go around

The meeting was moved from its original location to the Dexter Conference room in suite 308

Meeting called to order at 1:12pm

Roll Call was taken and there is a quorum present.

The first item to discuss was a review of the minutes from a Special Meeting from August 15, 2024

Here is what the book attendees are allowed to follow along in looks like

Approval of the minutes from last weeks meeting were tabled pending receipt of corrections from Commissioner Adams

CHAIR REMARKS - Laura Goodspeed Has reached out to City Council re: a Sept 16th presentation. Also asked that media visitors not include proposed rates as they are not approved by Council yet

🗣️ PUBLIC COMMENT 🗣️ Each speaker will have 2 minutes to speak

In-person Commenter from Troy’s Towing asked that the commission take into consideration info previous submitted re: towing boats, RVs and non-regular tows and to consider rates for using drying agents

In-person Commenter from another towering company thanking the commission for working in improving tow rates

🗣️ END OF PUBLIC COMMENT 🗣️

Now the commission is discussing the categories and rates for towing, it was stated that the commission has but been agreed on the medium-heavy duty rates

Commissioner Adams suggested: Less than 10,000lbs = Light Duty 10,000-33,000 = Medium Duty Over 33,000 = Heavy Duty

Commissioner Goodwin suggested that the commission follow the guidelines of the Towing Recovery Association of America

Commissioner Goodwin’s suggestion Less than 10,000 = Light Duty 10,000 a 26,000 = Medium Duty Above 26,000 = Heavy Duty

The current guidelines show 10,000lbs of less = Light Duty 10,001 - 60,000 = Medium Duty 60,001 and Above = Heavy Duty

Commissioner Goodspeed stated that the commission will only support vetted standards and guidelines because current rates do not have any support or rationale.

A motion was made to accept the TRAA guidelines suggested my Commissioner Goodwin. The motion was passed 3-1, with only Commissioner Adams opposing

The next category for discussion is Boats, RVs, and Trailers, which have pricing based on length.

Multiple commissioners have raised questions in how to classify boats and trailers, either by weight or length

Commissioner Adams motioned that RVs be classified under the vehicle category. The motion passed unanimously

Boats, and Trailers, which have pricing based on length. The proposed pricing categories 16ft and under = Light Duty 17ft - 24ft = Medium Duty Over 24ft = Heavy Duty

Commissioner Adams suggested raising the minimum length of the tow to 20ft. Commissioner Goodwin asked that the towing companies represented in the room speak to this issue.

A representative for Troy’s Towing informed the commission that because of the length of different weight towing trucks, it impacts the trucks the towers send. Light duty tow trucks go up to 19ft, medium duty trucks go up to 22ft, and heavy duty trucks go up to 32ft

After much discussion a motion was made to have a flat fee for Boats and Trailers instead of categorizing them as light, medium or heavy. The motion failed. The discussion will resume at the next meeting to include the flat rate suggestion

Disposal of boats and trailers if currently being handled by Remove, Recycle, ReMarket LLC. Commissioner Adams reviewed the fee schedule showing what the city currently pays for disposal.

Towers in the meeting stated that they have previously had to store and dispose of unclaimed boats and trailers and had no means of being reimbursed. Commissioners Adams stated that the majority of boats and trailers towed by the city are never claimed

There are representatives from at least 5 towing companies in the meeting

The Commission reviewed the last two categories of Miscellaneous and Out-of-Town

NEW BUSINESS. Review Comparison of the 2021 and 1984 Towing Rate Ordinances. One item Chair Goodspeed highlighted is that if the Commission fails to give a recommendation by October 1st City Council can set the rates without any recommendation.

One commissioner asked if a vehicle is sold for more than the city’s costs, is the owner reimbursed. Comm. Adams stated that process from vehicle sales must pay: 1. Storage, 2. Towing, 3. Admin fee, 4. $40 fee with $25 to State of MI and $15 to the city, 5. Treasury returns owner

NEW BUSINESS. Discuss need and proposed dates Code Special Called Meetings. The commission voted to meet next on August 29th at 1:00pm

There were no Commissioner’s Reports

Meeting adjourned at 2:54pm

If you feel there are errors or corrections needed to these tweets or you have questions, please contact documenters@outliermedia.org

This concludes my live-tweeting of the 2024 Tow Rate Commission Meeting for 8/22/24. For more meeting coverage, check out: detroit.documenters.org