Portage looking to toughen towing regulations
Joyce Russell
January 04, 2017
NWI Times
PORTAGE — The City Council is looking at two ordinances aimed at making city business more transparent.
One is aimed at tightening regulations regarding the use of towing companies and was suggested by Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham following the November indictment of Mayor James Snyder. One count of the federal indictment involves bribery and a local tow company.
"This whole thing originated with an email I sent to the council and (Police Chief) Troy (Williams) seeking clarification of the city's current tow policy," Stidham said. "At the December council meeting I asked the council to draft a stronger ordinance addressing this issue.
"The whole goal is to simply make the process public. Currently, it is all the discretion of the chief of police. I didn't even know what tow companies were on the list prior to the indictments. So at the very least with the new ordinance people will know when the tow companies change," Stidham said.
The present tow policy was developed by former Police Chief Mark Becker and modeled after the one used by the Porter County Sheriff's Department. It was maintained when Troy Williams was named chief five years ago.
Basically, the policy sets forth a procedure to get on the city's towing list and lists various requirements of a towing company and sets fees the towing company can collect. The city does not collect fees from the towing company. If the company meets the requirements, it is signed by the police chief.
The proposed ordinance, which was introduced Tuesday night at a council meeting, would require the agreements between the police chief and towing company to also be approved by the Board of Works. Snyder was present at the beginning of the council meeting, but excused himself due to a previous engagement and left before discussion on the proposed ordinance began.
The ordinance passed first reading, with Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, voting against it.
"We need more discussion on it. There is no emergency. We need to discuss it in front of a full council," Cannon said. Council members Mark Oprisko and Liz Modesto were absent.
The second ordinance, which was suggested by Oprisko, would require all agreements, contracts, memorandums of understanding, pacts or commitments except those made by the Parks and Recreation Board, Port Authority Board or Redevelopment Commission to also be approved by the Board of Works.
Councilman Colin Czilli introduced an amendment to the ordinance which would require copies of contracts from the four boards to be presented to the City Council for review.
After discussion the council tabled the ordinance, saying members needed greater clarification on documents included in the approval and review process.
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