Samuels Fights Against Higher Towing Fees

The City of Richmond is considering a new contract with the company that tows away cars within City limits. Councilman Charles R. Samuels is hoping to keep the rate the same at $65 instead of raising it to $95. Full article from the RTD here. Highlights below: “Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration and the City Council are […]

April 12, 2010; 9:46 AM • by Fan of the Fan

The City of Richmond is considering a new contract with the company that tows away cars within City limits. Councilman Charles R. Samuels is hoping to keep the rate the same at $65 instead of raising it to $95.

Full article from the RTD here. Highlights below:

“Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration and the City Council are considering increasing the standard towing rate from $65 to $95 as part of a new, one-year contract with Seibert’s Towing.

The city currently receives about $15 each time Seibert’s or one of its subcontractors tows a vehicle on behalf of the city, leaving the owner with a base bill of $65, said Victoria Pearson Benjamin, general counsel for the Richmond Police Department and chairwoman of the city’s Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and the Storage of Vehicles.

Under a proposed new contract with Seibert’s, the city’s share of each tow would rise to $19 if the rate remains $65, or it would rise to $22 if the rate rises to $95.

Councilman Charles R. Samuels, who represents the Fan District and other neighborhoods that rely heavily on street parking, said he appreciates that towing companies are facing higher costs, but he’s also concerned about how an increase would affect residents, including students at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I would imagine that folks . . . are really going to be concerned about this because we are still in a recession and every penny counts,” he said.

The City Council will consider the issue tomorrow when it decides whether to authorize Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall to sign the new contract with Seibert’s. The city’s previous 10-year contract with the company expired March 31 and was not eligible for renewal.”

April 12, 2010 9:46 AM 0