City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 3 June 9, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 4.3
DATE: June 9, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Police Towing Rotation List and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreements for Towing Services with Jack James Tow Service, Inc. and Island Auto Towing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the police towing rotation list and authorizing the City Manager to execute non-exclusive franchise agreements for towing services with Jack James Tow Service, Inc. and Island Auto Towing.
BACKGROUND
The Police Department requires the services of a towing company to remove a vehicle from a public street or City-owned property. This need may arise after a traffic accident or when a vehicle is involved in a crime or parked illegally. To ensure the efficient and safe removal of vehicles, and to provide a dependable towing service to the City, the Municipal Code establishes minimum standards for vehicle towing services. Chapter
10.17 of the Union City Municipal Code governs the selection of companies to provide towing services to the Union City Police Department.
Chapter 10.17 provides that the Chief of Police shall maintain a list of up to three companies to provide these towing services. Companies selected to be on the tow rotation list are required to sign a non-exclusive franchise agreement with the City to provide towing services for a five-year term. The City most recently executed towing service agreements in 2021, which will expire on June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION
On February 3, 2026, the City released a Request for Proposal seeking qualified companies to provide towing services for the Union City Police Department (the “RFP”).
The RFP detailed the services the City requested, the required content of proposals, and the deadline for submitting responses. The RFP also established fixed, standardized Agenda Item No. 4.3
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 3 June 9, 2026
towing rates, ensuring fair and predictable pricing for both the City and vehicle owners.
The City received responses from three towing companies. The companies were evaluated based on several criteria, including responsiveness to the RFP requirements, experience, capability to provide the required services, and ability to provide the services without delay. The Police Department also performed background investigations regarding the companies and checked references. The Police Department believes that two towing companies are sufficient to meet the department’s needs. However, a third tow company can be added in the future if needed.
Based on these criteria, staff identified Jack James Tow Service, Inc. and Island Auto Towing as the two companies most qualified and able to provide towing services pursuant to Municipal Code Chapter 10.17. If approved by the City Council, these companies will enter into non-exclusive franchise agreements for towing services. The agreement will go into effect on July 1, 2026, and have a term of five years. When the City needs a vehicle to be towed, the Police Department will contact one of these two companies to perform the work. The franchise agreements also establish the rates the companies may charge for their towing services. In most situations, these fees are paid by the owner of the towed vehicle. The fee for tows paid by the City is $51.
The tow fee schedule in the franchise agreement represents a 2.5% increase over the expiring franchise agreement fees, and a staff survey found these rates are comparable to those of neighboring jurisdictions and the California Highway Patrol. In 2025, the Union City Police Department initiated 204 tows for stored vehicles, vehicles parked over 72 hours, and expired registration; the associated towing charges are the responsibility of the vehicle owners. Within the same year, the City also utilized and paid $5,343 for towing requested by the Police and Public Works departments.
FISCAL IMPACT
Each towing company placed on the City’s tow rotation list is required to pay the City a franchise fee of $7,500 per year. If the proposed resolution is approved, the two companies will pay the City a combined $15,000 per year. This money is deposited into the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the police towing rotation list and authorizing the City Manager to execute non-exclusive franchise agreements for towing services with Jack James Tow Service, Inc. and Island Auto Towing.
Prepared by: Andrew Holt, Police Captain
Submitted by: Jared Rinetti, Police Chief
Agenda Item No. 4.3
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 3 June 9, 2026
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution
2. Jack James Tow Company Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for Towing Services
3. Island Tow Company Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for Towing Services