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Assembly member flags towing problems from AO 2024-77; APD warns of contractor shortfall
Summary
An Assembly member raised concerns on Feb. 5 that AO 2024-77, which allowed one-time access to impounded vehicles, combined with unclaimed cars and insufficient auction recoveries, is straining towing contractors and may affect contract renewals for municipal tow services.
Assembly member Karen Branga and Chief Christopher Case discussed operational issues tied to AO 2024-77 during the Feb. 5 committee meeting after Branga raised a specific case: a vehicle left in northeast Anchorage for over 200 days. Branga said AO 2024-77 — a municipal amendment that gave one-time access for people to retrieve possessions from impounded vehicles — has created new tasks for towing operators and the police department.
Chief Case described the resulting financial pressures on the municipality’s towing vendor pool. He said APD revised its towing practice for certain criminal tows (title 9.28 offenses) so officers attempt to release a vehicle to a sober, licensed driver or another available person before impounding, reducing mandatory impounds. But when vehicles are impounded, daily storage and administrative fees accrue; many vehicles are not claimed, auctions do not recover full fees, and the costs are not always collected. Case said the combination of AO 2024-77’s access provision, long-unclaimed vehicles and existing auction shortfalls contributes to a loss the contractor absorbs and that some vendors have signaled they may not renew contracts when they come up for renewal in May.
The current towing contract includes two possible one-year renewals; Case said the Assembly may need to consider options — including targeted ordinance changes or other procurement steps — if the existing contractor does not renew. Assembly members on the committee emphasized they do not want to undo AO 2024-77, which they characterized as a constituent-rights measure; they asked APD and administration staff to gather additional bid and operational data and to explore new solicitations to avoid being left without contracted towing capacity.
Committee members requested data: recent five-year trends on unclaimed-vehicle rates, auction recovery rates and contractor bid history. No formal votes or contract awards were taken at the Feb. 5 meeting; APD said it will work with Assembly members on possible ordinance adjustments and procurement planning.
