Committee pauses on towing appeals, asks staff to verify signage and CodeRED notices after repeated complaints

A persistent theme at the Dec. 18 Salem City claims meeting was residents’ complaints about street‑sweeping signage and whether notification systems were functioning before towing enforcement.

Several claimants told the committee they did not see signs or received no advance warning. Councilor Cohen summarized the practical problem, noting that even when the city posts signs they do not always specify a side and placement can be uneven. He asked, in effect, how residents are supposed to know: “...how many people look at our social media?”

Staff and councilors also raised the possibility that CodeRED voice alerts had been interrupted. One discussion noted a claimant who said the CodeRED voice message did not arrive before a tow; members asked DPW and parking staff (and Ray specifically) to check logs and sign‑posting records. The committee voted to keep multiple towing and street‑sweeping appeals in committee while staff verifies when signs went up and whether notification systems were operating.

The committee recorded motions to deny a number of claims where investigators found no prior notice of defects or where third parties were responsible, but left in committee those appeals needing documentary verification (signage photographs, DPW installation records, and CodeRED logs). Members instructed staff to return with findings so the committee can resolve outstanding reimbursements and potential policy gaps in signage or notification timing.

Next steps: DPW/Parking and Legal will review sign placement dates and CodeRED logs and report back to the committee; the committee will revisit the held appeals once staff provides the requested documentation.