Des Moines council approves towing contract, agrees to work session on private-towing rules

Des Moines’ City Council on Feb. 23 authorized a contract for municipal towing and storage while agreeing to hold a focused work session to examine private-towing practices and propose regulations.

Council considered item 35, accepting a proposal and authorizing a contract with Crow Auto Service Inc. for vehicle towing, storage and auctioneering services. Councilmember Mandelbaum, who pulled the item for discussion, said residents have reported aggressive towing tactics and high fees and cited an external evaluation that found Iowa has weak consumer protections for towing. Mandelbaum moved to approve the contract while attaching three commitments: a work session on private-towing regulation before March; a draft ordinance made available at that session; and placement of an ordinance on a future council agenda no later than May that would address private-towing definitions, payment methods, limits on fees, access to personal property, drop fees and transparency around auction proceeds.

The city attorney told the council the legal authority to regulate private civil relationships is not automatically guaranteed under home-rule powers and that staff would need to research whether an independent city power exists to support such regulation. City staff said the recommended vendor meets RFP requirements, that some contract provisions were added to reduce fees and accelerate notice to vehicle owners, and that the vendor maintains storage facilities within Des Moines limits.

After extended discussion, the council voted to approve the contract and the added commitments connected to follow-up work: the motion passed 5–2. The council did not record individual vote names in the public record during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will schedule the requested work session and provide the draft ordinance and contract documentation to the council and public ahead of that discussion.