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Council tables proposed wrecker/towing and hazmat-response ordinance after tow‑company concerns
Summary
Council delayed action on a package of ordinances that would change wrecker/towing rotation rules and add a separate rotation for hazardous-material remediation after tow operators and chiefs urged further stakeholder review; the measure was tabled to the June 8 public works meeting.
The City of Muskogee public works committee on May 11 tabled a proposed set of ordinances that would amend Chapter 22 on wrecker and towing services and establish rules for hazardous-material remediation providers.
Staff attorney Miss Spencer introduced the package as a series of amendments to response-time requirements, rotation-list procedures and a new paragraph requiring state‑certified hazardous‑material providers to be called for certain spills. She said the city attorney's office recommended edits to clarify that hazardous-material remediation providers have a separate rotation from wrecker services.
Chiefs from fire and police told the committee they want a separate hazmat rotation because only state‑certified remediation providers can legally perform full hazmat remediation and there are few such providers locally. Chief Moore said the change would help reopen roadways more quickly by ensuring qualified remediation companies respond when appropriate.
Ryan Cooper, general manager of Dee's Record Service, urged the council to disapprove or at least postpone the ordinance for additional stakeholder discussion. Cooper cited the Highway Spill Response Act (Title 27 §4‑1‑1103) and state tow‑service rules, saying many roadway spills involve diesel or motor oil that may not meet the statute's definition of a "significant release." He also warned that calling remediation companies instead of wreckers could create billing, possession and storage complications because state law and towing rules give wreckers established procedures and possessory liens for vehicles removed after nonconsensual tows.
Following public comment, a council member moved to table the ordinance and reschedule it for the next public works meeting on June 8 to allow the city attorney's office, police and fire departments and tow‑service stakeholders to meet and seek a mutually acceptable solution; the motion was seconded and adopted by roll call.
The ordinance packet will be revisited June 8, and the city attorney's office will coordinate stakeholder outreach in the interim.
