Council pauses action on new towing contract after court preserves status quo; debate over late materials

The council did not act on a proposed towing contract after a court ordered preservation of the status quo in Area Towing v. City of Taylor, and members spent a substantial portion of the meeting disputing when litigation materials were distributed.

“The court decided today was to, just in fairness to all the parties, preserve the status quo and to not have the council rule on accepting the contract with JT Koval at this time,” the city attorney said, explaining the court’s order and that fuller briefing is expected in January. Public commenters pressed the administration over the choice of a replacement vendor; one resident alleged ties between the vendor and criminal investigations in Detroit, saying the administration was “expediting the removal of the current tow vendor in favor of one that has been associated with multiple criminal investigations.”

Councilmembers also debated process: several said they received litigation-related documents late (one said the injunction notice arrived around 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting), and some asked that future litigation materials be provided earlier so members can review them before voting. Police and administration staff said background checks had been initiated or completed for vendors and employees but said legal limits (CJIS and other protections) restrict what can be shared in open session. The police lieutenant and staff offered a closed-session briefing and explained that CJIS certification would be required for council members to receive some restricted records.