Red Bay set to impound cars
RED BAY- Council members amended and adopted an ordinance providing the impoundment and forfeiture of automobiles where operators are unable to produce a valid driver’s license on the demand of a law enforcement officer during their regularly scheduled city council meeting Monday night.
Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe made a few minor adjustments to the bill before putting it on the table to be amended and adopted.
“There is a $25 impoundment fee listed in the ordinance and I believe we should remove the fee and leave that up to the owner of the vehicle,” he said. “I don’t believe the city of Red Bay should be in the money making business.”
After the adjustments were made, the ordinance was amended and adopted and will be effective 45 days after its adoption and publication.
The ordinance states that if a driver is unable to produce a valid driver’s license on the demand of a law enforcement officer, the motor vehicle is subject to impoundment regardless of ownership, unless the law enforcement officer is reasonably able, by other means, to verify that the driver is properly licensed.
Prior to impounding the motor vehicle, a law enforcement officer shall make a reasonable attempt to verify the license status of a driver who claims to be properly licensed, but who is unable to produce a license to an officer on demand. A notation of the officer’s attempt to verify that the driver is properly licensed shall be noted on the departmental report.
The driver and occupants of the motor vehicle will be transported to a place of safety by the impounding officer and a vehicle impound report will be made with a full inventory of items inside the motor vehicle.
“I believe our police department will make all efforts not to tow a vehicle,” said councilwoman Charlene Fancher. “There are several options listed in the ordinance to avoid the towing. They have this type of ordinance in other cities and I believe it is something we should have as well.”
In other business:
• Applications are now being accepted for a full-time parks and recreation director in Red Bay. A subcommittee was formed to specify job requirements and salary for the position. The position was presented and passed during the Monday night meeting. Deadline for applicants has been set for 12 p.m. on May 25, 2010. For more information contact Red Bay city hall
• The council received bids and awarded Burks Computer Works to be the company to install a router and six fiber optic media converters to finish out the fiber optic project providing services and connecting city hall, police department and the senior citizen center.
• Two resolutions regarding the $225,000 energy grant received to update the wastewater treatment lagoon were passed. The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) will be providing the administrative services, while Utility Engineering Consultants, LLC, will be handling the engineering aspects of the project.
• Council members decided to pass a Juvenile Custody Policy and Procedures with the recommendation of Red Bay Police Chief Jana Jackson. Jackson said juveniles must be handled differently when being taken into custody and the passing of the guidelines will help officers to know the right way and wrong way to handle juvenile delinquents.
• The council approved to purchase two hand-held GPS units for the Franklin County TACT team. Members of the TACT team when in a crisis situation will use the two units.
• Mayor Forsythe would like to thank Probate Judge Barry Moore and the County Commission for the use of the highway facility located on old Vina road. Forsythe said the building would greatly meet their needs.
