The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department requests that City Council approve Change Order #1 to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Houston and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to fund the continuation of the Tow & Go Program. This amendment includes an additional $1,820,000.00 not to exceed the total amount of $5,725,000.00 and also extends the term of the agreement from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
The purpose of the Tow & Go Program is to quickly remove stalled vehicles from area freeways to a nearby safe location at no cost to the motorist, thereby reducing traffic congestion and secondary crashes. Vehicles can be towed to a nearby storage lot where they will be stored at no cost for up to 48 hours. Storage fees accrue after 48 hours. The Tow and Go service and related incident management activities currently operate within unincorporated Harris County, as well as the cities of Bellaire, Deer Park, Houston, Humble, Jersey Village, La Porte, Pasadena, and Webster. Towing costs are $70.00 per tow and are funded by the Houston Galveston Area Council as part of this Intergovernmental agreement.
The H-GAC Board and Transportation Policy Council recently approved an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to add $1,820,000.00 of funding to support continued operations of the Tow and Go program in the City of Houston. The amendment also includes an extension of the current contract to June 30, 2025. Current contract expires on December 31, 2024.
The Houston Police Department is also seeking City Council authorization for the Chief of Police, or designated representative, to serve as the City's official agent in the grant application process. This authorization would allow the Chief or designee to accept and utilize any awarded grant funds, as well as manage additional funds for extensions with the grant's budget period, if applicable. Additionally, this request includes permission for the Mayor to execute all necessary agreements related to the grant, contingent on the City Attorney's approval, for a period not to exceed five years.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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J. Noe Diaz, Jr.
Chief of Police