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8. Vehicles will not be released, sold or dismantled until a signed release form has <br />been obtained from the Santa Ana Police Department. The signed release form will <br />be kept by the towing company as proof of authority for the release. <br />9. Release forms are required for all impounded vehicles. The release form will indicate <br />they are from the Santa Ana Police Department and shall only be signed by <br />authorized members of the Police Department. <br />a. Stolen vehicles recovered by the Police Department will be released to the <br />victim/owner by the Contractor with proof of ownership. Unless specifically noted, <br />no release will be required from the Police Department. <br />b. Stolen vehicles recovered by the Police Department requiring further <br />investigation as determined by the handling officer will be impounded pursuant to <br />CVC § 22655.5, thereby placing a hold on the vehicle. The impound box will be <br />marked along with an explanation in the narrative. These vehicles will not be <br />released until the victim/owner obtains a release from the Police Department. <br />c. If the owner of the vehicle is unable to prove ownership to the tow agency, they <br />will be referred to the Santa Ana Police Department and a release will be issued <br />once ownership is established. <br />10. When a vehicle is impounded, the towing company will place the word "hold" or other <br />similar notation on the windshield of the vehicle. This is to minimize unauthorized <br />contact with the vehicle and to provide control measures to prevent the inadvertent <br />release. <br />a. The responsibility for determining and placing the word "hold" or other similar <br />notation on the windshield of the vehicle will be the responsibility of the <br />Contractor at the time of vehicle possession. The Contractor's employee <br />signature on the storage/impound report will acknowledge an understanding of <br />the type of report completed by the officer and any necessary holds. The <br />Contractor should clarify any misunderstandings or omissions on the report at <br />this time. <br />11. Vehicles towed or stored with an "evidence hold" shall not be touched, moved or <br />tampered with in any manner without the written consent of the City's Project <br />Manager or designee. <br />12. The Contractor agrees to tow and store vehicles taken pursuant to an "evidence <br />hold" as defined in CVC §§ 22655.5 or 22655(a) without charge to the City and <br />agrees to release the vehicle to the owner at the City's request. Unless waived in <br />whole or in part by the City's Project Manager, the tow company may pursue <br />collections from the registered owner for these charges but shall not exceed the cost <br />of the tow and storage fees for a maximum of thirty (30) days. Furthermore, the <br />Contractor may attempt to collect these fees, or make arrangements to collect these <br />fees, at the time of release but shall not hold the vehicle in lieu of payment unless <br />specifically authorized by the City's Project Manager or designee. <br />13. In any case where the Police Department inadvertently and/or erroneously causes <br />the impound or storage of a vehicle, or fails to properly notify the owner in a timely <br />manner, the Contractor agrees to release the vehicle at the request of the City's <br />Project Manager or designee and waive all fees or charges associated with the tow.