HOUSTON -- Houston City Council members delayed a vote Wednesday on proposed changes to the mayor's controversial towing program, Local 2 reported.

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City Council tabled the measure and is scheduled to vote on the Safe Clear program next week.

"I have to have due diligence. I have to know why we're doing things," Councilwoman Pam Holm said.

"As you see from the comments by so many citizens, I think there's serious flaws with the process we're looking at," Councilman Gordon Quan said.

"The clock is ticking on our ability to act decisively," Houston Mayor Bill White said. "So, we have a choice. Our choice is going to be whether we decide we're going to do some things that have an impact on traffic congestion and safety on our freeways or whether we do not."

Before the measure was tabled, more Houstonians got their chance to speak out about the program, which started Jan. 1.

"The citizens of Houston cannot afford to be victimized by a work in progress," a taxpayer said Wednesday during the city council meeting.

Last week, White announced proposed changes to the program that clears broken-down vehicles from Houston freeways.

The changes include:

Stalled vehicles get a free one-mile tow to a gas station.
Wrecker drivers will change flats for free if you have a spare.
Tows for broken down and abandoned vehicles will cost $75.
Vehicles involved in accidents or abandoned after an accident will be towed at $124.

Three City Council members said the changes are not enough and want the program scrapped.

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Wreckers, Taxpayers Give Mayor 2 Cents About Towing Program

"We have to really slow things down. We can't Band-aid this, remedy and fix it because there are so many flaws in it I don't think it is going to be fixable," Councilwoman Shelly Sekula-Gibbs said.

Councilman Michael Berry said he hoped to pass the proposed changes so that stranded motorists would no longer be held accountable for the current $75 towing fee.

Some local tow truck operators who are not part of Safe Clear are threatening to file a lawsuit.

"We've done everything we can to try and cooperate. Nobody's listening. Now they're hearing the public outcry," said Suzanne Poole, with the Houston Professional Towing Association.

State Sen. John Whitmire issued a statement Wednesday. He said he plans to introduce legislation in Austin to end Safe Clear or place the program under the review of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The proposed changes to the Safe Clear program will cost taxpayers $300,000 a year.

Previous Stories:

• January 18, 2005: City Council Hears Drivers' Towing Concerns
• January 13, 2005: Council Member Asks For Moratorium On Towing Ordinance
• January 12, 2005: Mayor Overhauls Towing Ordinance
• January 10, 2005: HPD, Towing Companies Meet Over New Law
• January 7, 2005: Mayor Makes Changes To City's Towing Law
• January 6, 2005: Mayor, HPD Chief Evaluate Safe Clear Program From Air
• January 5, 2005: State Senator Calls For Moratorium On New Wrecker Law
• January 5, 2005: White To Ride With Wrecker
• January 4, 2005: Hundreds Of Vehicles Towed In New Program
• November 24, 2004: Drivers To Follow New Rules For Towing