Real Briefings
Hearing Examiner
The City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner conducted a vehicle impound appeal hearing regarding a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC that was towed during Memorial Day Parade preparations on May 24, 2025. Zachary and Sloan Coleman challenged the validity of the impound and $710.14 in towing and storage fees, arguing that no parking signs were not posted when they parked for a yoga class at 10 AM. The hearing centered on conflicting accounts of whether temporary no parking signs were properly posted before the vehicle was impounded. City parking enforcement officer Stephanie Mays testified that signs were installed May 20th and checked daily, with the vehicle found in violation at 10:19 AM on the parade route. The Colemans contended no signs were visible when they parked and paid for parking through the city's pay-by-phone app. Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice, an independent contractor serving multiple jurisdictions, heard testimony from city parking enforcement, Heston Towing operator Chris Heston, and the appellants. The case highlights tensions between special event parking restrictions and regular paid parking operations, with the decision deadline set for June 27, 2025.
**Vehicle Impound Appeal Hearing (HE25-VI-011)** - **Action:** Hearing completed, decision pending - **Vote/Decision:** None yet (10 business days to decide) - **Key Details:** $710.14 total fees (…
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**Special Event Parking Enforcement Protocol**
The hearing revealed the city's systematic approach to Memorial Day Parade vehicle removal, with advance planning meetings on April 14th involving parking staff, streets crews, event coordinators, and police. Signs are typically posted 72 hours in advance, though in this case they were posted May 20th (96 hours early) due to crew scheduling conflicts.
The process involves pre-staging tow trucks, dividing the parade route into sections, and coordinating between Johnson's Towing and Heston Hauling. Parking enforcement typically impounds 7-15 vehicles during the annual event, indicating this is a recurring challenge.
**Pay-by-Phone vs. Temporary Restrictions**
A key policy tension emerged…
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**Zachary and Sloan Coleman (Appellants)**
Challenged the impound on grounds that no parking signs were not posted when they parked at approximately 9:45-10:00 AM. Sloan testified she spoke with three officers at East Champion and State Street who showed no concern about her parking. They paid for parking through 11:05 AM via the pay-by-phone app, expecting to return after an 11 AM yoga class. Argued the $710.14 total cost is excessive, particularly the $201 after-hours weekend fee.
**Stephanie Mays, Parking Code Compliance Officer 2**
Testified that temporary no parking signs were installed May 20th and checked daily by streets crew…
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**Sharon Rice, on her role:**
"I tell you this to convey to you that I am not a city of Bellingham employee. I'm a neutral decision maker."
**Sloan Coleman, on the missing signs:**
"There were maybe 3 officers that I had a conversation with at the corner of East Champion and State Street. I don't know if they were about to put signs up, but I did not see any. No parking signs at the time parking. They were not there."
**Stephanie Mays, on sign posting protocol:**
"I know that on this section…
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**Decision Timeline:** Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice has 10 business days from June 13th to issue a decision, with a June 27th deadline. However, the hearing clerk will be out of office June 27-30, so if the decision isn't delivered by June 26th, appellants won't receive it unti…
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Following this hearing, the record is now closed and no additional evidence can be submitted. The case established that there are systematic challenges with the interaction between the city's pay-by-phone parking system and temporary event restrictions. The hearing also revealed that Memorial Day Parade enforcement consiste…
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# When Parking Signs and Parade Routes Collide: A Vehicle Impound Appeal
On a quiet Friday morning in June, a Zoom hearing room became the venue for a thoroughly modern municipal dispute: Was a Mercedes-Benz legitimately towed from a Bellingham street during Memorial Day parade preparations, or was this an expensive case of missing signage and miscommunication?
The June 13th, 2025 hearing before City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice centered on file HE25-VI-011, an appeal by Zachary Coleman challenging the validity of his vehicle's impoundment and the associated $710.14 in towing and storage fees. What unfolded was a careful examination of city procedures, parade logistics, and the human cost of parking enforcement during special events.
Rice, an attorney who contracts with multiple jurisdictions as a neutral hearing examiner, opened the proceeding by emphasizing her independence from the city. "I am not a city of Bellingham employee. I'm a neutral decision maker," she explained to the assembled parties on the Zoom call. The hearing would follow a structured format: city parking enforcement testimony first, then the towing operator, followed by the appellants, with opportunities for responses and final comments.
## The City's Case: Proper Notice and Procedure
Stephanie Mays, a Parking Code Compliance Officer 2 with the City of Bellingham, laid out the city's methodical preparation for the Memorial Day parade. Her testimony painted a picture of careful coordination between multiple…
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### Meeting Overview
The City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner held a contested impound hearing on June 13, 2025, to consider an appeal by Zachary Coleman challenging the validity of towing and storage fees for his 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC. The vehicle was impounded during Memorial Day Parade enforcement on May 24, 2025, resulting in $710.14 in total charges.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Hearing Examiner:** A neutral attorney who works on contract (not a city employee) to make legal decisions on appeals and other quasi-judicial matters. Sharon Rice serves this role for Bellingham and nine other jurisdictions.
**Impound Appeal:** A formal legal proceeding where vehicle owners can challenge the validity of a tow, disputing either the legality of the impound itself or the associated fees charged by the towing company.
**No Parking Signs:** Temporary signs posted at least 72 hours before special events that supersede regular parking rules, including paid parking meters and pay-by-phone parking arrangements.
**After Hours Fee:** An additional charge ($201) imposed by towing companies when vehicle retrieval occurs outside normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm), regulated by Washington State.
**State-Regulated Towing Rates:** Standardized fees set by Washington State based on the Consumer Price Index to prevent excessive charges, including $400 for Class A tow trucks and $50.50 for half-day storage.
**Memorial Day Parade Route:** An annual Bellingham event requiring street closures and vehicle removal along specific sections, coordinated between multiple city departments including parking enforcement, streets, special events, and police.
**Pay-by-Phone Parking:** A mobile app system allowing drivers to prepay for metered parking, which becomes invalid when temporary no parking restrictions are posted for special events.
**DOL Contact Information:** The Washington State Department of Licensing database that provides only mailing addresses for registered vehicle owners, limiting the city's ability to provide advance notice of impounds.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Sharon Rice | Hearing Examiner (contract attorney) |
| Stephanie Mays | Parking Code Compliance Officer 2, City of Bellingham |
| Chris Heston | Owner, Heston Hauling/Towing |
| Sloan Coleman | Vehicle operator/appellant |
| Zachary Coleman | Registered vehicle…
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