Bellingham Hearing Examiner

**Financial Hardship and Impound Policy** The hearings revealed significant gaps in how the city's impound system addresses financial hardship cases. Thompson's situation demonstrated the catch-22 faced by low-income residents: needing their vehicle for mobility and employment while lacking resources to pay impound fees. Despite living on SSI with expenses exceeding income and receiving food assistance, she was forced to pay $601 during Christmas week, creating additional financial stress. Sardam's case illustrated an even more severe consequence where daily accumulating fees ($101 plus tax per day) create an insurmountable debt spiral. After 39 days, his fees exceeded the vehicle's value, effectively making recovery impossible and eliminating his sole source of income through DoorDash delivery work. **Emergency Circumstances and Enforcement Discret…

**Rachel Thompson** described her situation as an emergency response to help an elderly friend with COPD who was having an attack. She emphasized her anxiety and panic during the incident, her attempts to extract the vehicle with neighbor assistance, and her ongoing financial hardship living on SSI benefits. Thompson expressed gratitude for the hearing process while seeking relief from the financial burden. **Officer Walker (Bellingham Police)** testified that he found the vehicle high-centered on private property and blocking a public sidewalk, creating a pedestrian safety hazard. He attempted to contact Thompson but received no answer, then towed the vehicle per standard procedure. Walker noted that Thompson later called claiming permission from the homeowner, but he explained the house was for sale. **Aaron Samora (ASAP Towing President)** provided …

**Rachel Thompson, on her emergency situation:** "I deal with really bad anxiety and panic. And so when I was in this situation, I wasn't thinking clearly as far as I was. My main concern was just getting my friend to safety." **Thompson, on her financial hardship:** "I luckily, by the grace of God, got paid the day before, so I was able to make that payment of $600. But that was Christmas, and it really set me back." **Officer Walker, on the vehicle's position:** "The Ford had also been bl…

**Case Status:** - Thompson's appeal moved from pending to under decision after full hearing - Sardam's appeal advanced despite limited evidence due to officer absence - Both cases now await written rulings rather than immediate verbal decisions **Legal Precedent:** - Hearing Examiner established stricter evidentiary standards by excluding police reports without proper foundation - Identified potential conflict between municipal and state law on appeals jurisdiction …

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Hearing Examiner Pro Tem Rajeev Majumdar conducted two vehicle impound appeals on January 25th, 2026. Both cases involved vehicles towed by ASAP Towing, with appellants seeking relief from impound fees due to financial hardship and challenging circumstances. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Hearing Examiner:** A neutral judicial officer who hears appeals and administrative cases for the City of Bellingham. In this case, Rajeev Majumdar served as the "Pro Tem" (temporary) hearing examiner. **Vehicle Impound Appeal:** A legal process where someone can challenge the towing of their vehicle, seeking either a reversal of the impound decision or reduction of fees. **High Centered:** When a vehicle gets stuck with its undercarriage resting on the ground, preventing the wheels from gaining traction. This occurred to Rachel Thompson's Ford Edge when she accidentally drove into a yard. **Pedestrian Right-of-Way/Sidewalk:** Public walkways that must remain clear for pedestrians. Vehicles blocking sidewalks can be legally towed by police. **Form of Pauperis:** A legal document allowing someone to proceed with court cases without paying fees due to financial hardship. Both appellants submitted these forms. **Prima Facie Evidence:** Evidence that, on its face, establishes a fact unless contradicted. The hearing examiner noted that vehicle registration records serve as prima facie evidence of vehicle ownership. **Business Records Exception:** A legal rule that allows certain documents to be admitted as evidence without requiring testimony from their creators, if they're kept in the regular course of business. **Municipal Code vs. RCW:** The hearing examiner noted a conflict between Bellingham's local laws (Municipal Code) and state law (Revised Code of Washington) regarding where appeals from his decisions should go. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Rajeev Majumdar | Hearing Examiner Pro Tem for City of Bellingham | | Rachel Thompson | Appellant in first case (2010 Ford Edge impound) | | Officer Walker (Badge 334) | Bellingham Police Department officer who responded to Thompson incident | | Aaron Samora | President of ASAP Towing | | Mr. Sardam…