A large number of Gainesville residents showed up to Tuesday's City Council meeting, including several people frustrated about proposed changes to the city's wrecker services.

At Thursday's work session, Gainesville Police Chief Brian Kelly opened up discussion with council members about moving to a bid contract for two local wrecker companies rather than the current rotation system of 11 companies.

"I want to discuss this with you to get direction. The current system lays responsibility on the police department to set the fees and rotation lists and to inspect the lots," he said Thursday.

"We've seen the complaints increase in the last couple of years, and I want to try to express they are not our wrecker services."

Kelly proposed the change based on a study of surrounding city services, saying the bid system makes the companies more responsible for liability, hours of service and prompt response time.

Local wrecker employees showed up Tuesday to voice their concerns about the idea.

"That would put us out of business," said Stacy Chapman, who owns Expressway Wrecker with her parents.

"All we own is tied up in the business, and the rotation keeps us in business. If you go to bid, it will not only put us out of business, we will ... lose everything that we've worked so hard to build."

Chip Patterson of Patterson Auto & Wrecker Service demanded the wrecker companies meet with Kelly in the next 15 days. Others expressed their surprise.

"We'd like to be in on what's going on," said Mike Holland, owner of Holland Wrecker Service.

"We seem to find out later. If we can figure out the problem, we can deal with it."

City Manager Kip Padgett noted that no official change has been proposed at this time and the idea was opened for discussion because of past issues with wrecker services.

"We just don't understand why you want to change it. We follow the guidelines and don't charge over what the city allows," Chapman said. "It's our livelihood, and I feel like we're left out of the loop a lot."

Kelly said he plans to meet with the companies but brought the idea before the council first to gauge their reactions.

"It's just a proposal, and we've been looking at it for years now, even before I was here," he saidTuesday morning. "But I definitely understand their concern."

In other business, the council approved all ordinances up for a second reading. Alcohol is allowed at private functions in which attendance is by invitation only, vendors must get permits to sell on streets and sidewalks, and the new adult entertainment ordinance requires workers' permits and parameters about booths and viewing areas.

The new trash pickup ordinance also was approved, increasing the fee by $7 per month, limiting trash to 96 gallons per pickup and encouraging residents to recycle.

It will take effect Jan. 1.

"That's the part I do hate. An $84 (per year) increase is significant," said council member George Wangemann.

"We've heard from one segment of the community, but we're still going to be open to hearing from another segment when they start to get their bills ... I don't think it's over yet. In light of what people said they wanted, this is the best we could have done."

Council member Bob Hamrick asked City Attorney James "Bubba" Palmour to check if the fee can be tax deductible.

"I'm concerned about these fees," he said. "We keep charging fees, and it becomes expensive."