Towing Issues: Reason to believe I was illegally towed., reciet, streets department

Question
It was the other night, Wednesday the 30th at 2:05am. Forest Lake, MN. I live in a development of townhomes run by an association of board members but I asked the police and our streets are "completely public". They are not marked by signs or anything of the sort and our "guest parking" areas are also unmarked though they would just say it's in the manual. Anyway, I was woken up at 2am by the sound of a tow truck and ran outside to stop him. He said it'll be $50 bucks. He, of course, continued to hook the car up while I argued and then charged me $85. The car had been there for only hours. We had just driven it. It was in no way abandoned or broken down- hell, that's my get to work car! It was further than 20 feet from the fire hydrant, the was no citation, no officer, no one else but us and he didn't give my father a reciet. But charged him $85. It hadn't been there for 4 hours after the tow time, either. Which is 2am. This happened at 2:05am. No paperwork, no officer, no citation, nothing. Just a truck and a guy telling me to pay him. This isn't a private street, what do I do? Is this really legal? I felt like I was being robbed. I've seen other cars being towed from my window late at night but have never seen an officer. I just don't understand, according to 169.04 they appear to have no right. Can you at all help me?

Answer
From what I see, that section of the vehicle code is not really applying to parking issues...

Now the HOA or Condo association does have many rules, regulations and covenants regarding parking and as a general rule they prohibit parking on streets after a certain time.. Yes they do have that right, if they so chose it and often they do...

Now as to the 100% public street, well that might not be true, the HOA might "own" the street but they have the local police and fire departments along with the local streets department "take responsibility" for the services by paying a fee for that service...

Now as to the signs, well that is one area where things should be worked on if they truly do not have any signs at all in the area...

But since you do not see a police officer when vehicles are towed, then it sounds to me like the tow company has a contract to come "patrol - cruise" the area looking for violators...

That practice if very common and as far as I could find out, is legal in Minnesota...

Now as to the increased price, well that kind of sucks but I know what the tow truck driver was doing, as I am a driver also... Its not really illegal its more unethical...

Sorry it had to happen, but it does with great frequency especially in HOA areas... I personally hate them and will not live in an area where they control every thing.