(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section shall be to establish the procedures to implement I.C. 9-22-1, which governs the removal, storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
(B) Definitions. The terms used in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in I.C. 9-13-2 and 9-22-1.
(C) Responsibilities of the Bargersville Police Department.
(1) The Bargersville Police Department shall be charged with the responsibility for the removal, storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
(2) The Bargersville Police Department may employ personnel, and acquire equipment, property and facilities, to facilitate the removal of abandoned vehicles.
(3) The Bargersville Police Department may enter into contractual arrangements with a towing service to provide for the removal, storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles, and the contract for these services shall be awarded on the basis of specifications prepared by the Town Council.
(D) Storage of abandoned vehicles. Abandoned vehicles which in the opinion of the officer have a market value of at least $100 and which are removed pursuant to I.C. 9-22-1 shall be towed and stored in an area designated by the Bargersville Police Department.
(E) Disposition of vehicles; value.
(1) If a vehicle or part believed to be abandoned is tagged as provided by law and is not removed within the 72-hour period, the officer shall prepare a written abandoned vehicle report of the vehicle or parts, with photographs. The original report and photographs shall be retained by the Bargersville Police Department in all cases for at least two years.
(2) If a tagged vehicle or parts are not removed within the 72 hours of tagging, and if in the opinion of the officer the market value of the vehicle or parts is less than $100, the officer shall immediately dispose of the vehicle to an automobile scrap yard. Copies of the abandoned vehicle report and photographs shall be forwarded to the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
(3) If in the opinion of the officer the market value of the vehicle or parts is at least $100, the officer, before placing a notice tag on the vehicle or parts, shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the person who owns the vehicle or parts or who may be in control of the vehicle or parts. After tagging and after 72 hours, in the case of a vehicle believed by the officer to have a market value of at least $100, the officer shall require the vehicle or parts to be towed to a storage area. If the market value of the vehicle or parts is believed by the officer to be at least $100 in value, the notification and disposal procedures in I.C. 9-22-1-19 through 9-22-1-32 shall be followed.
(F) Disposal of vehicles. Vehicles which have been towed to a storage area and have not been claimed by the record owner or lien holder within the statutory period shall be disposed by means of a public sale in the manner provided by I.C. 9-22-1-23 through 9-22-1-27.
(G) Towing and storage charges. An owner or lien holder who claims a vehicle shall be charged towing and storage fees. The storage fee shall be allowed to accumulate for a maximum period of 60 days.
(Ord. 1992-3, passed 4-14-1992; Ord. 2014-08, passed 6-10-2014) Penalty, see § 90.99