§ 8.21 ABANDONED, JUNK OR INOPERABLE VEHICLES.

   (a)   Custody and impoundment of abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles . The city, or its towing authority , may take into custody and impound abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles as defined in § 8.04 of the city code.

   (b)   Notice of taking and sale of abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles .

      (1)   Notice within ten days. When an abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle is taken into custody, the city shall give notice of the taking within ten days.

      (2)   Contents of notice. The notice shall:

         (A)   Set forth the date and place of the taking, the year, make, model and serial number of the abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle if such information can be reasonably obtained, and the place where the vehicle is being held;

         (B)   Inform the vehicle owner and any lienholders of their respective rights to reclaim the abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle under state law and § 8.22(c) of this Division B of the city code; and

         (C)   State that failure of the vehicle owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle and contents within the 15-day waiting period set forth in M.S. § 168B.051, as it may amended from time to time, and § 8.22(c) of this Division B of the city code shall be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title and interest in the vehicle and its contents and a consent to the transfer of title to a disposal or sale of the vehicle and contents pursuant to state law and § 8.22(c) of the city code.

      (3)   Notice by mail or publication. The notice regarding abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles shall be sent by mail to the registered owner , if any, and to all readily identifiable lienholders of record. If it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and address of the registered owner and all lienholders, the notice shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. Published notices may be grouped together for convenience and economy.

   (c)   Reclaiming abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles ; sale after 15 days. The vehicle owner or any lienholder of an impounded motor vehicle shall have such rights to reclaim the impounded vehicle and retrieve its contents from the public impound lot as set forth in M.S. § 168B.07, as it may be amended from time to time. The failure of the vehicle owner or lienholder to exercise the right to reclaim the vehicle or its contents before the expiration of the 15-day waiting period set forth in M.S. § 168B.051, as it may be amended from time to time, constitutes a waiver of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, as well as its contents, and a consent to the transfer of title to, and disposal or sale of the vehicle. An abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale 15 days after the notice to the vehicle owner . The vehicle owner or lienholder shall have a right to reclaim the abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle from the impound lot operator upon payment of all towing and storage charges resulting from the impoundment of the vehicle within 15 days of the notice to the vehicle owner .

   (d)   Sales receipt for purchase of abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles . If an abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicle and its contents taken into custody by the city or its towing authority is not properly reclaimed, it may be disposed of or sold at auction or sale by the city or its agent. The purchaser shall be given a receipt in a form prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles which shall be sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle. The receipt shall also entitle the purchaser to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. Pursuant to state law, before such a vehicle is issued a new certificate of title, it must receive a motor vehicle safety check.

   (e)   Unsold abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles . Abandoned , junk or inoperable vehicles not sold by the city or its agent shall be disposed of in accordance with state law.

(1958 Code, § 101.01) (Ord. 70-47, passed 11-9-1970; recodified by Ord. 2013-9, passed 4-1-2013)