(A) There is hereby created in the city a pound for the impounding of automobiles and other vehicles of any character, which is hereby designated as an “automobile pound.”
(B) The Mayor is hereby empowered and directed to locate the automobile pound and to designate any other locations as may be contracted for by the city for the placement of impounded vehicles where and as may seem appropriate for the purpose and as may be necessary to accommodate the vehicles impounded. The Mayor may change the location of the automobile pound or location designated for the placement of impounded vehicles as may seem appropriate for the purpose and as may be necessary to accommodate the vehicles impounded. The city may enter into a contract with private persons, firms and corporations for the towing of the impounded vehicles and any other vehicle found to be in violation of the ordinances of the city.
(C) Whenever any vehicle is found by a police officer or community service technician to be left standing in the streets, alleys, public ways or parking facilities, or other public places of the city in violation of any ordinances of the city or which presents a traffic hazard or obstruction to traffic, vehicular or pedestrian, the police officer or community service technician may remove and convey the vehicle by means of towing it or otherwise to the automobile pound, or the police officer or community service technician may remove the vehicle or order that the vehicle be towed to the location contracted for by the city for the placement of impounded vehicles; and thereupon the vehicle shall not be discharged or removed from the automobile pound, or the location as may have been contracted for by the city for the placement of impounded vehicles, except upon payment by the owner, driver or operator of the vehicle of a towing, administrative, citation and storage fee. In the case when the vehicle is towed or removed to a location contracted for by the city for the placement of impounded vehicles, then the owner, driver or operator shall pay the towing fees and storage costs as may be established by a contract between the city and the person, firm or corporation operating the facility. When the owner, driver or operator of the vehicle so impounded claims the vehicle, it shall be the duty of the person in charge to inform the owner, driver or operator of the nature and circumstances of the violation for which the vehicle was impounded.
(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as superseding any other provisions of this title concerning the proper parking or operation of vehicles, and the collection of a fee therefor under this section shall not prevent or preclude prosecution for the violation of any of the provisions of this title concerning the parking or operation of vehicles in the city.
(Prior Code, § 72.78) (Ord. 98-27, passed 7-20-1998; Ord. 02-53, passed 10-7-2002)