(a) The city may immobilize a motor vehicle found upon the streets of public grounds of the city which has received three (3) or more parking citations which are unpaid or otherwise unsettled and the owner of said motor vehicle shall be subject to a monetary penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) in addition to any other citations. The vehicle shall be immobilized in such manner as to prevent its removal or operation except by such persons as shall be authorized by the Chief of Police. It shall be the duty of any police officer removing or immobilizing a motor vehicle or under whose direction such vehicle is removed or immobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner of the removed or immobilized vehicle of the nature and circumstances of the prior unsettled parking violation notice for which or on account of which such vehicle was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a vehicle pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on such vehicle, in a conspicuous manner, notice warning that such vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move such vehicle might result in damage thereto. The owner of an immobilized vehicle, or other duly authorized person, shall be allowed not less than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of immobilization to respond or secure the release of the vehicle, following which such vehicle may be impounded as provided by § 17-175 of the chapter.
(b) Vehicle cannot be immobilized if parking tickets are under appeal, and immobilization cannot occur on the same day parking tickets are written.
(Ord. No. 1526, § 1, 4-22-97; Ord. No. 1932, §1, 7-22-19)