If the owner of record of a vehicle seized pursuant to this chapter desires to challenge the seizure, said owner must make a request for a hearing within forty eight (48) hours of the seizure. Said request shall be in writing and filed with the chief of police or his designee who shall conduct such preliminary hearing within forty eight (48) hours after receipt of the request excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or city holidays. All interested persons shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard at the preliminary vehicle impoundment hearing. The formal rules of evidence will not apply at the hearing and hearsay evidence shall be admissible only if it is the type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. If, after the hearing, the chief of police or his designee determines there is probable cause to believe that the vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment pursuant to this chapter, he shall order the continued impoundment of the vehicle as provided in this chapter, unless the owner of the vehicle posts with the city, by cash or certified check, an administrative penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00), and pays the tower any applicable towing and storage fees. If the chief of police or his designee determines that there is no such probable cause, the vehicle will be released without penalty or other fees. The vehicle owner may appeal the decision of the chief of police by filing a written request with the police department for an administrative appeal of the preliminary hearing. (Ord. M-2-07, 1-16-2007)